“The Wellbeing @ Work event provides HR and business leaders the tools and evidence to create workplaces where organizations and employees can thrive” Chris Cummings

Interviewer: Mariham Magdy

Brief Biography about the interviewee:

Chris Cummings is CEO of Sonas Group, the global events organizer for The Wellbeing @ Work events. These one day summits are designed for senior leaders to learn how to create workplaces where employees and organizations thrive. Chris’s passion and motivation is to create healthier and more productive workplaces by delivering inspiring and engaging events around the world, building strong communities of business leaders who can create a new world of work. Over the past five years, Chris has developed and curated the series of global Wellbeing @ Work Events and as a result has been at the forefront of the evolving and developing landscape that is wellbeing in the workplace.

1-HR Revolution Middle East Magazine: Would you share with us Mr. Cummings what made you decide to launch the Well-Being at Work Event in the region and how did the idea start?

Chris Cummings: Corporate wellness is an area of business strategy that is growing in importance across the globe. After significant research across the Middle-East region back in 2016, we decided to bring our annual event to Dubai. Now in its fourth year, the Wellbeing @ Work event has established itself as a must-attend event for business and HR leaders from across the region. 

2-HR Revolution Middle East Magazine: What new perspective would this event add to the audience?

Chris Cummings: The Wellbeing @ Work event provides HR and business leaders the tools and evidence to create workplaces where organizations and employees can thrive. Research shows that happy and healthy workplaces that embed well-being into their culture, create high performing teams. The Wellbeing @ Work event provides all of the tools that you need to achieve this.

3-HR Revolution Middle East Magazine: Can you share with us what happens behind the scenes; how the event is organized this year and the planning and efforts done in the background to reflect such quality at the end? 

Chris Cummings: A huge amount of planning goes into this event. We spend a lot of time researching the key topics that our corporate audience want us to cover such as mental health in the workplace and creating a winning culture within organizations. Then we bring in the best speakers and experts from across the globe to join us.   

https://fowinsights.com/event/wellbeing-work-event-dubai-2020/

4-HR Revolution Middle East Magazine: What are the usual expectations of the delegates in this event, and how do you assure to meet their expectations?

Chris Cummings: We believe that the key to a successful Wellbeing @ Work event is making sure that delegates leave with a toolbox of ideas and inspiration, which they can take back to their organizations and implement straight away. We make this happen by curating insightful and actionable content delivered through round table discussions, keynote addresses, panel discussions and workshops. We also bring in a variety of solution providers who can assist organizations as they take steps to implement changes within the workplace. 

5-HR Revolution Middle East Magazine: We find HR Events a perfect venue to learn about practical solutions, new trends, case studies and experiences; from an L&D perspective how can the Well-Being at Work Event empower the delegates?

Chris Cummings: By arming our delegates with the right tools, practical insight and a day full of rich and varied content, delegates come away feeling confident and ready to take the next steps on their well-being journey.

6-HR Revolution Middle East Magazine:  What tips would you give to the event delegates this year in order to maximize their learning from attending the conference?  (On three levels:  before the conference, during the conference & after the conference).

Chris Cummings:

Before the conference: Once you have confirmed your place, we provide you with the details on how to personalize your day. This means delegates can choose what break-out sessions they want to attend and who they would like to set-up meetings with, allowing them to maximize their time at the event

During the conference:  Delegates can get involved with all of our interactive sessions and use Slido to make sure as many questions as possible get asked and answered. We suggest making the most of the day by speaking to our solution providers, as they can really help you on your wellbeing journey. 

After the conference: Continue the conversation via our social media channels and on our platform fowinsights.com by sharing what you’ve learnt, and follow up on your networking connections.

7-HR Revolution Middle East Magazine: Public speaking is becoming an essential competency in HR, whether in conferences or in internal corporate events. From your leadership experience in this, what tips do you have for people to enhance their public speaking skills?

Chris Cummings: There are a variety of courses available to improve your public speaking skills and you will see some great examples at the Wellbeing @ Work event in Dubai on 3 March! 

THANKS