CHRO Exchange Day 1: Focus on the People

 “Your work is going to fill a large part of your life, and the only way to be truly satisfied is to do what you believe is great work. And the only way to do great work is to love what you do. If you haven't found it yet, keep looking. Don't settle. As with all matters of the heart, you'll know when you find it.”

Steve Jobs

The quote from Steve Jobs sums up Day 1 of IQPC’s Chief Human Resources Officer Exchange. The three day event is happening at the Wigwam Resort in Litchfield Park, Arizona.

Chairing this year’s event, Debbie Anstine. Anstine is the Vice President of Client Effectiveness at Perceptyx.

Through out the day, key presentations focused on key topics:

• Culture
• Employee experience and engagement
• Social Learning
• The War for Talent
• Technology
• Multi-generational concerns
• Social Recognition

One of the more powerful presentations was by Michelle DiTondo, Chief Human Resources Officer for MGM Resorts International. The title: Transforming Culture by Delivering on Brand Promise from the Outside In. If you’re not familiar with MGM Resorts International, they own Mirage Las Vegas and Bellagio Las Vegas, as well as the Mandalay Bay Resort Group.

The entertainment company was born out of acquisition. As such, they dealt with some growing pains such as making sure all of their employees and properties followed the same set of universal points. In order to grow, differentiate, and increase demand they have to look at their culture.

They first started with their brand. That brand: Entertainment is a fundamental human need. That informed their culture shift. Everyone, regardless of position, is an entertainer at MGM Resorts International.

What they arrived at was the show:

Transforming an organization’s culture is a challenge, but DiTondo said there are some serious points to consider.

1. Understand and appreciate your brand’s heritage and DNA
2. Define your brand’s purpose and role in consumer’s lives
3. Updating & repositioning a brand is the entire organization’s responsibility
4. Before you tell your brand proposition to the world at large, be ready to deliver it.

One of the most emotional parts of the presentation focused on the company’s response to the shooting that happened at the Mandalay Bay Resort on October 1st. It happened with a few weeks of the company launching their new brand. DiTondo said they immediately pulled the campaign, but because of the cultural shift the company had just undergone, they were able to respond effectively to the tragedy.

CHRO Exchange continue through the 14th of November.