Michele Bush

HR practitioners at any level have the ability to influence the decisions that affect any company's most important asset their people. To be an integral part of that decision-making process, HR must demonstrate executive thinking. Understanding how the business operates, seeing things from the leadership team's perspective, and anticipating their needs, are critical to HR being a sought-after expert and partner. Regardless of your position within the HR function, key learnings and practical tools from this session can be implemented immediately so you can influence outcomes and shape the perceptions of HR. Learning Objectives: Identify the key components of executive thinking in order to align the HR strategy to the business strategy, Learn the right questions to ask to establish trust and encourage transparency, Discover HR's role in anticipating the people effects and hidden costs of business decisions, and Understand how to enhance your message with relevant data and analytics.

Effective networking is a fundamental competency that all business professionals need. As HR practitioners, our advice & guidance must be current and relevant. That knowledge comes from surrounding ourselves with the right people and having access to the right information. When we have a vast network, we can increase influence, attract a pipeline of talent, remain compliant and ensure that leaders have the information they need to be an employer of choice. The session will focus on the value of professional networking and provides practical ways to build your network, so that the process becomes a more natural, ongoing activity. Participants will come away with 1. the benefits of a broader network of business connections and resources, 2. an understanding of what may be holding them back from networking, 3. a structured approach to expanding your professional network, and 4. practical tools and techniques for engaging in networking activities both virtually and in person