We at Panasonic India believe that it is very important to allow our workforce to be creative, be able to make decisions, says Adarsh Mishra, CHRO, Panasonic
1. Talk about the latest trends in the HR industry? How are the recruiters enhancing the quality of recruitment?
With the growing impact of millennials and the expanding transparency catalyzed by the digitization age, employees are expecting a captivating and enjoyable work experience. 2018 will finally be a year where leaders start to focus on developing the “Employee Experience”, a system that integrates three core dimensions: performance, engagement and culture.
Peer-to-peer recognition is also predicted as a HR trend for 2018 where HRs are expected to make use of more social recognition platforms and provide an appropriate platform for their employees to reward and recognize each other’s contributions.
Recruiters follow a specific process of personal interviews for experienced professionals in order evaluate their fit within the organization. There is a predefined interview matrix which is followed once a CV is sourced, this matrix has variables which helps in choosing the right candidate for the right position. Before the final interview is scheduled, a psychometric evaluation of the candidate is done, something which is detrimental to their selection as it carries the maximum weightage before heading in for the interview.
3. Let’s us give our readers a quick hack – Your cheat code- What are two quick tips to ace an interview?
Before hiring a seasoned professional with over 5 to 6 years of experience, there are certain set of skills we want the particular individual to be equipped with. People with 5-6 years of experience are more often than not asked to lead groups of people in tasks, given their professional expertise. Therefore it is very important that during interview they highlight their leadership skills, the ability to guide team members. One can choose to give instances from his past experiences which are relatable.
And secondly, one should be able to show propensity to empathize with fellow employees as in corporate it is all about team effort.
4. Do tell us about the Corporate Culture of Panasonic as an Insider and how does it different from other corporate?
We at Panasonic India believe that it is very important to allow our workforce to be creative, be able to make decisions, solve problems and contribute to the overall success of the business. In order to uphold these notions, we proactively encourage employees to participate in premise activities, specially created for the endurance of their wellbeing. Culture drivers and innovators are created to spearhead activities that promote physical fitness, healthy eating and mental wellness. Under our new and refurbished second edition of ‘Vibrant Panasonic’, we have initiated weight loss and fitness based challenges to help facilitate the aspect of fitness, by challenging individuals in a supportive environment.
In order to retain our top female employees and attract more of them, we have a day care facility within the premises, designed specifically for the relative comfort of the women workforce. However the one which particularly stands out is the intellisurvellience app, a video surveillance application for new mothers which connects them to the crèche in the office premises via their smartphone. We understand the need to keep the young mother and the toddlers in close proximity, hence this facility was established to keep the two of them in reaching distance of each other.
5. What are the number of employees you want to hire by 2020 and what are the mediums you use to hire them?
During the entire hiring process, besides evaluating the candidates technical and managerial skills, we also dive deep into the idea as to how will the selected individual fit into the corporation’s overall culture. Cultural fit is the glue that holds an organization together.
In 2012, we had a headcount of 600 employees which has steadily risen over the last five years to 1500 in 2017. With a raise of over 50% during this time period, the augmentation is a testament of the radical growth company has experienced all this while.
6. What kind of employee engagement activity Panasonic do?
Sitting is the new smoking today, long hours of staying put at a desk has innumerably increased the variations of individuals being exposed to health hazards today. To avert this possibility and keeping our employees fit, we have begun a sit less move more activity which encourages participants to walk at least 10000 steps a day. Further to build team camaraderie and trust we have also initiated the establishment of a Panasonic Cricket league, a proposed fun way for employees to enjoy, learn about their counterparts and also staying fit at the same time.
By assisting employees to take part in recreational activities which also improves their physical well being, is one of the ways in which we encourage employees to utilize their full potential.
7. Tell something unique rule about your organization which is only started by Panasonic?
Recently Panasonic decided to reorient Vibrant Panasonic, an HR initiative that envisages a performance oriented culture that binds all the employees together; provides clarity on organizational vision; creates an engaged and committed work force; provides employees with a platform where Ideas, thoughts and feedback are expressed freely. These programs focus on all six dimensions of wellness—emotional, occupational, physical, spiritual, intellectual, and social
Panasonic India did a survey of 700 employees on various parameters including psychological and sociological aspects and have come up with an exclusive survey. Basis the survey findings, the company designed a new employee engagement program aligned to create a positive impact on employees’ wellness and contribute to their overall development. The innovative engagement activities will promote holistic well being including physical fitness, healthy eating and mental wellness. The results of each employee has various recognition methods like appraisal in salary etc.
