Conversation With Samra Rahman, Head of People and Culture, Hero Vired Fosters Equity and Inclusion
Samra comes with 20+ years of solid experience in the human resource function and has been associated with Centum Learning for 5.5 years, which has been part of Bharti Group and is now taken over by upGrad. Her exposure to the ed-tech sector will be an added advantage for Hero Vired.
Additionally, she is an employee advocate who champions staff wellbeing and designs strategies to attract and retain critical talent in a highly competitive market. She graduated from Jesus and Mary College and post-graduated from DU and XLRI.
Q- How does Hero Vired ensure timely HR service delivery amidst evolving work landscapes?
At Hero Vired, we ensure timely HR service delivery amidst evolving work landscapes by adopting a customer-centric approach. We always put ourselves in our employees’ shoes to assess situations from their perspective.
We ask ourselves if we would appreciate delayed salaries or reimbursements and this simple yet effective strategy keeps us aligned with our employees’ needs.
By understanding our own expectations as employees, we ensure that our HR services, such as salary disbursement and reimbursements, are executed promptly and efficiently.
This empathetic approach helps us adapt to diverse work cultures and tailor our communication to meet our team’s varied needs.
Q- What initiatives foster equity and inclusion within Hero Vired’s culture?
At Hero Vired, fostering equity and inclusion within our culture is a cornerstone of our organizational ethos. Our initiatives are deeply embedded in our core values and operational strategies.
One of the most prominent examples of our commitment to equity and inclusion is the composition of our leadership team, which comprises 50% women.
This balanced representation goes beyond mere numbers; it reflects our dedication to creating a diverse and inclusive environment at all levels of our organization.
Moreover, women constitute 30% of our total workforce, a statistic that underscores our commitment to gender diversity and equity. At Hero Vired, we believe that diversity extends beyond gender.
That’s why the only differentiator we recognize is performance. This approach ensures that all our employees, regardless of their background, are valued and evaluated based on their contributions and achievements.
By implementing these initiatives, we strive to create an environment where all employees feel valued, respected, and empowered to reach their full potential.
Our commitment to performance as the sole frame of reference fosters a culture where meritocracy prevails, and equity and inclusion are not just ideals but lived realities.
Q- How do you balance technology and human-centric approaches?
At Hero Vired, we harmonize technology and human-centric approaches by integrating them seamlessly into our organizational framework. The advent of advanced technologies like Chat GPT has become pivotal for our employees, transforming how we operate and interact within our workspace.
We perceive technology as an indispensable boon, one that should be leveraged to improve and enhance the quality and output of our work, not as a replacement for human interaction but as a complementary tool.
In our view, there’s no dichotomy between technology and human-centric approaches. Instead, we believe in using technology to augment our human capabilities, making our processes more efficient and enabling our employees to focus on more strategic, creative, and interpersonal aspects of their jobs.
This balance ensures that while we stay at the forefront of technological advancements, we remain grounded in our human-centric values, fostering a culture where technology enhances our human interactions rather than replacing them.
This approach not only improves our operational efficiency but also enriches our organizational culture, promoting a more engaged and productive workforce.
Q- What are your strategies at Hero Vired for attracting and retaining diverse talent, and their impact on innovation and success?
At Hero Vired, our strategies for attracting and retaining diverse talent are deeply intertwined with our core values of ensuring work-life balance and maintaining an open culture. We understand that a diverse workforce is crucial for fostering innovation and driving success.
To attract diverse talent, we emphasize our commitment to work-life balance, recognizing that this is a key factor for many individuals in choosing an employer.
We offer flexible working arrangements, promote a healthy work-life integration, and ensure our employees have the space and time to fulfill their personal and professional responsibilities. This approach not only attracts a wide range of candidates but also demonstrates our commitment to their well-being.
Maintaining an open culture is another critical strategy. We encourage open communication, collaboration, and the sharing of diverse perspectives. This environment allows all employees to feel valued and heard, fostering a sense of belonging and inclusion.
By valuing different viewpoints, we spur creativity and innovation, as diverse teams are better equipped to solve complex problems and generate new ideas.
The impact of these strategies on innovation and success is clear. By attracting and retaining diverse talent, we create more dynamic teams that bring a variety of perspectives and solutions to the table.
This diversity of thought leads to higher creativity, better decision-making, and ultimately, greater innovation and success for our organization.
Q- Concluding remarks, if any?
Hero Vired’s commitment to fostering a supportive, flexible, and inclusive work environment is central to our organizational strategy. By prioritizing well-being, work-life balance, and open communication, we not only attract and retain diverse talent but also create a culture of innovation and success.
Our approach demonstrates a deep understanding of the evolving work landscape and our employees’ needs. Through continuous assessment and adaptation, we ensure that our strategies remain effective and aligned with our core values, driving forward both individual and organizational growth.
Thank You, Samra!
