Hosted by Houston Compensation & Benefits, the 2021 Texas Total Rewards Conference (TTRC) August 9-10 at the Hilton Post Oak in Houston, provided HR leaders with a wonderful opportunity to network and reconnect after a very tough year. It was a great setting to gain educational and professional insights to help HR leaders with latest trends and relevant topics beyond the realm of compensation & benefits.
Key Takeaways from the 2021 TTRC Conference
There were many valuable sessions, keynote addresses, and networking opportunities during the TTRC conference.
1. How HR Can Effectively Partner with Finance. This was an excellent panel session featuring HR leaders Jennifer Bass, Kathi Greene, Bo Stults, and Jen Sudduth. The key takeaway for HR leaders is that the Head of HR role ideally should report directly to the CEO. This means that an organization is serious about the role of HR as a leader. This individual should have a seat at the leadership table and participate in organizational discussions.
Another key point for HR leaders is how to communicate when we disagree with something. As HR leaders, we should never just say "no, we can't do that." Instead, the better way to approach “no” is to say "Let me see how we can get to yes.” HR leaders add value when they become problem-solvers and provide solutions.
A third key point from this panel discussion is to know the business. HR leaders need to align their strategy with the overall business objectives and strategies. Data is critical to support this approach. Use good data to understand what’s happening in the organization, then paint a picture and tell a story that leads to more effective decision-making.
2. Taking Your Subject Matter Expert to the Next Level. The presenter was Metha Vasquez. Metha’s excellent session challenged the idea behind the book, “What Got You Here Won't Get You There,” which presents an argument that you can't continue to do the same thing and expect to get the same results if you are striving to do something more. For example, trying to achieve something greater in your career.
But, Metha presented an alternative line of thinking that "all that got us here will make us more capable in getting there.” She pointed out that our past experience is important and we can't change what happened, but we can learn from it. This led to a great breakout group where Tam shared and learned from other HR leaders in her small group, Mercedes Bailey and LeAnn Camacho.
3. Happy Hour at Moxie’s. Of course happy hour. This was not a session, but it was an informal time to have fun with other HR leaders, meet new people and vendors, and reconnect with old friends. Some of the participants at the Uptown Houston restaurant included Lisa Ng, Susan Sanders, Ashley Kobelan, Kerri Franz, Jennifer Bass, Sofia Frommer, and LeAnn Camacho. It was a great reminder that connecting and networking are both important and fun.
Keep the Conversation Going with Tam Nguyen
Did you attend the 2021 Texas Total Rewards Conference? Let’s keep the conversation going! Connect with Tam Nguyen about HR leadership and strategy by contacting us through our website. Or, reach out directly to Tam on LinkedIn.