Pallavi Gera | Deputy General Manager-Corporate HR Lead | DCM Shriram Ltd.

Pallavi Gera is the Deputy General Manager-Corporate HR Lead, an exciting and multi-dimensional role at DCM Shriram. Not only have her talent development strategies resulted in a stronger leadership succession pipeline, but it has also reduced attrition for her business unit. 

The organisation overall also witnessed a significant increase in employee engagement scores, given the implementation of a new rewards framework with holistic wellness as one of its pillars. Driven with the vision to ensure that HR responds more effectively to organisational needs, she also led the implementation of the delegations of authority for HR teams resulting in increased efficiency. 

Beginning: Choosing HR as a passion 

“HR just happened to me, but what kept me going is the potential this role has to influence people and to co-create a sustainable organisation,” shared Pallavi. Indeed, a simple and powerful statement to highlight what drives her to excel in this career. 

Creating impact and battling the challenges

Recruiting and retaining top talent continues to be one of the greatest challenges. At DCM Shriram, Pallavi shared how they infused multiple programmes, ranging from early career talent which prioritised campus hiring, and a functional leadership programme which focused on lateral hires and aggressive retention tools. 

Simultaneously, they also identified employees with the potential to achieve new heights in the next 1-3 years and fast-tracked their development. As for high performers stuck in the same role for the past 3-4 years, the agenda was centred around job rotation and job enrichment. 

These strategies indeed yielded results, resulting in internally closed leadership positions and higher engagement scores for high-potential employee cohorts. 

However, along with these targeted efforts, Pallavi also emphasised the rise of AI, digitisation, hybrid work models and increasing government interventions through EGS. Leaders and organisations have no choice but to think beyond profits and numbers because, after all, we are shifting towards a world where generalist skills will be more valued than specialist skills. Undoubtedly, mindsets must shift to accommodate and address the new-age trends of a dynamic landscape of people and work.

Journeying with Are You In The List Awards

For Pallavi, the experience with People Matters Are You In The List powered by Aon felt like investing time in herself. It wasn’t just a competition, rather it was a journey that encouraged her to self-reflect across the multiple stages. The assessment report and feedback session highlighted her strengths and focus areas, while the CHRO coaching session left her with some excellent actionable takeaways to implement in her career moving forward. 

What’s next?

Pallavi is as strong as her emotions, mindset and thoughts. They guide her day in and day out to work towards her goals and move on from setbacks. As she braces herself for the coming months, we asked about her vision for 2024. 

“In 2024, HR will be a data-driven strategic partner to business, fostering an inclusive and agile workplace that embraces technology,” she insightfully shared. 

To get to know the experiences of all the People Matters Are You In The List winners, follow the #AreYouInTheList.