361 Degrees to explore impact of gig economy at first-ever #DisruptHR forum

Thursday, 30 January 2020 01:49 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

361 Degrees, the pioneer in training and consultancy in Sri Lanka, has initiated #DisruptHR, an engaging platform that will enable discussions and involvement with the dynamic global innovations and best practices in HR.

With the fast-changing HR landscape that results from the shift in technology, business models and how people work, traditional HR methods have become close to ineffective. Organisations are pressed to relook at how they attract, engage, develop and retain talent in order to optimise their resources and efficiency. As a result of identifying this need, 361 Degrees will be inspiring new perspectives, supporting innovation and be at the forefront of the new order in HR through #DisruptHR.

As the initial phase, an innovation forum, titled ‘Impact of the Gig Economy: Unprecedented Realities and Choices’, will take place on 11 February at 137, Vajira Road, Colombo 4. The forum will explore the challenges, success and opportunities in the new world of gig workers, and how organisations can maximise the 2020s by harnessing this potential.

A gig economy is a free market system in which temporary positions are common, and organisations rely on freelancers on a short-term or project-based contract. Digitisation and mobility as a result of it has paved the way for the gig economy to set in. It is predicted that there will be an increase in individuals opting to gig work mainly due to flexibility, whilst companies prefer to obtain specialised skills to save cost, drive innovation and maintain a competitive edge.

The Impact of the Gig Economy forum will discuss the impact in a local context and explore how organisations can optimise this change. The forum will be facilitated by a panel of experienced innovators and thought leaders who have grappled with this changing economy. The enablers consist of Seylan Bank former DGM – Retail Banking Tilan Wijesekara, who has just exited the corporate world to explore opportunities in the gig economy, Google Sri Lanka former Country Director Rohan Jayaweera, who is thriving on 12- to 18-month projects, and Fonterra HR Director Dinusha Jayamanna, who initiated an innovative EVP and policies and strategies to leverage gig worker talent in a large multinational company.

They will be joined by PickMe Head of Operations and Advisory Council Member of the worldwide Global Shapers Community Mevan Peries, who has shifted his role and industry every three years, along with Third Space Global General Manager Shiyamal Jayathilake, who is thriving on 110+ part-time workers in a global operation.