IIM Kashipur, a leading institution in management education, recently hosted its annual HR Conclave, Samanvaya 2024, with the theme “MBA Next: Shaping Tomorrow’s Business Leaders.” This event, held on 31 August 2024, brought together a distinguished array of industry leaders, HR professionals, and students to explore the critical aspects of equipping MBA graduates to lead effectively in a rapidly evolving business landscape.
The conclave featured two insightful panels addressing key issues in contemporary business leadership. The first panel, titled “Continuous Learning – Staying Ahead in a Rapidly Changing World,” included prominent speakers such as Mr. Chandra Shekhar, Vice President of HR at UltraTech Cement; Mr. Yahya Rasheed, Global Head of L&D at HCL Tech; Mr. Umanath Kumar, Country Manager India & APAC for Talent at Pfizer; and Mr. Aravind Warrier, HR Leader at Volvo Group. Moderated by Mr. Jayendra Kumar Sahu, Performance Marketing Manager at M2P Fintech, the panelists shared their expertise on the necessity of continuous learning, adaptability, and resilience in navigating today’s dynamic business environment.
Mr. Shekhar emphasized the importance of succession planning and adapting to market trends, while Mr. Rasheed highlighted the value of embracing organizational culture and learning from failures. Mr. Kumar discussed the role of experimentation and collaboration, using Pfizer’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic as a case study, and Mr. Warrier stressed the need for imagination, curiosity, and empathy in leadership.
The second panel, “Future-Proofing Careers: Developing Agile Mindsets in Business Leadership,” featured Mr. Ramakrishna Rao, Chief Learning Officer at Page Industries Ltd.; Mr. Ravikanth Venkata Eranki, Talent Acquisition Lead at Cargill; and Mr. Pandi Alagu Raja, Head of People and Culture at Deluxe. Moderated by Ms. Akansha Garg, Lead Business Analysis at UST, the discussion centered on the significance of agility, adaptability, and practical approaches to leadership.
Mr. Rao introduced the ABCs of modern leadership, including Anti-Fragility and Digital Mindset, while Mr. Eranki emphasized the importance of diversity, inclusivity, and global perspective. Mr. Raja highlighted the role of HR in fostering a supportive and agile culture within organizations.
The session was highly interactive, with engaging discussions and a dynamic Q&A segment where students actively participated, posing insightful questions to the panelists.
