Citing CIPD research that found over one in three HR professionals don't know about their wider business, O'Halloran said getting more outward facing was essential if HR was to play a wider and more influential role.
"Be aware of the whole business, not just one function," she told delegates. "Understand the commercial impact of people on the business."
O'Halloran, who became MD of the food retail chain after 11 years in HR at various companies, advised HR directors who would like to make the jump to be "damn nosy". "Know your business, from the shop floor up. Don't just sit in HR," she said. "Go and sit in marketing or finance."
As well as getting to know the business, O'Halloran also said that she advised her HR staff to get cosy with the competition, even encouraging them to apply for jobs in rival companies in order to get to know their recruitment processes.
However, despite encouraging delegates to try their hand at a more senior role in running a business, O'Halloran admitted to missing her old function. "My CEO told me, you've got to let go of HR," she said. "But I do miss it."
