Shanghai, May 19, 2008 – Cheung Kong Professor Elizabeth Weldon led a discussion on “Making HR Strategic” with over 30 Shanghai-based human resource directors from leading global corporations including Philips, GlaxoSmithKline, AIG, and Intel on May 15th from 11:30am to 2:00pm at the Four Seasons Hotel, Shanghai.

“To be strategic, you must link HR processes to business strategy,” Weldon emphasized, noting that the existence of HR departments and executive development budgets should not be taken for granted and seen as mere “perks”. HR departments should focus on how to better serve their clients (the CEO and other departments within the corporation) to help the company meet its strategic objectives.

A panel including Andrew WU, LVMH Group Director for China, Gary Zheng, HR VP GlaxoSmithKline Global, and Daisy Dai, Vice-President, Human Resources, Taobao provided lively discussion and insight based on their own experience, comparing the “local” experience with the “multinational” case presented by Prof. Weldon.

The first of a series of events, the Cheung Kong GSB Dean's Reception for HR Directors was hosted by Xiang Bing, who provided opening remarks.

Cheung Kong GSB Professor Weldon is an expert in strategic human resource management with a particular interest in leadership and management development. She leads Cheung Kong GSB international executive education programs and works with multinational companies to design custom programs. Before joining Cheung Kong GSB, Professor Weldon served on the faculties of business schools in Hong Kong (HKUST), Europe (IMD), and North America (Kellogg).

About Cheung Kong GSB: Founded in Beijing in November 2002 by Asia’s most successful entrepreneur Mr. Li Ka-shing, Cheung Kong Graduate School of Business is China’s first private, non-profit, and independent business school. Headquartered in Beijing with campuses in Shanghai and Guangzhou, Cheung Kong GSB offers MBA, EMBA, and Executive Development Programs.