The Great Place to Work® Regional Conference 2024, themed “The Future of Work is “FOR ALL”,” was held at Hilton Colombo, bringing together thought leaders, HR professionals, and business executives to discuss strategies for building a resilient workforce.
The conference began with an inspiring keynote by Kshanika Ratnayaka, Director/CEO of Great Place to Work® Sri Lanka, who emphasized that human potential knows no boundaries and the need for continuous growth and learning. She highlighted the importance of making employees feel valued as businesses evolve and noted that Great Place to Work® helps organizations create thriving work environments.
Michelle Senanayake, Group Chief People and Corporate Communications Officer at Sunshine Holdings, discussed their 3R HR Strategy—Reach, Resign, and Resilience, a part of their digital transformation, that had helped the company adapt to technological changes by enhancing efficiency, streamlining workflows, and empowering employees through technology instead of replacing them.
Adam Ashcroft, a renowned business coach, introduced his “Powers, Purpose, and Progress” strategy, emphasizing the importance of leveraging unique team member strengths , and aligning purpose for employee engagement, and offering continuous career growth to drive innovation and support organizational evolution.
Several breakout sessions followed, focusing on key themes in workplace culture and development. One session emphasized the role of trust in driving growth and innovation, highlighting how it empowers employees to take initiative and fosters creativity, collaboration, and productivity. Another discussion underscored the importance of Purpose, People, and Culture for organizational success, with a clear mission driving innovation and the need for investment in talent and inclusivity to ensure sustained growth.
A panel discussion on “Fostering DEIB in the Workplace” highlighted the significance of integrating diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEIB) principles into corporate culture, promoting inclusivity, and creating equitable workplaces to enhance performance, whilst another session focused on cultivating a culture of balance and employee well-being, emphasizing the necessity of supportive environments, flexible work arrangements, and mental health resources. The panel concluded that investing in mental and emotional health benefits the entire organization.
In the afternoon, “The Impact of Digital Transformation and AI in the Workplace” stressed the importance of training and soft skills while encouraging organizations to embrace AI as an innovation partner to foster a more engaged workforce in the digital age, followed by a discussion, titled “Sustainability: Shaping the Future of Work,” explored how sustainability drives workplace growth and innovation that emphasized integrating environmental, social, and governance (ESG) criteria into business strategies to enhance employee engagement, attract top talent, and ensure long-term success. Bottom of Form
Ruwani Alwishewa, Practice Head at Great Place to Work® Sri Lanka, then highlighted the importance of a supportive workplace culture for parents where flexible work arrangements, parental leave policies, and support systems helps to retain top talent and boosts organizational loyalty.
A session on the ‘FOR ALL’ Culture—The Asia and Middle East Perspectives—explored strategies for empowering employees across diverse sectors. Industry leaders discussed the importance of creating a ‘FOR ALL’ culture, emphasizing that it drives sustainable growth, innovation, and employee loyalty.
As the conference concluded, it was clear: the future of work is FOR ALL, and organizations must act now to create environments where employees can thrive. With insights from Great Place to Work® the path forward lies in embracing change, fostering innovation and prioritizing people.
