Winning Secrets: Diversity is more than a policy at Danone India; it permeates the culture

GK Rajkumar, HR Director India & ISEA HRBP Sales, Danone India, affirms that inclusivity is not just a buzzword for Danone; it is a way of life.

Danone India is a nutrition food product company dedicated to bringing health through food to as many people as possible. 

The 11^th edition of the HR Excellence Awards, Singapore (2023) saw Danone India winning the Bronze award for 'Excellence in Crisis Management Planning'.

On this milestone, HRO catches up with GK Rajkumar, HR Director India & ISEA HRBP Sales, Danone India, where he affirms that inclusivity is not just a buzzword for Danone; it is a way of life.

Q Congratulations on your top performance at the HR Excellence Awards! How has your HR and people strategy contributed to your success this year?

First and foremost, our dedication to employee engagement has been the bedrock of our success. Regular feedback sessions and comprehensive wellbeing programmes have allowed us to create an environment where employees feel valued, heard, and supported. This approach has significantly elevated overall job satisfaction, fostering a committed and motivated workforce ready to tackle even the most challenging circumstances.

Furthermore, our focus on talent development is a source of pride. We've implemented a clear career progression framework that empowers our employees to acquire and refine essential skills. This investment ensures that we have a talented and adaptable workforce capable of effectively handling any situation.

In times of crisis, adaptability and resilience are paramount. Our HR strategy has centered on promoting agility, preparedness, and flexibility. This approach enabled us to respond swiftly and effectively during critical moments, such as the pandemic, and to develop and execute robust crisis management plans.

In essence, our HR and people strategy, founded on the principles of engagement, talent development, and adaptability, has been the driving force behind our achievements in crisis management planning. It reflects our unwavering commitment to our employees and our dedication to cultivating a resilient, empowered workforce prepared for the unexpected.

Q Looking back at your achievements, what aspect of your HR initiatives are you most proud of and why?

We take immense pride in our commitment to diversity and inclusion. Our focus on fostering an environment where every employee is valued, respected, and afforded equal opportunities is a cornerstone of our HR initiatives. We consider diversity to be more than just a policy; it's a core value that permeates our organisational culture.

Inclusivity is not just a buzzword for us; it's a way of life within our organisation. We've created an environment where differences are celebrated, and all voices are heard. This inclusive culture not only boosts morale and job satisfaction but also leads to better decision-making and problem-solving.

Our commitment to diversity and inclusion is a source of immense pride because it represents our dedication to societal values, promotes innovation, and ensures that every member of our team has an equal opportunity to thrive and contribute to our collective success.

Q During your HR journey, what were some significant obstacles you faced, and how did you overcome them to achieve excellence?

Our HR journey has been marked by significant obstacles that have tested our resilience and adaptability. One of the most notable challenges was the sudden transition to remote work prompted by the global pandemic. It required swift and effective responses to ensure the wellbeing, productivity, and continued connection of our workforce.

To overcome this obstacle, we implemented comprehensive remote work policies, invested in technology to support virtual collaboration, and fostered open and transparent communication channels. We ensured that employees had the tools and resources they needed to work effectively from home. Moreover, we focused on wellbeing initiatives to support mental and emotional health during a challenging period.

Additionally, we enhanced our crisis management plans to address unforeseen disruptions more effectively. These experiences underscored the importance of agility, adaptability, and proactive planning in HR practices.

By embracing these changes and focusing on resilience and preparedness, we not only overcame obstacles but also emerged from them stronger, more adaptable, and better prepared for future challenges.

Q How does your organisation measure the success and impact of your HR initiatives?

Our organisation employs a multifaceted approach to measure the success and impact of our HR initiatives. 'Danone People Survey' is a pivotal element of our evaluation process. This survey provides valuable insights into our employees' sentiments, enabling us to gauge their satisfaction, engagement, and overall experience within the organisation. In addition to this, we closely monitor attrition rates to assess retention and turnover trends, which are indicative of the overall health of our workforce. We also utilise talent development metrics to gauge the effectiveness of our programmes, tracking skills development and promotion rates.

Diversity and inclusion benchmarks are crucial in measuring our progress in creating an equitable workplace. They allow us to assess the impact of our initiatives in fostering a diverse and inclusive environment.

Furthermore, feedback from employees, managers, and department heads provides qualitative insights into the effectiveness of our HR initiatives.

By integrating the Danone People Survey and these key performance indicators, we obtain a comprehensive overview of the success and impact of our HR initiatives, enabling us to make data-driven decisions and continually enhance our practices. 

Q In what direction do you see the HR/people function evolving in the future, considering the emerging trends?

At Danone, we are undergoing a transformative journey in light of the recent launch of the 'Danone Impact Journey'. As part of our 'Danone Renew' strategy, the company reframed its sustainability journey, articulated around three pillars: health, nature, and people & communities.

HR will be instrumental in integrating these principles into our talent acquisition, development, and retention strategies. Diversity and inclusion remain the cornerstones of our organisational culture, fostering an inclusive workplace where all voices are heard and valued. Learning and development programmes play a crucial role in preparing the workforce to meet the evolving needs of our business and society.

We are also emphasising employee wellbeing, mental health, and work-life balance. We are poised to lead the way in this transformative evolution, recognising the integral role of our people in achieving our sustainability objectives.

Read more interviews on why organisations have won trophies for their HR practices - head over to our Winning Secrets' section!

Lead image / Provided by Danone India