Human Resources and Vocational Education & Training Working Group

On October 31, 2024, the HR and VET Working Group Meeting was held at the AHK Azerbaijan conference hall, focusing on the topic of “Future of HR Trends & Technology.”

Declaring the meeting open, Acting Executive Director of AHK Azerbaijan, Aytekin Sirajzade, informed the meeting participants about today's topics and then she gave the floor to the guest speakers: Aykhan Abdullayev, representative of SMART Cloud LLC in Azerbaijan; Natalya Sandler, Director of Human Resources at Unibank Commercial Bank OJSC; and Gulnar Hajiyeva, Senior Consultant (HR & Payroll) at SMART Cloud LLC.

In his opening remarks, Mr Abdullayev introduced the innovative solutions of SMART CLOUD LLC, highlighting the concepts of “SMART Payroll” and “Functional Moduls” as essential elements of the HR ecosystem within the framework of the partnership with Microsoft. He emphasised that the “SMART Payroll” system enables organisations to perform salary calculations more efficiently and accurately. At the same time, he noted that “Functional Moduls” play a crucial role in the systematic management of human resources and performance evaluation processes.

The meeting continued with Ms Sandler’s presentation. She discussed the vital role of digital transformation in the field of human resources (HR) and the significance of “Remote work” and hybrid models in the modern work environment. Finally, she addressed the topic of "HR Analytics and the Impact of Artificial Intelligence on HR," emphasizing the role of HR analytics in the collection and analysis of data in workforce management.

Afterwards, Ms Hajiyeva highlighted the importance of the Microsoft Business Central system, noting that this platform enables organisations to manage their resources more efficiently. She also discussed the Smart Payroll system, which ensures optimisation according to national legislation and salary requirements, as well as the concept of localisation. Ms Hajiyeva pointed out that integration with "Microsoft Power BI" facilitates data visualisation and analysis, allowing organisations to make more accurate decisions. She also emphasised that the "Approval Workflow" system automates decision-making processes, helping employees and managers save time and making salary calculations more efficient.

The meeting concluded with an active exchange of ideas and a "Q&A" session.

On October 4, 2024, the HR and VET Working Group Meeting was held at the AHK Azerbaijan office on the topic of “New Regulations in Labor Legislation.”

The Chair of the HR and VET Working Group, Ms Nigar Huseynzade, opened the meeting, greeted the participants, and provided information on the flow and topic of the meeting. She then gave the floor to the guest speakers, Mr Fuad Heydarov, Head of the Labor Policy Department at the Ministry of Labor and Social Protection of the Republic of Azerbaijan, and Ms Narmin Mirzayeva, Deputy Head of the State Labor Inspectorate Service under the Ministry of Labor and Social Protection of the Republic of Azerbaijan.

In his welcoming speech, Mr Heydarov discussed the recent updates to the Labor Code, including frequent cases of gender discrimination and corresponding amendments, as well as the concepts of electronic signatures, SİMA, and Asan Imza, along with their advantages. He also provided information on changes in the Labor Code regarding the protection of employee rights, the implementation of termination and leave orders, and shared updates on new projects related to remote work and vocational training for individuals with addiction issues.

Ms Mirzayeva continued the discussion, emphasizing the importance of digitalizing labor relations. She then introduced the “Dost Inspector” project and highlighted how the formation of electronic platforms for fixed-term labor contracts has led to the replacement of old labor contracts with new ones.

The meeting concluded with an interactive “Q&A” session, where participants had the opportunity to share their personal experiences. 

On August 1, 2024, at the office of AHK Azerbaijan, at the next meeting of the HR AND VET Working Group, the topics “Challenges of Finding and Keeping Top Talent" and "Employee Termination Policy and Procedures in Azerbaijan" were discussed.

Declaring the meeting open, Acting Executive Director of AHK Azerbaijan, Ms Aytekin Sirajzade, informed the meeting participants about today's topics and gave the floor to the guest speaker, Ms Anne Ramsay, Regional Human Resources Director of SCHNEIDER GROUP.

Ms Ramsay expressed her gratitude for the invitation and provided extensive information about SCHNEIDER GROUP's services. She began by discussing five themes shaping the future of work. These included changes in motivations and beliefs about what constitutes a great job, the role of automation in rehumanizing work, technological changes blurring the boundaries of firms, and the challenges younger generations face as they feel increasingly overwhelmed. Emphasizing the current recruitment challenges, Ms Ramsay noted that 77 percent of companies are struggling to find top talent. She gave information about "quiet hiring" and explained its practical application through need assessment, talent mapping, internal communications, training and development, and feedback and monitoring. Additionally, Ms Ramsay elaborated on the "build-buy-borrow-bridge" concept.

Following Ms Ramsay's presentation, Ms Irada Shamilova, Head of Accounting Group at SCHNEIDER GROUP, discussed the topic "Employer of Record: A Key Component of Talent Strategy". She explained that an EOR approach enables companies to manage their workforce effectively, reduce risks, and focus on strategic business growth. By leveraging EOR services, companies can adapt quickly to market changes, hire talent globally, and ensure compliance with local regulations.

Afterwards, Ms Sabina Karimova, Associate Lawyer at SCHNEIDER GROUP, shared her insights on common grounds for dismissal, which include failure to perform job duties, misconduct, long-term illness, and redundancy. She discussed strategies for ending the employment relationship, emphasising the importance of separating after difficult discussions to avoid potential conflicts that could harm both the company's image and the employee's reputation. Alternatively, she suggested negotiating and finding a compromise, such as offering favourable conditions for parting ways, including compensation and assistance in finding new employment. Ms Karimova also provided guidance on terminating employment contracts by mutual agreement, advising on key aspects to consider during this process to ensure a smooth and fair termination for both parties.

Concluding the meeting, Mr Rizvan Karimov, an Independent Consultant on Labour Issues, provided extensive information about the employee termination policy and procedures in Azerbaijan. He explained everything according to the Labor Code of the Republic of Azerbaijan and shared his own experiences, offering valuable insights into effective termination practices and compliance with local regulations.

The meeting concluded with an engaging Q&A session, where participants discussed strategies to address the highlighted challenges and shared best practices for effective employee termination policies and procedures in Azerbaijan.

On May 29, 2024, the next HR and VET Working Group meeting was held at the office of AHK Azerbaijan, where the topic "The Process of New Employee Adaptation" was discussed.

Opening the meeting, the chairperson of the HR and VET Working Group, Ms Nigar Huseynzade, greeted the participants and provided information about the course and topic of the meeting. Ms Huseynzade recommended that participants read the new AHK Human Resources Insights journals. She then gave the floor to the guest speakers, AccessBank CJSC’s Ms Khumar Huseynova, Training and Development Manager, and Ms Ilhama Rustamli, Head of the Human Resources Business Partnership Department.

Starting her speech with a greeting, Ms Rustamli provided information about the important preliminary preparations HR should undertake to organise the new employee adaptation process. She also emphasised the importance of defining goals and stages in this process. Ms Rustamli spoke about the role of the mentor in supporting new employees during their introduction and adaptation and in uncovering their potential. Additionally, she highlighted the importance of organising the orientation for new employees, monitoring progress, and providing feedback. She then gave the floor to Ms Huseynova.

Ms Huseynova began her presentation by sharing her experience from Alliant Credit Union with the meeting participants. She discussed strategies for maintaining positivity both at work and in personal life. Then, she talked about 12 factors that engage employees in their work. At the end of her speech, she provided information about online training opportunities.

The meeting concluded with an active exchange of ideas and a "question and answer" session.

At the meeting of HR and VET Working Group of AHK Azerbaijan held on February 22, 2024, the power of understanding people and coaching topics were discussed. Mr Insafali Samadov, Chief trainer and consultant of Develor Azerbaijan and co-founder of SparkUs digital coaching platform, and professional coach Ms Ozlem Sarioglu were speakers at the meeting.

Declaring the meeting open, the Chairman of the HR and VET Working Group and Human Resources Director of PASHA Property Management LLC, Ms Nigar Huseynzade, welcomed the participants and gave the floor to Mr Samadov, giving detailed information about the progress of the meeting. Mr Samadov first informed the participants about Develor Azerbaijan, its local and foreign partners, as well as the company's trainers, and then in his speech, he gave the audience extensive information about human psychotypes, the importance of internal communication and analytical psychology. Mr Samadov informed the participants about Carl Gustav Jung's 4 energy psycho-types and held an interactive session to help the participants identify their own energy psychotypes. Towards the end of his speech, Mr Samadov spoke in detail about the topic of "Insight Discovery" and turned to the audience with pictures to help them better understand the topic. At the end of his speech, he informed the participants about the knowledge of understanding people and how to use it.

After that, Ms Sarioglu started her speech by informing the participants about herself and the SparkUs digital coaching platform. After getting the audience's opinion about the term coaching, Ms Sarioglu gave detailed information to the participants and informed them that coaches are someone who helps people find their own solutions to problems and increase the potential of employees in a business environment. At the end of her speech, Ms Sarioglu gave information about the main differences between coaching and mentoring and the analytics of coaching.

The meeting ended with a Q&A session and an interactive session that allowed participants to share their personal experiences.

In a session held on January 23, 2024, AHK Azerbaijan HR and VET Working Group explored the role of innovative technologies in the realm of recruiting human capital. The event, titled "Using Technology to Better Leverage Human Capital," featured distinguished speakers Ms Anne Ramsey, Regional Human Resources Director, and Mr Sergey Danilyuk, ERP and IT Director, both representing the Schneider Group.

Ms Anne Ramsey commenced the session by presenting an overview of the various evolutions of HR from a historical perspective, paving the way for a vision of HR 4.0. Delving into future developments, she highlighted the potential of hyper-automation in the recruitment process through artificial intelligence and the efficient use of chatbots for talent acquisition. Ms Ramsey emphasised how AI, specifically through deep learning, can rapidly and precisely analyse CVs, providing valuable feedback.

Following this, Mr Sergey Danilyuk shared personal experiences, shedding light on challenges and concerns related to data security in the context of blockchain technology. His insights provided a nuanced understanding of the complexities surrounding the integration of blockchain in HR processes.

The meeting concluded with an interactive session, allowing participants to pose questions and share their personal experiences.

On April 22, 2025, AHK Azerbaijan’s HR and Vocational Education and Training (VET) Working Group held a key meeting to discuss its annual action plan and explore global trends in human capital development. The event brought together HR professionals from various sectors and featured expert insights from Mercer LLC and Marsh LLC.

The session was opened by Nigar Huseynzade, Chair of the Working Group, who emphasized the group’s role in fostering collaboration and continuous learning. Aytekin Sirajzade, Head of Membership Services Department at AHK Azerbaijan, followed with remarks on the importance of professional networking and knowledge exchange.

Ayan Mekhdiyeva, representing Marsh LLC, provided an overview of the company’s 130-country presence and over 20 years of activity in Azerbaijan. Her presentation addressed medical insurance solutions, risk management services, and employee benefit trends in the local market. Best practices in employee risk management and medical insurance solutions were shared, alongside insights into the local insurance market, including cost efficiency and employee engagement.

Fuat Gorgulu from Mercer LLC shared insights on HR transformation, leadership development, workforce planning, DEI strategies, and the role of digital innovation in HR. He also highlighted findings from Mercer’s global HR survey for 2024–2025. His talk covered strategies for optimizing HR functions and fostering leadership development, trends in workforce planning, DEI initiatives, and flexible work models, as well as the role of ESG, sustainability, and digital innovation in HR.

The meeting concluded with an open discussion, allowing participants to address practical challenges and share experiences.

On February 25, 2025, the next meeting of the AHK Azerbaijan HR and VET Working Group on the topic of “Talent Management and the Role of Leaders” took place.

Our guest speaker, Parviz Gasimov, Director of Human Resources and Business Support at Araz Supermarket LLC, emphasized the key importance of talent management. Mr. Gasimov also provided detailed insights into the main challenges faced in talent management, such as talent shortages (particularly in specialized roles), limited budgets, and resources.

During the meeting, the importance of creating a motivating environment for employees, the necessity of effective resource allocation, and the system for evaluating employees' potential based on the talent management model were highlighted. Key points regarding the role of companies in this area and recruitment culture were also discussed. Furthermore, the concept of the talent matrix, which helps in identifying employees' individual skills and potential for their development or proper placement, the high-potential employee model, the preparation of individual development plans, as well as career planning and the role of skills management were explained in detail.

On November 4, 2025, HR and Vocational Education and Training (VET) Working Group of AHK Azerbaijan’s held an engaging session titled “High Performing Organization.” The event brought together representatives from various companies to discuss advanced practices in high performance, organizational management, and human resources.

The session was opened by Nargis Wieck, Chief Executive Officer of AHK Ayerbaijan, who highlighted the group’s ongoing commitment to collaboration, professional growth, and the exchange of best practices within Azerbaijan’s HR community.

As a keynote speaker, Matanat Babayeva, Chief Human Resources Officer at Azerconnect Group, shared valuable insights into the practices that enable organizations to achieve and maintain high performance. Her presentation highlighted the strategic importance of aligning leadership, culture, and employee engagement to build organizations that excel in both people and results.

The event focused on high-performing organization (HPO) models in Azerbaijan, emphasizing modern HR strategies and successful corporate experiences. Discussions explored how people-centric approaches and performance-oriented management contribute to sustainable growth and business success.

Participants delved into the key aspects of organizational excellence, including leadership, agility, innovation, and the creation of talent-driven, skill-based workplaces. The dialogue also addressed how human resource strategies can adapt to evolving market conditions, drive transformation, and foster a culture of continuous improvement.

The session concluded with an engaging Q&A session, where participants shared their perspectives and exchanged ideas on implementing high-performance models within their respective organizations.

On May 8, 2025, AHK Azerbaijan’s HR and Vocational Education and Training (VET) Working Group held an insightful session titled “From Performer to Leader.” The event gathered HR professionals to explore the shift from high performance to effective leadership in today’s dynamic workplace.

The session was opened by Nigar Huseynzade, Chair of the Working Group and Head of HR at Pasha Property, who underlined the group’s commitment to collaboration, professional development, and lifelong learning.

Ulviyya Jabbarli, Co-founder and Director of iBloom LLC, delivered the keynote, drawing on her 20 years in HR and 15 years in leadership. Her presentation challenged leadership myths and highlighted the need for mindset transformation, clear communication, and strategic delegation.

She highlighted the symbolic image of today’s overwhelmed leader endless meetings, cluttered desks, smartphones, and vague goals stressing the need for clarity, purpose, and strategic delegation. Key points discussed included mindset shift, practical leadership tools, and the use of clear communication in non-micromanaging leadership styles. She introduced a leadership bootcamp designed to support aspiring leaders and stressed that empowering others is at the heart of true leadership.

The session wrapped up by emphasizing clear accountability and the importance of assigning a “single accountable person” for effective leadership outcomes.

On May 22, 2025, the Human Resources and Vocational Education and Training (VET) Working Group of AHK Azerbaijan organized a session titled “Feedback as a Tool for Development and Growth,” delivered by Dmitriy Belousov, a professional trainer from the international training company Develor.

The session was opened by the Chair of the Working Group and Head of Human Resources at Pasha Property, Nigar Huseynzade, who emphasized the importance of collaboration and knowledge sharing among HR professionals.

During the training, Dmitriy Belousov highlighted that feedback should not be limited to annual evaluations but rather be continuous and constructive. He stated:

“The mindset of ‘If I haven’t fired you, everything is fine’ no longer fits in today’s management environment.”

The session covered key topics such as the motivational role of feedback, the difference between positive and constructive feedback, and principles of proper timing and communication. Belousov underlined:

“Giving feedback means giving attention. Attention = Value, Value = Motivation.”

It was also noted, based on Gallup research, that employees who regularly receive constructive feedback are 14–39% more productive. The session also introduced Develor international experience and its range of development programs.

The event concluded by reinforcing that feedback is one of the most powerful tools in leadership and that promoting a feedback culture within organizations is essential.