[iN’s Night #3] The Growth Equation: Talent Development × HRBP Dual Perspectives

Real-world insights on how people and organizations grow together

“Good evening, and welcome to iNSearch Night!”

The third session of iN’s Night focused on uncovering the growth formula for organizations, viewed through the dual lenses of Talent Development and HR Business Partnership (HRBP). As guests settled in, sharing conversations over dinner, the evening unfolded into a rich exchange of stories, strategies, and ideas on how companies and their people can evolve hand in hand.

Speaker Lisa Lai: The Forged Path of a Resilient Consultant

“If you really want to burn out, go work in retail!”
With that single line, the room erupted in laughter. Known as the “Curie of the HR world,” Lisa Lai opened the evening with her signature passion and infectious energy.

Lisa’s journey mirrors that of many seasoned HR professionals. She started from the ground up, steadily building her career, weathering workplace storms, leading teams through challenges, and carrying heavy responsibilities. Coming from a global enterprise background, she spent years at overseas headquarters learning about the latest trends and philosophies in corporate training. Those experiences planted the seed of her lifelong dedication to talent development.

Later, as an international retail apparel brand expanded into Taiwan, she worked directly with teams from both the U.S. headquarters and China’s system to design and implement training programs and manuals for local stores. Rising from the frontlines to become HR Director of an international brand, Lisa witnessed firsthand how organizations grow and transform and the pivotal role that effective people development plays in that journey.

With her rich in-house experience, Lisa now helps organizations align their talent development initiatives more closely with real business needs. She emphasizes that successful training starts with HR’s deep understanding of each department’s goals and operations. Only by doing so can HR create precise, practical, and impactful programs that drive both employee growth and organizational success, delivering results that truly make a difference.

Speaker Elisa Liu: Trust, The Bridge Between People and Organizations

Next on stage was HRBP expert Elisa Liu, whose career has taken many turns, each shaping her insights and depth of understanding. Calm in tone yet powerful in delivery, her words resonated deeply with everyone in the room. She shared her journey in cross-department collaboration, and detailing how she evolved from an HR professional often questioned by others into a trusted strategic partner.

“Many companies see HRBPs as mere messengers between departments and shared services,” Elisa noted. “But the true value of a BP goes far beyond that.”
Her statement struck a chord with many attendees, echoing the silent struggles faced by HRBPs across industries.

Elisa believes the true essence of an HRBP isn’t just about knowing policies and procedures, it’s about thinking from a business perspective, co-creating value with teams, and driving organizational progress together. When HR adopts this mindset, it transitions from being an administrative function to becoming a true business partner to the unit it supports.

Through ongoing communication, active listening, and problem-solving, HR can demonstrate its influence and value in tangible ways, earning the trust that transforms relationships.

During her talk, Elisa also shared actionable ways for HR professionals to evolve into HRBPs. Many participants later said they gained fresh inspiration and clarity on the BP role, some even mentioning that, despite not having an HR background, they found the session both enlightening and deeply relatable.

 

Authentic Conversations in the Workplace

Created for professionals, iN’s Night is a space for genuine dialogue and open exchange. There’re no sales pitch and no hierarchy, just sharing, learning and inspiration. Each gathering feels like a recharge for the mind and spirit, where honest conversations spark fresh perspectives and meaningful connections.

As the evening drew to a close, guests gathered in small groups, exchanging reflections and ideas. Some shared how they navigate cross-department challenges, while others discussed ways to apply training insights within their teams. This kind of cross-industry, cross-functional exchange is one of the most valuable aspects of iN’s Night.

Time and again, the event has proven to be not only diverse in content but also rich in depth and perspective, sparking genuine inspiration among professionals from different industries. For the organizers, the greatest reward is seeing participants leave with bright smiles, new insights, and new connections, swapping business cards and exploring future collaborations.

Nights like this may be short, but they always leave behind warmth and strength.

iN’s Night — we look forward to seeing you again soon!

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Published by iNSearch 卓恩管理顧問有限公司
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