Getting the people equation right is the base for success in the insurance business. We are in the people industry and our only ‘raw material’ is people. The short-supply of qualified talent puts immense strain in our industry. Hiring, retaining, motivating best talent are the main business drivers for growth.

In this backdrop, the main HR priorities are firstly to attracting the best talent. As we embark in a growth phase, one of the main HR priorities is to attract high quality talent. We expect to grow by over 50% this year, so the key priority is to grow people capabilities to support this growth. Managing and leveraging diversity is also a strategic objective for the year. In fact, managing and leveraging diversity have been identified as key growth objectives for this year, which also includes sharpening our value proposition as an employer to attract and retain best talent. Our second priority is to build the next generation of leaders. As we move further from a start-up company, we need to build the middle and senior layers in a structured way. The third HR priority for us is to focus on productivity, with a huge attention on employee to productivity ratios. And finally, work towards maintaining our culture and values even as we grow exponentially.

Around 20% of my goals are directly HR goals. Honestly, people are always a big consideration for all business and operational decision in our business. So, more than 50% of my mindshare goes to people and people-related issues. My people goals as CEO are firstly to make sure we maintain the pulse of people and that people are engaged and motivated, and this is measured by the employee satisfaction survey; secondly, ensuring minimal key talent attrition and finally, facilitating development and career plans of my immediate reportees and ensuring that this culture of attention to people’s development cascades down to all levels.

In our organization the HR function has four main goals to support the business. Create and enhance a strong value proposition for talent; focus on employee productivity; provide efficient HR services and enhance our core values and culture in the organization.