The success-recipe to build agile and future-ready organizations in 2025 and beyond

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HR professionals today face complex issues like integrating AI, developing effective leadership, and managing employee well-being. The Horizon Summit 2024 will offer actionable solutions to these challenges, making it an essential event for HR leaders. This article explores key sessions and speakers who will address how to foster organizational agility, use data to drive decisions, and develop a future-ready workforce in 2025 and beyond. If you’re looking for practical insights to help your organization thrive, this article provides a valuable preview of the summit’s offerings.

As HR and business leaders face a continuously changing environment within and outside the organization, they are confronted with unprecedented challenges in leadership, technology integration, workforce well-being, and agility. The Horizon Summit 2024, bringing together top experts from around the globe, is designed to address these critical issues. Through an array of sessions and expert-led discussions, this summit will equip HR professionals with the tools and strategies they need to navigate these complexities successfully.

Scaling Leadership Development for Organizational Success

One of the most pervasive challenges in HR today is leadership development. As organizations evolve, so too must their leadership capabilities. Leadership development is no longer just about preparing individuals for roles—it’s about ensuring that leadership exists at every level of the company.

Nicolas Alaerts, Global Practice Head of Leadership Advisory at Mercuri Urval, will dive into this topic in his session, “Beating the Odds in Leadership Decisions: What Science Tells Us About Selecting and Developing Leaders.” Alaerts will address the sobering statistic that only 60% of leadership appointments are successful and why many development efforts fail to produce tangible business results. HR professionals who do not take a data-driven approach to leadership risk losing valuable talent and missing strategic business goals. Alaerts’ session will highlight scientifically-backed approaches that organizations can adopt to improve leadership outcomes, ensuring they can scale leadership effectively to support organizational growth.

Coaching Across Generations in the AI Era

With the introduction of AI and advanced technologies, managing a multigenerational workforce has become increasingly challenging for HR and business professionals alike. Older generations may struggle with rapid technological change, while younger employees expect modern solutions. Bridging this divide is essential for workforce harmony and productivity.

In her keynote, Magdalena Nowicka Mook, CEO of the International Coaching Federation, will present “Bridging Generations: Coaching Strategies for the AI Era.” Mook will offer practical strategies for HR leaders to empower Baby Boomers, Gen X, Millennials, and Gen Z employees in the age of AI. Without addressing the unique needs of each generation, businesses risk creating workplace friction, which can lead to disengagement and productivity loss. Mook’s expertise in coaching will be invaluable in helping HR leaders craft strategies that unite these diverse groups and foster a more cohesive, AI-ready workforce.

Leveraging HR Technology for Cultural Transformation

As technology becomes more integral to HR operations, its impact on organizational culture is profound. However, adopting technology without aligning it with company culture and performance goals can result in inefficient processes and diminished employee engagement. This presents a challenge for HR leaders, who must find ways to integrate technology in a manner that promotes both business performance and employee satisfaction.

Neil Pickering, Senior Manager of HR Innovation at UKG, will explore this in his session, “Demystifying the HR Technology, Culture, and Performance Connection.” Pickering will discuss how HR leaders can build a business case for the right HR technology solutions that enhance employee experience and drive organizational performance. Without a clear strategy, technology investments risk becoming underutilized, creating friction between HR operations and business objectives. Pickering’s insights will guide HR professionals on how to prioritize and integrate HR technology to maximize its cultural and operational benefits.

Fostering Organizational Agility in a Dynamic Market

As businesses contend with rapid shifts in the market, organizational agility has become critical for survival. HR’s role in fostering agility involves helping organizations become adaptable and resilient, particularly in times of disruption.

The panel discussion, “Leading with Agility and Resilience: The HR Power Play,” featuring leaders like Masha Vis-Mertens, Chief HR Officer at Swissport, and Mansi Agarwal, VP of HR International at Springer Nature Group, will focus on strategies for embedding agility into corporate cultures. They will explore how HR can lead in creating flexible work environments that encourage innovation and adaptability. Without organizational agility, companies risk losing competitive edge, facing stagnation, and seeing talent attrition in a workforce increasingly seeking flexibility. This session will arm HR leaders with actionable strategies for fostering a culture of resilience and continuous adaptation.

Prioritizing Well-Being for Enhanced Productivity

Employee well-being has transitioned from a “nice-to-have” to a strategic imperative. In a post-pandemic world, employees are more concerned than ever with their physical and mental health. Companies that fail to address well-being risk increased absenteeism, turnover, and a disengaged workforce.

At the Horizon Summit, Mary Puddepha, Chief People Officer at Ahlstrom, will lead the session “Ahlstrom’s Wellbeing Transformation: Redefining Organizational Culture.” Puddepha will share how Ahlstrom’s localized approach to well-being has resulted in a significant increase in employee engagement and satisfaction, highlighting the critical role that well-being plays in driving business performance. The stakes for companies are high: those that fail to prioritize well-being may struggle to retain talent and foster a high-performing culture. This session will provide attendees with strategies to build an organizational culture that promotes employee health and engagement, which in turn boosts productivity and company loyalty.

HR Analytics: Data-Driven Decision Making for Future Success

Data-driven HR strategies are no longer optional—they are essential for any organization seeking to stay competitive. Predictive analytics, in particular, offers HR leaders the ability to anticipate challenges, such as turnover, and make proactive decisions to retain talent.

In Franka Loeve’s session, “Leading with Data: Empowering HR Through Advanced Analytics for Organizational Success,” HR professionals will learn how to use data to steer HR strategies effectively. Additionally, Nicolas Alaerts will discuss how predictive analytics can enhance leadership development and decision-making processes. By using analytics, HR leaders can forecast workforce needs, identify skill gaps, and implement targeted interventions to improve retention and engagement. Ignoring the potential of analytics leaves organizations vulnerable to reactive rather than proactive management, which can lead to missed opportunities and increased costs.

Conclusion: The Horizon Summit as a Crucial Resource for HR Leaders

The Horizon Summit 2024 is more than just a gathering of HR professionals—it’s a critical resource for those looking to address the most pressing challenges in today’s workplace.

The topics discussed in this article are just a glimpse of the insights and strategies HR professionals can expect at the upcoming summit. In addition to these sessions on leadership, well-being, AI integration, and data-driven decision-making, the summit will offer a rich agenda with multiple tracks and specialized masterclasses. These will cover a wide range of critical HR issues, providing a comprehensive resource for HR leaders looking to future-proof their organizations and foster a culture of agility, resilience, and success.