"HR’s Role As Strategic Partner And Change Agent Has Taken Centre Stage," Amit Malik
“When I started way back, it was the time when HR was supposed to have a seat at the table. But that is long past. Then came a time when it was about having a voice on the table. That too is past. I think today is the time to think about the future and not the present. I think today, we need to create that whole table ourselves, and that is what a future-ready HR is going to be all about, said Amit Malik, former CEO, Aviva India in a keynote address at an awards ceremony recently.
Malik focussed on the changing trends in the HR function and how with time, organisations need to adapt with the emerging trends. “Talent for a long time has been a top concern for every organisation. But with new technologies and business models emerging, I think HR’s role as strategic partner and change agent has taken centre stage. This era of digital age is also an age of opportunity for the HR today; how they reimagine and reconstruct the functions is something that only time will tell. The question to ask ourselves is how prepared are the HR function.”
Malik elaborated on the amalgamation of technology and HR, and the challenges that ensue. “First and foremost is the discussion about organization design and structures. Medium-term future would see a lot of organisations relooking its structure and hierarchy. I don’t believe that hierarchies inherently have a problem, it is mostly about how they are used, understood and applied which often creates a problem for the organization.” He said that generally, it is being observed that a lot of new age organisations tend to become more hierarchical as they grow big since it allows more control.
“Challenge is how to ensure, be any layer as it exists, how does it add to the organisation. Let us look at it from the customers point of view. Let us understand what customer wants and how best and fast can we fulfil that. That should be the HR leader’s concern. There is an increased focus on agility and customer service. Organisations need to keep this concern in the centre of all discussions,” he said.
Malik added, “Ask yourselves as the leaders, are your best people serving the customers? And whether that should be determined by levels or hierarchies? If you really understand your customer, the structure may not matter at all.” He explained how when a customer reaches out to the HR, the trick lies in the HR empowering people at all levels to satisfy the customer rather than reducing the levels.
