BTC CEO Leon Williams Addresses Regional HR Executives at CANTO

Fri, Aug 22nd 2014, 02:01 PM

BTC CEO Leon Williams was one of two headline speakers selected to address the CANTO 8th Annual Human Resource Forum at Atlantis, Paradise Island, Bahamas.

CANTO the Caribbean regional association for information and communications technology (ICT) operators and regulators invited Mr. Williams, along with CEO of TeleSur, the national telecommunications company of Suriname, to speak to the international HR executives about a CEO’s perspective on HR and ways the department can support the executive suite’s objectives.

In his address Williams stressed that in a fast-paced sector that is seeing constant transformation within the Caribbean due to many companies facing upgrades to broadband data, privatisation, and liberalisation, a CEO looks to his HR to be, more than ever, industry cognizant.

“Operators in the Caribbean are rapidly changing. CEOs rely on HR to align human capital with business goals and establish corporate culture, thus we look to HR executives as key catalysts of change,” advised Williams.

“They must not only identify and promote key talent and facilitators of change, but they must know the business and anticipate its needs. Recent research questions whether HR professionals understand enough about their businesses to be effective. It is my opinion that, as CEOs’ change agents and strategic partners, HR executives must spend more time with line managers learning the core business in order to direct change effectively.”

Williams left the HR executives with four general takeaways: 1)think outside of the box – be creative, 2)execute at the speed of thought – make quick effective decisions, 3)walk on the edge – take risks, and 4)prefer to ask forgiveness rather than permission – break the rules if necessary.

About CANTO

CANTO is recognized as the leading trade association of the ICT sector for shaping information and communication in the Caribbean. Founded in 1985 as a non-profit association of 8 telephone operating companies, CANTO has now grown to over 110 members in 33 countries. The policy strategy of the association is directed by a board of directors appointed by the membership. This strategy is executed by the staff of a permanent Secretariat located in Trinidad and Tobago.

BTC CEO Leon Williams gives an address to CANTO delegates. Williams emceed the opening ceremonies of the conference and gave an address at the Human Resources Forum.

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