2008 Conference Agenda
Wednesday, May 28, 2008
08:00 - 09:00
Breakfast and Registration
09:00 - 09:15
Welcome and Setting the Agenda
- Hal Adler, President, Great Place to Work® Institute
09:15 - 10:00
Opening Keynote: Trust: The Key to Business Differentiation
- David Fairhurst, Senior Vice President & Chief People Officer - N. Europe, McDonalds
10:00 - 10:45
Keynote: Unique Culture and High-Performance
- Liane Hornsey, EMEA HR & Staffing Director., Google
10:45 - 11:15
Refreshment and Networking Break
11:15 - 12:45
BREAKOUT SESSIONS
A: Exclusive Networking for Best Workplaces
(only available for companies among the Best Workplaces in the UK or Europe 2008)
This session is an exclusive opportunity for the companies recognized as the Best Workplaces in the UK or Europe 2008 to discuss “hot” topics and network with peers from all over Europe. The session requires pre-registration and expression of interest in discussion topics. Discussion groups will be designed according to priority of topics, company characteristics and each person’s role. Join us and expand your European network!
Focus Level: Presentation/Interactive - 10%/90%
Facilitated by:
- Dr. Michael Burchell, Vice President for Global Business Development and Senior Consul, Great Place to Work® Institute Inc.
B: Foundations of a Great Place to Work®: Nine steps to create a great workplace
This introductory seminar provides an overview of two essential frameworks for understanding the best companies to work for. This workshop is a perfect introduction to the Great Place to Work® Model and methodology including our Trust Index® and the Nine Practice Areas framework and is ideal for participants wanting to start by developing this core knowledge base. This seminar will examine the motivation and business rationale for investing in creating a great place to work. The workshop includes both individual and group learning experiences designed to help you explore how you can create a great place to work and spotlights the ways other companies have built great workplaces.
Learning Objectives:
- Understand the five dimensions of a Great Place to Work® based on the employee experience.
- Deepen your understanding of the nine management practice areas for creating a great workplace.
- Learn several best practices of the Best Companies and those of your peers, and discuss how to apply them to your organisation’s unique culture.
- Identify opportunities for change in your organisation.
Focus Level: Presentation/Interactive - 80%/20%
Facilitated by:
- Bob Lee, Director, Great Place to Work® Institute UK
C: How to Mobilize Key Leaders to Create Cultural Change in Your Organisation
The goal of this workshop is to provide leaders and managers with both the information and skills they need to successfully enlist champions and sponsors for the journey of creating a great workplace. The information to be shared will focus on the business benefits of creating a great workplace, while skill development will focus on the positive uses of influence and persuasion to engage key people in the organizational transformation process.
Learning objectives:
- To provide participants with a grounding in what are the business benefits of creating and sustaining a great workplace.
- To teach participants about change in organizations, persuasion, and overcoming barriers to change.
- Understand the key role of the CEO and other leaders in building a great place to work®
Focus Level: Presentation/Interactive - 80%/20%
Facilitated by:
- Hal Adler, President, Great Place to Work® Institute
12:45 - 13:45
Networking Lunch
13:45 - 14:30
Keynote: Talent Development in Practice
- Joerg Staff, Senior Vice President Human Resources, SAP
14:30 - 15:30
BREAKOUT SESSIONS
A: A Study on Change: From an Underperforming Business and Low-Trust Environment to one of Austria's Best Workplaces
- David Kelly, CEO, Worthington Cylinders Austria
B: From Culture to Customer Service: How Starbucks Creates a Great Workplace With Outstanding Customer Service
- Phil Broad, UK and Ireland Managing Director, Starbucks Coffee Company (UK) Ltd
C: Recruiting and Engaging Hipos
- Garry Goldsmith, Practice Leader, Hudson
- Caroline Vanovermeire, Associate Director, Assessment & Development, Hudson
15:30 - 16:00
Refreshment and Networking Break
16:00 - 16:45
Keynote: Leadership and Building a Great Workplace
- Theo Rinsema, General Manager, Microsoft Netherlands
16:45 - 17:00
Closing Remarks by Chair Person
- David Fairhurst, Senior Vice President & Chief People Officer - N. Europe, McDonalds

