IIM Amritsar’s 9th Annual HR Conclave: Another Successful Day Concluded
Amritsar – IIM Amritsar successfully concluded its 9th annual HR conclave, Yukti 2024, held at Malibu Gardens, Amritsar. Yukti serves as a premier platform for HR veterans to share their expert insights on the evolution and future of the field.
The event commenced with a ceremonial lamp lighting featuring Prof Nagarajan Ramamoorthy, Director of IIM Amritsar, esteemed faculty members, Mr Sandeep Joshi, Chief Talent Officer at Jio-bp, and keynote speaker for the first session, alongside other distinguished panel members. Following the ceremony, Prof Ramamoorthy took the dais to address the gathering.
In his speech, Prof Ramamoorthy reflected on his journey as an HR student during his MBA days, highlighting the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical experience. He emphasized the importance of these conclaves in helping students understand real-world corporate complexities and evolving industry requirements. He underscored the critical role of human capital, arguing that technology alone is insufficient without skilled professionals to implement and oversee it effectively. Prof Ramamoorthy also discussed the changing dynamics of work culture, emphasizing the need for HR professionals to manage a diverse workforce that spans different languages, time zones, and locations. He stressed the increasing importance of work-life balance and the need for HR to be agile and responsive to these new challenges.
Following his address, IIM Amritsar students Ms Hitakshi and Mr Monish presented “Empowering Leadership Through Continuous Learning: The HR Role in Navigating the Future.” They highlighted the crucial role of HR in fostering a culture of continuous learning and development, preparing leaders to face future challenges. The presentation also explored how HR drives leadership growth and resilience in an ever-evolving business landscape.
Mr Sandeep Joshi then delivered his address, breaking down the morning’s theme and emphasizing how continuous learning empowers leadership. He elaborated on the pivotal role of Chief Human Resources Officers (CHROs) in shaping organizational success by aligning human capital strategies with business objectives and fostering a culture of continuous growth and innovation. Mr Joshi also discussed the challenges related to talent and employee experience, stressing the importance of creating an engaging and supportive work environment that attracts and retains top talent. He concluded by underscoring the need for HR to continuously adapt and innovate, ensuring that organizations remain resilient and competitive in an ever-changing business landscape.
His address opened the floor for a panel discussion moderated by Ms Ruchi Mago, Chief Human Resources and Employee Experience Officer at Orange Business. Ms Mago and the panel engaged the students with thought-provoking questions about skill versus attitude, work-life balance versus work-life integration, focusing on opportunities versus problems, and learning from failures versus achievements. This approach showcased Ms Mago’s adaptability as an HR veteran.
Ms Mago continued the discussion with insightful questions to the panel members about the impact of digital platforms on recruitment, the nuances of diversity and inclusivity, and the current skills in demand. She also shared her insights, citing recent employee trends and noting that it is now an employee’s market, with individuals seeking diverse experiences, meaningful connections, and growth opportunities.
Other panel members also contributed to the discussion. Mr Setu Shah, Global HCM Product Strategy Director at Oracle, spoke about how digitization has transformed HR practices and introduced new expectations. He highlighted how digital assistants enable HR professionals to manage tasks efficiently and address mental well-being. Mr Shah emphasized that as technology enhances capabilities, catering to a broader range of employee needs becomes increasingly important.
Ms Nandini Sarkar, Global Leader of Diversity 360, Culture, and Belonging at Hitachi Energy, elaborated on diversity and inclusivity, emphasizing that diversity extends beyond binary gender distinctions. She highlighted that diversity encompasses various aspects such as thoughts, culture, language, gender, and background. “Being diverse is simply inviting everyone to the party,” she remarked. “However, ensuring that people feel respected, included, and valued within the organization is an entirely different challenge.”
Mr Abhishek Mohanty, General Manager HR (Head Talent Management & OD) at Merino Industries, discussed recruitment challenges and the mismatch between the supply and demand of human resources. Despite the high demand for jobs and an even greater demand for talent, the gap in skills and attitude mismatch creates a paradoxical shortage of qualified candidates. Navigating this landscape is vital for any HR professional, as bridging these gaps becomes essential to meeting organizational needs effectively.
Mr Sumantra Mitra, Chief of Human Resources at Glenmark Life Sciences Ltd., talked about how digitization frees HR from non-value-added tasks, allowing them to foster a more efficient environment.
Post-lunch, the second session commenced with the theme “Empowering Leadership Through Continuous Learning: The HR Role in Navigating the Future.” Mr Sumit Mukherjee, Vice President HR (Employee Experience, HR Services, Capability Development) at HDFC ERGO General Insurance, delivered the keynote address. He emphasized the critical importance of continuous learning in today’s rapidly evolving business environment. Highlighting the need to stay relevant, Mr Mukherjee explained how ongoing education enhances decision-making capabilities and fosters the cultivation of emotional intelligence (EQ). He stressed that continuous learning is essential for personal and professional growth, enabling individuals to adapt to change, make informed decisions, and effectively navigate the complexities of modern workplaces. Mr Mukherjee was also joined by other panel members who shared their insights and anecdotes.
According to Mr Viekas K Khokha, SVP & CHRO at Sharda Motors, skills should be viewed as the desired end state of a particular job. He emphasized that leaders must cultivate an environment that fosters these skills, as this is the only way for employees to become the most valuable assets to an organization and achieve their desired professional goals.
Ms Kavita Tony, Director of Human Resources, Aon India, emphasized that the top reason employees leave is the pursuit of better career opportunities, making learning and development crucial for establishing clear career paths within an organization. She stressed that leadership must sponsor this kind of culture. It’s not just about creating channels for career progression; effective communication is also essential. Employees must know the available opportunities and understand how to advance their careers. Additionally, these programs must accommodate diversity and be inclusive to ensure that all employees have equal opportunities for growth.
Mr Jagjit Singh, AVP & Head of L&D, Subway India, Stated that “Leaders create more leaders,” sharing his testament to the importance of mentors who coached, guided, and supported him throughout his career, enabling him to reach great heights and become a leader himself. He reminded the students never to hesitate to seek help or guidance when feeling unsure or stuck, emphasizing that it’s better to err by asking for assistance than to stagnate and miss out on progress.
Ms Amrita Ganguly, Chief Diversity Officer at Tata Motors, highlighted the importance of culture in fostering agility, which she described as the cornerstone of resilience. She explained that agility is essential for organizations to effectively respond to the new job market’s fast-paced technological changes and evolving values. She warned that without this adaptability, organizations risk becoming obsolete.
The event concluded with a Q&A segment, a vote of thanks, and a video showcasing the highlights curated by the Media and Public Relations Committee of IIM Amritsar.