Employee experience drives work performance and business outcomes, says SHRM CHRO Jim Link

New Delhi, October 13, 2023: Society for Human Resources Management (SHRM) India today concluded its ‘SHRM India Annual Conference & Expo’ at Taj Palace, New Delhi.

While addressing the conference, in his opening keynote, ‘EX in Focus: Employee Experience Driving Business Outcomes’, Jim Link, CHRO, SHRM, spoke on how employees’ engagement and performance drive business success.

He stated,” A great employee experience drives employee engagement and increases job satisfaction and productivity by almost every measure. Continuous research has indicated that there’s a strong level of connection between how we engage our employees and their positive experiences that drives business outcomes. They’re inextricably linked; you can’t separate them.”

The two-day conference witnessed a huge gathering of more than 150 speakers, 900+ CXOs, and 4,500+ HR leaders who attended over 70+ sessions comprising more than 15+ learning hours. With the theme ‘Drive Change’, the conference was designed to establish an environment on how to lead and drive change, experience questioning the status quo, spur creativity, and help HR leaders visualize the future.

Commenting on the success of SHRMIAC23, Ms. Achal Khanna, CEO, SHRM India, APAC, & MENA said, “SHRM is commemorating 75 years of contributing to better workplaces and a better world. I am overwhelmed to see the leaders’ convergence at the 12th SHRM India Annual Conference to discuss important issues affecting the future of work. In today’s ever-evolving workplace, HR professionals must drive change and help employees become more effective. I am thankful to all the eminent speakers and guests who gave their valuable time and made SHRMIAC23 a big success.”

The panel discussion on “The Future of Work is Flexible: Building an Ideal Talent Strategy” brought together experts from various fields to discuss how changing workforce demands make hiring and retaining talent difficult. The panel featured Prof. Dhruv Nath, Director, Lead Angels Network; Ganesh K., CEO, Tutorvista with promoter, BigBasket, Subramanian R S, SVP – South Asia, DHL Express & MD, DHL Express, India. The discussion centred on adopting new tools and strategies that ensure flexibility for both enterprises and employees if they want to succeed in the modern workplace.

In a TED-style talk series on ‘Creating Pioneering Organizations of Tomorrow: Energized. Engaged. Empowered’, Anchor D. Shivakumar, Conference Chair, SHRMIAC23 & Operating Partner, Advent International Private Equity, along with Prashant Sarin, Senior Partner, Bain & Company, India, Neelesh Hundekari, Senior Partner and Head, Leadership Change & Organisation Practice India, A. T. Kearney, and Abheek Singhi, Managing Director & Senior Partner, Chair of Practices & Partner Committee, BCG India, spoke about how alarmingly only 12% of CEOs think their companies are fostering the correct culture, which inhibits growth, value, profitability, productivity, and creativity. They discussed how to foster a cutting-edge culture where employees are willing to collaborate and perform in a highly productive manner, feel empowered to do their best work, and trust and respect their leaders.

In the closing keynote of the conference, Harnaaz Sandhu, Indian model, actress, and Miss Universe 2021, in conversation with Ashissh Kaul, Director, Knowledge & Advisory, and Business Head, PSE, SHRM India, talked on ‘Aspire to Inspire: Championing Change’.  In the high-energy discussion, they discussed what it takes to overcome obstacles and serve as an inspiration to millions of people worldwide.

About SHRM

SHRM creates better workplaces where employers and employees thrive together. As the voice of all things work, workers and the workplace, SHRM is the foremost expert, convener and thought leader on issues impacting today’s evolving workplaces. With nearly 325,000 members in 165 countries, SHRM impacts the lives of more than 235 million workers and families globally. Learn more at SHRM.org.