Conquering insurmountable odds with human capital as a driver of economic growth
Liberty’s Leading-Edge symposiums to explore the power of human capital
Jeff Hubbard, Liberty’s Managing Executive of Business Development
On 31 October 2022, Liberty will host its first annual Leading-Edge Symposium, gathering leading thinkers around how human capital is one of the key drivers for business growth.
The COVID-19 pandemic created an unprecedented sense of uncertainty in the world of work, where for the first time in recent history, companies found themselves suddenly having to adapt to new ways of managing work forces. Whilst the recent adaptation came with relative ease for some companies, the abrupt change brought about challenges for others.
The impact of the lockdown on the domestic economy was severe. The second quarter of 2020 is widely seen as the most directly impacted quarter of the pandemic with South Africa’s economy recording a significant contraction during the months April, May and June 2020. This was a time when the country operated under widespread and demanding lockdown restrictions in response to COVID-19. According to Stats SA Gross Domestic Product (GDP) fell by just over 16% between the first and second quarters of 2020.
Reflecting on the extremely challenging period that was brought about by the pandemic related restrictions, Jeff Hubbard, Liberty’s Managing Executive of Business Development says: “We saw the evidence of this decline in full time employment and we consequently assisted many employer clients with relief progarmmes such as payment holidays, to provide them with a financial breather in order to sustain their businesses and save jobs. The intervention was important because without the relief, many small businesses would have had to shut down, and the consequence of job losses would have been unbearable for the economy”
“With the pandemic behind us now, and every sector of the economy hard at work on recovery, the Leading-Edge Symposium seeks to stimulate discussions on how looking after employees, or human capital, is a critical driver of economic growth.”
The symposium is a gathering of thought leaders across fields such as economics, entrepreneurship, and human capital. These industry specialists will unpack how companies can harness their most valuable asset – their employees – and position themselves for growth.
“We aim to start a conversation around why companies should take looking after their employees potentially differently. Similarly, we’re looking to explore how concepts such as work-life balance, for example, should be enhanced. It is no longer just about creating an employee value proposition. Looking after employees is a commercial necessity that we believe companies must take seriously as they position themselves for growth,” adds Hubbard.
Among the keynote speakers at the Leading-Edge symposium is Dr Emmanuel Taban, author of “The Boy Who Never Gave Up”. Dr Taban was among a team of pulmonologists at the forefront of addressing Covid-19. His personal story of overcoming adversity is a source of inspiration for all who hear it.
‘The pain and suffering that humanity suffered during Covid is enormous. We brought in Dr Taban because he embodies the human ability to triumph over insurmountable odds. This is an extremely relatable story, and we hope that the audience finds it inspiring as they seek to rebuild their companies, their finances and their livelihoods” concludes Hubbard.
ENDS
