Human Resource Management in the Time of Start-ups

With technology becoming the dominant force in the business landscape in India, start-ups and new businesses that owe their inception to the technology boom, have begun challenging the old and established corporate order. As technology and the social media are increasingly grabbing the attention of younger professionals and workers, older business houses and corporates are finding themselves scrambling for talent and innovative measures to engage with the workforce.

The day-long 13th National HRM (Human Resource Management) summit organized by the All India Management Association (AIMA) in Delhi on December 10 was essentially centered around this 'disruptive change.' The summit, called ‘HR 2.0: Re-inventing HR Practices for the New Workforce ‘ looked at ways to approach HR policies and practices to cater to the needs of the workforce within this rapidly changing landscape.

Mohandas Pai, Vice President AIMA and Chairman, Manipal Global Education stressed on the need of the HR management to adapt to the changing business and technology trends. He added that the trend of automation is destroying jobs. This will continue and the new workforce will be dominated by app savvy people.

“Today, 4-5 generations are working together as the innovation cycle is getting shorter. The old command and control HR is dead. Now it is about building employer brand, internal and social communication and handling a restless and mobile workforce,” Pai said.

Sunil Kant Munjal, Senior Vice President, AIMA, Joint Managing Director, Hero MotoCorp and Chairman, Hero Corporate Service added that that while the emerging shortage of workforce in many parts of the world was a great opportunity for India, the younger generation has to be adequately skilled and educated to grab opportunities. “If the youth do not see opportunity for themselves, there will be chaos, as is already visible in the kind and quantity of crimes occurring around the world,” he said.

The event also saw the release of a report on 'Indian Management Education' by Vinay Sheel Oberoi, Secretary, Department of Higher Education, Ministry of Human Resources and Development. The report prepared by a task force from Narsee Monji Management Institute in Mumbai.

In his address, Oberoi stressed on the need to make education accessible to all and said that the market will ensure the quality of education. He added that online courses will witness large expansion in 2-3 years from now and they will prove to be great levellers and game changers. He said that technology will change the content, delivery, evaluation and pace of education.

As a suggestion to the premiere management institutes in the country, Oberoi said that management institutions should also focus on research and not just teaching management to students. "The IIT's have done it. Research and teaching have to go hand-in-hand," he said.

The summit, that was attended by over 250 management professionals also had three panel discussions on the various aspects of talent management and engagement.

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Aanchal Bansal