Summit includes keynote speeches and panel discussions on the challenges of the changing HR landscape and strategies shaping the future of the workplace
30 JULY, 2023, Bengaluru: As part of the Golden Jubilee celebrations of IIM Bangalore, the cohort of the school’s two-year MBA for working professionals, Post Graduate Programme in Enterprise Management (PGPEM), hosted an HR Summit on 30th July 2023, themed on ‘The Future of Work: Adapting, Innovating & Thriving’.
The summit included engaging keynote speeches and thought-provoking panel discussions, and provided valuable networking opportunities. The discussions revolved around the challenges of the ever-evolving HR landscape as well as innovative strategies that can shape the future of the workplace. The event witnessed enthusiastic participation from leaders and luminaries representing various industries.
The talk on, ‘The Role of Artificial Intelligence and Automation in the Workplace’ was delivered by Ira Gupta, Head Of Human Resources (India) and Board Member, Microsoft. She provided insightful perspectives on the pragmatic application of AI to enhance value, unleash creativity, boost productivity and elevate skill sets. The interactive discussion addressed concerns on AI potentially replacing human workers, emphasizing AI's role as a supportive enabler. “A paradigm shift towards AI adoption, and adapting to new work methods, particularly in fields like healthcare, etc. are the need of the hour.”
Following this talk, Jude Sax, Senior Territory Manager at Adrenalin eSystems Limited, presented an impactful session on, ‘Enhancing Employee Experience in the Future of Work’.
There were three panel discussions at the summit. The first one was titled, ‘Leadership in the Digital Age: Inspiring and Motivating Teams’ and featured Soumitra Das, Global CHRO, Redington Group; Varadharaju Janardhanan, VP – HR, Flipkart; Pranav Kumar, Director – Digital Experience, AI and Analytics, Capgemini; Dr. Amit Andre, CEO, The Data Tech Labs, and Munish Basrar, Director – Private Equity Group, Bain and Company. The session was moderated by Prof. E S Srinivas of the Organizational Behavior & Human Resources Management area of IIMB.
The panellists shared their experiences and challenges, and emphasized on the significance of prioritizing customer experience over product-centric approaches. They also stressed the importance of digital readiness and internal talent development programs, advocating for upskilling, cross-skilling and reskilling the workforce to thrive in the dynamic future landscape.
The second panel on: ‘Embracing Diversity: Cultivating an Inclusive Workplace for Success’ included Shalini Nataraj, Global Head, HR Transformation & Delivery, A.P. Moller – Maersk; Tina Vinod, Founder & CEO, Diversity Simplified; Gaurav Ahluwalia, Managing Director – Human Resources, JPMorgan Chase, and Kirti Poddar, Customer Advisory Board, LinkedIn, Global Talent Acquisition Head & Corporate HR, ACG World. Prof. Apurva Sanaria of the OB&HRM area of IIMB, moderated the session.
This engaging discussion emphasized the paramount importance of diversity and inclusion as key drivers of progress. The speakers highlighted that embracing differences and fostering inclusivity enriches the workplace environment. They pointed out that the rise of Generation Z has further accentuated the significance of inclusion, as this generation vocally champions their values and expects a genuinely inclusive workplace culture. Acknowledging the progress made, the speakers said that there was still much work to be done in achieving true diversity, equity and inclusion.
The next segment featured a Fireside Chat on ‘Future Skills: Navigating the Shift in Job Requirements’ with Prof. Vasanthi Srinivasan, faculty of the OB&HRM area and Chairperson, Digital Learning, IIMB, and Pawan Bhageria, President Global HR (CHRO), Education & Strategic Projects, Tata Technologies.
The discussion covered topics such as career readiness, organizational challenges, change management and regulatory contexts in the dynamic technology sector. Pawan Bhageria said, “There is a great need for HR professionals to develop a profound understanding of businesses to facilitate better cross-functional partnerships”.
The third panel discussion titled, ‘Future of Remote Work: Challenges and Strategies’ included Shekhar Sanyal, Global Strategic Theme Lead – Skills, Learning and Networks, Institution of Engineering and Technology; Swapneel Singh, Director – HR Transformation and Delivery, GlobalFoundries, and Capt. Pranav Prasoon Thakur, Ex-Army Officer and Chief People Officer, TruKKer. Prof. Abhoy K Ojha, faculty of the OB&HRM area of IIMB, was the moderator.
The engaging discussion revolved around the challenges faced by the workforce in adapting to remote work and the gradual transition to hybrid methodologies within a global business context. The speakers also discussed the need for policy reforms to enable seamless implementation of hybrid work models and how geopolitical situations can influence work policies and adaptations.
The event culminated in the vote of thanks from Student Affairs Council President Saurav Kumar, followed by the felicitation of the guests and moderators. The HR Summit proved to be a resounding success, with participants joining both in person and virtually, fostering valuable insights and networking opportunities, and inspiring the attendees to shape the future of work with adaptability, innovation and resilience.
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