How the venture HR Innovator is created

In today's rapidly changing world, it is challenging to track all the innovation in different sectors and on the labor market in general. That’s why the efforts to keep up with the present reality are inevitable and necessary. Today we are together with George, Founder and CEO of the HR Innovator - a knowledge hub and event series dedicated to leaders, innovators, and change-makers in the HR world. With extensive knowledge from the UK and a Master's degree in International Business, he took the decision to create HR Innovator inspired by how technology can enhance everybody's work, boost efficiency, and manage workplace stress.

Vanesa: George, thank you for accepting the invitation for a meeting! As Founder and CEO of The HR Innovator can you share with us the story behind the founding of your company and its vision and mission? 

George:

Firstly, thank you so much for having me and your interest in our work. The journey to founding my company has been quite a ride. I started out as a professional motorcycle racer, which honed my skills from a young age. Following this, I pursued a Master’s degree in London and ventured into the corporate world. There, I gained extensive experience in high-stress environments, working with consultancy firms, tech giants, and event consultancies.

Eventually, I joined a consulting firm in London as a Co-Founder. It was during this time that I realized I was well-prepared, both in skills and mindset, to start my own venture. COVID-19 shifted all of us to remote work, the integration of technology became essential. I saw it as the perfect moment to launch a platform dedicated to exploring these innovations and their impact on HR. I have ambitious plans for the future, and my dedication to the HR Innovator is often described by friends as an obsession, but it's all driven by a passion to make a significant impact in the field.

I have ambitious plans for the future, and my dedication to the HR Innovator is often described by friends as an obsession, but it's all driven by a passion to make a significant impact in the field.

Our core mission is to educate and accelerate the adoption of technology within HR. We aim to equip HR teams with the tools they need to evolve their workplace cultures, enhance collaboration, and develop innovative approaches to human resource management.

Our vision for the HR Innovator is to become the ultimate resource for HR professionals. We aspire to be the go-to destination for staying updated on the latest trends and news, discovering and comparing HR tech tools, and finding the best solutions tailored to their needs.

Vanesa: How has the company evolved since its inception and what sets you apart from other HR events?

George:

The journey has certainly been challenging, but my previous start-up experience prepared me well for what lay ahead. Initially, I was the sole person working on the project, juggling multiple roles. Since then, we've made significant strides. We’re excited to host our first international event outside of the UK on October 29th. Additionally, we’re planning to add more events into our 2025 calendar.

In my opinion, the key aspects that set The HR Innovator's events apart from others in the industry is our unwavering commitment to creating a truly immersive and engaging experience for our attendees. Here are a few key differentiators:

• Tailored Content: We prioritize understanding the specific needs and challenges of our audience. Our events feature curated content that addresses current trends and pressing issues in HR, ensuring that attendees leave with actionable insights.

• Expert Faculty: We invite a diverse range of industry leaders, practitioners, and thought leaders to speak at our events. Their varied perspectives and real-world experiences enrich the discussions, providing attendees with valuable knowledge from multiple viewpoints.

• Focus on Community Building: Beyond just a series of events, we aim to cultivate a vibrant community of HR professionals. We provide ongoing networking opportunities and platforms for collaboration that extend beyond the event itself, ensuring lasting relationships are formed.

By focusing on these aspects, we create a unique and impactful environment that empowers HR professionals to grow, learn, and connect in meaningful ways.

Vanesa: That is truly wonderful! Congratulations on your team efforts and dedication! Can you walk us through the process of planning a successful HR event?

George:

Planning a successful HR event revolves around four key pillars: securing high-caliber speakers, choosing a modern and accessible venue, crafting a high-quality agenda, and ensuring an exceptional attendee experience. It’s worth noting that event planning is considered one of the top three most stressful jobs globally, largely because it involves managing various people and unpredictable factors. Despite these challenges, focusing on these core elements helps us deliver impactful and memorable events.

Vanesa: I am curious how do you ensure your events provide value to attendees?

George:

To ensure our events provide maximum value to attendees, we focus on several key strategies:

• Tailored Content: We conduct extensive research to understand the current challenges and trends in the HR landscape. This allows us to curate relevant topics and speakers who can offer actionable insights that resonate with our audience.

• Engagement Opportunities: We incorporate interactive elements such as panel discussions, Q&A sessions, and workshops. This not only fosters engagement but also allows attendees to participate actively and share their perspectives.

• Networking Focus: We prioritize networking opportunities by designing our agenda to include ample time for attendees to connect with peers, industry leaders, and experts. This helps build a sense of community and facilitates meaningful relationships.

• Feedback Mechanism: After each event, we gather feedback from attendees to assess what worked well and what could be improved. This continuous loop of feedback allows us to refine our offerings and ensure they meet the evolving needs of our audience.

Vanesa: Can you share with us some of the most memorable or impactful events you've organized?

George:

As the founder and CEO of The HR Innovator, several events stand out as particularly memorable and impactful:

• The Inaugural Conference: Our first conference set the tone for our mission. With over 300 HR professionals in attendance, we facilitated discussions on emerging trends, which sparked valuable conversations and collaborations. The energy and engagement from attendees were truly inspiring.

• Workshops on Technology in HR: These hands-on workshops allowed HR professionals to explore new technologies and tools. The interactive nature of these sessions led to immediate application of learned skills, and many attendees reported that they were able to implement changes in their organizations as a direct result.

Vanesa: As a person that for years is living abroad how and why did you choose Sofia as a potential and prospective next location for expanding your events?

George:

Thank you for this excellent question! From a business standpoint, I leveraged my experience to conduct comprehensive market research. The findings were compelling: Bulgaria, and specifically Sofia, showed a strong demand for this type of event. Conversations with local professionals and stakeholders further validated this opportunity. We’re thrilled to announce that this will be the launch of an annual series, not just a one-time event. Our plans include further expansion in 2025, and eventually, taking our initiative across the ocean to the US. Stay tuned for more exciting developments!

Vanesa: I wanted to take a moment to sincerely thank you for taking the time for the interview. I greatly enjoyed our conversation and learning more about the team's vision and the exciting projects you’re working on.

I am even more enthusiastic about the opportunity to contribute to being part of The HRInnovator Conference and exchange knowledge with the public. I appreciate the insights you shared have deepened my interest in joining the events.

Follow the innovations at: https://www.thehrinnovator.com/