In Conversation with Prasanth Nair, CHRO, Crompton Greaves Consumer Electricals

Mr Nair, what motivated you to make a career in the HR domain? Could you please take us down memory lane and tell our readers about the formative years of your illustrious journey? 

The drive to impact value creation through people motivated me to pursue a career in the HR domain. After graduating in engineering. I started my professional journey as a Production Engineer, which gave me valuable insights into the operational aspects of businesses. However, my true passion lay in understanding and optimizing the human element within organizations. This led me to pursue a doctorate in HR from IIMA, post which, I began my HR journey, dedicated to making a meaningful impact on employees and businesses alike.

For me, the HR domain is not just a profession; it's a calling to foster collaboration, nurture talent, and shape the future of organizations. It’s incredible to witness the positive transformation of individuals and teams, knowing that it contributes to the overall success of the entire organization.

In your view how has the HR function evolved over the last two decades?

Over the last two decades, the HR function has transformed from a pure Personnel function to a strategic driver of business success. It now focuses on business strategy, capability capital, and shareholder returns. Today, HR plays a pivotal role in aligning human capital with the overall business objectives, actively contributing to building a skilled and talented workforce. Additionally, an employee-centric approach emphasizes well-being, work-life balance, and career development to attract and retain top talent in a competitive job market. This transformation reflects HR's adaptability and commitment to driving organizational success and growth in a rapidly changing business landscape.

How would you describe your approach towards the HR function? Can you share some of the key initiatives or strategies you implemented as CHRO in your career that have contributed to your success?

My approach towards HR follows three simple tenets:

1. Human Resources is more about humans, less about resources. If we can get it right, the rest will fall into place - This core belief drives our HR approach, placing the well-being and growth of our employees at the forefront. By prioritizing the human aspect, we build a strong foundation for a motivated and engaged workforce, which ultimately contributes to the overall success of the organization.
2. Don't complicate, simplify! - I believe in streamlining HR processes and practices to make them more accessible and effective for employees and the organization. Simplification reduces unnecessary complexities, allowing us to focus on strategic initiatives and better serve our workforce, enhancing their experience and making HR more approachable and effective.
3. Be genuine -  Authenticity is key in HR. Being genuine in our interactions, policies, and decisions fosters trust and credibility with employees and stakeholders, leading to stronger relationships and a more engaged workforce.

Key strategies as a CHRO that I have implemented:

• A Key Talent Plan to empower Future Leaders - To identify and nurture high-potential individuals, enabling effective succession planning and driving long-term growth
• Driving Organizational Evolution - Spearheaded the transformation of a family driven organization to a professionally managed, family-owned organization
• Cultivating Unity in Diversity - Successfully navigated the cultural transformation of an organization interspersed with acquisition of three organizations at the same time

How should one balance the use of automation and human touch in the HR and organisational processes?

One can’t balance automation with human touch. One can leverage automation to enhance human touch. Balancing automation and human touch in HR and organizational processes doesn't mean finding an equilibrium between the two. By strategically implementing automation for repetitive tasks, we can allocate more time to building meaningful connections with employees, deliver personalized experiences and create a more human-centric work environment.

How do you ensure that the HR department is aligned with the overall business strategy and goals of the organization while managing employee expectations?

HR should actively participate in strategy formulation. By leveraging the organization's capability capital and identifying key drivers, HR can effectively contribute to the execution of the strategic plan, ensuring that employee needs and expectations are seamlessly integrated into the broader organizational objectives.

How do you foresee AI and HR Tech streamlining HR processes, enhancing employees, and increasing productivity? On the flip side, what are the potential threats and challenges HR tech poses for the HR function or different categories of jobs?

AI and HR Tech hold tremendous potential for HR, offering the ability to enhance speed and scale while maintaining impeccable accuracy and efficiency. There are certain aspects of HR tasks that AI can execute more effectively and swiftly, requiring HR professionals to upskill and harness this opportunity for optimal outcomes. However, privacy concerns must be carefully addressed to ensure the responsible and secure use of AI in HR processes.

Furthermore, for AI to be productively used, the consistency and validity around the use of AI need to improve. HR can fully leverage the benefits of AI and HR Tech to revolutionize processes, elevate employee experiences, and drive organizational productivity to new heights. Embracing AI's transformative potential while mitigating potential risks is key to unlocking its true value and ushering in a new era of HR excellence.

What message would you like to give to HR and corporate professionals on embracing change, upskilling, and achieving success in the current disruptive work environment?

• Be humble: Stay open to learning and adaptability, acknowledging that continuous growth is vital in navigating dynamic work landscapes.
• Be hungry for learning: Maintain an insatiable appetite for knowledge and upskilling, empowering yourself to thrive in the face of challenges.
• Be agile: Embrace agility as a way of life, readily pivoting and adapting to emerging opportunities and evolving demands.
• Continuously pivot self: Embrace a growth mind-set, consistently seeking new ways to improve and evolve both personally and professionally.