On 6 June, the cosmetics sector experienced a transformative event to discuss the creation of healthy and productive work environments, organised by the Beauty Cluster. The event, which held its third edition at Pangea, an idyllic space in Barcelona, was sponsored by Eurofirms, TEB Cooperativa, TeamEQ and Augusta Abogados, and was attended by prominent speakers from the cosmetics sector, as well as external speakers, who explored the capabilities and qualities of people and how these can be enhanced in the workplace. Melissa Torres, director of the Beauty Business School, led the event, which was attended by more than 65 people.
The day began with a presentation by David García, General Manager of Laboratorios Ximart, who addressed the challenges that organisations face in order to be competitive while taking care of their employees. García highlighted the importance of digitalisation and the creation of safe and healthy environments, essential for personal and professional growth. He also stressed the need to build diverse and inclusive teams, effectively addressing the integration of professionals with diverse skills.
David Ackley, Vice President People at Quadpack, took over to continue sharing the experience of Quadpack, a BCorp since 2022, and its holistic approach under the motto "Take care and give back to generations to come". Ackley highlighted how corporate culture should permeate all of a company's actions and decisions, seeking to have a positive impact on the lives of its employees and society at large. His talk became a source of inspiration for all attendees, demonstrating that it is possible to meet high ethical and sustainability standards.
Xavier Herce, Director and Co-Founder of Nemeda.io, paused to reflect on the future and present of the cosmetics industry. He spoke about the wave of digitalisation and innovation and how technology is transforming the ways we work and interact. One fact that provoked deep analysis was that three quarters of office workers have used AI in their work without permission from their employers. Herce brought one of the issues on the agenda of the day, artificial intelligence, to the table and suggested that it is crucial for companies to regulate the use of AI and define its appropriateness according to the needs and objectives of each department.
After the coffee break and networking space, it was the turn of Kiko Calero, Executive Coach Consultant and trainer at DoinDo, to take a break from the technological approach, highlighting the importance of strengthening human connections in the work environment. Calero emphasised that, although we all have things in common, it is essential to identify them in order to find synergies between people. This practice, he said, should be more frequent in organisations to foster an environment of collaboration and empathy.
Continuing with one of the cornerstones of the event, the digitalisation era, AI was once again on the table, with Erica Paratore, Director of the Labour Area of Augusta Abogados, addressing the challenges of regulating the use of AI and other technologies in organisations. She emphasised the need to use these tools responsibly and to establish clear limits. Paratore stressed that proper regulation is crucial to maximise the benefits of technology without compromising the ethics and well-being of employees.
Finally, Eva Collado, Human Capital and Digitalisation Strategic Consultant, introduced the attendees to the concept of 'Learnability'. The day concluded with an inspiring presentation by Eva Collado, consultant and speaker, who addressed the importance of adapting to change in a dynamic and digitised environment. Collado challenged attendees to see change as a competitive advantage and shared practical steps to embrace it and transform it into an opportunity for growth. He also outlined the profile of the authentic change manager and the essential competencies of the 21st century.