HR Can Facilitate Growth & Sustainability in Companies the most, say Experts at a Roundtable by Lead Academy

Special Correspondent:  A roundtable discussion on "Role of HR for Growth & Sustainability through People Excellence" was conducted at Krishibari Agro Park on 25th February, 2023. The event was powered by LEAD Academy and coordinated by CNI and YSSE. Twenty-four HR experts and other functional heads from various industries exchanged ideas and explored how to continue growth and sustainability through people excellence. Veteran Bangladeshi HR expert MA Abdullah graced the discussion with his presence. The roundtable was moderated by Mohammad Morad Hossain, CHRO & Board Secretary of Elite Paint Group of Companies. The discussion was enhanced by an insightful keynote by Ishtiak Taher, Lead Consultant of WorkSMART Consulting. In his keynote, Ishtiak Taher discussed Dave Ulrich's HR Business Model, HR practices and models in Bangladesh, and HR's role in sustainable growth. He stressed, “If we look after sustainability, sustainability will look after the company’s growth”. Furthermore emphasizing sustainable employability, and enabling workplace diversity and inclusion, he concluded his talk by offering the attendees some recommendations on how to strengthen Bangladeshi corporate HR.

Ashfaq Zaman, CPA, President of Lead Academy graced the occasion with his insight on the gap that exists between academia and industries. He explained why the gap can pose a challenge for graduates entering the job market and how LEAD Academy is working towards minimizing that gap. “Humans should not be considered as resources, instead humans should be considered as possibilities,” Mr. Ashfaq stressed. He also emphasized on working together towards creating a learning culture of HR and people of excellence in BD. His speech was followed by the main roundtable discussion where the participants discussed the predefined topics. The HR professionals shared their experiences and insights on how to create a culture of excellence, attract and retain talent, and align people with organizational goals. One of the key findings from the discussion was that HR is essential to developing a learning culture. Having the proper personnel is important, but it's also important to give them a supportive environment so they may develop and advance the organization. The HR practitioners stressed that in order to maintain employee motivation and engagement, companies must spend on staff development, training, and upskilling.

The discussion also included a crucial point about how HR works to align employees with company objectives. They discussed their strategies for connecting the employees with the mission and vision of the business. To keep the team motivated, they emphasized the importance of open communication, transparency, and a common sense of purpose at all levels. The discussion also delved into the significance of sustainable employability. They discussed the importance of providing a work-life balance, prioritizing mental health, and an inclusive work environment to retain talent. MA Abdullah, who has over 50 years of experience working with the top MNCs and banks in Bangladesh, brought the round table discussion to a close by stating that HR should work closely with all the other functions and understand the business to better serve the needs of the employees. Mr. K M Ali who had been the CEO of some of the top companies in Bangladesh asserted that HR should concentrate on strategy and structure to ensure sustainability as well as on the physical and emotional needs of workers to provide value to the company.

Along with them, other participants were Mohammad Alamgir, Sajadul Haque, Shahin Mohammad, Abul Bashar, Sultan Mahmud, Mohammed Showket Iqbal, Naijur Rahman, Hasan Akhand, Aleya Aktar, Shirin Chowdhury, Md Anisur Rahman Khan, Mohammed Abdul Awal, Rasel Bishsas, Muzahidul Islam Jahid, Mohammad Arif Ullah, Mohammad Shahinur Rahman, B M Faisal Monir, Mohammad Abdur Rahman, Rashedul Hasnat, Laila Naznin, Farhana Rahman Urmi & Abu Al Tareq Ahmed. The roundtable was a resounding success as the event provided a platform for HR professionals from different sectors - from FMCG to Telco to Insurance to Manufacturing - to discuss the post-pandemic challenges of the HR sector. Intriguing questions from the participants made the roundtable a truly engaging one. All the professionals vouched for a common goal of creating a culture of excellence in organizations.