To enhance the interface between the campus and the corporate, Rai Business School Chennai organized a seminar, HR panorama - Innovation'09, "Time to explore" on 21st November 2009 at The Raj Park, 180- TTK road, Alwarpet, Chennai-18.

There were more than 65 practicing HR professionals of different organizations attended the even along with second year MBA students of Rai Business School Chennai. The program started at 9.30 am and went on till 3.30 pm with full attendance. The following Senior Executives in HR from leading corporate companies have led sessions and shared their vast and varied experiences on various topics as below:

1. Key Note address by Mr. G D Sharma, President (HR), BGR Energy Systems Ltd, Chennai.

2. Mr. A.Aravamudhan, COO (HR), Lucas TVS Ltd on 'Role of HR in down-turn scenario.'

3. Mr. Shashikant J, Zonal HR Manager -South, Bajaj Allianz Life Insurance Co. Ltd on 'Talent Management'.

4. Mr. C.Jayakumar, DGM (HRM)-L&T-ECC division Chennai on, 'Developing positive work culture.'

Mr. Cherian Jacob, Director, RBS-Chennai, in his inaugural address elaborated the commitment of Rai Business School at Chennai in extending quality management education to the students through 2 year MBA and 1 year Executive PGP and prepare them for meeting the growing needs of the organizations. RBS has been able to attract reputed companies for the placement of its students.

Mr. G D Sharma in his key note address stressed that there is a need to introspect the role and functions of HR. He emphasized that cracking the employability code is a must for which Employer/Industry-academia interface should be enhanced. He added that we need to bet on people and not only on strategies; we can source all from any part of the world but not HR. He explained some of the value migration to new HR business models and insisted to stop doing things to become more effective and start doing new things and continue to do them. He was of the opinion that Talent is latent-bring them to surface and use through Work -life integration and Employee engagement.

Mr. Aravamudhan covered the following areas: He started by saying that India is transforming from regulated economy to free-economy. It had protected economy prior to 1990 and LPG (Liberalization, Privatization, Globalization) economy after 1990. Moreover Global changes are challenging but offer exciting opportunities and HR like organizations should adopt changes. He strongly mentioned that Economic tsunami swept the world but not India and China. Quoted live examples and happenings such as Past assumptions like "Big can never fail"-proved wrong. E.g.,Lehman bros, Merril Lynch, Morgan Stanley etc., He concluded saying that it is not hardware or software but heartware and the efficiency of the organization is the Zigma of the value of people. His humble request and advice towards the end was to follow Flexi manpower, multi-skillset focus and to validate skills of HR periodically.

Mr. Shashikant J. addressed the gathering on Identifying, retaining and nurturing talent in an organization are the key responsibilities of HR Managers. He very rightly mentioned that "Talents need to be redefined in tune with the changing times". He also added that Talents if not utilized properly will move out and hence Talent discrimination and proper utilization are must.

Mr. C. Jayakumar from his view point spoke that Brand, growth, quality of products/services, culture, values/beliefs, policies are key for employees' pride and retention. Employee engagement through rational and emotional ways lead committed people to "say, stay and strive." He narrated his experience in L & T of choosing the right man for the right job, train them, and facilitate their performance with freedom to produce results. He also suggested that people orientation is more important than technology and do make that possible he advised to identify value drives and make them as part of organizational mission. He highlighted on the prime factors for HR efficiency and named it as 10 C's-connect, career advancement, clarity of vision, convey (feedback), congratulate, contribute, collaborate, credibility, control, confidence.

Prof. Jeevan Gopal, Dean, RBS, released the student's profile (batch of 2008-10) CD for placements and Mr. Jayakumar, DGM, L&T received the first copy.

He also brought to the limelight the value education and exposure given by RBS to its students.

Vote of thanks: By Prof. B.Venkateswaran. He thanked one and all for making the event a successful one.