A:At a time when the HR industry is going through rapid changes, initiatives like these keep the motivation and resilience of the workforce and leaders going. Such awards and events go on to become pivotal instruments in showcasing and honoring the best-in-class HR strategies and initiatives, bringing the innovation and dedication of HR professionals and organizations into the spotlight. The PeopleFirst HR Excellence Awards, in particular, has not only recognized hard work and creativity but has also served as an inspiration for others to pursue excellence in their HR practices. Fostering knowledge exchange, networking, and mutual motivation. In the realm of HR, the event has not only honored remarkable contributions but also played a significant role in cultivating a culture of ongoing improvement and excellence.

A:For me personally, it was an enriching experience to sit across changemakers and leaders, to discuss matters which hold real importance in the HR Industry today. With Employers realizing the need to make policies while keeping people at heart, such discussions will only help in amplifying the voice and making organizations a better place to work at, in the truest sense. These awards are not only a source of pride and recognition but also a catalyst for continuous improvement and innovation in the HR fraternity. Therefore, I would wholeheartedly recommend these awards to my colleagues and peers in the HR field.

A:The resilience that Indian startups have shown has sparked a conversation that the next decade is going to be led by India. The fact that such startups have been able to onboard passionate minds and talented individuals, who have then collectively led to the success of these companies, goes on to showcase the qualities an HR needs to imbibe. Budding HR Professionals can easily recognize the shift in the profession from HR to people as a key strategic partner to the business. Especially in challenging times like hybrid workspaces and fluctuating attrition levels, People function has become instrumental in guiding organizations through crises and fostering resilience. People professionals are the gatekeepers of talent acquisition, a pivotal driver of company growth. Every hiring decision carries immense significance as it can either take the company to success or lead to unforeseen challenges. This emphasizes the critical importance of HR's role in making thoughtful and strategic talent choices.

Aspiring people professionals can cultivate empathy, maintain an open-minded approach, and actively contribute to building the organizations of the future. Companies are fundamentally composed of their employees, and to reach their highest potential, People function must prioritize employee engagement, development, and the strategic placement of the right people in the right roles at the right time. In doing so, they not only foster individual growth but also ensure that their organizations are positioned for long-term success.

A:Leadership development is a cornerstone of our people strategy at BetterPlace. We recognize that strong leadership is essential for driving our organization forward and achieving our mission of a high-performance culture where we identify and nurture leadership. Our program G.R.O.W@BetterPlace facilitates a high-performance culture in the organization with the objective of having continuous dialogues, quarterly check-ins/reviews with managers, and a growth mindset with leadership support. To support our high-performance strategy, we have RockSTAR@BetterPlace which is about building leadership early and leadership at all levels. People leadership forums are organized every month to create leadership accountability as well. Our culture fosters continuous feedback, making leaders, not born but nurtured, vital for our mission's success.

A:Mentorship and leadership development are indeed crucial for organizational growth where even the senior most leaders are helping and developing it. At BetterPlace through our program #ThinkCulture@BetterPlace we have multiple channels of communication through which we are fostering mentorship and leadership development -

● Ask Me Anything session – Bi-monthly open forum to interact with Leadership.
● CEO Livewire – 24x7 open communication channel with the CEO.
● Open Mic sessions with the Chief People & Culture Officer

This holistic approach to leadership development fuels a strong leadership pipeline, integral to organizational growth and success.