HR Pulse

Breakfast Session: Enhancing the Credibility and Reputation of the HR Department

In many companies, HR professionals complain that the HR Department does not get the respect it deserves; even though HR people are often well qualified, with substantial knowledge, skills and experience, they do not always have the desired strategic impact. Indeed, many CEOs admit that they are disappointed in their HR Department: they feel that HR is too focused on internal matters, and not very good at relating HR to real-world business needs. By drawing on some well-entrenched principles and ideas from the world of marketing and selling, this session offers a useful framework and some practical guidelines for enhancing the credibility and reputation of HR. To a significant extent, it’s about managing perceptions, HR going through a make-over (in some instances), HR changing the way it sees itself, and being involved in pushing boundaries and adding value where and when it matters most. A lot of work? Yes, but it can also be a lot of fun, and at the same time generate tremendous ROI (return on investment), both for HR professionals and the organisation.

Speaker Profile

Dr. Edmund Rudman is a Strategist, Leadership Development specialist and Executive Coach. For the past 20 years Edmund has worked as a consultant, facilitator, researcher and speaker across a wide range of industries, but with a focus on mining, the motor car industry and financial services. He has facilitated strategy workshops, conducted leadership seminars, done culture surveys and climate studies, and worked in the areas of creativity and innovation.

Edmund’s work in the mining sector has involved several of the large mining groups. He has facilitated workshops where organised labour, the government and the mining companies jointly seek to reach agreement on significant issues. He has also been involved in the design and management of developmental programmes for young professionals. Edmund has held management positions in the banking and electronics sectors, in the areas of strategy, marketing and selling, HR, and accounting. He has taught at several universities and business schools.

Whereas most of his assignments have taken place in Southern Africa, he has also facilitated workshops in Germany, the UK and Brazil. With regard to tertiary academic qualifications, Edmund has a Master of Business Science (M.Bus.Sc.) degree from the University of Cape Town and a Doctor of Commerce (D.Com.) degree from the University of Pretoria, specialising in Business Strategy. He has also had the privilege of attending training sessions run by world-renowned business gurus, such as John Maxwell, Michael Porter, Edward de Bono, Henry Mintzberg and Tom Peters.