The most important task of an HR is “creating hope during tough times;. This was agreed upon by speakers gathered at International Management Institute (IMI), Delhi’s two day “HR Summit 2009; with the theme Is There A Need For A Code Of Conduct- HR's Response To Business Challenges. The event was organised in association with ONGC and Powergrid Corp. of India Ltd.
Giving the key note address Mr Sandeep Bakshi, Deputy Managing Director, ICICI Bank Limited said that HR Managers need to blend “ integrity, positivism, humility and passion;, while combating challenges. Mr, Bakshi exhorted HR Managers to abstain from taking desperate measures for desperate needs. He said that since the HR professionals were sandwiched between the employee and employer “the salvage has to keep the code of conducts in its backdrop at every juncture and induct downturn and upturn in their stride;. “In the current scenario we need to be prepared to see disruptive changes and prepare to work with unfair people. HR Managers have to see that they "don’t allow negativity to be a part of their ecosystem;, he added. According to him the key role of the HR in today’s times was to “motivate the manpower;.
During the two day long deliberations , it was agreed that the biggest reason for the growth in the recent times has been the paradigm shift in the way the business and industries have catered to the middle class and made things and aspirations affordable for them. Emancipation of the middle class is the key to the GDP growth uptill now. “To move forward, the onus is on the young managers and the business leaders to cater to the future of the Indian economy; said Mr Bakshi.
While speaking at the inaugural session, Mr. Taquir Hussain GGM, CHRD, ONGC gave emphasis on the role of HR managers link between the employees and the employer and the need for HR managers to ensure the levels of engagements, loyalty, dedication ,motivation and their ability to is maintain these in the business upheavals through active involvement and consistent communication.
Reminding the key role of HR Mr. Sanjay Mathur , President HR, Petroleum Division, Reliance India Ltd said that during stormy weather or during economic downturn, do not cover yourself, it’s your job to cover others;. Mr. Suresh Ogale, Chief HRO, Technova India added that “People are psychologically and physically down – HR needs to deal with this issue;
“The job of HR manager is to manage the entire human chain (employees, customers, business partners) and instill hope in them, said Mr. Prashant Srivastava, Country Head and Managing Partner India, Gallup,
"Today's boss says "I'll hire you on the upturn an I'll fire you on the downturn" said Dr. Abinash Panda, Deputy General Manager, Global learning and Development, Suzlon Energy Ltd, while referring to the current recruitment scenario. He went on to clarify that the right procedure towards avoiding emotional baggage during firing is an intelligent hiring policy where in, one hires an employee for a career and not for a job. He further went on to stress on the need for a holistic plan throughout the entire process of recruitment and derecuitment. A plan which covers both the company goals and the employee aspirations.
Mr. Rakesh Sharma, Global HR Head, Dabur Pharma Ltd. raised fundamental questions regarding the way “ethics are and should be perceived, dealt with and perpetuated in organisations today;. He talked about the onus that our generations carries in this regard and that how we have to first become a 'real person' and then only can we conceive of being an HR expert. Stressing the need for HR professionals to acquire knowledge of the business we operate in and how their organizations work, he emphasized the vitality of seeking assistance and probing for information while dealing with ethics. And he endeavored to drive home the point that whenever in a dilemma, ask yourself, "What's more right?"
Mr Kamlesh Dangi, President HR, Religare Enterprise Ltd said that organisations should not cut capacities but rationalise salaries. “Put people in virtual bench, ask employees to take a break for a while…..re-skill and absorb them in various other sectors in the same sector; he said.
Speaking on Employee engagement in adverse times’. Dr Shalini Sarin, Director HR, Schneider Electric said “the overall focus for engaging talent in our Company is done through communication, involvement, development, engagement, reinforcement and recognition.. We have various tools to measure the outcomes of these initiatives.
The two day summit witnessed a host of eminent speakers from the industry which also included Mr. Prashant Verma,(Deputy General Manager, ICICI Bank Limited), Mr. R.P. Ojha,(Executive Director, Power Grid Corporation Of India Ltd, Mr. Kamlesh Dangi, (President HR, Religare Enterprises Ltd.), Mr. Suresh Ramasubramanian, (Head HR, Fullerton Securities), Mr. Pradeep Gogte, (VP HR, Adfactors Pr Pvt. Ltd. ) Mr. Arul Rajkumar (Country HR Director, TNT India Pvt. Ltd), Mr. Pankaj Suri, Head HR, DTZ International Property Advisers Pvt. Ltd, Dr. Asit Mohapatra, Direct or HR - Textiles, Raymond Group, Mr. A. Mahapatra, Director Personnel, MMTC Ltd, Mr.S.Varadarajan, EVP & CHRO, Quatrro BPO Solutions, Mr. Rajiv Kapoor, Executive VP HR, JCB India Ltd, Mr.Jayant.K.Singh, MD, Henkel India Ltd, Mr. Vivek Jain, VP HR, Kotak Mahindra, Ms. Poonam Bharti, VP HR, Birlasoft India, Ms. Kavita Mathur, Consulting HR Leader- India and Middle East, Hewitt Associates.
About International Management Institute (IMI)
International Management Institute (IMI) was established in 1981, as an autonomous non-profit educational society under the Societies Registration Act 1860, to meet the widely felt need for internationally oriented management education/ training for managers at all levels in industry, government and public systems. The academic programs of the institute continue to enjoy full support of the corporate sector as well as the Government of India since its inception. Today, IMI holds a place of distinction among the premier schools of management for being the first corporate sponsored business school with strong international orientation in India.
IMI follows international standard curricula in its programs, which has been enriched by its academic collaborations with a number of leading B-schools in Asia, Europe and North America and prepares participants to successfully manage and lead in an increasingly global business environment. IMI's educational programs have been recognized by All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) and Ministry of Human Resource Development, Govt. of India. The corporate world in India, public, private, multinational companies, international consulting firms and other organizations have employed its alumni who are rightly called, the Achievers. For more information about the IMI please visit www.imi.edu
