Towards this end, David Adams, London-based HR consultant; and Vivek Albuquerque, director of Louis Allen International, India Operations; made an introductory presentation for HR managers and CEOs recently at Hotel Al Falaj.

Thrust (symbolising 'The HR Univocal Strategist') workshop is being organised by Technical Management Consultancy in association with Morison Muscat Chartered Accountants.

David Adams, who will lead the faculty team in conducting the Thrust workshop, illustrated the magic of HR in the current knowledge economy. "Even if you take away all of a company's infrastructure, the processes and brands but retain the people, in five years that talent will create another company," he said.

Vivek Albuquerque presented the Indian experience saying "there is a lot in common between the two countries especially in the small and medium-sized enterprises segment".

"The HR function in Oman is at an important cross-road today. India was in a similar situation 15 years ago and I bring to the HR fraternity of Oman the experience we have gained in India and the fruits of the transitory role achieved by HR during this period."

Vivek also explained how the Allen Management Systems offers techniques of incorporating the principles of the profession of management into the HR profession very effectively.

Addressing members of the HR community at the introductory presentation for the Thrust workshop, Dr Mohammed Abdulaziz Kalmoor, CEO of OIFC outlined the importance of HR management by saying that it was the single most important criteria deciding the competitive advantage and represented the well-spring of wealth creation in any society.

He said that "at the end of the day, what sets the company apart is the people it is equipped with and the vision set by the leadership. The day an organisation recognises the importance of HR management that day will be the transition point in the history of that organisation".

Dr Mohammed went on to quote his own organisation's approach to the human resource issue and the place of importance it occupied in the company's strategy. The strategy put the employees in the same position as its other customers.

"We considered having three customers, namely subscribers of telecommunications, water and electricity services; the principals generating the services; and standing next to these two, our employees. To include employees as a set of customers is to admit their central role within the overall scheme of things," he added.

Further details about the workshop may be obtained from Technical Management Consultancy/ Morison Muscat offices at 24799334, 99211658 (Kapil), 99213129 (Nasser).