The Great Place to Work® FOR ALL™ Conference 2023, was a transformative event that took place recently and lived up to its promise of igniting a revolution in workplace culture, steering it from ‘Good to Great.’
In a world where organizations are increasingly recognizing the pivotal role that workplace culture plays in their success, this conference emerged as a beacon of hope for leaders striving to enhance their workplace cultures. The daylong event was packed with engaging presentations, insightful breakout sessions, and vibrant panel discussions.
Kshanika Ratnayaka, Director and CEO of Great Place to Work® Sri Lanka, began with a powerful presentation titled “Great Starts Here, ” setting the tone and emphasizing the importance of nurturing a culture that embraces all and drives excellence.
Krishan Balendra, Chairman of John Keells Holdings PLC, delved into the transformative journey from “Good to Great.” Balendra’s real-world experience and wisdom left a lasting impression on the attendees, providing a roadmap for organizations aspiring to scale new heights.
Micheal C. Bush, the Global CEO of Great Place to Work, followed with a captivating talk on what it means to be a FOR ALL™ Leader. His insights resonated deeply with the audience, highlighting the essence of inclusivity and fairness in leadership.
The conference then transitioned into a series of enlightening breakout sessions, where attendees had the privilege of learning from industry luminaries. Prasenjit Bhattacharya and Dalreen Patrao from the Great Manager Institute shared their expertise on the science behind people management. Simultaneously, Ashok Thussu, Director & Co-Master Licensee of LMI South Asia, provided strategies on ‘Unlocking Human Potential.’
Ashdin Doctor, Habit Coach and Founder of Awesome180, unraveled the intricacies of workplace habits and their profound impact on behavior and culture. Simultaneously, a panel featuring distinguished professionals that included Jehan Perinpanayagam-CEO Infomate, Chairman SLASSCOM, and Chairman ACCA Member network panel Sri Lanka, Denver De Zylva -Global Head of Facilities & Sustainability – Virtusa Corp, Pyumi Sumanasekara- Partner-KPMG, Zahra Cader-Director consulting/ ESG and D&I leader at PwC Sri Lanka and Natasha Boralessa Kumara -Director Brandix Apparel Limited, engaged in a discussion centered around the theme of ‘Future Proofing the Workplace: Purpose Driven Approach to ESG,’ shedding light on the evolving landscape of sustainability and social responsibility.
The afternoon breakout sessions continued to provide valuable insights, with Ruwani Alwishewa, Head of Assessment Business & Client Services at Great Place to Work® Sri Lanka, and Mona Seleim, Director of Culture Coaching at Great Place to Work® Middle East, sharing industry trends and updates. A dynamic panel comprising Mano Sekaram (Founder/CEO, 99X), Thushari Perera (Director Human Resources, AIA), and Dilrukshi Kurukulasuriya (Board Director/Group Chief Human Resources Officer, DIMO) shared their decade-long journey of transforming organizations from ‘Good to Great.
The discussion on ‘Workplace Culture Transformation’ featuring regional experts from China, India, and the Middle East added a global perspective to the event. Shehan Wijetilaka, the Strategy Director, and Founder of LaurusMark, wrapped up the day with an insightful presentation on the ‘Rewards of Being Resilient.’
The Great Place to Work® FOR ALL™ Conference 2023 was an event tailored for C-level executives, senior managers, human resources professionals, thought leaders, and executives. Its core mission was to disseminate insights, case studies, and strategies that have enabled businesses to elevate their workplace cultures, guided by the principles of innovation, collaboration, and elevation.
The events key takeaways, were in having organizations across Sri Lanka being equipped with the knowledge and inspiration needed to steer their cultures from ‘Good to Great.’ This was made possible through the invaluable insights and strategies shared at the conference, empowering leaders to initiate a transformative change in their workplaces.
