How The Makeover 2024's Sustainability Insights Pave the Way for 2025's AI Focus
October 17, 2024
As we set our course for The Makeover 2025: Sailing Ahead, it's essential to look back at the foundational conversations that prepared us for this voyage. The most successful AI transformations don't happen overnight – they're built on strong organizational foundations of collaboration, adaptability, and strategic thinking. What seemed like separate business priorities in 2024 now reveal themselves as the exact capabilities leaders need to navigate AI-driven growth in 2025.
HIGHLIGHT OF THE MAKEOVER 2024 – DAY 01
In 2024, under the theme “Foster Green Dynamics,” global leaders explored the critical role of sustainability and collaboration in building resilient businesses. More than 20 renowned innovation strategists gathered to discuss green economies, workforce evolution, and human-centered transformation strategies. What emerged wasn’t just a roadmap for sustainable growth – it was the organizational groundwork essential for AI adoption. The collaboration frameworks, change management insights, and innovation mindset developed in 2024 directly enable the AI leadership strategies central to The Makeover 2025. Understanding this connection helps leaders see why their 2024 investments in people, sustainability, and collaboration weren’t just good business practices – they were preparation for the AI-driven future we’re now ready to embrace.
On October 15th, 2024, the first day of The Makeover 2024, by Talentnet, was successfully held. The event brought together over 20 renowned innovation strategists from around the world. Under the theme “Foster Green Dynamics”, the event offered a diverse range of perspectives on innovation and sustainable development in management strategy.
1. Panel | Fostering Regional Collaboration: Stories from top business leaders
Kicking off The Makeover 2024 was a panel discussion on regional collaboration, led by visionaries shaping Southeast Asia’s future. Moderated by Mr. Tran Quoc Khanh, Ms. Ziena Jalil and Ms. Tran Tue Tri highlighted the region’s growth potential, underscoring the pivotal role of human capital.
- Ms. Ziena Jalil – An award-winning business, public sector leader and former diplomat; An advisor to ministers, corporates, and non-profits; Board Member, Education New Zealand
- Ms. Tran Tue Tri – Senior Advisor – Vietnam Brand Purpose; Former Senior Global Brand Vice President of Unilever, overseeing 40+ countries; Author of the book: Brand Vietnam – The Moment
- Moderator: Mr. Quoc-Khanh Tran – Founder/Managing Director, Vietsuccess
2. Keynote | Global leadership in rapidly changing times
With extensive experience as a government advisor to ministers, corporations, and non-profit organizations, Ms. Ziena Jalil highlighted the necessary transformations in global leadership amidst our rapidly changing world. She emphasized, “Crucial skills for global leaders include vision and influence, empathy and inclusiveness, and collaboration and innovation.”
3. Keynote | SEA’s Evolving Workforce: Decoding the New Way of Work
In his presentation, Mr. Puneet Swani, former Senior Director at Mercer, delved into emerging trends shaping the regional labor landscape. He provided insights into how businesses can better adapt to the rapidly evolving regional and global context. Mr. Brook also revealed a concerning trend: “Many companies are mandating a return to the office, phasing out work-from-home policies. This is leading to higher employee turnover rates.
4. Breakout sessions
Session 1: Making HR Investment Count in a Sustainable Economy
- Ms. Nguyen Thi Xuan Huong – Country HR Director, AkzoNobel Vietnam
- Ms. Nguyen Tam Trang – Vice Chairwoman of Executive Committee cum Chief People Officer, GREENFEED Group
- Moderator: Ms. Ly Ngoc Tran – HR Outsourcing Services Director, Talentnet
The panel discussion, featuring Ms. Nguyen Thi Xuan Huong, Ms. Nguyen Tam Trang, and Ms. Ly Ngoc Tran, offered practical guidance on how businesses can invest in their people to achieve both short-term and long-term goals.
Session 2: The Role of Total Experience in Transformation Strategy
- Mr. Nguyen Hieu Truong An – Executive Vice President – People & Culture, Suntory PepsiCo Vietnam Beverage
- Mr. Nguyen Chi Kien – Chief Human Resources Officer, PNJ Group
- Moderator: Ms. Nguyen Thi An Ha – Marketing & Customer Experience Director, Talentnet
In an era where personalized experiences are paramount to an organization’s success, HR professionals are tasked with developing effective employee experience (EX) strategies. The insightful presentations by Mr. Nguyen Hieu Truong An, Mr. Nguyen Chi Kien, and Ms. Nguyen Thi An Ha provided valuable guidance on how HR can enhance employee engagement and drive business outcomes.
Session 3: Emerging traits of HRBP: Case study
- Ms. Nguyen Minh Ngoc – Human Relations Director, L’Oreal Vietnam
- Ms. Tracey Trang Do – HR Director, Shopee Vietnam
- Moderator: Ms. Tran Thi Kieu Oanh – Executive Search Services Director, Talentnet
The role of HRBPs in modern HR strategies is undeniable. However, many organizations are still grappling with defining the specific roles and responsibilities of HRBPs, particularly in today’s rapidly changing business landscape. Moderated by Ms. Tran Thi Kieu Oanh, speakers Ms. Nguyen Minh Ngoc and Ms. Tracey Trang Do share their practical experiences and insights to address this challenge.
5. Keynote | 2024 Report of Vietnam Business Transformation
While numerous Vietnamese businesses are undergoing transformations, there is a dearth of comprehensive data to provide a vivid overview of the country’s digital transformation landscape. Consequently, Vietnamese business leaders have lacked specific, market-driven metrics to inform critical strategic decisions. Recognizing this gap, Ms. Tieu Yen Trinh, CEO of Talentnet, has published the first-ever Business Transformation Report, offering valuable insights and data-driven analysis to guide businesses in their digital journeys. A notable finding from the report is that “Vietnamese business leaders are more confident than their foreign counterparts about the quality of their digital transformations.”
6. Keynote | How Green Economy can Drive Sustainable Growth
The Makeover 2024 offered a unique opportunity for attendees to hear from Mr. Attilio Di Battista, an expert from the World Economic Forum. In his presentation, he delved into the true meaning of a green economy, outlining the core principles of profitable green business models and highlighting the opportunities for businesses in a sustainable future.
7. Keynote | Unlocking Asian Creativity in the 21st Century
While Asia is poised to be the world’s economic powerhouse in the 21st century, its workforce is also expected to spearhead regional and global innovation. Professor Roy Chua’s presentation equipped businesses and HR professionals with the tools to unleash the potential of the Asian workforce and position them as leaders in organizational transformation.
8. Keynote | Powering Your Organization with AI
At The Makeover 2024, Mr. Mitchell Pham shared fascinating insights gleaned from over three decades of witnessing technological advancements that have profoundly impacted organizations, employees, and customers alike. He emphasized the importance of preparing the workforce for emerging technologies, stating, “Technology exists at various levels and forms. What truly matters is equipping our workforce with the necessary skills to leverage these technologies effectively, as technology alone cannot drive success.”
9. Keynote | SUPERCOLLABORATION™ – Accelerating Innovation with Creativity and Human+Machine Collaboration
The Makeover 2024 featured a world-class speaker, James Taylor, who delved deep into the concept of SUPERCOLLABORATION™. Through his presentation, attendees were equipped with essential strategies and tools to unlock potential, foster innovation, enhance productivity, and adapt to change. Emphasizing the interconnectedness of creativity and innovation, James Taylor stated, “Creativity is the birth of a new idea. Innovation brings that idea to life. Without creativity, there can be no innovation.”
Don’t miss Day 2 of The Makeover 2024! Discover highlights of day 2 The Makeover 2024 and download report now.
ABOUT THE MAKEOVER 2024
The Makeover welcomed over 1,000 attendees and featured over 20 global speakers discussing innovation. The event also attracted the partnership of leading sponsors and partners, including Phân Bón Cà Mau, GREENFEED, HSBC, PNJ, CIS, goFLUENT, Intellect, Sedbergh Vietnam, Singapore Management University, UrBox, Victoria Healthcare Vietnam, Design thinking innovation partner Doodle, Media partner Vietsuccess, S-World, and Hybrid event partner Quickom.
From Green Foundation to AI Future
The progression from “Foster Green Dynamics” to “Sailing Ahead” isn’t a topic change – it’s strategic evolution. The sustainability focus built organizational resilience. The collaboration emphasis developed adaptability. The innovation discussions prepared leaders for transformation. All of these capabilities prove essential for successful AI adoption.
Organizations that implemented 2024’s insights on collaboration, workforce flexibility, and sustainable thinking now possess the foundational strength needed for AI transformation. You can’t sail through AI disruption without a solid organizational “ship” – and that’s exactly what 2024 helped leaders build.
The final sessions on the fact of AI and human-machine collaboration weren’t just future glimpses. They were direct bridges to The Makeover 2025’s agenda: AI leadership, HumAIn workforce synergy, and practical AI implementation strategies.
Ready to Sail Ahead?
The insights from The Makeover 2024 built your organizational foundation. The Makeover 2025: “Sailing Ahead” will show you how to navigate AI-driven growth using that solid base. Get ready for deeper AI strategies, practical implementation guidance, and surprisingly engaging experiences that move beyond theory to action.
Don’t just watch the AI transformation happen – lead it with confidence. Organizations that master both sustainable workforce practices and AI integration will command the competitive advantage in tomorrow’s business landscape.
JOIN THE MAKEOVER 2025: SAILING AHEAD – October 15-16, 2025
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