The Hindu Business Line : `Training, retaining employees biggest test for companies'

KEEPING IN STEP: Mr M. Venkataraman, Executive Director, Computer Age Management Services, addressing a BL Club meeting at Saveetha Engineering College.

Chennai March 8 Technology shrinking the world, capitalism becoming all-pervasive and the liberalisation process gaining momentum in India and reaching a stage of irreversibility are the present trends seen in India and the world over, said Mr M. Venkataraman, Executive Director, Computer Age Management Services (P) Ltd, to students of Management at Saveetha Engineering College after inaugurating the Business Line Club.

Speaking about `Opportunities and challenges in the coming decade,' he said the knowledge-based industries favouring India for its abundant skills is the biggest opportunity the country has witnessed. However, the biggest challenge lies in hiring, training and retaining employees, he said. In addition, re-training employees from other industries to suit the needs of the knowledge industry is another challenge.

Mr Venkataraman said the leaps in technologies make the earlier ones obsolete. The challenge here is to predict the changes and set the stage ready for them.

With competition increasing in every industry and the rising cost of inputs due to higher salaries and rent, the challenge for companies is to remain competitive, he said.

With Indian companies setting up shop in other countries and global players widening their base in India, the challenge for employees is to learn, understand and practice different cultures and businesses. In this context, what you are today — an average student or a top performer — is irrelevant tomorrow. Employees have to retain the attitude to learn and acquire new skills, overcome occupational hazards and ensure a good balance between work and personal life, he added. Besides the students, others present on the occasion were Dr C. Chendroya Perumal, Head, MBA Department, Prof. Deenadayalan, Dean, IT and Placement and Prof Singaravelu, Head, EEE Department.

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