Beyond Tech: HR Modernization
HR has a seat at the table and the focus has shifted to "HR Modernization." It is a term frequently used, but rarely explored fully. An over-emphasis is placed on technology, but what does it really take to modernize your HR workforce and HR's role within the organization? Streamlining processes and leveraging technological advancements are the final stages of a modernization process, but what comes before? In this session we explore what HR's role really is within the organization, and use that "True North" as the foundation of modernization efforts. We dig into the evolving expectations HR teams have within the organization, the up-skilling imperative within our HR teams, the hard work HR leaders must do before considering a digitization effort, how and where to leverage technological advancements, and when good, old-fashion HR work is still the best.
Christopher Courneen
As the Vice President and Global Head of Human Resources at MS International, Inc. (MSI), Chris leads the HR function for the premier flooring, countertop, and hard surfaces supplier in North America. With over 15 years of experience in HR and business management, Chris has a proven track record of delivering innovative solutions that impact his organization’s people and bottom line. Before his career in HR, he was a business leader responsible for managing sales, supply chain, and warehouse operations for one of the largest private employers in the US. He is a certified Diversity and Inclusion professional, a member of Forbes Magazine’s Human Resources Council, a member of Newsweek Magazine’s Americans Greatest Workplaces Council, and has won the Distinguished HR Leaders award for the last 3 years. In his current role, he partners with the executive team and the operational and sales management teams to align HR strategies with business goals. He oversees all HR activities across 50+ locations in the US, Canada, and India, including employee relations, organizational development, diversity and inclusion, performance management, training, benefits, compensation, rewards, wellness, workers compensation, injury prevention, and compliance. He also leads MSI’s HR modernization efforts, leveraging automation, big data, artificial intelligence, and machine learning techniques to enhance people practices.