Session

HR: The burning issue

The HR Summit offered an interesting debate on human resource as a burning issue that dwelled on various issues the Indian hospitality sector is going through. Moderating the session, Aly Shariff, MD - India, Premier Travel Inn, began the session by pondering on India's tourism potential and the scope it offers with an expectation of around 10 million tourists by 2010, leading to development of five-star hotels.

Quoting HVS report, Shariff remarked on the growth of other sectors like BPO and retail that would be vying for positions along with hospitality and would eat into the HR of hospitality. Reacting to this, Rajeev Menon, area VP (Malaysia, India, Pakistan & Maldives) at Marriott International, said, "This is a global scenario and not exclusive to the India market. Planning would be key to tap HR and missing an opportunity would cost the organisations dearly."

Adding to that, Anil Sharma, VP (HR), ITC Hotels said, "Hotels in India are not local but global. Therefore, the supply equation will change which would be decided by the hotel's goodwill and reputation that on any given day will score over the brand."

Movement of talent from one sector to another is expected. HN Srinivasan, senior VP (HR), Taj Hotels Resorts & Palaces, felt that there is a need for talent churn in the process of global representation. Chandan Chattaraj, EVP HR, The Oberoi Group, gave an overview on how one can tackle the HR crunch. He said, "The hospitality growth is an opportunity for us. There is a transition happening. We need to learn from other sectors about HR strategies to handle and address the issue related to retaining and motivation."

The panel discussed retention issues on bringing new talent from other sources and took a global perspective on India as a talent pool. Menon remarked, "HR revolves around an associate, culture, training/multi-skill, offering a global platform for growth."

Raising the issue of training brought up distinct views. Sharma said, "One needs to see the various problems associated with HR as an issue and reality. Hotels need to look within to tackle HR crunch."

The issue of a younger workforce and their aspirations was extensively discussed. Srinivasan advocated the need to classify them into different segments and reward them with opportunities/needs with integrated talent management programmes. The panel debated on the way compensation packages would pave the way for future HR scope for the industry and how critical issues would revolve around creating a talent pool through the right engagement policies and identify the possibility of offering them the right career choices.