The Hindu Business Line : Recruiters convention discusses tomorrow’s people

Hyderabad, Sept. 8 The Orange World or ‘Small is beautiful’— companies breaking down into collaborative networks of smaller organisations — is the most likely scenario in the near future. Specialisation would be a key aspect of Orange World, according to Mr S. Sivakumar, Chief Executive of ITC-ABD, here.

In his keynote address at the fourth national convention of the Executive Recruiters Association (ERA) which met here recently to discuss the theme ‘Is Partnering a Challenge — The 3C Approach’, Mr Sivakumar predicted that as a result of increasing specialisation, the responsibility of ‘skills development’ will shift wholesale from corporates to individuals, as members of a professional network, rather than as an employee of a particular company.

Three models

In his presentation titled ‘Are you ready for tomorrow?’, he referred to a report by PwC on ‘Managing Tomorrow’s People — The Future of Work to 2020’.

He outlined three possible organisational models of the future as a result of the changing global forces: The Blue World — where ‘Corporate is king’. Capitalism rules as large corporates turn into mini-states and take on a prominent role in society. The Green World, i.e., ‘Companies Care’. The environmental agenda enforcing fundamental changes in business strategy, and the Orange World — where ‘Small is beautiful’.

Mr Sivakumar advised the recruitment consultants to evolve from the traditional ‘vendor model’ assembling a shortlist to a ‘partnering mode’ which would not just restrict the gamut to sourcing, but also building in-employee value propositions, to help boarding, and even outplacement of employees on the completion of projects.

Leading recruitment firms and corporates participated in the day-long convention, which focussed on issues confronting the sector.

Speakers say

There are about 23,000 recruitment firms in the country and ERA has about 220 members as on date. The convention saw a range of speakers giving insights into various sectors. Mr Subbaraman Iyer, COO, Idea Cellular, openly admitted that CEOs and HR heads have not given enough importance to the selection process of the right consultant(s) and that should be looked into closely and corrective measures taken.

Mr Matthew Fairless, COO, UBS India, felt the need for consultants to counsel candidates to stick through with a company for a long time, both through the good times and the bad times. That, he said, will help build strong leaders.

Mr Abhijit Roy, Director & COO, Totem Infrastructure, pointed out that the infrastructure is on a growth phase. The consultants and industry has to expand their horizon in the search for hiring. Mr V. Balaji, CEO, Avon Organics, made a cause for exit interview to be handled by outside consultants as it will be more objective and could not stress enough that if a partnership is to work, one should walk the talk, particularly the CEOs.

Ms Lekha Sishta, Vice-President (HR), Sum Total Systems, said that the corporates and their HR leadership teams have a moral responsibility to take the first step in the 3C approach.

In the valedictory, Mr S.J. Amalan, Regional Director (AP & Orissa), Union Ministry of Labour & Employment, spoke on how the corporates and recruitment fraternity can explore partnering government for workforce development.

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