Driving Business Strategy Through Human Capital Innovation

Sony Pictures Networks India (SPNI) recently secured four prestigious accolades at the BW People HR Excellence Awards. These awards recognise SPN's remarkable efforts in ‘Employer Branding’, ‘Learning and Development’, ‘Line of Business Strategy’, and ‘Talent Acquisition’. Manu Wadhwa, Chief Human Resources Officer (CHRO) at SPNI, shared insights into the company’s strategic approach. 

Excerpts: 

A Vision Rooted in People

SPN's journey begins with a clear and unwavering belief: that people are the heart of the organisation. This philosophy informs every facet of its operations—from Talent Acquisition to Learning & Development and Employer Branding—creating a cohesive ecosystem that nurtures talent.

Recognising the Value of Diverse Talent and Inclusive Practices

Central to SPN's approach is its dedication to fostering a diverse and inclusive work environment. By embracing varied perspectives, it enhances creativity and innovation—key ingredients in crafting the compelling narratives that define its brand. The company’s strategic initiatives, such as targeted recruitment programmes and comprehensive diversity metrics, have not gone unnoticed.

SPN is also redefining talent acquisition through strategic initiatives that attract exceptional candidates. We capitalise on targeted recruitment marketing using data-driven insights to identify the specific skills and backgrounds that align with the company’s needs, and tailor recruiting campaigns to target those individuals through social media, niche job boards. The company’s "ReferAll" programme has also cultivated an organic recruitment landscape, where current employees become ambassadors for our culture. As a rewarding incentive, employees can earn up to double their referral bonuses for diversity hiring, further motivating them to share opportunities within their networks.

Moreover, the integration of cutting-edge technology into the recruitment process, including AI and data analytics, has received industry recognition for streamlining procedures and enhancing candidate experience. By leveraging these tools, we not only shortens hiring timelines but also builds a transparent communication channel with candidates, setting a new standard in talent acquisition.

Looking to the future, we are committed to ongoing innovation. Our plans include nurturing talent pools, while also emphasising well-being and mental health support in our practices.

Investing in Lifelong Learning

SPN strategic vision is fundamentally anchored in an unwavering commitment to learning & development (L&D). This commitment is epitomised through SPN Academy, a transformative platform designed to cultivate a culture of lifelong learning among our employees. 

In recent years, we have embarked on several impactful initiatives that highlight our dedication to nurturing talent. One of the cornerstones of these initiatives is the launch of leadership training programmes. These programmes have empowered aspiring leaders, equipping them with the skills and insights needed to navigate the complex landscape of the entertainment industry.

Additionally, we recognised the importance of technical skill development and launched targeted workshops to sharpen our team’s expertise. Complementing these efforts is the Sony Innovation Hub—a creative haven designed for collaboration and experimentation. Within this vibrant space, employees are encouraged to explore new technologies, brainstorm innovative ideas and engage in cross-functional projects that push boundaries and inspire creativity.

Understanding the rapid pace of change in the industry, we have also prioritised tailored reskilling opportunities. By offering hyper-customised learning pathways, we ensure that our employees are not just keeping pace but are equipped to thrive in an ever-evolving environment. Regular performance discussions play a crucial role in this process, allowing us to create personalised development plans that align with individual aspirations and career goals. 

This empowered approach has transformed our team members into active participants in their growth journey, significantly enhancing their performance while simultaneously strengthening SPN’s overall organisational capabilities. Through these initiatives, we are building a workforce that is not only skilled but also vibrant and engaged, ready to take on the challenges of tomorrow.

A Journey of Transformation

As SPN strengthens its internal culture through strategic talent management, it recognises the importance of aligning human resources with business objectives. This alignment has become a game changer, allowing us to reimagine its operations and cultivate an agile workforce that can respond effectively to market changes. Notable transformations, such as that of the Broadcast Operations and Network Engineering department, illustrate our commitment to innovation. 

What began as an exercise to analyse utilization rates quickly uncovered untapped business potential, especially during the pandemic. By embracing productivity optimisation and streamlining operations the business fostered an intrapreneurship mindset that shifted the team’s perspective from "can’t" to "can." An immersive experience was created for leaders to think different and have a mindset to unlock this potential, resulting in the creation of the Beyond Next Playbook.

As we continue to strengthen our internal culture through these transformational initiatives, we reaffirm our commitment to a dynamic work environment where agility, collaboration, and innovation drive our path forward—an essential strategy in navigating the complexities of the modern landscape.

Building a Powerful Employer Brand

As SPN advances its initiatives, the importance of a strong Employer Brand cannot be overstated. By seamlessly integrating Employer Branding with Internal Communications, it effectively showcases its Employee Value Proposition (EVP), “Tell Stories Beyond the Ordinary.” This strategy resonates externally and reinforces internal engagement, contributing to significant awards recognising SPN as an Employer of Choice.

Through storytelling grounded in real employee experiences, SPN has humanised its corporate narrative, leading to an impressive growth in followers on LinkedIn and aspirational employees—an indication of the organization’s favourable reputation in the market. This success reflects the dedication of our employees as ambassadors, advocating for a vibrant culture that thrives on innovation, collaboration and shared values.

As we move forward, the focus on nurturing our Employer Brand will remain paramount. By continuing to prioritise authentic storytelling and aligning our messaging with the values that define SPN, we are poised to attract top talent and foster an inclusive, dynamic workplace where creativity and collaboration can flourish.

Scripting the Future Together

As SPN writes its next chapter, it does so with the knowledge that the real heroes of its story are the individuals within its ranks—each one a storyteller contributing to a grand narrative that encapsulates growth, achievement, and unwavering commitment to excellence. This ongoing journey promises endless possibilities, ensuring that it remains a guiding light of inspiration in the industry for years to come.