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In the swanky auditorium at WestIn Garden City, Goregaon, Mumbai, the air buzzed with an eclectic blend of futuristic jargon—AI, digital transformation, automation, and upskilling. A conglomerate of CEOs, CHROs, academics, and experts huddled around their circular tables, interspersed with a potpourri of sizzling hors d'oeuvres and coffee. The stage was set for the 17th Manning Modern Retail (MMR) HR Conclave, an annual spectacle of thought leadership hosted by the Retailers Association of India (RAI).
The Human Element in a Digital World
"In a world propelled by technology, the heartbeat of our industry remains its people," proclaimed Kumar Rajagopalan, the charismatic CEO of RAI. The conclave's theme, 'Nurturing Human Capital for a Digitally-Ready Future Organization,' couldn't have been more timely. As organizations ride the wave of automation and advanced technology, the event drove home the point that humans are not just part of the equation, but the epicenter.
The CEO Perspective
Sunil Kataria, the CEO of Raymond Ltd., elaborated on a CEO's role in defining an organization's digital vision. "The CEO holds the responsibility of charting the course for the digital strategy. It’s not just about the software and the data; it's also about aligning human resources to adapt to these shifts," he asserted.
Unveiling Studio HR: A Space for Unscripted Conversations
In a refreshing twist, the conclave introduced ‘Studio HR,’ a conversational corner designed to break from traditional presentations. Moderated by retail veteran BS Nagesh, the session steered impromptu dialogues between industry stalwarts and young HR leaders, creating an open forum that encouraged debate and shared learning.
The Line-up of Thought Leaders
The speakers included the who's who of the retail industry—Saurabh Kalra of McDonald’s India, Dhruv Kaura of Tasva, Karan Mehta of Easybuy, Nandini Mehta of Metro Brands, and many more. From the discussions, it became clear: technology may offer the tools for the future, but it's the human element that provides the tactical know-how to use them effectively.
The Rise of AI and the Role of HR
Tanuja Tewari, the Chief Human Resources Officer at bigbasket, emphasized the importance of HR in an AI-dominated landscape. "HR’s role will be pivotal in building resilient, adaptable, and future-ready organizations. It's about leveraging human capital to meet fast-evolving business needs," she said.
The Essence of Becoming Future-Ready
For Karan Mehta, CEO of Easybuy, the threat of becoming obsolete is even more menacing than short-term losses. "Becoming future-ready is straightforward but it takes courage to drive it," he noted, urging companies to be open to experimentation and pivoting where required.
Awards and Accolades
The day ended on a high note with the 7th Retail HR Awards ceremony. Max Fashion took home the prize for Best Innovation in Retention Strategy, while Dasari Rajkiran of Reliance Retail emerged as the Emerging Young Leader in HR.
The Way Forward
MMR 2023 emerged as not just another industry event but a holistic platform focused on developing actionable insights for sustainable growth. "This conclave has become an essential annual gathering for the retail HR fraternity to explore, engage, and exchange ideas," concluded Kumar Rajagopalan.
As the curtains closed, it was evident that the journey to a future-ready organization isn't just a technological expedition but a human endeavour. It's about ensuring that as we march into an increasingly digitized future, our human capital isn’t just along for the ride but driving the charge.
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