As the curtains closed on the second and final day of the 26th National Conference by the National Human Resource Development Network (NHRDN) at Hotel Taj Taal Kutir Convention Centre, Kolkata, the event reached its culmination. In collaboration with BW People as the business media partner, the conference continued its deep dive into the theme of ‘Beyond Tomorrow.’ Delegates engaged in a rich tapestry of discussions, exploring innovative HR practices and envisioning the transformative landscape of human resource management. With the conclusion of day two, participants wrapped up their journey of exploration, leaving with newfound insights and perspectives to propel them into the future of HR.
“Preparing Talent Beyond Tomorrow” by Nitin Jain, CEO, Vesuvius India
In the world of VUCA, with fast changing technology, every changing demands, the workforce has to keep upgrading itself to stay relevant. Organisations and individuals that get stuck in one way of doing things or become content with their present achievements and successes, will find themselves falling by the wayside in future.
In this context, Nitin Jain, CEO, Vesuvius India, spoke about how to prepare individuals to stay relevant all through their career – not just in terms of reskilling but developing a mindset that is ready for reinventing oneself.
Empowering Leaders with Data & Analytics
In this session, eminent speakers spoke about the new-age tools that are enabling leaders to take better decisions, equipped with data-driven insights.
The speakers were C Jayakumar, EVP & Head HR, Larsen & Toubro; Vinay Ranjan, Director Personnel & HR, Coal India; Piyush Bagaria, Co-Founder, SalarySe; Gaurav Arora, Country Head, MCC (ICF), Erickson Coaching International; and Saurav Kumar, Head HR, IPDO, Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories as moderator.
The panellists drew upon their organisation’s experiences, and successes they had reported, in this regard.
NHRDN Chapter Awards
Amidst the vibrant energy of the conference, the awards ceremony honoured outstanding contributions and accomplishments of HR professionals serving as a light of acknowledgment. The ceremony highlighted innovation, leadership and transformative HR practices.
The awards were as follows:
Category A (Large)
- Best Chapter - Pune Chapter.
- President’s Award for Membership Engagement -Delhi and NCR Chapter
- President’s Award for Governance - Chennai Chapter
- President’s Award for Network - Chennai Chapter
Category B (Emerging)
- Best Emerging Chapter – Mathura Chapter
- President’s Award for Membership Engagement – Hosur Chapter
- President’s Award for Governance- Bhubaneswar Chapter
- President’s Award for Network - Mathura Chapter
Category C (International)
- President’s Award for International Chapter – Singapore.
Category D (Student)
- President’s Award for Student Chapter – Shri Balaji University Pune
Category E (Best Region)
- Best Region-Western Region
“Understanding Stress & Burnout” by Devika Dharmaraj, Mental Health Advocacy & HR Consultant
Devika Dharmaraj, Mental Health Advocacy & HR Consultant, dives deep into the critical topic of stress and burnout.
In today’s fast-paced world, where demands seem to continually escalate, it’s crucial to recognise the signs of stress and burnout. Stress is a natural response to challenges or threats, activating our fight-or-flight response to cope with perceived dangers. However, when stress becomes chronic or overwhelming, it can lead to burnout. Burnout is more than just feeling tired or overwhelmed. It’s a state of physical, emotional and mental exhaustion resulting from prolonged stress.
To address stress and prevent burnout, organisations should have holistic approaches that prioritise mental and emotional well-being. This involves fostering a supportive work culture that values employee health, offering resources for stress management, promoting self-care practices and encouraging open communication about mental health concerns.
“Transformative Coaching – Integrating People, AI & Data for Sustainable Growth” by Magdalena Mook, ICF Chair, CEO
In today’s dynamic world, achieving sustainable growth requires more than just hard work. Magdalena Mook, ICF Chair, CEO, proposes a transformative coaching approach that integrates three crucial elements: people, AI and data.
Data plays a critical role in measuring progress and ensuring the effectiveness of coaching interventions. By tracking key metrics, coaches and clients can gain valuable insights into what’s working and what needs adjustment. People bring their unique skills, experiences and human touch to the coaching process. AI provides data-driven insights and automates repetitive tasks, freeing up the coach’s time for deeper client engagement.
Realising Potential In The New Age Of Work
The conference saw an in-depth discussion on the theme ‘Realising Potential in the New Age of Work”. The speakers were: Megha Chhabra, Global CRS HR Head, Wipro; Suman Banerjee, CHRO, ABP; Indrani Chatterjee, Group CHRO, Allcargo Logistics; Rashmita Parija, HR Head, India, Lexmark International; Joydeep Roy, Managing Director - HR, PWC. The session was moderated by Ratna Sinha, Coach (ICF, ACC), Management Trainer, OD & Assessment Centre.
In this new age of work, realising potential goes beyond traditional notions of climbing a corporate ladder or mastering a specific skill set. It encompasses adaptability, resilience and a willingness to continuously learn and evolve. It’s about harnessing one’s unique strengths and talents in ways that contribute meaningfully to the world around us.
ESG for CHROs
Jayati Talapatra, Delhi University Professor, Springer Author at 2nd day of the conference speaks extensively on how Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) considerations have become increasingly important for organisations seeking to create long-term value and foster sustainable growth. While traditionally associated with corporate governance and sustainability functions, ESG now intersects with various aspects of business operations, including human resources (HR).
Disrupting Bias: Strategies for Building Inclusive & Equitable Workplace
NHRDN’s 2nd day of the event is finally coming to an end. The power-packed speaker list for today as well has grabbed maximum eyeballs conversing with panellists like; Ashok Ramchandran, Director HR, Aditya Birla Group; Ritu Anand, Independent Director; Navnit Singh, KornFerry International, Chairman & Regional Managing and Rajarshi Chakravorty, Centre Head, Amdocs Development Centre (Moderator).
Bias in the workplace, whether conscious or unconscious, can undermine efforts to create inclusive and equitable environments where every employee can thrive. To build truly diverse and high-performing teams, organisations must proactively address bias and implement strategies to foster a culture of inclusivity and equity.
“Leadership Beyond Tomorrow” by PV Ramana Murthy, OD Consultant
In his keynote address titled “Leadership Beyond Tomorrow,” PV Ramana Murthy, an Organisational Development (OD) Consultant, shed light on the evolving landscape of leadership in the face of future challenges. Emphasising the need for a forward-thinking approach, the speaker delved into the concept of leadership that transcends traditional paradigms, urging leaders to adapt to the dynamic nature of the modern world. He underscored the importance of visionary leadership that anticipates and navigates through uncertainties, paving the way for organisational resilience and success in an ever-changing environment.
Beyond Tomorrow: Make in India 2054
In the panel discussion titled “Beyond Tomorrow: Make in India 2054,” industry leaders came together to deliberate on the future trajectory of manufacturing in India and its implications for human resource management. Led by moderator Soumya Dwibedi, Partner at Deloitte, the panel featured esteemed speakers including Tarun P Verma, Global CHRO, Tata Consumer Products; Judhajit Das, CHRO, ICICI Prudential; Dharm Rakshit, Head HR at Hero MotoCorp; and Sandeep Banerjee, CHRO at Eveready.
Throughout the discussion, panelists explored innovative strategies to propel India’s manufacturing sector into the future, envisioning a landscape characterised by technological advancements, sustainable practices and heightened global competitiveness. They emphasised the pivotal role of human resource management in driving this transformation, underscoring the need for skilled talent, agile workforce strategies, and inclusive leadership practices to navigate the challenges and opportunities on the horizon.
Digital Learning Success Stories
During the panel discussion on “Digital Learning Success Stories”, industry experts shared their insights and experiences on leveraging digital platforms to drive learning and development initiatives. Moderated by Jayati Talapatra, Professor at Delhi University and Springer Author, the panel featured distinguished speakers including Dipankar Ghosh, Group Head HR (APMEA) at Apollo Tyres; Abhishek Ranjan, Senior Director & Global Head of ESG & Administration at Brillio; and Ashish Khosla, Co-Founder of Shoolini University.
Throughout the discussion, panelists highlighted success stories and best practices in implementing digital learning solutions within their respective organisations. They shared insights on leveraging technology to enhance employee skills, foster continuous learning cultures, and drive organisational growth. From personalized learning experiences to innovative content delivery methods, the panelists shed light on the transformative power of digital learning in empowering employees and staying ahead in today’s dynamic business environment.
“Crafting Your Personal Brand: A Roadmap for HR Professionals” by Prabir Jha, Founder and CEO, People Advisory
Prabir Jha, Founder and CEO, People Advisory, recognises the importance of personal branding for HR professionals. With years of experience and expertise in human resources, Jha understands that HR professionals are not just facilitators but strategic partners in driving organisational success. Crafting a personal brand is not merely about self-promotion but about leveraging one’s unique insights, perspectives and values to make a meaningful impact on the profession and the organisations they serve.
For HR professionals, crafting a personal brand begins with self-awareness. Understanding one’s strengths, passions and areas of expertise lays the foundation for building a distinct identity within the HR community. This self-awareness forms the basis for defining a clear value proposition – what sets them apart from their peers and how they can contribute uniquely to the field of HR.
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