Organizations need to refine a lot of practices to stay relevant: Experian APAC’s HR Director
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There is a newfound sense of perspective emerging with many organizations and employees reflecting on the unique value they bring to the world, says Sophie Smith, HR Director for Experian APAC, in an interaction with People Matters By Mastufa Ahmed
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ophie Smith is HR Director for Experian’s Asia Pacific region. She is a member of the Global HR and APAC Executive Leadership Team. Sophie is accountable for the APAC region’s people and culture strategy and has co-led Experian’s global Future of Work strategy which will result in adjustments to where, when, and how work is performed in the organization. Sophie has 15 years of HR experience in multiple sectors (engineering, financial services, private equity, and data technology) and geographic regions (UK, EMEA, and APAC). Here are the excerpts of the interview.
What role will ‘purpose’ play in the world of work after the COVID-19 pandemic? The purpose of an organi48
| APRIL 2021
zation and an employee’s role within it have always been important. Purpose provides employees with a clear reason, direction, and motivation to deliver great work. Purpose also ensures an organization’s resources and time are allocated to what matters most. The pandemic has elevated the significance of understanding, articulating, and authentically operating in accordance with the stated purpose. There is a newfound sense of perspective emerging with many organizations and employees reflecting on the unique value they bring to the world. Organizations will need to ensure their purpose aligns with their product portfolio, performance metrics, people strategy, and decision-making frameworks. Employees will increasingly reflect on whether their core values are aligned with
There will be an increased focus on hybrid working where colleagues blend working from an office and their home. Hence, preserving culture in a hybrid model will be critical their employer’s purpose. "Purpose" if clearly woven through the employee life cycle can enable an organization to differentiate itself and therefore attract and retain the best talent.
What role do business leaders have in embedding purpose into the business strategy? A purpose statement carries no value and is seen as inauthentic if it is just
