Sydney Digital Workplace and Employee Experience Summit 2024

Audience

The 117 strong audience included:

• Chiefs from Westpac, APRA, Colliers and more
• Heads from Allianz, Inghams, Nine and more
• Senior managers from QBE, Zurich, QBE, UNSW and more

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The Agenda

The event begins with a keynote by Miranda Ratajski, CIO of Westpac's Group Business Units, who discusses best practices in balancing data, technology, and human elements to create dynamic employee experiences. She emphasised humanising technology to enhance innovation and efficiency, empowering employees through digital tools for effective collaboration, leveraging data analytics to boost engagement and retention, and cultivating an inclusive workplace culture.

Following this, a panel featuring leaders from Tabcorp, UTS, TPG, and Protiviti explores how AI and automation empower employee workplaces by driving efficiency and fostering continuous improvement. They delve into practical applications of AI in daily operations, its impact on job roles and skills development, ethical considerations in integrating AI, and future opportunities that could revolutionise workplaces.

Daniel Iverson from Asana presents a keynote on shaping the future of work in Australia, highlighting the challenges industries face and the imperative for significant transformations in work practices. He discusses how AI is reshaping work dynamics, offering strategies to navigate these changes effectively, and leveraging Asana's technology to drive sustainable success.

A candid conversation follows with business leaders from Allianz Technology, Zurich Financial Services, and Human Leadership Lab, tackling big issues facing workplaces. They discuss the characteristics of tomorrow's workforce, demands on employers, navigating challenges, and blending diverse teams into cohesive organisations.

Attendees engage in roundtable discussions on topics such as digital-first employee experience, future-proofing digital strategy, AI-powered HR, hybrid workplace psychology, and the future of the digital workplace.

The event continues with a panel featuring executives from UTS, NSW Health, and Colliers, focusing on building robust operating practices that value people. They explore measuring operational effectiveness, utilising collaborative tools, developing remote leadership skills, and innovating processes to enhance employee experiences.

The closing keynote by Matt Barrie, CEO of Freelancer.com, addresses the evolving nexus of technology and talent as we approach 2030. He discusses how work practices will evolve with new generations, and how AI and automation can craft superior employee experiences by enhancing engagement and productivity.

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Speakers Included:

• Miranda Ratajski, Chief Information Officer, Group Business Units, Westpac
• Matt Barrie, Chief Executive Officer, Freelancer.com
• Amy Shi-Nash, Chief Analytics and Data Officer - Tabcorp
• Susan Gibson, Head of Data Analytics and AI - UTS
• Mark Samuel, Head of IT Workplace & Security Delivery - TPG
• Archana Yallajosula, Director of Multi-Cloud and AI Consulting - Protiviti
• Mark Biggs, Chief Operating Officer - Allianz Technology
• Annmaree Bell, Chief Of Staff - Zurich Financial Services Australia
• May Samali, Founder & CEO - Human Leadership Lab
• Glen Babington, CSC - Chief Operating Officer - UTS
• Katrina Eadie - Executive Director Corporate Services & Business Improvement - NSW Health
• Kathleen Stubbs - Regional Director Information Technology, APAC - Colliers

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Sponsors Included:

Asana

Prometix

Powell Software

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Summary

This conference was particularly important for the contemporary and future Australian business and government landscape because it addressed the critical need to adapt to a rapidly changing work environment. With the acceleration of digital transformation and the rise of remote and hybrid work models, organisations must rethink their workplace strategies to remain competitive and attract top talent. The insights and collaborations formed at Digital Workplace Sydney 2024 are expected to influence organisational policies, drive the adoption of innovative technologies, and enhance employee experience and productivity across various sectors in Australia. 

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Testimonials

• Everything was amazing
• Great sessions, lots of ideas for us to take back and consider
• Timing was great and not overly compacted by pointless information
• I think more on the same.  1 day gave me more areas to review against my workplace and would welcome the opportunity to revisit the topic in 6-12 months

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