In 2024, HR teams focused on employee experience, change management, and future work strategy as their strategic priorities. At Terumo India, however, the most significant challenge for the HR function was navigating the complexities of talent retention and attraction, particularly for niche and specialised roles in the competitive healthcare sector.

Ritu Anand Vice President - Human Resources and Corporate Communications Terumo India, shares that talent attraction today goes beyond competitive compensation. “It is about offering meaningful work, clear growth pathways, and a strong sense of purpose.”

Read Also:

Ritu Anand on how Terumo is powered by their people

How rewards became a strategic tool to retain top talent

To ensure employees feel equipped, valued, and supported, says Ritu, Terumo offers targeted skill-building initiatives. “Combined with our Powered by People philosophy, this has enabled us to attract and retain professionals who not only meet the technical demands of their roles but are also deeply aligned with our mission.” 

Driving retention through trust and development

To address the challenges of talent attraction, engagement, and retention, Terumo India focused on several strategic initiatives aimed at empowering associates and building a high-performance culture.

Reflecting on this year, Ritu highlights, that building trust and adopting associate first approach have been the biggest takeaways. She credits focus on learning and development further strengthened engagement and capability building.

The PLCB Program for First-Time Managers fosters collaboration, nurtures a learning culture, and develops future-ready leaders aligned with global core competencies. “These initiatives have collectively enhanced our high-performance culture and will continue shaping our strategy as we aim to create a more inclusive, resilient, and thriving workplace,” explains Ritu.

To foster balance and mental clarity, Terumo encouraged associates to fully disconnect through Initiatives like Mental Health Matters Day. Ritu also highlights YUME, a women’s resource group at Terumo, which fosters career discussions and provides support to drive greater inclusion.

She further adds that wellness programs, like #CommitTobeFit and partnership with CultFit, focused on fitness, mental health, and preventive care through engaging challenges and expert guidance. 

Use of AI in HR: Enhancing human connection 

As Terumo India continues to innovate its HR practices, it also looks ahead to how technology, particularly AI, will shape the future of work. 

Ritu sees AI as a tool, set to reshape HR by driving smarter decision-making, improving personalisation, and streamlining processes. “At Terumo India, we see AI to enhance, not replace human connection.”  According to her, this will help them predict trends like attrition, optimise engagement, and deliver tailored employee experiences. However, they approach AI with care, ensuring data privacy, avoiding bias, and keeping trust and inclusivity at the forefront. “Our focus remains on using AI responsibly, aligned with our core values,” she concludes.