HRM ASIA CONGRESS INSIGHTS
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BUILDING WIN-WIN PARTNERSHIPS
Please describe your role in SCIEX.
I am leading the HR team for both the Global Operations and Asia Commercial functions.
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Marcus Budimulia, HR Director of Global Operations for SCIEX will be just one among a plethora of respected speakers and HR thought leaders sharing their insights at HRM Asia’s HR Business Partner Congress 2017. Featuring high-level case studies presentations, interactive dialogues, lively debates, and engaging panel discussions, the HR Business Partner Congress will be held on 15 - 16 March in Singapore. It will serve as a valued peer-to-peer platform for HR professionals to learn from cutting-edge case studies and emerging best practices. Attendees will be able to explore different HR Business Partner models to find one that fits and adds real value to their organisation.
How does business partnering factor into your job duties?
HR business partnering has to be part of the DNA whenever we support our internal stakeholders. This is crucial to enable us to understand their business and the organisational plan, to give advice relating to internal and external situations, and to gain the trust to be the first focal point for any people-related matters.
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What are some key differences between an HR generalist and an HR Business Partner?
An HR generalist needs to know the overall HR processes, procedures and guidelines that are applicable to maintain where we are, within the boundaries of internal and external aspects. An HR Business Partner needs to understand the roles of the HR generalist, and others including HR Centres of Expertise. They must also understand the business and look at what it needs instead of forcing their HR beliefs onto it. At the same time, an HR Business Partner is the bridge between general HR colleagues, making HR relevant to the needs of the business and its functions.
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As well as strong commercial and business acumen, what else do HR Business Partners require to succeed?
It is important for HR Business Partners to be able to link the dots and understand the external market relevancy against their company and products. To be able to do so, it is necessary for each partner to have good listening skills, be updated on all relevant news, stay close with the
For more information, visit: http://congress.hrmasia.com
business and various functional leaders to have more insights, and follow the updates of their company.
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In your opinion, are HR Business Partners currently performing up to expectations?
The term HR Business Partner has been used quite loosely and widely, based on some of the job advertisements I have seen. It is important to be fair to the incumbent and to state if the role is an HR Business Partner or an HR generalist position, and to not use the title only to make it more attractive to potential recruits. I have seen professional HR Business Partners during HR networking sessions. We always need to make ourselves relevant and not be complacent. This is in addition to upgrading our HR knowledge and skills to be able to provide fact-based and valued advice.
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With HR expected to be more strategically-inclined, can we expect a decline of the HR Business Partner role?
Becoming a more sophisticated HR advisor to the business has become
more important, and management now expects HR to bring more strategic thinking to the table. For those who are building HR skills, we need to remember that to earn their trust, not only do we need to be able to think on par with them, we also need to know what is needed on the ground to ensure the plan will work. Thus, in order to be a strategic HR advisor, we need to be holistic HR individuals who know the actual administration processes and issues, and can then tally them with the business plan.
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What will you be focusing on in your presentation to the HR Business Partner Congress 2017? I will be speaking on the criteria required to be a valuable HR Business Partner. I am excited to be able to share best practices, and I also look forward to learning from the experiences of the other speakers. This congress session goes beyond the normal theoretical content found in text books and will enable me to gain more insights and priceless lessons.
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