HR Evolution From Cost Centre To Value & Revenue Generator

What is your vision for HR profession, and what transformative role can it play in the success of a company?  

My vision for the HR profession is to change the perception from being just a cost center to a value & revenue generating business function. In today’s dynamic environment HR can play a transformative role by developing core business intimacy and driving interventions that can enable revenue and drive cost frugality, thus contributing to the overall profitability of the organisation.

How did you get interested in the HR field, and what have been some major milestones in your journey?

‘If you can’t beat them, join them’, I got this early life lesson as an engineer on the work floor. But, on a more serious note, I got interested in people management during my engineering extra-curricular gigs and organisational behavior in early career opportunities in the ITES industry, where I decided to pursue masters in HRM. Some of the major milestones were working as management trainee at Tata Motors, which proved to be one of the best on-job training ground. Moved to Infosys 15 years ago, learned enterprise level systems & processes, my aspiration to work onsite took me to Stockholm, London and Amsterdam for a few years, which broadened my horizons about work and life. Dabbled at other HR COE functions in organisation development, employer branding, learning & development. Achieved a personal milestone recently and earned my PhD in HRM thesis titled Engagement of Digital Natives at the workplace. One of the significant milestones certainly is winning the BW People HR 40 Under 40 Award, while the journey continues, I believe, navigating your road to success requires dedication, persistence and ability to continuously learn and keep yourself relevant.

How should HR professionals themselves envision their contribution to the world of work?  

I believe as HR professionals, we all should envision ourselves as 'HRpreneurs', those who have a passion to help HR function become a brand in itself, take risks and most importantly become a value generator. We play an important role through our ability to influence people, lead change, develop teams, act as a coach and be the moral compass of the organisation. We should be extremely proud of the work we do in shaping the future of the people, steer organisational culture & values, and create a better world of work.