Five Top Workforce Development Sessions at ISC West 2024

ISC West 2024 is coming up April 9-12 in Las Vegas, Nevada, and the Security Industry Association (SIA) and ISC West recently revealed full conference details for the SIA Education@ISC West program, including keynote presentations from top luminaries and over 100 sessions from top industry expert speakers on the most current business trends, technologies and industry developments.

Among the robust lineup of conference sessions are several dynamic presentations on key topics in workforce development. At ISC West, you’ll discover expert insights on unlocking organizational stagnation, embracing alternative workforce solutions and more. Here are five sessions you won’t want to miss; make sure to add them to your ISC West calendar!

All Times PDT

Thawing the Frozen Middle: Unlocking Organizational Stagnation for Business Owners and Leaders

Tuesday, April 9, 10:00-11:00 a.m.

The “frozen middle” is when middle management gets stuck and resistant to change because they’re caught between top executives’ decisions and the day-to-day work of front-line employees. This session will dig into why this happens and explore ways to deal with it, exploring things like hierarchy issues, communication problems and why people’s resistance to change all contribute to middle management getting stuck. Attendees will gain practical tools and actionable takeaways to thaw and prevent freezing in the middle in their own organizations and learn how to get past this roadblock and unleash the potential of middle management for long-term growth and success.

Presenter:

• Gannon Switzer, vice president of client engagement, Vector Firm

Session Sneak Peek:

“Executives know middle managers have some concerns – but they either are not focusing on the right solutions or simply can’t determine what’s truly troubling middle management. With 7/10 middle managers reporting they would readily return to being independent contributors if they could keep the same pay, getting to the bottom of both of these issues is imperative … I’ve been there. Both as a frozen manager and an unknowing organizational leader. It’s frustrating for both and yet relatively easy to resolve, when you have the right tools in place. We’ll walk through those together in this session and get you on track to increasing engagement and maximizing your time.”

Gannon Switzer

Generational Shift in the Workforce: Adapting to the Changing Dynamics

Tuesday, April 9, 3:30-4:30 p.m.

This session is designed to help participants understand and navigate the changing dynamics brought about by the presence of multiple generations in the workplace, aiming to provide insights into the characteristics, values and expectations of different generations, enabling participants to foster collaboration, enhance communication and create a harmonious work environment that capitalizes on the strengths of each generation.

Speakers:

• Candice Aragon, vice president of marketing and education, PSA Network
• Brooke Erickson, director of learning and development, PSA Network
• Tia Eskandari, director of service, Allied Universal Technology Services
• Lori Hudnall, vice president, human resources, SAGE Integration

Session Sneak Peek:

“As the workplace changes, so should our approach. This session is like a helpful friend, showing us how to understand, adapt and make the most of the strengths each generation brings to the table.”

Brooke Erickson

The First 90 Days – Make It Count

Wednesday, April 10, 11:15 a.m. – 12:15 p.m.

Whether you are new to an organization, moving into a new role or joining a new team, the first 90 days can be critical to your future success. In this session, attendees will hear from leaders who have recently made a transition and the steps they took to not only succeed, but also thrive in their new role. You’ll walk away with tools and strategies to ensure you are setting yourself up for success.

Speakers:

• Jaret Alexander, director of design services, ZBeta
• Andrew Corsaro, CPP, vice president, consulting services, ZBeta
• Anna Yates, vice president of talent and culture, ZBeta

Session Sneak Peek:

“We’re thrilled to have the chance to share our insights at ISC West, emphasizing the crucial importance of implementing a 30/60/90-day plan, securing early wins and fostering trust with both team members and management through transparent communication. This presentation, delivered by myself, Andrew Corsaro and Janet Alexander from ZBeta, is designed to empower leaders with the tools for establishing clear, quantifiable objectives to oversee and guide professional advancements. Additionally, our talk will provide a comprehensive toolkit specially designed for those facing fresh challenges, supporting today’s professionals in succeeding and flourishing in their careers.”

Anna Yates

Workforce Development Executive Briefing: Alternative Workforce Solutions

Wednesday, April 10, 3:30-4:30 p.m.

The security industry is undergoing a dynamic shift in workforce dynamics, mirroring global trends towards more flexible and diverse employment models. This interactive panel will delve into the increasingly relevant topic of alternative workforce solutions, such as contract workers, temporary employees, freelancers and other nontraditional employment models. Experts will explore the evolving landscape of the security industry workforce, the challenges and benefits of integrating nontraditional workers into your organization and best practices and strategies for effectively utilizing alternative workforce solutions. Whether you are looking to expand your talent pool, adapt to market demands, or learn more about innovative organizational solutions, this session will provide valuable insights and practical strategies to help your organization stay ahead in a competitive landscape.

Speakers:

• Tia Eskandari, director of service, Allied Universal Technology Services
• Lori Hudnall, vice president, human resources, SAGE Integration
• Aiden O’Brien, executive director, Foundation for Advancing Security Talent (FAST)
• Kerri Sutherland, chair, FAST Board of Directors; manager, HR business partnerships, Axis Communications

Session Sneak Peek:

“I am delighted to engage in a meaningful conversation about the advantages of embracing the alternative workforce model. Alongside other industry leaders, I eagerly anticipate sharing the firsthand successes I’ve had with this workforce. The untapped potential within this talent pool is vast, and they seamlessly complement our core team, bringing a heightened level of agility and adaptability crucial for addressing our industry’s ever-evolving business needs. This approach mirrors FAST’s mission to connect talent with opportunities in the security industry. Leveraging this resource has enabled my organization to swiftly address temporary demands and bridge skill gaps, and I am thrilled to share these experiences with ISC West attendees!”

Kerri Sutherland

The Future of the Security Industry: A Perspective From “the Next Generation”

Thursday, April 11, 2:15-3:15 p.m.

Now more than ever, we are seeing a quickly evolving workforce all around the globe and particularly that of the security industry. With a large portion of the industry less than 10 years away from retirement and an influx of new talent, there is a large knowledge gap we are working to fill across the board. When you add on hiring and employee retention complexities to that mix we create a perfect storm. This panel of rising security professionals will help to shed light on these issues from their perspectives and pose potential solutions for us all to work towards together.

Speakers:

• Dakota Bierly, business development manager, Northland Controls
• Elliott Gabriel, sales and design professional. Preferred Technologies, LLC
• Sean Hoschett, lead security analyst, CenterPoint Energy
• Lindsay Martin-Nez, CEO, BadgePass

Session Sneak Peek:

“We are experiencing a pivotal moment in our industry where the next generation of leaders are starting to take the helm. And with this transition will come a myriad of unique challenges and opportunities – from embracing the onslaught of security innovation to navigating the modern workforce. In our panel, we look forward to having a candid conversation about the current state of our industry, what the next generation of leaders can anticipate and where we see the future of our industry headed.”

Dakota Bierly

You can access the full SIA Education@ISC West conference program by registering for a SIA Education@ISC Passport here. And don’t forget to use SIA’s free registration link to sign up for the ISC West trade show.

The views and opinions expressed in guest posts and/or profiles are those of the authors or sources and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the Security Industry Association (SIA).