The more ‘human' changes have transformed the world of work for the better: QBE's Vernon Griffith
People Matters|July 2021
In an exclusive interaction with People Matters,vernon Griffith, Global Head of HR Service Design & Delivery, QBE Insurance Group Limited shares his thoughts on his biggest learnings from this pandemic-led transformation in the world of work, how the pandemic brought back the focus on how organizations engage with their people and how will technology unlock new ways of working in a post-COVID-19 world
Yasmin Taj
The more ‘human' changes have transformed the world of work for the better: QBE's Vernon Griffith

The world of work has undergone a drastic transformation since the COVID-19 pandemic sent the entire world into a tizzy. It not only accelerated the digital transformation journeys of organizations, but also brought back the focus on people and on creating an ideal employee experience in these uncertain times. For HR leaders, it has be an equally transformative time. They had to plan for these transitions overnight and had to put their best foot forward to ensure that they maintained business continuity while keeping people at the core of it.

As the Global Head of HR Service Design & Delivery for QBE, one of the world's top 20 insurance and reinsurance companies, Vernon Griffith leads a team of 60 people - from HR service specialists in Manila to business analysts in Sydney - to support more than 12,000 employees in over 30 countries. Vern proudly steals techniques from Marketing and Manufacturing to deliver a tangible difference in HR. Prior to QBE, Vern worked in large-scale HR transformation programs at some of the world’s best known global companies, including Shell, BP, British Telecom and Deloitte. As a curious watchman of the rise of Artificial Intelligence in HR and the workplace, Vern is the founder and curator of the news website www. machinesinsuits.com.

This story is from the July 2021 edition of People Matters.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the July 2021 edition of People Matters.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM PEOPLE MATTERSView All
How Digital Transformation Can Power The Great Reset
People Matters

How Digital Transformation Can Power The Great Reset

Technology has the potential to serve as the key enabler of change between digitalising administrative tasks and fostering human connections

time-read
4 mins  |
December 2022
The Crypto Meltdown Of 2022
People Matters

The Crypto Meltdown Of 2022

FTX implosion: A setback, but not the end for the crypto market

time-read
3 mins  |
December 2022
Govern Pre-IPO Unicorns to Create Value; Not Valuation
People Matters

Govern Pre-IPO Unicorns to Create Value; Not Valuation

Billion-dollar startups always make the headlines. But is there true value behind those eye-catching valuations? How can proper governance be implemented for these much-hyped companies?

time-read
4 mins  |
December 2022
On change and change management
People Matters

On change and change management

The best way to end the year, especially such a disrupted one as 2022, is by laying the groundwork for the year to come. Michelle Yong, Head of Resourcing at Shell, offers some insights on change management to bring us forward into 2023

time-read
5 mins  |
December 2022
The Great Reconnection: A paradigmatic moment for employers and employees
People Matters

The Great Reconnection: A paradigmatic moment for employers and employees

This year has not been a good one for employee retention. The Great Resignation, originally thought to be a US phenomenon, has emerged in Asia now. But is there a way to turn it into the Great Reconnection?

time-read
4 mins  |
December 2022
Lessons Managing in leadership: a global hybrid team
People Matters

Lessons Managing in leadership: a global hybrid team

What takeaways can we draw from the pandemic? Fatima Koning, Chief Commercial Officer at IWG, shares what the last five years have taught her about managing a global sales team across 120 markets in the hybrid model

time-read
5 mins  |
December 2022
Eight HR trends that we saw throughout 2022
People Matters

Eight HR trends that we saw throughout 2022

As companies manage their workforces in a dynamic era, HR departments have continually adapted and adjusted, and never more than this year as digital acceleration and workplace evolutions came together

time-read
5 mins  |
December 2022
One way to turn the tide of employee retention
People Matters

One way to turn the tide of employee retention

There's a surprising link between skill development opportunities and job satisfaction. Here are some ways of boosting skilling and thereby talent retention

time-read
3 mins  |
December 2022
A key focus for L&D going into 2023 should be business alignment
People Matters

A key focus for L&D going into 2023 should be business alignment

Venkat Subramaniam of Degreed believes that learning is core to business success and organisations need to invest in the right processes and technologies to adapt to continuous change

time-read
4 mins  |
December 2022
WOMEN IN LEADERSHIP CAN BE GAME GHANGER FOR INCLUSIVE FUTURE OF WORK
People Matters

WOMEN IN LEADERSHIP CAN BE GAME GHANGER FOR INCLUSIVE FUTURE OF WORK

BREAKING FREE FROM THE STEREOTYPES IN THE INSURANCE SECTOR, PAMELA THOMSON-HALL SHARES HER JOURNEY OF BEING A CHAMPION FOR WOMEN AND BRINGING ABOUT A CHANGE IN A MALE-DOMINATED INDUSTRY

time-read
9 mins  |
December 2022