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Who is your HR Hero ?

What makes a normal human being a hero? The challenge at work requires human beings to emerge with acumen and decision making powers often superior to

others. In an environment where a majority of people may react differently, few of them come very strong. Their prowess over the subject, their influence over

the people and the way they manage dire situations make them a hero. They may not lay their lives down for others, but their quick-wit and magnanimity

empowers them over others.

On the primary level, human nature remains unique. There are triggers beyond our understanding. At times even when we are unaware, we act on it and get re-

instated by the reinforcements. When these re-enforcements are positive, this trigger evolves into a behaviour deep rooted in our value systems.

In work-environment, its most likely for a human being to act on those triggers. We are groomed with our education and by our professional environment. We

gradually learn to refine our reactions and respond to the stimulus. We do train our employees for time management and professional excellence course. But

they tend to return to their old behavioural patterns. Its only with a continued support and mentoring that these individuals can re-model their behaviours.

Though this remains the normal case, there are few exceptions to these rules. There are employees who show exceptional maturity in managing difficult

situations. They remain composed and place their words in the manner which brings in synergy or sometimes the results desired by all, achieved by few. These

situations can be standing strong for an employee to provide the right justice or taking the pragmatic approach to balance the role as an HR Business partner

managing and optimizing returns and staying empathetic to the employees through the employee champions role.

Few HR Heroes that I have met had handled situations which created new avenues for the company. Here I share about of one of my HR Champion. A HR

Head, with exceptional leadership qualities, that made a mark while managing a large offshore development centre through difficult times. This faced a challenge

towards employee satisfaction. It was a growing organization and had started a large facility in a new city. Hence faced challenges with lagging and leading

factors. Internally, there was a challenge to ramp-up at a large scale in a shorter span of time. External challenges were from the competitors to the company

who were starting their centres in the same IT Park. This was difficult as the talent required by all these companies were the identical. Furthermore, the E-Sat

survey showed a diminishing result which deepened the concerns on the leadership of the company. Heres what she did to leverage the situation and bring in a

turnaround:

She implemented a employee single-point-of-contact system for every team. These individuals who were selected as SPOC, from every team used tocoordinate on collecting feedback on every aspect including the job environment, Production, HR, Infrastructure, Logistics and the Cafeteria. This created a

robust feedback system. Every employee knew their voices would be heard. The Turn-around-time for each feedback was maintained with zero-tolerance

to any non-adherence to the service level agreement.

She used to take focus group meetings with every team and speak to the employee about the issues on the production floor. This was attended by non-reporting members. This allowed the employees to speak up about the sensitive issue such as disparity in the team or even any concern related to their

leaderships. Through this meeting she established an open culture, where everyone was respected and valued. She set the decorum for all uniformly.

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She arranged for culture based training for the company which was made mandatory for everyone. These trainings were arranged away from the companyvicinity. The content of these programs primarily focussed on the behavioural training breaking silos and enhancing personal excellence.

She funnelled the talent base and planned for off-location hiring. The company coordinated with recruitment consultancies across the nation and hired fromevery city in the north to far east including Shillong and Nagaland . This robust hiring from other cities brought the best of talent. It further created a

dependable talent base within the company as these candidates took planned leaves once or twice a year to visit their hometowns. She further re-skilled

few roles and created a longer career path within the company.

The compensation remained a challenge as every firm hired some amount extra than others to close on their hiring targets. Here she strategized it into anemployee friendly package. She created a tax friendly salary structure which ensured that the employee receive the highest take-home salary possible

within those bands. This became a deal breaker later, as the other companies who were paying more, had a higher tax. This implied that though the

employee would get a higher CTC, with those employers, the take home would be lesser due to the in-efficient salary structure.

These efforts established the company as an industry leader. These practices are repeatedly implemented by different companies. But the way these initiatives

were lead in this organization, it created an entirely different result. She remains my Champion as her initiatives had established a trust among employees. I

consider that quotient as one of the highest parameter as that leads to respect, loyalty and productivity. It takes a lot for a company to be loved and valued by its

employees. Though we all know, its a two-way route. Yet building that takes an effort of a lifetime. Inspiring employees enough to keep them motivated takes

a continuous corroboration. Its during her effort I realised this humongous progressions and what it takes to build a Most Respected Employer brand .

Tell us who is your HR Hero or Champion. What about them inspired you and how did they do things differently that they left an indelible mark on your mind. We

wait to read your story of being professionally inspired.