- Accelerating workforce analytics, metrics & reporting
- Building the analytical HR organization
- Translating strategy into action

Monday 16 October - Thursday 19 October, 2006
Waterfront Marriott, Baltimore, Maryland

The 2006 North American Conference

The 2006 Infohrm Conference attracted over 160 delegates from a broad range of leading organizations across the US, represented by senior HR Executives. The aim of the Conference was to share the successes of public and private sector HR leaders among an engaged and active community of conference delegates. Using case study examples our expert presenters shared their stories of how they use HR analytics within their organizations.

The title of this year’s event was chosen due to the high level of interest in analytics and to create continuity from last year's CLC Metrics Conference title, “From Metrics to Messages”. *CLC Metrics is being transitioned to sole management and operation by Infohrm across 2006. Accordingly, Infohrm hosted this year’s conference under the Infohrm brand.

The event was highly successful in the feedback received from delegates, who provided testimonials like the following:

• "Enjoyed it - level of discussion in analytics was refreshing."
• "Conference very well organized, excellent variety of speakers, different industries and levels of implementation of analytics."
• "It was valuable to have insight as to what other companies are struggling with - we are not alone!"
• "Good day. Interesting conversations, discussions and presentations."
• "Appreciate the opportunity for networking w/other members"
• "Great first day. Sessions were strong."
• "Infohrm folks have done a great job making content and introducing me to other people."
• "Great Conference Location"
• "Most conferences I have attended are less focused and less practical. I gained insights and ideas from every session I attended today. Very nice job!"
• "Very well organized, Conference in a beautiful location!"
• "Administrative support - location - Infohrm employees - all have done an excellent job!"
• "Came away with ideas for driving the message that you need to talk and know the business to be able to add value to human capital analytics."
• "Peter's involvement shows his love for the field and commitment to his company - I liked the CLC Research @ the end, it ties things together (very insightful)."
• "Great stuff overall"
• "I thought everything ran very smoothly and there were plenty of staff available to answer questions/concerns - Great Experience!"
• "The 'stream' organizational format of the conference is great."
• "Key note speakers are excellent. The contents of their presentations are very applicable and insightful. Great organization at the conference."
• "I really enjoyed it - thank you!"
• "I thought the conference was good because we didn't just focus on analytics. Got my head out of the sand."

Conference Summary

On October 16, 2006, the Infohrm Group kicked off their second annual North American conference at the Waterfront Marriott in Baltimore, Maryland.

The theme, "The Future of Human Capital Analytics" drew a crowd of over 160 delegates from 85 organizations, and was punctuated by five powerful keynote presentations and four break-out streams across two days.

Monday morning saw the conference open with a choice of three pre-conference workshops. Professor Scott Snell and Infohrm’s CEO Peter Howes and Managing Director Anastasia Ellerby facilitated a Senior HR Executive Roundtable Discussion. The workshop, “Inside the Infohrm Program” allowed members to learn of the latest developments within the program, while others refreshed their basic understanding of metrics in the workshops “Analytics 101”.

After morning tea and a brief welcome address from Peter Howes, Dr. Anthony Rucci from the Fisher College of Business set the tone for Day 1, describing "The Human Capital Analytics Journey". Delegates then dispersed to one of the four streams: Strategic Messaging; Meaningful Metrics, Workforce Analytics or the panel discussion From Inputs to Outputs.

Professor Scott Snell of Cornell University brought the academic portion of the first day to a close before the delegates adjourned for cocktail hour, followed by the conference dinner of filet mignon and crab cakes, being the local delicacy in Baltimore. High-level HR conversations were put on hold and the evening turned festively competitive as tables vied for the privilege of being dubbed trivia champion and take home the coveted bottles of Australian wine. Awards for innovative members and quirky conference facts were also distributed to several member organizations and delegates throughout the evening, with each winner also taking home their own bottle of wine.

Day 2 was loaded with three keynote addresses and two stream sessions, bringing clarity to the future of Human Capital Measurement. Scott Baker of the Corporate Executive Board began the day with a discussion of the future of HR Metrics before Jason Averbook, CEO of Knowledge Infusion presented his evolving HCM Strategy. Delegates then returned to their stream sessions to hear from high-ranking HR professionals who explained the successes and failures of their HCM strategies, lending themselves as a more practical example of how HR can create value for an organization. Dan Rasmus from Microsoft Corp. closed the conference on a fitting note as he discussed the increasing importance of workforce measurement in the years to come.

The conference was met with acclaim from participants: "Most conferences I have attended are less focused and less practical" said Judith Ferrell from Alticor after the first day of the conference. "I gained insights and ideas from every session I attended today." The first-class content and stunning venue were only rivaled by the outstanding cuisine and the bountifully flowing wine, both staples of Infohrm’s Australian culture.

As in years past, the conference ended with a choice of two post-conference workshops – Workforce Planning or Applied Workforce Analytics, which were conducted on the Wednesday and Thursday.

Case Studies and Panelists

Case studies and panelists involved in this year's conference included: