By Adam Cotterall, CHRP

Over the course of the past several years, HR professionals have become increasingly fluent in the language of business, bringing core metrics to bear on bottom line contributions and committing themselves to the recognized standard of professional people practices represented by the CHRP designation.  As a result, the challenges facing HR practitioners are the one’s that have increasingly confounded the C-suite for years.

What does it take to make a business work in a world that is constantly changing?

Running contrary to cliche is an increasingly common conundrum; the more things change, the more…things change.  Change is not simply a constant; fueled by the pressure to achieve productivity and innovation, constant change actually defines the new status quo in business.

Coupled with prevailing economic stressors, demographic shifts and an unprecedented shift in how we communicate, the working world has become that much more complicated for those in human resources.

Can we call it a trend and expect to see a turn around sometime soon?  Not likely.  Despite the fact that this way of working is already taking its toll, with rates of burnout on the rise and retention predicted to slide, the changes continue to accelerate.

In the new marketplace of the modern moment, to rest appears to mean we become a part of history.  With the increasing speed at which we live, and growing complexity of daily life, it’s enticing to imagine a simpler way to manage ourselves, our relationships and our organizations.

Complexity Made Simple.  The theme for the 49th Annual BC HRMA Conference is both timely and telling. It is also a promise.  On April 14-15, 2011, I hope you will join us for a groundbreaking conference where we will explore the complementary relationship between complexity and simplicity.

The key is to not confuse the complicated with the complex.  Headlines and traffic jams are complicated.  People are complex.  Complications are created.  Complex systems yield simple truths.

The two are not the same, nor are any two presenters at this year’s conference exactly alike in their realms of expertise, passion or style of presentation.  And yet, each possesses the ability to transfix our imaginations and fuel us with unconsidered opportunity in both our workplaces and our lives.

What might Dr. Brene Brown’s study of the anatomy of inspiration reveal of our own organization – moreover, of our potential?  Could Google’s prior Chief Information Officer Douglas Merrill’s perspective on proactive talent management strategy change the thinking we apply to shape the organizations of the future?  Have I actually helped bring into being an HR conference where no lesser a business thinker than Kevin O’Leary is leading the primary plenary?  What is this world coming to?  Canada’s leading futurist and CFA Steve Worzel will field that last question.

I never fail to come to our gathering of many minds without burning questions of my own. Each year, I come away with new, thought-provoking questions – along with leading edge answers, ideas and actions with which to make both better business decisions and life more livable.

This is not a chance occurrence.  Bringing together a roster of minds this diverse, so uniquely focused on the People, Passion, Profit equation at a time when HR has not only been called to the table, but called upon to head the strategy, is the work of many.

Over the past few years, I have had the good fortune and inestimable experience of helping bring the annual BC HRMA Conference into being alongside some of the most passionately committed professionals in the business.

This year’s conference is the result of the combined efforts of a tireless Steering Committee including Lisa Ryan, CHRP; Peter Saulnier, CHRP; Brenda Rigney, CHRP; Howard Ehrlich; Harry Gray; Kevin Jeffrey, CHRP; Barbara Ross-Denroche, CHRP; Patrick Doyle; Lisa Luongo Smith, and Anjana Moitra, CHRP.  Several of these individuals also led Track Committees of dedicated members who populated the exciting program you now have the chance to register for.

Thank you to you, the members who provided such valuable input on what you wanted to see at your 2011 Conference – I think you’ll like what you find.

I would also like to acknowledge Simon Evans and his amazing team that makes Conference possible each year.  Quinne Davey, Kara Douglas, Erin Engstrom, Ian Cook, CHRP, Jacques Le Blanc, Anita Hales, and Jason McRobbie – many thanks to you from me personally and on behalf of all BC HRMA members.

On a personal note, it was a privilege to be asked by Harry Gray and Lynn Webb-Thomas to be the Chair for Conference 2011 and work alongside them both.  While Lynn has been focusing on her health, we have forged forward with an aim to building a Conference that she would be proud of.  Lynn, your leadership and example has been a true source of inspiration and direction – we wish you well!

The excellence of Conference continues to evolve and next year Lisa Ryan, CHRP will take over as chair to guide us even further.  We will continue to pursue the emerging paradigm of People, Passion and Profit – albeit through the lens of the 50th anniversary of the BC HRMA annual conference on April 26-27, 2012.

(PeopleTalk: Spring 2011)