The first day of HR Conclave 6.0, the signature event of the Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Jammu, was a resounding success, with industry experts sharing their insights on a plethora of topics related to the theme of the Conclave, "HR in a Dynamic Business Environment."

The Chief Guest of the event was Prof. Pragati Kumar, Vice-Chancellor of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi University. The day began with an inaugural ceremony presided over by Prof. B.S. Sahay, Director, IIM Jammu; Prof. Jabir Ali, Dean, Academics and Chairperson, Placements at IIM Jammu; and Dr. Baljeet Singh Sani, Co-Chairperson, Placements at IIM Jammu, Dr. Guangpuanang Kahmei, Conference Chair, IIM Jammu, Mr. Deepak Taduru, Northern Trust VP Talent Acquisition and Dr. Roy Kshemendra Sharma, Head of Communications & Customer Centricity, Tata AIA Life Insurance

Dr. Baljeet Singh Sani, Co-Chairperson (Placements), IIM Jammu, welcomed the audience to the HR Conclave 6.0 and introduced the theme of the Conclave, "HR in a Dynamic Business Environment." He highlighted the importance of HR in helping organizations navigate the ever-changing business landscape and achieve their business goals. He affirmed that HR Conclave 6.0 is an exceptional forum where human resources professionals from the industry convene to share insights, teach students how to navigate the challenges they will inevitably encounter on their path through the dynamic corporate world, and exchange ideas. 

In his welcoming remarks, IIM Jammu Conference Chair Dr. Guangpuanang Kahmei provided an overview of the proceedings that were scheduled for the following two days. The special issue of journals was announced by him during this HR conclave. He emphasized that the HR conclave's connections and experiences will prove to be beneficial and enjoyable. 

In his address, Prof. Jabir Ali, Dean, Academics, IIM Jammu, provided the audience with an insightful overview of multiple programs in accordance with its mandate to cultivate transformational leaders. He also mentioned that this collaboration between academia and industry will provide students with knowledge and value, thanks to the exemplary leadership of the Director and the excellent faculty at IIM Jammu, which is a testament to cultivating leaders who are pioneers in happiness and mental health. 

Prof. B.S. Sahay, Director, IIM Jammu, addressed and welcomed the audience to the HR Conclave 6.0. He mentioned that IIM Jammu has been a pioneer in introducing International HR Conference and Conclave to unite the academia and industry leaders on a common platform for exchange of ideas, knowledge sharing on HR and its adaptation to the ever-changing business environment. He mentioned that IIM Jammu, has a motto to cultivate leaders and entrepreneurs who serve both, within their local communities and on a global scale. He gave an overview into the fast-paced growth and journey of the Institution and reiterated that IIM Jammu has ascended to the fifteenth position among all IIMs. He emphasized that the Institute has integrated the value of happiness as a crucial component of existence, into each of its programmes. He mentioned that in pursuit of excellence, IIM Jammu is rapidly accentuating itself as a prominent B-school across the globe..

Prof. Pragati Kumar, Vice-Chancellor of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi University, the event's Chief Guest, conveyed his concerns and questions, which he hopes will be addressed at this conclave. He emphasized the advantages of technology and how it must be implemented to enhance an organization's operational capabilities. The advent of AI technology in the business world has generated jobs in a variety of unanticipated fields that businesses can target to their advantage. Before formulating an HR policy, he insisted that the human element of human resources and its management should never be neglected.

Mr. Deepak Taduru, Northern Trust VP Talent Acquisition, the keynote speaker of the day, encouraged students to study throughout their lives. He asserted, with the aid of a video describing the Heineken recruitment process, that HR is all about the experience you provide to individuals. According to him, a well-defined strategy with all objectives, networking, and adding skills and experience to resumes are three things that students should take with them after graduation. He enforced the ideas ranging from effective management of the workforce, improving employee engagement, data-driven efficiency, cost optimization, employee development, performance management incentive programs, and employee healthcare and well-being.

Dr. Roy Kshemendra Sharma, Head of Communications & Customer Centricity, Tata AIA Life Insurance, the keynote speaker of the day, outlined the 'TATAness' key characteristics as follows: one must be attuned to the ground, transparent, adept at handling grievances, employee-centric, proactive in their approach to HR reforms, opportunistic in their approach to reforms across all levels, and committed to maintaining a healthy work-life balance.

The International Conference on HR had an impressive start on its first day, featuring ten tracks, each chaired by esteemed experts in the field. These tracks offered various insights and discussions, setting the stage for a rich and informative conference. The first day included ten tracks chaired by Dr. Jatin Pandey, IIM Indore, Dr. Shrihari Sohani, IIM Indore, Dr. Manisha Singh, VIT Bhopal, Dr. Pallavi Pandey, KREA University, Dr. S.C. Das, Dr. Jaganth. G, IIM Jammu, Dr. Mamta Tripathi, IIM Jammu, Dr. Padmavathy Dhillon, IIM Sambalpur, Dr. Shikha Bhardwaj, IIM Sambalpur, Prof. Vidya M. Iyer, SOIL School of business design, Manesar. These tracks encompassed various paper presentations on a wide range of topics related to human resources, providing attendees with diverse insights into the latest trends, developments, and challenges in the HR domain. 

The International Conference on HR aims to be a comprehensive platform for researchers, academicians, and practitioners to engage in meaningful discussions, share their research, and collectively advance the field of human resources. The diverse range of tracks and notable chairs on the first day set a promising tone for the conference, offering a unique opportunity for participants to explore, learn, and network.

During the initial panel of the day, which was moderated by Dr. Mamta Tripathi, Faculty, IIM Jammu entitled "Future Demands – HR Reskilling," the following individuals shared their insights on the subject matter: Mr. Deep Banerjee, Associate Vice President-HR, Godrej Agrovet Limited; Mr. Rupesh Gupta, Senior Director-Human Resources, Snapdeal; Mr. Paramveer Singh Narang, India Head of Talent Acquisition, Capital One; Ms. Tania Rauth, HR Lead, Hindustan Coca-Cola Beverages Ltd; and Ms. Manavi Pathak, Head - Learning and Organisational Development, Samsung R&D; Mr Govind Singh Negi, Head of Talent, Europe and India, Delivery Centre Lead – India, 3Pillar Global. Key takeaways from this discussion were skill enhancement and the interconnection between job and skill experiences for lasting success. They also highlighted the need for candidates who can handle volatile and uncertain situations in today's dynamic world and underlined the demand for agility and rapid growth through the versatile skills of today's generation.

“Adapting to Changing Working Dynamics: Managing Workforce Through a Screen” was the topic of discussion for Panel 2, which was moderated by Dr. Muqbil Burhan, Faculty, IIM Jammu. Panelists examined the opportunities and challenges associated with managing a remote workforce. Ms. Ashwini Panwar, Vice President Workforce Management, Barclays; Mr. Ravi Rangaraju, Senior HR Business Partner, Thomson Reuters; Mr. Amanpreet Kaur, Senior HR Business Partner, Lenovo, and Mr. Yogesh Luthra, Head of Talent Acquisition, IGT Solutions, Ms. Monika Diwan, HRBP Leader, GFK and Mr. Hemant Kumar Ravi, Head of Human Resources, Kantar, comprised the panelists. Key takeaways of this discussion were the emphasis on the importance of honesty, integrity, and knowledge in respective work domains. The panel members reiterated the importance of collaborating with technology, prioritizing professional development, and fostering open communication to build trust, respect, and unity within the workforce. Further, the panel stressed on adapting to the hybrid work environment and acknowledged the limitless possibilities in the dynamic world.

In "Metamorphosis in Business: Gearing Up for Transition in a Post-COVID World," the third panel of the day which was moderated by Dr. Ashish Kumar, Faculty, IIM Jammu, HR's role in assisting organizations through the transition to a new normal in the post-COVID era was examined. The panel consisted of the following individuals: Dr. Swarnpreet Singh, Head Campus Recruitment, Niva Bupa Health Insurance; Ms. Sirisha Tangirala, Human Resource Director, Greenway Health; Mr. Rollince Peter, Director HR, Thermo Fisher Scientific; Ms. Monika Garg, Senior Manager Global HR Operations Support, Fresenius Medical Care, and Mr. Chandrahas Shetty, President Human Resource, Alembic Pharmaceuticals. The panel discussions illuminated the importance of ongoing training and recertification in fostering employee empowerment and organizational development. Collaboration was prioritized over competition during discussions, which also emphasized the value of social interaction. Panellists reiterated that it is vital to cultivate adaptable abilities to satisfy the ever-changing demands of the market. Panel members believed that networking is an asset when it comes to securing the ideal professional position. According to them, the metric utilized to assess productivity is work quality, not screen time. Emphasis was placed on achieving excellence rather than quantifying hours worked. In general, harmony and collaboration are emphasized as fundamental catalysts for the expansion of any organization.

The panel discussions and the International Conference on the first day of HR Conclave 6.0 were a vibrant exchange of ideas, brimming with potential and valuable insights. The panelists consistently introduced fresh perspectives and concepts throughout the event. Attendees left the conference feeling reinvigorated and enlightened, with a renewed sense of motivation and understanding.

The first day of International Human Resource Conference cum Conclave 2023 (IHRCC’23) was a resounding success, creating the basis for an exciting and informative next day of conversations about the future of HR.