Nandini Poddar | Manager - International Head HR | OYO Hotels and Homes

Nandini Poddar, who is the Manager - International Head HR at OYO Hotels and Homes has been streamlining and automating HR functions to enhance organisational effectiveness, bolster talent retention, and optimise people management costs. Nandini describes herself as a resilient individual who wants to face challenges head-on, both in her personal and professional life. She has been laser-focused on fostering a culture of continuous learning and development at OYO by facilitating collaboration within the HR team, benchmarking industry best practices, and leveraging data analytics for data-driven decision-making.

Why She Picked HR?

Nandini chose a career in HR because of her strong people skills, sense of empathy, and a passion to make work environments positive. Her strong communication skills, understanding of human psyche, and interpersonal skills have enabled her to make a meaningful impact in her role. Combining her knowledge with her skill set, she has designed and implemented HR initiatives that contribute directly to organisational success, improve employee skills, simplify performance management, and boost productivity. She also believes in empowering her team members through mentoring and embracing HR innovation.

Exploring Infinite Possibilities 

Nandini believes that attracting and retaining top talent is the biggest challenge that HR faces today. She is acutely aware of the highly-competitive job market and wants to proactively address the ongoing and future shortage of specialised skills requirements. To this effect, she has spent considerable efforts to build a strong employer brand that showcases the organisation's unique culture, values, and opportunities for growth. “Through various marketing channels, including social media, job portals, and company websites, the HR team at OYO is effectively communicating the organisation's commitment to employee development, work-life balance, and a supportive work environment. This not only helps attract potential candidates but also influences the decision of current employees to stay with the organisation.”

She believes that HR leaders also need to implement a comprehensive compensation and benefits framework, recognise the importance of career growth and development, and conduct regular employee feedback surveys.

Looking back, she reiterates that the biggest learning so far this year has been to embrace the remote and hybrid work models to effectively support employees. Integrating technology with business and HR processes has helped prioritise employee well-being and work-life balance by cultivating a positive and high-performing team. Furthermore, she also found creating an inclusive workforce, leveraging newer working models, and fostering sustainability and corporate social responsibility is vital to finding skilled professionals.

Journeying With Are You In The List Awards

Participating in the People Matters Are You In The List Awards powered by Aon has helped Nandini understand her strengths better, improve leadership skills, and enhance strategic thinking. The awards came at an introspective juncture that allowed her to recognise areas of excellence and scope for development. “The feedback I received during the evaluation served as external validation of my strengths and accomplishments. The recognition and appreciation I received through the award reinforced my confidence and belief in my capabilities, inspiring me to continue honing my leadership skills and taking on new challenges with conviction.”

In conclusion, Nandini informs that the awards have helped widen her network, learning opportunities, and motivation. Engaging with peers and industry leaders has also inspired her to set higher goals and strive for continued excellence in her role as a leader. The evaluation process encouraged her to seek opportunities for upskilling and executive coaching to further hone her abilities.

Envisioning the future of HR 

Nandini wants to make herself and her team more resilient by solving challenges, learning new skills, and implementing innovative ideas. For 2024, she envisions HR to be a strategic partner that leverages technology, fosters inclusivity, prioritises employee wellbeing, for organisational success by building a positive work culture.

To gain new perspectives and innovative ideas on streamlining HR processes, follow the #AreYouInTheList.