Double win for GSK at the National HR Conference 2016
Who won the debate? Who bagged the awards? The National HR Conference organized by IPM Sri Lanka, the largest of its kind in South Asia, was witness to quite a bit of action on the 21 & 22 of June. The final of the Great HR Debate was the most anticipated showdown at the National HR conference, while the HR category awards were presented amidst rising anticipation of thousands.
GSK emerged victorious at the National HR Debate, while they also took home the Silver Category Award in HR Excellence. “GSK SL is celebrating! These wins are result of a lot of hard work by our teams”, said Mrs Kumudini Welmillage, Director - HR.
Their debating team comprised of Mr Yasiru Bandaranayake (Captain), Mr Denuka Perera, Mr Kanishka Ranaweera and Mr Salinga Brandigampala, whilst Ms Madushani Harishchandra and Ms Nethmi Gunasekera comprised of the extended team.
“In today’s competitive business environment, we should treat employees as resources rather than stakeholders, to ensure the capabilities of those resources are enhanced.
The topic was a challenging one – “In the Competitive Business Environment, Employees should be treated as stakeholders rather than resources”. “We had our hands full looking for points to oppose the topic – it was a really tough one”, said Mr Yasiru Bandaranayake, Captain of the debating team. “I am proud of how our team pulled together and put in enormous effort into researching & practicing despite numerous commitments at the time”.
“In today’s competitive business environment, we should treat employees as resources rather than stakeholders, to ensure the capabilities of those resources are enhanced. This organization strategy leading to the overarching competitive advantage will only ensure the organization to succeed in a competitive business environment”, was the point driven by the GSK team.
The faceoff between finalists GSK and Pan Asia was preceded by GSK Vs Midas Safety as well as Pan Asia Vs BOC in the semi final.
The next cap in their feather, the Silver Category Award for HR Excellence was well deserved by the group. The HR team of GSK who worked on this win lead by Mrs Kumudini Welmillage, comprised of Mrs Nirupa Wijeratne, Mrs Prashanthi Ratnayake, Mr Kanishka Ranaweera, Mr Dahami Hewagamage, Mr Daminda Guinasekara & Mr Yasiru Bandaranayake.
“The GSK – Pharmaceuticals team was confident of winning this award from the outset”, said Mrs Kumudini Welmillage. “After the application was submitted we were thoroughly audited by a panel comprising of learned experts and leading academics in the country. During this audit the team was cross examined and our policies along with processes were explored to ensure they were practical yet efficient, effective , transparent and most importantly - adopted and accepted by all. After the audit the GSK HR team were subject to the VIVA panel. It was a thorough & challenging process, and I am proud we emerged with this win at the end”.
Things you didn’t know about GSK
1.3 Million Children have been reached with life-saving immunisation, treatments and other interventions, through GSK’s ground-breaking partnership with Save the Children
11 Million People have been aided through GSK’s training of 40,000 frontline health workers in least developed countries since 2009
38,000 Employees and family members in 52 countries have access to preventative healthcare through GSK’s Partnership for Prevention programme
100 % markets operate on GSK’s new ethical business commercial model
#1 Since 2008 GSK leads the ‘Access to Medicine ‘ Index.
Snapshot of GSK
GSK has been entrenched in Sri Lanka’s healthcare industry for over 50 years. GlaxoSmithKline started operations on 1 January 2001 following the merger of GlaxoWellcome plc and SmithKline Beecham plc, but our combined histories go back much further than that to 1715. Today, GSK is a science-led global healthcare company. They research and develop a broad range of innovative products in three primary areas of Pharmaceuticals, Vaccines and Consumer Healthcare. With their significant global presence having commercial operations in more than 150 countries, a network of 89 manufacturing sites and large R&D centres in the UK, USA, Belgium and China we are truly geared to serve the global healthcare needs.
GSK’s Pharmaceuticals business develops and makes medicines to treat a broad range of acute and chronic diseases. They lead in respiratory disease and HIV with a portfolio of innovative and established medicines.
Their Vaccines business is one of the largest in the world, developing, producing and distributing over 1.9 million vaccines every day to people across the world. GSK boasts a broad portfolio of 39 paediatric, adolescent, adult and travel vaccines.
The Consumer Healthcare business develops and markets products in Wellness, Oral health, Nutrition and Skin health. They have a portfolio of some of the world’s most trusted and best-selling brands which include Sensodyne, Voltaren, Horlicks and Panadol.
In addition to ensuring high quality standards, the company has extended its expertise to related areas too, taking care that its operations including HR, are in line with the global mission to improve the quality of human life around the world by enabling people to do more, feel better & live longer.