Close the Loop: Recent Episodes
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The pandemic gave birth to multiple threads of conversations around the employer-employee relationship. Every week Srini engages a key player in India’s evolving corporate ecosystem and discuses these contentious issues. These are topics which usually generate polarized opinions, but Srini and his friends are here to tie up all the loose ends and CLOSE THE LOOP.
In Ep 34 of 'Close the Loop', Abhishek Mishra, AGM at Sakal Media Group talks to Srinivas about the family culture and sports culture, highlighting the benefits of a team-based approach. Abhishek shares his thoughts on company culture, and how each approach affects teamwork and success.From discussing mindfulness and finding how leaders can bring positivity through spirituality, the episode covers it all!
Sonia Kutty, Head of Global HR at Quest Global talks to Srinivas about the challenges and opportunities for women in the workforce. They discuss the different ways in which society and peers influence the conditions for women and their growth in the workforce.
'People sell to people' or so we believed. This episode goes deep into a department that many feel will never be replaced by artificial intelligence- sales. Darshan Majumdar, India Head, 6 Sense discusses this notion with Srinivas in depth. They carefully scrutinize the different aspects of sales and discuss the ones that will be impacted by A.I.
Anupam Srivastava Head HR Reltio talks about the noticeable impact of A.I in the job market. From the kind of jobs that are being created to the impact of hiring as a whole, this episode will give you the a sense of where things are and where they are headed. Don' forget to checkout the other episodes where we've explored the intersection of A.I and Human Resources.
In episode 29 of Close the Loop Anagha Devalekar, Director HR at Human Cloud and Srinivas, CMO Loop discuss the work culture at start-ups and what it means to be an HR in the space. They talk about why some people thrive at startups while others struggle.
Ep 28 Srinivas Vijayraghavan and Sandeep Kochhar, CEO Blewminds, discuss mental health interventions at the workplace. They examine organizational attitudes towards mental health and how it has progressed over the years. Sandeep analyzes the different ways interventions are designed and the challenges they face. His vast experience in the space provides for an insightful conversation that offers constructive solutions to some fundamental problems.
Ep 27 of 'Close the Loop,' hosted by Srinivas B. Vijayaraghavan, CMO of Loop, revolves around the pervasive issue of bias in the workplace and its impact on decision-making and organizational culture.The conversation features Bridgette Nambiar, the CHRO of Altruist, who shares her expertise on identifying, minimizing, and eliminating biases within an organization--including appearance, background, gender, and sexual orientation biases. And how these can influence hiring decisions, team assessments, and overall employee interactions.Bridgette highlights the importance of recognizing both conscious and unconscious biases and the steps organizations can take to address them.
Join Rosina Jose, Associate Director of HR at Rakuten, as she discusses the evolution of sexual harassment understanding in the workplace, from the Vishaka guidelines to the POSH Act of 2013.She also discusses with Srinivas B. Vijayaraghavan, CMO of Loop, the importance of education, consent, and proactive measures to ensure a safe environment for all employees.
In Episode 24 of 'Close the Loop,' we explore the dynamic Indian job market in recent years, influenced by major upheavals like Covid, recession, wars, and AI. And know why 98% of employees are job hunting, creating an oversupply in the market. Dinesh Yegireddi, Director of Michael Page, and Srinivas B. Vijayaraghavan, CMO of Loop, talk about the hiring process, from quick hires to lengthy searches, and what it means for employers and job seekers. Plus, understand the true essence of diversity in hiring across gender, age, and more.
Jaipal Singal, Group CFO at iD Fresh Food, 'Close the Loop' with Srinivas B. Vijayaraghavan CMO of Loop, on old perceptions, revealing how finance at ID Fresh is pioneering with AI and evolving beyond traditional roles -- striving for CEO positions and reshaping business leadership.
Vivek Venkatesan, CFO at Ninjacart, chats with Srinivas B Vijayaraghavan, CMO at Loop, about how finance fits into the bigger picture in companies. And clears up this myth that finance is too complex for non-finance people to get. He suggests finance folks need to explain their decisions more and be a bit more flexible when they can. The talk also covers the need for timely interactions with finance and being clear about what's urgent.
Ashish Singh, Chief HR Officer at Meesho, discusses the challenges and nuances of measuring various HR aspects, such as retention, talent density, and employee experience. He highlights that while some aspects like hiring and headcount are easily measurable, others like talent quality are more complex. The conversation also touches on the influence of external metrics like Glassdoor ratings on HR and the importance of understanding the limitations and uses of such data.
Discover why giants like Google and Amazon swear by the system of OKRs (Objectives and Key Results). Vidya Santhanam, co-founder and CEO at Fitbots, joins Srinivas B. Vijayaraghavan, CMO at Loop, to shed light on the principles of OKRs and their rising popularity in the post-COVID era. Whether you're a startup or an established firm, understand the nuances of adopting OKRs and avoid common pitfalls.
Reetu Raina, VP and Head of Talent Management at Amdocs, and Srinivas B. Vijayaraghavan, CMO at Loop, discuss AI's transformative role in reshaping workforce composition and HR dynamics -- moving beyond job displacement to altering employment structures. They emphasize HR's need to strategically navigate this shift, advocating for adaptability and continuous learning. The conversation highlights the evolving nature of work, the necessity for new accountability frameworks, and the critical approach of progressive change in an unpredictable future.
Understand how empathy impacts employee satisfaction, overall performance, and organizational growth as Rashmi, HR Director at Acquia, shares her expertise.
Explore strategies for creating inclusive workplaces and promoting a culture of belonging with Dipti, HR Business Partner at Mastercard.
Dive into the significance of innovative team building approaches and their profound impact on organizations as Chanchal, Recruitment Specialist at Spolto, shares valuable insights.
Uncover the keys to a successful integration process through intriguing onboarding experiences with Sony, Senior Manager HR at Shoonya Software.
Understand the importance of resilience in the world of exhausting interviews as Parag, Recruitment Specialist at Technogise, recounts intriguing stories.
Shveyta Manager HRBP at CRG solutions, a seasoned HR shares some interesting perspectives on Onboarding and how it can impact not just the tenure of an employee but also the fate of an organisation.
Sirisha, the Head of HR at Greenway Health reflects on her many years as an HR at various organizations and identifies some key lessons she has learned. The reflections in this episode are bound to inspire and surprise listeners, particularly those working as HRs.
Discover the transformative power of empathy in the workplace and its role in building strong professional relationships as Rubeena, HR Manager at In4Velocity, shares her insights.
This episode focuses on the intricacies and importance of ‘onboarding employees’ into an organization with Akhilandeshwari, Specialist People Ops & Growth at MTX. A must-listen for Young HRs interested in learning about this vital HR process that every organization needs.
Workplace relationships cna take many forms but there are some things that all of them have in common. In this delightful episode Mansi Shah, VP HR of Encube Ethicals, tells us about the HRs role in helping build relationships within an organization and why it's a big responsibility. She peppers her analysis with some heartwarming stories of workplace camaraderie.
Does a company always need to look outwards when they have a role to fill? Or does it make more sense to get someone on the inside? This is your chance to dive deep into these loaded questions with Jagruti, Head of HR at STEPL.
In this fulfilling episode Divya Thakur, Head of Total Rewards at CoinSwitch, takes our host Sameer through a fascinating journey exploring the different ways in which organizations go beyond salaries to attract and retain the best talent. From music instrument reimbursements to home loans find out what companies are doing and can do to woo their workforce.
Nikhil Gadgil, Associate Director Talent Management Harbinger Group, gives listeners an in-depth understanding on what a ‘crisis’ means for an organization. He then reveals some important insights on how to turn a crisis into an opportunity and how leaders can inculcate resilience within their workforce.
Deepak from Quickheal technologies is a veteran in the HR space who has spent decades getting the best out of talent. He talks about how technology has changed the HR space, and how companies can work towards making technology more inclusive for employees of all ages.
Does a company always need to look outwards when they have a role to fill? Or does it make more sense to get someone on the inside? This is your chance to dive deep into these loaded questions with Jagruti, Head of HR at STEPL.
From breaking down big goals to ensuring everyone speaks the same 'goal language,' HR is the unsung hero. Aparna C, Vice President of Human Resources at Aknamed and Srinivas B. Vijayaraghavan, CMO at Loop ‘Close the Loop’ on how to spot red flags, inspire every employee, and keep that performance bar high.
Wonder how HRs handle the heat in today's dynamic workplace? Parul Singh, VP HR at Exceedance, discuss with Srinivas B. Vijaraghavan, CMO at Loop, about the evolving role of HR -- from navigating the challenges of being at the heart of everything to mastering the art of conflict management.
Indu Venugopal, Head of Learning and Development at Scalene Works People Solutions, paints a clear picture of what it means to have a diverse workforce and how it must be managed. The conversation helps us understand not just the importance of diversity but how it can greatly benefit the organization if it is managed well.
In an intriguing new episode of Close The Loop, Mariena Dsouza, Chief Manager HR & Admin at Skoda Auto Volkswagen India PRivate Limited talks about 'crisis management' at the workplace. Listen in to hear about how to handle a crisis when it strikes and more importantly how to anticipate and prepare for one before it happens.
Ryan Singh, the co-founder and Chief Operating Officer of Loop, joins the discussion with Srinivas B. Vijayaraghavan, CMO of Loop, in Episode 16 of “Close the Loop” to explore why companies haven't expanded their health benefits beyond “Health Insurance” and how they can make health benefits a genuine asset for their employer brand.They share insights upon the difference between “Health Insurance" and “Health Assurance." While health insurance covers the costs of hospital visits, Health Assurance is about providing a comprehensive healthcare service that addresses an employee's entire health journey, not just hospitalization.
In this episode Gayathri Kaur Nair, founder at You Squared throws light on what good leadership means for an organization. She reflects on the post-pandemic world and what leaders need to understand regardless of their leadership styles. She shares some inspiring stories to show us how empathy is fundamental to good leadership.
Episode 15 of 'Close the Loop' with Srinivas B. Vijayaraghavan, CMO at Loop, explores the dynamic changes companies face, highlighting shifts in strategy and leadership. Emphasizing HR's pivotal role in these transitions, it questions HR's often sidelined position. Shobana Kailash, Group CHRO at Hubilo, shares her expertise from roles at Freshworks and Amazon. She delves into the impacts of changes, especially the transition from sales-led to product-led approaches, and underscores the perception of HR as service-oriented rather than change leaders.
Employee experiences can be varied, diverse and volatile. In this episode Anita Borulkar, VP HR at Recipharm breaks down how employee engagement can be cultivated to boost their performance.
In this fascinating episode of Close the Loop Mr. Sanjay Mashere talks to our host Greta about what creates a 'culture clash' at work. He explains how a 'culture clash' is of three forms of biases, or the three Gs as Mr. Sanjay calls them. Hear the episode to find out what the three Gs are!
Covid 19 changed workplaces forever. In this episode Mr. Shivakant Mishra, Head HR Training at Primecare talk about the unique challenges of onboarding employees in remote working scenarios. He shares some interesting stories that highlight the intricacies of this evolving scenario.
Episode 14 of “Close the Loop” discusses the importance of managerial development in organizations. The conversation emphasizes that while individual contributors and top leadership often receive attention, the managerial layer is sometimes overlooked. Veena Satish, Head of HR for MoEngage, joins Srinivas B. Vijayaraghavan, CMO Loop, to explore whether managers are the "forgotten employees" and sports the challenges and nuances of training effective managers.
As Close The Loop goes from strength to strength we have explored the different factors that impact work culture. In this episode Greta sits down with Mr. Pulkit Bhandari, Head HR Donyati as they go deeper into each of these factors and analyze how work culture impacts an organization's performance and success.
Episode 13 is all about the much talked about 'feedback culture'. Tripti Jha, VP HR-Niro, addresses some important questions about feedback with Srini. They discuss what makes employees (and even managers) aversive to feedback before moving on to some strategies for providing effective feedback . Tell us your most insightful feedback stories in the comments.
In episode 12 we explore the variety of working arrangements that have emerged in the modern world and their impact. Sachi Krishana, CHRO VYMO, sits down with Srini and discusses how flexible working arrangements complicate the challenges of productivity and collaboration that have always been around. Sachi channelizes her vast experience to give us insights that would make you rethink your own relationship with your workplace and its policies.
In Episode 11, Nitin Nahata, the CHRO of Gameskraft, discusses with Srinivas B Vijayaraghavan, CMO of Loop, the potential threat Artificial Intelligence poses to Human Resources. They delve into the possibilities AI tools can provide in the HR domain, yet also explore the unique 'personal touch' that HR professionals contribute, which cannot be easily replaced. This conversation serves as a valuable primer for HR professionals seeking to transform this emerging threat into an opportunity.
Every organization aspires to have all their employees associate their work with positivity. In this conversation our host Greta talks to Mr. Nishant, who has over a decade of experience with companies such as Deloitte and Pi square technologies. They discuss the importance of building a positive culture and the challenges that come with sustaining it.
Getting your sourcing and hiring right is only half the battle when it comes to getting the best of your employees. In this conversation Darryl talks to Lilly who has fifteen years of HR experience across a multitude of industries. They discuss how to get the best out of your employees and keep them engaged as you cultivate a sense of ownership and responsibility.
There is nothing more valuable than feedback but unfortunately it’s not easy to get it. This episode dives into the nuances of good feedback and explores how to build ‘a good feedback culture’ with a veteran of the HR industry Devangi Kamra, Chief People Officer at Technogise.
Entries and Exits are a part and parcel of the workplace ecosystem, but a good organization is one that sees the values in their employees even when they;ve decided to move on. This conversation focuses on what makes a good exit interview, with Avanti Murari HRBP at Loop.
From imposter syndromes to ‘first day jitters’ we know how tough things can be for a new joinee. This conversation with Rajeev Ranjan, the VP Global HR with Evolve BPM, explores how to seamlessly integrate a new employee and make them align with the spirit of the organization.
Artificial Intelligence is evolving everyday, and while it makes sense to have more conversations about it, we can feel a little lost in all the noise. But don’t worry we’ve got you covered, Bhavna, a highly experienced HR cutting through all the clutter and talking about the true impact of A.I on HR functions.
In episode 10 we discuss 'Performance Reviews' with Manmeet Sandhu, the Chief People Officer of PhonePe. As Manmeet shares some incisive insights on evaluations, the conversation delves deeper into the manager-employee relationship as a whole. This episode promises to be an intellectual treat as it explores everything from emotions to OKRs.
Over the last few years, wellness has steadily ascended the corporate priority ladder. Organizations are increasingly recognizing its impact on both the quality and quantity of an employee's performance. In Episode 5, we delve into the finer details and nuances of these developments with Dr. Umesh, an influential corporate wellness coach who is reshaping the landscape of corporate wellness.
In this knowledge-packed episode, Chandan, an HRBP, shares a wide range of strategies for building effective relationships at work – between individuals, departments, and even entire organizations. The conversation, peppered with numerous real-life examples, offers a goldmine of insights.
A competent business leader will acknowledge that the right talent can be the deciding factor in a company's success. In this episode, we welcome Noopur, who provides an in-depth look at the behind-the-scenes process of not only finding the right talent for a company but also ensuring they remain engaged and committed.
"Every organization possesses a certain culture, whether intentionally cultivated or not, and regardless of whether it's recognized." A conversation around company culture that begins with such a bold statement promises to be compelling. In this episode, Darryl joins Malathi, an HR veteran consulting with the nation's top companies, to delve into the creation and nurturing of corporate cultures.
Episode One explores the idea of 'Work-Life Balance,' a popular buzzword in corporate circles in today's times. Darryl and Ishwari exchange some insightful thoughts and stories about what it means and what it takes to strike this balance.
In episode 9 Swati Khanna, VP Human Capital Sequoia sits down with Srini and delves into talent at startups. They discuss the unique challenges that come with hiring for startups and the importance of an alignment between the 'founder' and the 'prospect'. As the conversation throws light on the 'grey areas' around building good teams, Swati offers tips on things to think about when one is considering joining a startup.
In episode 8 Shashikanth KS, CEO-Retail and CHRO Chai Point, breaks down the composition of a good leader and the costs of having a bad leader in an organization. Shashikanth and Srini address some nuanced questions around leadership as they identify the markers that set good leaders apart and provide insight on how to spot them while hiring.
In episode 7 Srini Vijayaraghavan dives deep into the hottest conversation in the professional space with the legendary TN Hari, co-founder of Artha School of Entrepreneurship. They discuss the shifts that artificial intelligence will cause in the professional landscape and the impact of artificial intelligence on jobs.
In episode 6 Srini chats with Alex Peter, Sr. Vice President, Founder's Office Lummo as they bust misconceptions around the roles of individual contributors (ICs) and managers. We find out how to choose between the two tracks, and why every company values both.
In episode 5 Srini catches up with Aadil Bandukwala, Senior Director Marketing at Hackerrank who breaks down the factors that affect hiring during a recession. We'll see how times are changing across businesses and what employers can do to keep up with the changes. Let's explore the key tips for hiring during a recession.
Episode 4 explores the burning questions around layoffs, as Srini speaks to the Saurabh Nigam, VP Human Capital, Omidyar Network India. We find out how much influence HRs have on layoffs and much more.
Managing people is no walk in the park. Episode 3 will give you a peek into the good, the bad and the ugly of an HR's job as Srini speaks to Sudeep Ralhan, CHRO Upstox.
The world is waking up to change. In episode 2 Srini talks to Swapna Nair, VP-HR Khatabook about the challenges women face at work and what is it that startups can do to level the playing field.
Remote Work- How it started Vs How it’s going
The Covid Pandemic created a paradigm shift in how workplaces operate. In episode 1 Srini talks to Abhash, VP Marketing Springworks, about the good, the bad and the ugly of remote work and how it has changed workplace dynamics, maybe forever.