Learning outcomes: Understand the key contemporary business issues and main external factors affecting different organisations and the impact on HR. Understand how organisational and HR strategies and practices are shaped and developed. Know how to identify and respond to changes in the business environment. Assessment brief/activity You have been asked by your CIPD Branch to lead a discussion at one of its events on ‘The evolving role of HR in the contemporary business world’. You have been asked to produce a paper for inclusion in the delegate pack.