It’s been a great summer of sport so far. On top of the “usual” calendar of events, we’ve been spoilt with a British and Irish Lions Tour, the delayed 2020 Tokyo Olympics, and today the Paralympians take centre stage.
We’ve cheered on our favourites, agonised as the unexpected shatters dreams, held our breath as accolades hang in the balance, and celebrated deserving winners, be it “our” team or not (well – maybe less generously when it comes to rugby).
As I sit here channelling my inner Heather Small, it’s not just athletes who should be shouting from the rafters. What about all those HR professionals who have guided their people, teams and organisations through the last 18 months? They also deserve a big shout out, a huge round of applause, and recognition for their response to the challenges that they never thought would come their way.
And what better way than by entering the 2021 CIPD Wales Awards?! (Yes, I know I’m a teeny bit biased!) The categories remain the same as in previous years, but with the inevitable focus on the pandemic, providing the best opportunity to showcase the flexibility, initiative, creativity and sometimes downright bravery that we’ve seen across the people profession.
How did you respond to the move to home working? How have you adapted to a world of hybrid working? Did the Black Lives Matter protests or Davina’s documentary on the menopause prompt you to move your D&I activities up a gear? How have you supported your people’s wellbeing through the constant change and uncertainty? Have circumstances led you to fast-tracking plans you already had to explore different ways to deliver training? What about virtual recruitment, interviewing, onboarding? Retaining of external consultants has rocketed – how has the client/consultant relationship delivered the great results and support that you needed? As hybrid working creates a potential talent war, are you growing your own through apprenticeship schemes? How has your team pulled together to deliver initiatives under the most difficult of conditions? And has anybody shown themselves to be “one to watch”… a future leader?
The deadline for submissions is 19 September 2021 – details of category criteria and how to enter (including hints and tips to create an award-winning submission) are at www.cipdwalesawards.co.uk and the new online submission platform makes it easier than ever to share your successes.
So what are you waiting for?! As Heather might also say, “You’ve got to search for the hero inside yourself…”