By Kelly Tanner

11,000 Human Resources professionals from around the globe descended on San Diego last week for the Society for Human Resources Management’s annual conference, to explore ideas about what’s next for business, and the role of HR looking forward. Dovetailing with SHRM’s new image campaign and slogan, “We Know Next,” the conference emphasized HR’s importance in identifying and managing change while developing progressive business strategy.

An informal poll during a general session revealed that a majority of HR professionals have been heavily affected by the economic downturn, with most reporting smaller budgets, reduced spending, and a shift in focus away from issues of promoting diversity and recruitment. However, with hiring freezes being lifted and businesses expecting increased revenue in the next year, the mood was optimistic. Most sessions emphasized longer-term strategic concepts, such as organizational inclusion, how best to integrate corporate branding and social media, and HR’s role surrounding developing workplace law and health care reform.

Keynote speakers Steve Forbes and Al Gore both discussed the shift in Human Resources from the traditional “personnel” role to that of a business leader who can seize opportunity to address domestic and global challenges in the workplace. Forbes said, “HR has a place at the table, and you have a chance to be the leading edge of our economic recovery” in areas ranging from health care reform to input on changes to the Fair Labor Standards Act and other regulations.

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By Melissa J. Anderson (New York City)

On Tuesday, the Forté Foundation brought together movers and shakers from New York’s top companies as part of its 2010 Network of Women’s Networks conference. The theme of the conference was Driving Change through Innovation – and as keynote speaker Kerrie Peraino, Chief Diversity Officer of American Express explained, “Far from being the buzz words of this millennium, change and innovation, they are actually a call to action.”

Attendees were asked to focus not only on how change and innovation come to fruition within an organization, but how they themselves are change agents. And of course, because of the emphasis on networks, women were encouraged to build relationships and make new connections with other conference attendees.

Networking for Innovation

Kicking off the day with a speed-networking session, Amy Orlav, Professional Development Specialist at the Graduate Management Admission Council ®, joked, “What is the best part of any conference? Don’t say the food.” She answered, “it’s the networking!”

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