IIM ROHTAK H U M A N E - R CLUB P re s e n ts
H R BULLETIN VOLUME 49
humane.r@iimrohtak.ac.in
HUMANE-R|VOLUME49
HR BULLETIN
The future of India Inc is hybrid: Microsoft study 2021 Work Trend Index reveals that 57% of Indian employees feel overworked, yet 74% of Indian workers are keen on flexible remote work options. So what does India Inc have to focus on and fix as the hybrid future of work unfolds? Let’s find out. In its first annual Work Trend Index, Microsoft has revealed country-specific insights, challenges, expectations, and motivations that will shape the future of work in India. In addition to WTI, the tech giant also launched The Hybrid Work Playbook which includes data, research, and best practices designed to help organizations navigate these evolving work norms, underscoring that the future of work is hybrid. The 2021 Work Trend Index outlines findings from a study of more than 30,000 people in 31 countries and analyzes trillions of aggregate productivity and labor signals across Microsoft 365 and LinkedIn. It also includes perspectives from experts who have studied collaboration, social capital, and space design at work for decades.
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HUMANE-R|VOLUME49
Given how 2020 fundamentally changed the world of work, India Inc, along with the rest of the world, is at the cusp of workplace disruption - leaning towards a hybrid future. Creating a hybrid work plan for any organization requires a flexible operating model spanning people, places, and processes. To help people thrive, organizations need to rethink the entire employee experience—from creating culture to attracting and retaining talent and building privacy-backed listening systems. “If we have learnt one thing in the last year, it's that we are no longer bound to traditional notions of space and time when it comes to how, when, and where we work. The Work Trend Index findings attest that remote work has created new opportunities but there are challenges ahead as well,” said Rajiv Sodhi, Chief Operating Officer, Microsoft India. “We believe hybrid work is the future, and a successful hybrid strategy will require extreme flexibility. As every organization fundamentally reimagines itself for the hybrid work era, we are collectively learning and innovating on how we will shape the future of work in India. It’s time to embrace work as a frame of mind, not a place you go.” Reflecting on the current state of affairs and what to prepare for as the future unfolds, here are some trends revealed by Microsoft’s 2021 Work Trend Index. Flexible work is here to stay Illustrating the hybrid work paradox in India, nearly three-fourths (74%) of Indian employees say they want more flexible remote work options, while at the same time, 73% of them are also craving more in-person time with their teams. Following through on these findings, 73% of business decision makers are considering redesigning physical spaces to better accommodate hybrid work environments. The shift to remote work in 2020 boosted feelings of inclusion for workers because everyone was in the same virtual room. But the move to hybrid will need to ensure employees are given the flexibility to work when and where they want, as well as the tools they need to equally contribute from wherever they happen to be. Work has become more human and authentic Interpersonal dynamics at the workplace shifted for the better as an outcome of the circumstances of the last twelve months. WTI findings revealed that one among four (24%) Indian employees has cried with a colleague. Additionally, 35% of employees are less likely to feel embarrassed now when their home lives show up at work, with 37% people having met their coworkers’ families. People who interacted with their coworkers more closely than before experienced stronger work relationships, reported higher productivity and better overall well-being. The genuine interactions with colleagues is contributing to a more inclusive workplace with 63% of Indian workers stating they are more likely to be their full, authentic selves at work. Digital overload is real and rising Despite the pros, there are certain cons accompanying flexible work. Self-assessed productivity has remained the same or higher for many employees over the past year, but at a human cost: 62% of the Indian workforce says their companies are asking too much of them at a time like this..
Read more at: https://www.peoplematters.in/news/strategic-hr/the-future-of-india-inc-ishybrid-microsoft-study-29641
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GroupM appoints new Chief People Officer, South Asia Madhvi Pahwa will lead the GroupM India talent team and develop the company's talent proposition for the region. GroupM, WPP’s media investment group has named Madhvi Pahwa as its new Chief People Officer for the South Asia region (APAC). Pahwa, who was previously Chief People Officer at Mindshare APAC was promoted into the role to lead the GroupM India talent team and develop the company's talent proposition for the region. She will report to GroupM South Asia CEO, Prasanth Kumar and replaces Rohit Suri, who is moving on to explore other opportunities. Prasanth Kumar, CEO, GroupM South Asia, said, “Madhvi has a proven track record of delivering innovation and education that moves the dial for the business. She is the perfect choice to lead the GroupM South Asia talent team and to lead us into the next phase of our growth. ” In the six years she worked as Mindshare’s APAC CPO, Pahwa led several unique initiatives in the region including, the design and rollout of Mindshare’s award-winning ‘Balance’ program in APAC. This resilience training program won a Women Leading Change Award two years in a row (2020 & 2021) and is now being extended globally. She is also credited for bringing Mindshare’s ‘Momentum’ high potential leadership training program to Asia and delivering numerous L&D programs across commerce, AI, and planning. On her appointment, Madhvi stated, “Our employee promise has been to make Mindshare the place where you do your best work, and it has certainly been true for me. The people, priorities, and culture just come together almost magically to bring out the best in you. I am grateful and proud to be part of the GroupM network that has given..
Read more at: https://www.peoplematters.in/news/c-suite/groupm-appointsnew-chief-people-officer-south-asia-29639
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Eightfold AI raises $220Mn Series E Funding led by SoftBank Vision Fund 2 The funds will be used to continue the rapid growth and development of Eightfold's AI-powered Talent Intelligence Platform and expand its growing partner ecosystem. Eightfold AI today announced that it has raised a $220Mn Series E funding round, led by SoftBank’s Vision Fund 2. The funds will be used to continue the rapid growth and development of Eightfold's AI-powered Talent Intelligence Platform and expand its growing partner ecosystem. Additionally, Eightfold AI will use the funds to continue expanding its India operations, investing in the most talented data scientists and engineers in the region. This Series E funding round is led by SoftBank (Vision Fund 2*) and also includes investors from previous rounds, including General Catalyst, Capital One Ventures, Foundation Capital, IVP, and Lightspeed Venture Partners. Total funding raised to date by Eightfold AI is more than $410M, with $350M coming in the last six months. Ashutosh Garg, Founder & CEO at Eightfold stated, “Current HR systems were designed to address issues from a previous era, and they have failed to keep pace with the changing nature of work and the workforce. At Eightfold, we have an unprecedented opportunity, using AI to align the career goals of individuals while simultaneously creating better results for employers. Transforming HR and global talent further unlocks trillions of dollars worth of human potential. SoftBank shares our bold vision, and we are excited to welcome them as our partner.” Current HR systems have failed to keep up with the pace of innovation needed to support forward-leaning businesses. The only way to solve this at scale is by building a deep understanding of all talent: the roles and skills of every employee, candidate, contractor, and citizen, as envisaged by Eightfold AI’s Talent Intelligence Platform. Work is changing and the workforce is evolving, forcing organizations to become future-ready today..
Read more at: https://www.peoplematters.in/news/hr-technology/eightfold-airaises-220mn-series-e-funding-led-by-softbank-vision-fund-2-29638
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PeopleStrong appoints Head of Global Markets and Partnerships in Singapore The appointment comes as a part of PeopleStrong’s 3X growth strategy to expand across global markets and will help them scale their reach & ability to serve enterprises across APAC. PeopleStrong, Asia’s leading Enterprise Work and HR Tech company, has appointed Sitesh Prasad as Vice President Global Markets and Partnerships to join their regional headquarters in Singapore. The appointment comes as a part of PeopleStrong’s continuing effort to invest in growth and reach across emerging markets. In the past two years, Multiples PE-backed PeopleStrong has made several key hires, the most recent one included Philippa Youngman as Principal Advisor in Australia & New Zealand, and now Sitesh Prasad. Commenting on the key appointment, Sandeep Chaudhary, CEO, PeopleStrong added, “After India, expansion across emerging markets is a key part of our growth strategy and we are encouraged with our success across South-East Asia. The region is home to numerous growing economies and HR digital transformation is a priority agenda for local organizations. With our agile and personalized technology, we have created many successful transformation stories across Thailand, Philippines & Singapore and are growing rapidly into other parts in the region. In this journey, Sitesh brings a business-rich experience to the table that will add rocket fuel to furthering our vision." Prior to joining PeopleStrong, Sitesh was a senior leader at Mastercard and brings with him core skills in channel distribution, market expansion, product & strategy across B2B and B2C segments. On his appointment, Sitesh Prasad stated, “The APAC market is employee intensive, and therein lies the opportunity for growth. Our partners are experts in people strategy & HR consulting which complements our technology. PeopleStrong presents a great opportunity today for any organization that intends to elevate their human capital potential & I’m excited to lead the partnership network that will allow us to impact millions of lives on a daily basis..
Read more at: https://www.peoplematters.in/news/leadership/peoplestrongappoints-head-of-global-markets-and-partnerships-in-singapore-29630
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Uber to hire approx. 250 engineers in India to expand tech, product teams Uber’s expansion plans are in line with its vision to make mobility and delivery more accessible, and to become the backbone of transportation in over 10,000 cities across the globe. Uber recently announced it is recruiting close to 250 engineers for its Bangalore and Hyderabad-based teams, as the company continues to expand the scope of operations for its engineering and product work in the country.
The current round of hiring will strengthen the company’s rider and driver growth, delivery, eats, digital payments, risk & compliance, marketplace, customer obsession, infrastructure, adtech, data, safety and finance technology teams. These roles are currently split between the Hyderabad and Bangalore tech centers. Uber’s expansion plans are in line with its vision to make mobility and delivery more accessible, and to become the backbone of transportation in over 10,000 cities across the globe. Commenting on Uber’s tech hiring drive, Manikandan Thangarathnam, Senior Director - Engineering said, “Our teams in Hyderabad and Bangalore work on important global mandates, and pioneer various industry-first innovations. In order to serve more people across the globe, we’re expanding our teams and are looking for bright engineering minds so we can collectively solve mobility and delivery challenges across all our global markets.’’ Uber has started reaching out to prospective candidates for building new teams and adding to existing ones, including Uber infrastructure, Eats, Marketplace, Risk and Payments, Uber for Business (U4B), marketing and advertising platforms. Recently, Uber’s tech teams have been heavily invested in building technology to enable safer rides and..
Read more at: https://www.peoplematters.in/news/technology/uber-to-hire-approx250-engineers-in-india-to-expand-tech-product-teams-29624
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