C-Suite
India Inc doubles down on getting the gender mix right
Naina Lal Kidwai, chairperson of Rothschild & Co, who is also on the board of directors of Biocon and UPL, said one of the big factors fuelling this change is ESG reporting. Companies, especially the larger ones, are seeking ratings from global firms like Moody’s where one of the questions being asked is around diversity and inclusion. Indian companies also need to disclose Business Responsibility and Sustainability reporting besides adhering to integrated reporting where ESG etc, is being integrated into annual reports.
The rising importance of the chief trust officer
Businesses are emphasizing trust by appointing a Chief Trust Officer (CTrO) to oversee trust-building initiatives. This role involves assessing trust levels within and outside the organisation, focusing on domains like corporate culture, compliance, and customer experience.
Can leaders show profitability and sustainability together?
SAP conducted a sustainability study revealing 86% of Indian organizations see a link between sustainability and profitability. Manish Prasad emphasizes sustainability's importance for business success.
MNCs now offer best salary package to seasoned professionals to scale up their GCCs in India
Industry leaders report that multinational corporations are offering substantial compensation packages to recruit experienced professionals for their global capability centers (GCCs) in India. Over the past two years, there has been a noticeable increase in GCCs offering annual salaries ranging from Rs 3-6 crore to specialized leadership talent.
Talent demand in EV segment drives in new roles and contract hiring
The electric vehicle (EV) industry is booming, creating a demand for diverse skills and expertise. Opportunities span technical, leadership, and operational roles. Contract staffing is playing a crucial role in meeting the industry's needs, with a focus on talent development and agile solutions. Leaders face challenges in talent acquisition and navigating industry dynamics amidst rapid advancements.
Senior-level IT services hiring in 2024 focuses on new-age skills
IT services and global market conditions impact senior-level hiring with pay hikes expected. Roles in finance, consulting, and program management are in demand. Companies hiring for roles like chief AI officer, delivery head-AI, and CFOs. Skills in cloud computing, machine learning, and data engineering are sought after. Gartner forecasts $5 trillion IT spending in 2024, with India's IT spending growing.
Company boards are getting younger, but balancing vitality with expertise is key to success
Organisational leadership is evolving with younger individuals joining company boards in the dynamic startup landscape. While they bring fresh perspectives and innovation, challenges arise from limited experience in governance. Diverse boards with a mix of young and experienced members are crucial for informed and adaptable strategies for long-term success.
Over 86% senior execs using AI for driving revenue growth: TCS study
86% of senior business leaders, per TCS study, use AI for revenue growth. 45% expect half their workforce to use Generative AI in 3 years. Harrick Vin notes AI solutions deployment challenges. 57% executives are excited about AI impact. Enterprises are moving towards wide-and-deep AI adoption.
Why hiring functional heads needs special attention in today’s age
Functional unit leaders require diverse skills like agility, credibility, emotional intelligence, and problem-solving abilities. Companies seek individuals with global leadership experience, focusing on succession planning and market positioning for external hires.
India Inc helping more wonder women get C-suite superpowers
At Accenture, 29% of the leaders in India are women. Diageo India has 30% women in senior leadership. In the last few years, Marico's efforts have pushed women into close to 30% of leadership roles. PepsiCo is looking at 40% women in the India leadership team by next year. Larsen & Toubro handpicked 495 women employees to undergo leadership development programmes in the last few years.
Must Watch
Auto Industry ramps up C-suite hiring amid post-pandemic sales surge
The Indian automobile industry is experiencing a surge in hiring for C-suite executives from diverse consumer-facing sectors to address a talent shortage at the top level amid a post-pandemic sales rebound. Over the past 12-18 months, senior executives from FMCG, consumer durables, and retail backgrounds have transitioned to carmakers like Maruti Suzuki, Bajaj Auto, and TVS Motor Company, traditionally known for hiring engineers and technology experts.
Foreign lands turn hunting ground for CXO search companies
Global CEO and CXO searches by Indian companies and MNCs focus on specialist roles in high-tech sectors like automotive and pharmaceuticals, emphasizing expertise in data centers, cloud computing, and EV technologies. Returning Indians are sought for their industry knowledge.
Non-compete clauses: Unenforceable under law, but companies love them
While Indian law is clear on the unenforceability of a non-compete clause operating beyond the term of employment, companies still include it in contracts, particularly for senior executives, as it’s seen as a soft deterrent, said Jay Parikh, partner at Luthra and Luthra Law Offices. Employees would rather comply than bear litigation costs and carry the burden of being sued by their previous employer.
Focus on digital health leads to emergence of new roles in healthtech
The healthtech sector is experiencing significant growth in 2024, with a focus on digital health creating new roles. Despite challenges like funding winter and cost efficiencies, employment in healthtech has increased by 74% over the last two years. Key positions in demand include software developers, data scientists, and sales managers, with a preference for skills in Python.
More and more Indian companies ramp up background checks on C-suite
Indian companies discreetly monitor CEOs and key personnel through ongoing background screening, focusing on governance, fraud risk, legal liabilities, and regulatory compliance, with costs ranging from ₹1.5-7 lakh.
Gender diversity still a long way away among CFOs as women still remain underrepresented
Despite gender diversity efforts in India, women are underrepresented in CFO roles. Challenges include bias, retention issues, and supply-side constraints. Companies struggle to retain high-potential women, impacting women's rise to top finance roles.
