More than 600 CEOs and human resource managers at local and global companies discussed the latest trends in building an engaged, efficient and loyal workforce at a workshop yesterday in HCM City.

The event, titled “Driving sustainable growth through happier workforce”, was a forum for leaders and managers to share advanced methods for human resource management, Thanh Nguyen, CEO of Anphabe, an agency that offers solutions for employer branding, said.

Twenty five speakers discussed five topics: happiness trends, happiness essentials, happiness and business, happiness leadership, and happiness innovation.

Nguyen Thi Bich Van, chairwoman of Unilever Vietnam, which employs more than 1,700 employees, said companies need to transform in the new setting in terms of human resource management.

“Know-it-all leaders no longer exist. Servant leadership is the new norm.”

Managers need to empower their employees, recognise their value and take more time to talk with their employees to build trust and improve employees’ engagement, she said.

“The best place to work is where people leave milestones of life, where their heart and mind belong, and where they can grow.”

Le Quy Don, human resources director at Heineken Vietnam, said not only human resource executives but also all other leaders and managers should be involved in building and improving employee engagement.

“CEOs and managers should regularly meet and have a straight talk with their employees to understand their concerns and address their problems in a timely manner.

“It is one of the important factors to build employees’ trust as well as their engagement.”

Phillippe Richart, general director of Siam City Cement Vietnam, agreed that communicating is very important.

“We spend a lot of time communicating with employees. When employees meet their managers, they are able to express their concerns. [It helps] build trust and transparency.

Human resources should be part of business models and strategies in every department, he added.

Stephen James Clark, country head & CEO, Prudential Vietnam, said: “It is always challenging in today’s fast moving world. We have to recognise that younger people have different views to careers.

“In Viet Nam, it is not unusual to see people move within two or three years from one organisation to another.”

“We need to provide skills that allow people to develop and make a contribution to the success of their organisation. That is win-win.

“We need to recognise that a city like HCM City is very stressful. Things like work-life balance are also important.

“We should be honest and transparent, and be humble and respect other people when we take the position of leaders.”

Viet Nam ‘Best Place to Work’ survey

At the workshop Anphabe launched the “Viet Nam Best Places to Work” survey.

This year the survey will focus on jobs, workforce and the working environment in the world of Industry 4.0.

The annual survey conducts in-depth measurements of employer brands and employee happiness at working for the top 500 businesses.

Based on assessments by employees in 26 industries, the 100 best places to work list will be drawn up.

The research methodology and rankings will be audited and advised by INTAGE Vietnam, a market research company.

The survey will be out in March next year. —VNS