Top HR leaders gathered at the Marriott Hotel in Melrose Arch to share ideas on how the traditional HR playbook must evolve to ensure that it remains relevant and adaptable.
Industry leaders Caroline van der Merwe, CEO of Jem; Kyle Chetty, chief of people at Planet42; and Portia Mogale, managing executive of human capital at Sanlam Corporate, came together at this year’s CHRO Day to discuss how HR practices must adapt to the industry’s changing landscape.
Caroline emphasised the importance of culture and agility in the HR strategy. She pointed out that businesses must empower their teams to face future challenges, but cautioned that a one-size-fits-all approach simply won’t work.
“We must let go of the certainty and instead equip people to deal with the unknown,” she said. Caroline also highlighted the rapid pace of change and noted that younger generations seem more adaptable to emerging technologies like AI. The key, she suggested, is starting small, testing ideas and building on what works.
Kyle added to this by raising the dual challenge of balancing artificial intelligence with human intelligence. He questioned whether HR departments need a traditional playbook or if a more flexible, purpose-driven approach is needed.
“We have got to recognise that the world and practices are shifting. And we have to adapt and make them fit-for purpose. We need to revisit the playbook consistently,” he said. For Kyle, it’s about aligning the HR function with key strategic objectives and using technology to drive those changes.
Portia made an important point about adaptability, emphasising that HR’s playbook must be versatile enough to respond to business and financial changes.
“We need to get the fundamentals in place. If data and processes are solid, it’s easier to think about the future,” she said, urging HR leaders to reconsider what’s truly sacred in their strategies such as payroll or key talent, and question whether they should remain untouchable.
Together, these insights paint a picture of an HR landscape in flux, where flexibility, agility and being tech-savvy are key to future success. The HR playbook must evolve and HR leaders must ensure that it remains relevant and adaptable to a fast-changing world.
