SV Nathan : Director | U.S. India Talent : Do Simple things exceedingly well !!!!

SV Nathan

SV Nathan 

"I did not start out to be a HR professional. I came into it by accident than design. Part of me is that credo that I hold – if I don’t get what I like, I like what I get, make the most of it and don’t ever complain about it. I do what I can, more of what I can, and the best of what I can and a tad more. Life is simple and I came from a humble background and so, feel wondrous about the things happening around. Life is beautiful.

My personal mission is to help people find their edge and strength, and help them realize their potential. Personally I look at ‘Do simple things exceedingly well’ and the big things will take care of themselves."

HR Career  Blog :

We are making an attempt to bring inputs from some of the best HR professionals  across the country. 

We are asking : "What made you to be a successful HR Professional? & What's your personal Mission?"

Watch-out for more people on this blog post in the future. 

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Hi-5 : Project Work this Summer

Every year this is the time in India many B-Schools/MBA college students go for their summer projects with organisations. I made an attempt to focus on the top 5 things that one need to focus.

Know Your Way

Objective of the Summer project is to give an idea of a organisational working environment and learn to deliver. This time is very crucial for any individual to prove their learning into action. Its important that one focus on the learning during this time and following are the 5 key issues to take care.

Exercise ?!@#

Health : Many individuals travel to different locations and stay away from their comfort zones. If you are at home or at your college hostel is fine, but staying away in a new city or town would be challenging with Food. Make sure that you have identified a right place. Many organisations can support in identifying these with their teams who may be staying in the hostel/guest houses. Most difficult task is to do the project during Summer and stay healthy. Plan for a good food (healthy) and clear water. These who makes a difference on body. Also make sure that if you are travelling within the city, ensure you have enough liquids, protect from the Sun Stroke.

New Location / Environment :

New Place, New Rules

If you are doing a project away from your college/city where you are studying. Understanding the local environment is very very important. Get an understanding of the location and the geography. Try and learn from the people inside organisation about the location and do's and don'ts in this City. You have to be like a traveler to explore but at the same time conscious of your surroundings to enjoy your stay. Do not assume about a city that you enter based on what you know or may be few people told you about the place.  India - for every 100 kms. its a new country.

Company Culture : 

Company is People

The project work should aim primarily to understand the Company and their business. The important ingredient that you learn at Company is the culture. Understanding the company culture and its dynamics would help you to manage the stay effective and productive. You need to quickly learn the way to interact with people - protocols, expectations and various right gestures. Understand the company policies, norms and procedures which helps you to adhere to the standards/expectations. More importantly understand the interpretation of the written and un-written expectations. Also understand in the right way the organisation defined, not just the way you think/assume.

Focus on Work Exposure

Learning the Skill

Remember : A project is a chance to prove yourself. Its all about your focus and delivery on the assigned tasks. Many colleges insist on doing a project with a list. Ideally no organisation would like to give you project if it is not a priority or important for them.  It is advisable to make sure that you choose a project which can be of use to the organisation from Day-One.  As the organisation invests its infrastructure, opens business and their resources to you. This means they look for the return on the Investment that they are making on you. The more work delivery you make and prove your mettle the more opportunities to get yourself absorbed in that company. Also you don't need to worry about your final placement and be a burden to your college. Important : The work exposure and delivery in your project can give you 90% of your next job.

Right Mentor:

Right Mentor is Key

A right Mentor inside the organisation would be critical factor for you.  Identify yourself or some times the companies identify a Mentor to you during the period of project. Ensure that you share every possible doubt, apprehensions, questions with the mentor to get maximum out-of your time. Remember : A Mentor during this period can be a life-time Coach or professional friend.

I did not focus on the Project itself, since its something your college would not leave you for assessing you. However, these Hi-5 points would help you to stay on top of your project.

ALL THE BEST !!!

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Why HR Professionals Hardly seen on Other-than HR Networking Forums !!!

Today (Sunday-9th Dec 2012) : I  attended a forum on Public Speaking in Hyderabad. I met few :  business owner, doctor, engineering student, govt. employee, Teacher, CA, Marketing Professional, Hotelier and many others...  had a great time in learning from their experiences.... 

9.12.12 - Hyderabad - Keen Learners

While, driving home I was thinking myself that I did not meet any HR professional. This is not the first time I have encountered this question. While attending many forums across India and other countries I seldom meet any HR professional in "Non-HR Forums".  

I was trying to get an answer and thinking  "Is it that HR professionals Are - 

• Well Read and Informed that they don't have a need to attend beyond HR forums (Even many HR Forums  attracts less numbers)
• Think that they have enough interactions during their course of job that they do not see a need for interaction.
• Too busy that they can't spend any more time
• Balancing Life after Work
• Thinking the world ends by  meeting or networking with people who are their official employees or few other HR professionals..

Let me stop here and explore further. With my limited exposure of 21 years in HR profession & business also an average of 2 network events attend every month over last 21 years, let me write somethings to find reasons (not definitely an answer). 

Networking :  While world is moving to network based Business Relationships, Hiring, Learning and everything in business... I see very less done by the HR professionals to foster this aspect in their own profession. I am sure in my wildest guess the HR Fraternity is minority compared to many professions as on today... 

We can make a difference : Considering approximately 4 crore establishments (Large+MSME) in India and < .5% of them have HR Department - The number May be at 1-1.75 lacs of professionals (both organised & un-organised HR departments). The opportunity is with an average of 10-20 external interactions other than your own company, it would make a lot of difference in building the profession and keeping it close to the Business.  

My urge to the budding professionals from B-Schools and also the HR job holders in any Organised & un-organised HR Department :  If you want to make career in HR and you wanted it to be known... its time to focus on networking with, other than HR professionals and make your mark with multiple professional groups and individuals. This not only gives you a learning exposure to be successful but also a great understanding of "Business on the Otherside". 

This would not stamp you as an "Event Manager" but "Eventful Business Manager"....

Please do share your thoughts and feedback on my note to improve and bring different perspectives... So We learn more than what is know....

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HR Function Management Support for SME's (Your HR Department is Here): 100 HR Ideas for better Business : 6-10 : Inductio...

HR Function Management Support for SME's (Your HR Department is Here): 100 HR Ideas for better Business : 6-10 : Inductio...: Wish you all a very Happy Diwali !!!!  Also wishing Naresh Babu Deevi (Co-author of this blog) a very happy birthday !!! Here are the ne...

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