As organisations navigate unprecedented changes in workforce expectations, artificial intelligence and evolving business models, adaptability is becoming a defining capability for long-term success. In this interview, Sameer Nagarajan shares his perspectives on the future of work, the changing...
Author - Sameer Nagarajan
worked for 36 years in several leading companies such as Hindustan Unilever, Unilever, AF Ferugson & Co and BPB. The roles that he performed werre strategic in nature and spanned multiple countries. He then set up an independent HR consulting and advisory firm, Essence Consulting. which offers strategic, process and systems HR consulting services in India and the Middle East.
In the nature of such transactional work, therefore, loyalty and tenure have limited roles to play, and the current negotiating strength tends to predominate the situation.
There have to be some opportunities for people in gig work to meet regularly and share their concerns and feedback in a personal forum as well. These will ensure that public outbursts become less frequent.
The reality is that if people's skills ever become irrelevant, it will be because of the classical line that 'the machines have taken over'. While that remains a theoretical possibility, it does not seem likely shortly!
The intersection between individual and organisational expectations is where happiness lies. The greater the area of the intersection, the greater is the space for satisfaction and happiness.
The real crux of engagement, however, lies in drawing blue collar actors into business realities through education in the space of accounting, finance and operational realities. This can be done in a stage-appropriate manner by using interventions like TPM, TQM and so on - but these are the real...
How do you visualize the future of HR in Indian as well as global context? SN This is probably the most exciting time to be in HR, which is rapidly evolving into a high tech, high touch function. The high tech is coming from the increasing use of technology to manage the employment life cycle and...
What kind of specific traits and mindsets are required to lead businesses during the crisis? SN Resilience. In these extraordinary, once in a lifetime situations, the first quality called for is resilience. Leaders should maintain peak levels of physical, mental and emotional fitness, recognising...
Most HR leaders are now reasonably tech savvy and while they may not speak the language of an IT professional, are well able to understand systems, technology, value delivery and costs. The rapid proliferation of AI systems in the market well reflects this understanding.
The concept of recognition is as old as time itself. In the corporate world, almost every organisation has a formal recognition program (and every organisation has a program of some sort). The program would seek to energise, motivate and enthuse for extraordinary acts. The program outlines an...
