In an exclusive interaction with Madhav Mani, President Head HR at Usha International, shared his thoughts on the most significant changes that needs to be made going forward, 2021 biggest workforce-related challenges, questions that HR leaders need to prepare to build the workforce of the future and more – Read the full article

What do you see as the most significant change we will have to make going forward?

COVID-19 has facilitated some large-scale shifts in how people work and how businesses get done. These uncertain and challenging time for businesses has also provided opportunities to renew, recreate and reimagine a new way of moving forward. Considering the hybrid workforce and introduction to the automation of processes at many places, the biggest change that companies will have to make going forward would be to assess productivity norms across functions. As HR Head, while I am prioritizing the policies and processes that facilitate the new and flexible way of working, I am also balancing the same with the business goals. Working from anywhere and anytime is fine until the key accountabilities can be balanced in the newer working environments. 

The second biggest change that I foresee is newer initiatives to maintain the employee's connect with the brand in the long run. One of the core values we have is "Care," and it's proven that in the digital world, the conversations at times can be very business-oriented.

The way to address this still needs to be perfected by companies in the new normal.

What would be the biggest workforce-related challenges for organisations in 2021?

As we become data and digital savvy in the post covid world, as human beings, one of our key needs is to be social. While there are so many conversations on digitization, e-learning, the biggest challenge that I see platforms that meets the social needs of employees are yet to be created.

The lack of empathy in managers dealing with their teams may lead to lack of trust transparency within the organizations. The organizations will have to engage and create a sense of belonging for their people. Another challenge that I see is for the development of professionals.

Last, I would say that the pandemic rendered our entire understanding of “Risk Management” completely useless. Among others, the major impact of Covid has been on the human being, one of which is fear and uncertainty. This impact has completely changed the way we perceive our leadership. So another challenge what I foresee for the organizations is defining the new leadership behaviours and competencies and these competencies will be more around People and Human rather than completely business-oriented.

What are some of the questions that HR leaders need to prepare to build the workforce of the future?

I think when disruption hits us, it’s a great opportunity to evolve. HR roles are changing because technology is altering the way they work. With technology in the picture, HR leaders need to relook at their function to answer few questions considering the future of work:

1. Are these policies/systems/processes aligned to the newer ways of working and catering to the workforce that has evolved
2. Are the skills of my talent aligned to business needs and changing environments?
3. How the new set of workforces get aligned to the purpose of the organization and stay engaged?

What are the top HR tech hiring trends for building a workforce of the future of work?

Top HR technology trends would be the automation of most of the HR processes from Hiring, engaging, learning and developing to even feedback and performance management which will completely undergo a technology transformation. As companies look to transform their business to keep up with the ever-changing world, the demand for leaders who possess the capabilities to lead that transformation will be critical. The element that will drive the adoption of HR technology will revolve around responsiveness, ease of use, flexibility, adaptable and integrated.

The major shift on the Hiring front will be on deeper assessment of softer skills with depth breadth of thinking capabilities, curious mind, and emotionally intelligent outlook.

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