Deepti Dhand - Dream Big, Be Humble and Grateful to People Whom You Interact With (Lead Capability Building / HR Business Partner for Technology & Shared Services - eClerx)

As employees seek new opportunities, organizational culture and practices will play a key role in not just attracting new talent but also retaining existing talent. The developed ways to create memorable and engaging experiences that employees deserve should be the key focus that envisions the future.

Tell us about your background, journey, and upbringing.

I belong to a family for whom ethics and values play a key role, my father rendered years of his life serving the Railways with strong support from my mother, a homemaker. My entire upbringing has happened in city of dreams and hope ie Mumbai. I’m thankful for the constant support rendered by my parents in building my career and elevate both personally and professionally.

I graduated in BSC Computer Science in 2003 and then pursued MBA in HR. Also hold an executive development certification in HR from XLRI. I started of working immediately after my graduation from 2003 hence pursued higher education while working, which was a tough journey . I have had the opportunity to learn from the hardships at a nascent age which I am grateful for, as I evolved being a stronger person.

How did you narrow down on this profession?

During my time it was the inception of the digital world, computer courses were booming and hence I took up Computer Science. The aim was to start working to get exposure to the external world, which I thought will help me make a decision on the profession I would want to pursue. 

I started off working in an international BPO, it was during this BPO stint that I realized I was inclined towards people management. I had an interest in developing on working something which would be related to the human element hence chose Human Resources. 

I had a discussion with my Operational(Ops) Manager on being inclined to move to HR to which I received good support. I applied for an Internal Job Posting and moved to HR and that's where my stint in HR began. I always cherish my experience of being in Ops and then HR as it gave me an understanding of both sides.

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It seems onboarding, even in 2021, is a long-drawn-out process behind the scenes. How do you envision this changing in the future?

HR must leverage technology to champion change and that's what we saw emerging from the time we set into the pandemic last year. A more digital, virtual process followed by most of the organizations for onboarding. With organizations announcing their hiring plans for the upcoming year, companies must surely reassess their ways of working and overall organizational practices. 

As employees seek new opportunities, organizational culture and practices will play a key role in not just attracting new talent but also retaining existing talent. The developed ways to create memorable and engaging experiences that employees deserve should be the key focus that envisions the future.

What’s one thing you would like to change in how Background Verification is done in India?

Each company mostly outsources this job to a third party to do verifications. One important change would be having some central database which has data of employment of all, some automation to be done which will help in reducing TAT and expedite the process. An improvement towards more of a Digital authentic process should be looked at.

How do you handle someone who has lied on their resume?

Anyone stating incorrect facts in a resume portrays an unacceptable behavior of conduct. That's the basis on which an organization evaluates candidates and the rest follows. Integrity and trust are important values that play a key role in building the belief of a company to work with the individual. 

Hence there should be zero tolerance to such act and strict disciplinary action should be taken which could be as severe as not taking the candidature ahead.

Several global companies have come out and thrown their support behind not needing a formal education. What is your opinion about this?

Education is always looked upon as a base to grow and develop as an individual. Our education system itself should be having a platform that provides more practical learning rather than bookish knowledge as that's what helps an individual to work in companies. It's more about inbuilt skills a person can pick up if provided proper guidance and training.

                                 

What advice do you have for aspiring HR professionals?

Dream big, be humble and grateful to people whom you interact with. Give your 100% in whatever you. Have a mentor to speak for guidance when in doubt. Keep learning and upskilling as per current trends. "Reset. Restart. Refocus. As many times you need to."

Which is your favorite book and why?

I don't have anything specific to name as I’m a believer in gaining knowledge from experienced leaders/peers. While books can explain concepts, the real-time experience of veteran leaders is nothing less than a book to refer to. I have worked with some great leads and grateful to have learned from them. 

One of the best pieces of advice received from one of them during a low moment was that " We all have frustrations and anger when things don't go the way we want, instead of getting into a negative mode focus the same energy in finding a solution and working on it, rise and shine from it."

Bio-

Deepti Dhand

18+ years of experience with a demonstrated history of working in various services industries. Skilled in Operations Management, Coaching, Grievances, Employee Engagement, HR Transformation, Talent Acquisition, Learning & Development, Talent Management, HR Operations.

Have had the splendid opportunity to work with organizations like Stream Trac Mail, Intelenet Global Services, HSBC, with enriched exposure in different roles which involved managing and interacting with global teams.

Currently, Lead HRBP / Capability Building for Technology and Shared Services verticals in eClerx. Also working as a Lead along with HR Leader for driving org-wide Diversity & Inclusion Women Forum initiatives for eClerx.

Qualification: BSC in Computer Science. Strong human resources professional with a DHRM focused in HR from Wellingkers Institute of management and an MBA degree from ICFAI. Successfully completed certification in Executive Development Program in Human Resources Management from XLRI.