The Dawning of a New Workplace delivers thought-provoking learning opportunities.  With programming tailored to multiple career and interest levels, you will experience powerful learning opportunities.  This value-packed conference will provide you with the knowledge, leading edge solutions, and competitive advantage you need to take your business to the next level of success.

 

 

Playing Defense: How to Keep Your Best Employees - Tim Rutledge, Mattanie Press
Snapshot: Employee loyalty has been replaced with engagement, the state of being attracted, committed, and fascinated with your organization's work. This presentation provides a unique guide to how to prevent talent from resigning. Learn what supervisors do to create engaging employment experiences, and not just jobs, for their key employees.

 

Theme: Creating a Healthy Workplace
Legal Consequences of an Unhealthy Workplace - Brad Proctor, McInnes Cooper; John MacPherson, McInnes Cooper; Ian Pickard, McInnes Cooper
Snapshot: In order to create a healthy workplace, an employer must be aware of the legal and regulatory regime governing occupational health and safety in the workplace. Knowledge of these matters can assist an employer in (a) proactively avoiding accidents and employee complaints, and (b) being in a strong position to defend against any potential complaints or charges.

 

Theme: Partnerships and Collaboration
Repatriation:  They want to Come Home! - Jean Nadeau, Careerbeacon
Snapshot: While attracting Talents has become a top priority of employers around the globe, a growing number of Atlantic Canadian employers are already facing labor shortages for specialized skills.  The “Repatriation” of former residents is quickly becoming part of many Private and Public recruitment strategies. This presentation will focus on the opportunity for employers from the region to attract former Atlantic Canadian residents to Come Home.  We will review lessons learned from past repatriation initiatives and present a “Repat Profile” useful for designing or optimizing your “Repatriation Strategy”.

Theme: World Class Employer
Made in Canada Leadership - Françoise Morissette, Queen’s University
Snapshot: In recent years, much noise has been made in the media and elsewhere about a leadership ‘crisis’. Apparently, supply simply cannot meet current and future demand. In order to find a solution to this serious problem, the largest research on leadership development in Canada sought to answer the following questions; how to develop competent leaders, ensure a reliable supple of capable leaders for the nation and strengthen Canadian leadership.  Come and benefit from the collective wisdom of the 295 exceptional leaders and 67 professional experts interviewed. Get the results first!

 

 

Theme: Talent Attraction and Retention
Free Agency in Corporate Canada - Mark Surrette, Robertson Surrette
Snapshot: Today Corporate Canada has an interesting dilemma on its hands: how to deal with a shrinking pool of talent in an ever ever-increasing marketplace. The War for Talent, as McKinsey dubbed it in the late 90’s.  But it is much more complex than that.  In fact it is rather similar to what happened in baseball in 1975 which changed professional sport forever.  Corporate Canada faces a future which is eerily similar.  Mark Surrette will advance his perspective on this interesting and challenging dynamic during this fast paced interactive session.

 

Theme: Creating a Healthy Workplace
A Blueprint for Organizational Effectiveness - Brenda Barker Scott, Queen’s University; Allyson Thompson, Ontario Ministry of Finance
Snapshot: An exciting and developing role of the strategic HR/OD professional is to design healthy, vibrant organizations; organizations that can evolve and adapt with the needs of the marketplace. But how is this done? In this session, participants will become introduced to the Blueprint for Organizational Effectiveness, a framework of the critical elements that must be developed and aligned to facilitate organizational health and effectiveness.

 

Theme: Partnerships and Collaboration
Strategic Partnerships: The Future of Labour Relations - Phil Veinotte, HRA; Ronald MacLeod, HRA; Michele Dorsey, HRA
Snapshot: This dynamic panel of experienced labour negotiators will share their unique perspectives on the future of labour relations in the new workplace, and challenge participants to be strategic partners at the leadership table, building bridges with labour.

 

Theme: World Class Employer
Generational Differences in Drivers of Employee Engagement - Marcia McDougall, Hewitt Associates; Neil Crawford, Hewitt Associates
Snapshot: The “new workforce” will span four generations, each with different values and drivers of engagement. Learn what the 50 Best Employers in Canada are doing to attract and retain the employees they need, and how they are adapting HR policies and practices to appeal to a multi-generational workforce.

 

Theme: Talent Attraction and Retention
From Learning to Work- What College and University Students Really Want - Eric Meerkamper, D-Code
Snapshot: Generation X, Generation Y, the Echo Boom. Whatever you call them, there are many myths and surprising truths about what today’s graduating university and college students are seeking from prospective employers. This presentation will highlight key insights from D-Code’s 2006 national syndicated study “From Learning to Work” (conducted in partnership with Brainstorm Consulting). Based on responses from over 30,000 Canadian college and university students, it is the largest and most comprehensive study of its kind.

 

Theme: Creating a Healthy Workplace
The Business Case for Comprehensive Workplace Health - Return on Investment - Dr. Lydia Makrides, Creative Wellness Solutions
Snapshot: There is compelling evidence that a sizable portion of the billions of dollars currently spent by employers on health-related costs is preventable by means of workplace health programs. This presentation will examine the factors that need to be addressed in Comprehensive Workplace Health, the evidence from the scientific literature on the link between modifiable risk factors and employer costs and the evaluation model based on current Nova Scotia research in Comprehensive Workplace Health.

 

Theme: Partnerships and Collaboration
Changing Times, Changing Roles: Transforming the Capital Health HR Department - Mary Blakey, Capital Health; Dwayne Phillips, Capital Health; Raissa Flett, Capital Health
Snapshot: Members of the Capital Health HR department will describe the process they used as they transformed from an “out of touch” department to an integral business partner. The change allowed the department to have the capacity to deliver core services supporting the day-to-day operation with the flexibility to adjust and evolve to meet the strategic directions of the organization.

Theme: World Class Employer
The Leadership Gap: Leveraging the Promise – Building Leadership Strategy & Capacity for Competitive Advantage – Rosemary Kirby, Knightsbridge
Snapshot: Leadership capacity has become a source of competitive advantage in today's world. Unfortunately, many organizations are experiencing a significant leadership gap that is undermining their ability to succeed. This session explores this leadership gap and provides insights and strategies to help leaders and their organizations build and leverage strong leadership capacity for competitive advantage.

 

Theme: Talent Attraction and Retention
Growing Talent from the Ground Up- the GoverNEXT Example - Patricia Charlton, Government of Nova Scotia
Snapshot: Within the Government of Nova Scotia, becoming a preferred employer for young talent is, in part, driven from the bottom up. Young public servants have founded GoverNEXT, a network providing opportunities for learning, mentorship, and offering their perspectives. GoverNEXT is an excellent example of innovation in organizational attractiveness.  Learn about the creation and implementation of an organizational youth network - a recruitment and retention best practice. 

 

Theme: Creating a Healthy Workplace
CIBC’s Health and Wellness Strategy - Dr. David Brown, CIBC
Snapshot: Dr. Brown will provide an overview of CIBC's Health & Well-being Strategy, involving moving the focus from outcome management to risk management.  He will also discuss the Wellness Checkpoint (what it is – Health Risk Assessment and Health Portal), what they have learned from the Checkpoint and what they have done with the results.

 

Theme: Partnerships and Collaboration
Strategic Partnerships that Foster Diversity - Charlie Macdonald, Nova Scotia Public Service Commission; Viki Samuels, Nova Scotia Public Service Commission
Snapshot:  The Nova Scotia Public Service Commission will share lessons learned in implementing a diversity initiative within the Public Service. This presentation will focus on the development of a Diversity Round Table that has been providing leadership and advice to the Commission as it works towards the achievement of a key corporate objective - becoming a more diverse workforce.

 

Theme: World Class Employer
Creating a Great Place to Work®- Jen Wetherow, Great Place to Work® Institute
Snapshot: Great workplaces are built on trust – the cornerstone of quality jobs and performance excellence. High trust relationships require behaviours that can be learned and embedded in an organization’s culture. Use key insights from the Great Place to Work® Institute’s research on great workplaces to identify opportunities for change in your organization. In addition, we will provide some specific data points and best practice examples from our research and assessment of best companies for Canadian Business, Fortune, and HRMagazine.

 

 

Theme: Talent Attraction and Retention
Practice Makes Perfect-An Alternative Source for Finding the Right Employee -Charlene Blackie, Cape Breton University; Ebrima Secka, The Practice Depot

Snapshot: In Canada, there are about 40 practice firms in four provinces. Designed first and foremost to ease the entry or the return to the job market, practice firms are at the forefront of job development. By giving the participant the opportunity to update his or her skills, to acquire practical job experience and to lead an active job search, it permits the participant to be at the highest level of employability. This session will inform participants of the concept and the value of practice firms to the HR professional.

 

Theme: Creating a Healthy Workplace
Becoming a Healthy Workplace: Best Practices and Lessons Learned - Gwen MacPherson, Nova Scotia College of Physicians and Surgeons

Snapshot: The College of Physicians and Surgeons of Nova Scotia operates under a philosophy of continuous quality improvement in its services to citizens and clients, in its commitment to people and partnerships, and in its core business processes.  The College received the National Quality Institute (NQI) Canada Award for Excellence in 2003, and the NQI Healthy Workplace Award in August 2006.  They will discuss their experiences and share lessons learned as they developed a healthy workplace.

 

Theme: Partnerships and Collaboration
Experience Works and Immigrants Work - Strategic Partnerships - Jeny Wallace, London Economic Development Corporation

Snapshot: The greatest challenge facing employers in the coming years will be the recruitment and retention of the workers needed to keep businesses competitive. Two resources have been developed by the London Economic Development Corporation to help businesses tap into the talent of older workers and immigrants. This session will showcase these resources. 

 

Theme: World-Class Employer
Scarcity - The Imperative to be a World Class Employer - Stu Gourley, Skills and Learning, Department of Education
Snapshot: Employers say there are no workers, yet unemployment remains relatively high in some areas of the province.  Workers say there are no jobs, yet our long term job vacancy rate continues to rise.  We continue to graduate, from all levels of the education system, potential employees who, seemingly, don’t measure up to employers’ needs. What are the foundations of these conundrums and what do employers need to do to become a World Class Employers and avoid these pit falls?

 

Theme: Talent Attraction and Retention
Background Checks and Exit Interviews: Finding and Keeping Talent - Matt Walters, BackCheck; Andy Kroen, BackCheck; Dave Dinesen, BackCheck
Snapshot: This panel discussion will examine how HR departments can find and retain top performers by implementing systems to conduct comprehensive applicant background checks and employee exit interviews. Such systems are vital to effective attraction policies as they result in employment of not only proven performers, but also of potential talent, thereby ensuring the workforce is ready for current and future challenges.

Theme: Creating a Healthy Workplace
Building Engaged and Sustainable Healthy Workplaces - Patrick Hartling, SPL Development Services; Nadine Wentzell, Nadine Wentzell Consulting
Snapshot: This workshop will explore the gap between theory and practice regarding healthy workplaces. Using the 2006 Hewitt report on Attracting and Retaining the New Workforce and the principles of Healthy Workplace Criteria developed by the National Quality Institute, this session will focus on changes needed to close the gap. Incorporating the principles of adult education, the workshop will be participatory and inclusive.

 

Theme: Partnerships and Collaboration
Networked HR: Moving Beyond Strategy, Building Networks with HR & IT- Barb Krell, Enterprising HR; Daniel Petley, Dakota Analytics
Snapshot: Based on experiences from a mix of projects and implementations, workshop presenters will share from their journey to build relationships and communicate across the disciplines of HR and IT. This session will be of interest to HR professionals challenged by tasks of understanding and leveraging technology to deliver integrated strategic HR services.

 

Theme: Talent Attraction and Retention
Talent Retention - Andy Peck, Deloitte
Snapshot: The issue of talent retention is becoming widely recognized as a critical success factor for most organizations to ensure they are able to achieve their key goals and objectives. What are not yet widely recognized, however, are the contributing factors that are driving employee turnover and some effective strategies for managing this issue. This workshop will present some insightful findings on the key drivers which underscore this issue, and a practical framework that you can apply in your organization to better manage this issue.

 

Theme: Creating a Healthy Workplace
How to Energize Your Work - Peter Davison, Professional Speaker
Snapshot: This interactive seminar is dedicated to helping HR practitioners explore practical solutions to three of the biggest problems that contribute to workplace dissatisfaction and energy drainage: lousy sleep, distress, and poor communication. Participants will explore more than 10 practical strategies to support the desire to give their best in a healthy and vibrant work environment.

 

Theme: Partnerships and Collaboration
Succession Management: Fully Implemented - Brian Duggan, Marathon HR Consulting; David Horton, Marathon HR Consulting; Sheila Rankin, Annapolis Valley District Health Authority; Edith Menzies, Annapolis Valley District Health Authority
Snapshot: Annapolis Valley District Health Authority (AVDHA) has strategically approached the issue of Succession Management. As Baby Boomers move out, AVDHA has ensured that there will be a cadre of qualified and motivated leaders ready to assume leadership responsibilities at every level. This presentation will demonstrate that a proactive and strategic approach to Leadership Development, focusing on the needs and culture of the organization and supporting leaders to be successful in their roles, will create a World Class Employer.

 

Theme: World Class Employer
Becoming an Employer of Choice - Trevor Wilson, TWI Inc.
Snapshot: This workshop will provide participants with a unique perspective on the process and tools to position their organization as a world-class employer.  The presentation will include the often conflicting work perspectives of the Boomers, Generation X and Generation Y.  In addition, participants will be taken through an exercise to identify the characteristics of a leader in diversity and assess their organization’s present state in essential areas like leadership commitment, business case, measurement, accountability and infrastructure.