Who are the people that are taking the lead in disrupting the future of work?
They’re the official Disruptors (Organizers) of DisruptHR events held in cities around the world. Each week, we’ll introduce you to one of these intelligent, inspiring, and beautiful people (okay, pick two) who have stepped up, and volunteered to organize a Disrupt HR event in their city.
Katrina Collier of DisruptHR London (Disruptor #50)
LinkedIn – Katrina Collier
Twitter – @KatrinaMCollier
Who are you, and what do you do in your “day job”?
I’m a Social Recruiting Trainer & Keynote at The Searchologist
How did you first hear about DisruptHR?
I spoke at DisruptHR New York, in January 2016, before bringing it to London.
I simply loved the idea and knew I had to do it!
Why did you decide to raise your hand and become an organizer for DisruptHR events in London?
Being my usual Aussie-blunt self, the HR speaking scene in the UK is too cliquey! I could see a lot of people making great changes in the world of work but not receiving the opportunity to share it so I simply wanted to give them a platform to do it. Plus, it’s so much fun!
How many events have you organized?
I hosted my fourth event on the 18th May 2017!
The biggest so far has been 125, and the plan is to run four events per year. They’ll keep growing… when I find a bigger venue!
What types of people/industries have attended your events?
I’ve had entire HR teams come along, many entrepreneurs, HR consultants, HR tech companies, recruiters, all sorts. It attracts a diverse audience, not just those in HR itself.
What are you most proud of that has come out of being involved with/organizing DisruptHR events?
Being able to support Retrak Charity with thanks to amazing sponsors like Reward Gateway, AHC, and Peoplise and #ConnectingHRAfrica. (I wrote about it here and here).
What kind of feedback have you received from those who attended prior DisruptHR London events?
#StormDoris attempted to obliterate the last DisruptHR London, and 3 of my speakers spent 6 hours each crossing the country to speak for 5 minutes.
Two others spent many hours trying, but to no avail. The next day I cried for half an hour – so humbled that they’d persevered for me and the event. There is no greater feeling than that!
What is your favorite DisruptHR Talk, and why?
I’m going to vainly say my one from DisruptHR New York because I find it is easier to speak for an hour than to tell a story in 5 minutes, and I had just gotten off the plane from London! 🙂
It was such an exciting evening. I felt so welcome, and it gave me exactly the insight I needed to bring DisruptHR across the pond.
Recruiting People In A Noisy World Is An Art | Katrina Collier | DisruptHR Talks from DisruptHR on Vimeo.
Based off of the Talks and conversations at your events, what do you feel are the areas with the biggest opportunity for disruption?
Even though recruitment is my first love, now we are living in a transparent world, and I think employee engagement is still a work in progress – and not just for “millennials” – for all!
There’s a lot of talk about engagement, and some companies are nailing it, but just like social recruiting, there’s still a long way to go!
What excites you or frustrates you about the future of work, your career and/or DisruptHR?
I’m an entrepreneur who has used technology to create my own heart-centric business. I am a knowledge worker; I specialise in one small piece of the world of work – social recruiting – and I deliver training that I love, and call in others when the piece of work in discussion is not in my area of expertise.
I see more and more people embracing tech, and creating their own path. Delivering only projects that resonate with them, to companies that look after their people and their clients. It’s exciting for those who are taking the leap!
But I think companies have been too bought into the idea that they must satisfy their “millennial” employees, and have yet to notice the knowledge drain. The Boomers are about to retire (due to age not age-typecasting-bollocks), and others are taking their expertise and setting up on their own businesses. Interesting times are ahead for those companies!
Follow What’s Happening With DisruptHR London:
– DisruptHR London Community Page
– DisruptHR London Facebook Page