Charting Successes: Stories and Learnings from CHROs

A CHRO Panel Discussion titled "Charting Success: Stories and Learnings from CHROs" was organized on August 3, 2024, for the MBA-HR students at the School of Business Management, NMIMS. The panellists for the event were Mr. Vikram Bector, Director and Group CHRO- Welspun World, Ms. Savitha Shivsankar, CHRO - Asian Paints and Dr. Ritu Anand, Independent Director and ex Chief Leadership and Diversity Officer at Tata Consultancy Services (TCS). Dr. Hema Bajaj, Program Chairperson, MBA-HR, NMIMS moderated the panel.
The discussion delved into multiple aspects of HR leaders’ careers, commencing with the need for them to be well versed with the intricacies of business and progressed to how HR professionals should step in as the cohesive force in the organization and handle inter-division disagreements and conflicts. The speakers were of the view that context influences efficiency of HR in the company and allocation of resources to run various initiatives are granted based upon their understanding of the values and strategy of the organization. During the discussion, the panellists advised students to prepare for the corporate world by adopting a “favourite weapon” i.e. a preferred specialization where they can excel. Importance was also laid on being equipped with sufficient technical knowledge, and having a strong hold on people-centric strategies.
To enrich the discussion, a few rapid-fire questions that addressed the common dilemmas of students were asked. These included making a choice between “working for an MNC or an Indian Organisation,” “Job switching or Loyalty to One Company,” and the everlasting debate between choosing “Freshers or People with Work Experience.” As the discussion drew to a close, each speaker shared the learnings from their past failures, which inspired the students present there.
In the closing remarks, the panellists left the students with enlightening reflections. Mr. Bector proposed the "T" approach as a guiding principle for early career professionals, advising them to develop seasoned proficiency in specific areas while collaborating with others who possess complementary strengths. Ms. Shivsankar encouraged students to embrace continuous learning and adaptability, and Dr. Anand urged them to meticulously blend academic learning with practical experience, emphasizing the value of persistence.
In a nutshell, the CHRO Panel Discussion offered a plethora of illuminating insights that would surely help students better comprehend the strategic role of HR in the corporate world. The event, which was organized jointly by the MBA-HR program and Hruday, also equipped the students and early leaders with several roadmaps that can be used to navigate their career journey.