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Leading True Transformation In The Australian Resources Sector

Barry Bloch, Executive General Manager, Project Support, BGC Contracting provided the Opening Keynote Presentation on, “Leading True Transformation In The Australian Resources Sector,” at the 3rd Annual HR Leaders Resources Summit.

Barry kicked off this session by explaining to the HR Leaders Resources attendees…”My plan is to be as controversial as possible; what’s the point of coming to a HR event if we don’t disagree?” he said. Barry highlighted the need for innovation within the resources sector by speaking on the importance of embracing disruption and moving forward by competing beyond the traditional markets; “We’re terrified of true transformation.” In order to reach the next phase, Barry stressed the need to focus on ways of changing the traditional models and starting to prioritise this change. “Un-common sense, will become common sense.”

Barry asked the audience…”how much time do you spend, re-writing the traditional structure?” suggesting that we begin to accept and incorporate the ‘nonsense’ in order to transform the traditional structure. “Chaos is good,” he said.

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“”Australian Resources is what the world needs. If we try and just survive, we’re killing ourselves,” Barry says, highlighting transformation in the Resources sector.

Session Synopsis: We have heard a great deal recently from our politicians and the media of the downturn in the Resources sector and the need for economic innovation and diversification. However given the economic magnitude and contribution of the Australian Resources sector, the need for strategic innovation and transformation begins within our sector before and in addition to the wider economic reforms needed across the Australian economy. We as Executives and People Leaders have a fundamental role to play in challenging and guiding our organisations and our leaders to transform. Historically and currently Australian Resources sector based change has largely been short term and incremental in nature, focused almost exclusively on cost related productivity and efficiency. While necessary this will be insufficient to ensure the long-term success and sustainability of the Australian Resources sector. We now need to deliver significant and rapid transformation in terms of innovation, leadership and commercial disruption. How do we do this? What will it involve? Can we really transform ourselves? The speaker will share his experience and examples of both successful and unsuccessful organisational transformations in the Resources and wider heavy industrial sectors and will draw learnings and insights for how we can lead true transformation in our industry moving forward.

Barry BlochBarry Bloch is accountable for Human Resources; Health, Safety, Environment and Quality; Communities and Diversity; Information and Operational Technology; Risk Management and Supply Chain in his role as Executive General Manager – Project Support Services for BGC Contracting. Barry’s career spans more than 25 years across over 50 countries and multiple economic sectors. Prior to joining BGC, Barry was Group Managing Director – People with Worley Parsons and previously Global Practice Leader – Leadership & People Development for Rio Tinto. Barry has also worked for leading global professional services firms Heidrick & Struggles, McKinsey & Company and PricewaterhouseCoopers. He has especially worked in the People discipline for over 20 years, with a primary focus on organisational and cultural transformation or turnaround in both developed and developing nations. His experience also includes providing specialist, strategic People support to over 10 corporate deals. Barry holds a Masters degree in Industrial and Organisational Psychology and has been registered as a psychologist in Australia, South Africa and the United Kingdom.