‘Managing people has become a business’:

HR professionals add value to business

Ramani Kangaraarachchi

Globally, organizations see a shortage of talent as the greatest challenge for growth, because those who have mastered the skills are in short supply,” said the Sri Lanka Association for Software and Services Companies (SLASSCOM) Project Chairman HR Summit 2009, Ishan Dantanarayana.

He was speaking at the inaugural HR Summit 2009 at the Hotel Galadari yesterday.

He called upon HR professionals to add value to the business by advising on attracting, developing and retaining talents in a world faced with an IT revolution.

Today the IT and BPO industry is the fifth largest export revenue generator in the country with the potential to reach the top position and new technologies, new networking cultures and new competencies are required to succeed, he said.

IBM Ltd India, Executive Director, Human Resources, Aquil Busrai delivering a lecture on “Leveraging talent during tough times and the key role of communication” said that HR managers are the voice of people in decision making and they play a bridging role between the organization and employees which is very important.

Managing people has become a business and the time has come to take HR to the next plane.

Busrai said that Capital is a main advantage for organizations because technology makes a big difference in the marketplace and those who have Capital can buy the technology.

Head of Management Development and Rand D Unit, Larsen and Toubro, India, Dr. P. Sethu Madhavan outlined the importance of EQ in setting the right attitude.