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APAC HR Heads Meet in Hong Kong to Discuss Gender Diversity in Asia and the Best Way to Build a Graduate Programme

Hosted by: EY

The Chapman Consulting Group and Ernst & Young co-hosted the Q1 gathering of the Hong Kong APAC HR leader community on Monday 11th March. Over 30 HR leaders attended and there was a representative from almost every industry imaginable!

We were treated to two thought provoking presentations from the Pepsico Regional Head of Talent and the APAC HR Head of Ingram Micro. There were some great follow-up discussions from the group.

It was agreed that diversity is one of the hottest topics for Asian HR leaders as we look to build for the future and make sure that the growth markets (China, Indonesia, Vietnam) have local talent equipped to deliver. Whether it is generational, gender or race diversity, it was clear the complexity found in Asia is remarkable and not easy to categorise.

Successes shared by PepsiCo in re-balancing the gender mix for leaders in Asia were great to hear. Many of which meant linking every element of HR with this goal: from recruitment (KPIs for the gender mix on shortlists) to performance management and rewards being linked to gender equality.

When discussing graduate programmes, and the options that have worked for others, it was great to compare the varying approaches. Defining the outcome (required skills/experiences), closely mentoring the intake and rotating talent through your business, in varying functions, was the general consensus to building and retaining high quality talent.

Many suggested that starting with a small and high quality population can help to build the brand of graduates within the business. This then drives the business leaders to ‘fight’ for graduate talent from the programme due to the calibre of its product.

The next APAC HR gathering HK will be in June 2013.

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