HR should seek to lead

Human resource managers should constantly evolve along with the changing economy and should be ready to take on the critical role of being business leaders, said J Philip, director, Xavier Institute of Management & Entrepreneurship.

Delivering the inaugural address at the Bangalore HR Summit 2004 in Bangalore on Friday, Philip said: "For long, HR managers were content managing recruitment, putting systems and processes in place, carrying out performance assessment on a yearly basis, besides mentoring and conselling the recruits. The needs of todays business have changed drastically and HR managers are required to deliver much more than being involved in these activities. The profile of a HR manager is actively moving towards developing business capabilities "Elaborating on this change in the industry, Philip said HR managers should have the diversity to understand and comprehend both the manufacturing and service economies.

"HR managers from India are proving to be global players and it is great to have such talent grooming the growth of enterprises. This situation is perfect for HR professionals to graduate into higher echelons of the companies ," he noted.

Pravin B Dave, adviser, employee relation, Hindustan Lever, delivering his address at the seminar said: "We should no longer be debating on whether a HR manager adds to the business capability of an organisation. This profession is growing at a fast pace and is as critical as a sales and marketing or a finance profile."