CEO Insights Magazine

The HR role has expanded over the last several years, from a personnel and employee information manager to a department that is responsible for everything from conventional and necessary operations like payroll to the creation of crucial strategic aspects like top management development. The HR division has progressed a long way, and it now encompasses much more than just keeping the employees motivated. HR experts are regarded as strategic partners within an organization,with this domain establishing a place at the table with the other C-level stake holders and executives. Sharanya Govind, the Director of Concord Technologies' Human Resource Department has worked in the HR industry for over a decade and has witnessed the industry evolve. Starting her professional career as a Recruiter with Accenture Services, throughout the years, Sharanya has worked with a variety of large well established companies as well as startups. Having accumulated a wealth of skills and expertise in HR operations over the years, Sharanya has first hand experience with how HR can contribute to the growth of a company. Below is an excerpt of Sharanya’s interview with CEO Insights.

What inspired you to start your professional journey in the HR domain and what drives you today?
For over two decades, I have been part of this HR department. Throughout my career, I've worked with businesses of all sizes, from start ups to high growth enterprises. Like many others in the industry, I began as a recruiting professional and rapidly advanced to greater responsibilities. Eventually, it meant taking on a more strategic role in assisting firms in developing talent and retention policies. That breadth of experience prepared me well for my current position at Concord Technologies. This forward thinking,

compassionate, and competitive company is one of the fastest growing cloud fax firms in the United States. We also have a big and rising employee presence in India, and with solid backing from the company leadership team, I have been able to effectively work on HR concerns with my U.S. Counterparts.

How would you define Concord Technologies and its position in the market?How does your company differentiate itself from the competition?
For more than 20 years, Concord Technologies has been a pioneer in secure, scalable, and dependable cloud fax technology. Concord's consistent focus on service and support has helped it retain a solid market position and exceptional client retention. Also, Concord's expansion is powered by its position as an industry leader in the development of artificial intelligence solutions that drive data extraction, categorization, and routing to optimize workflows and improve efficiency.

You have worked in the HR industry for more than a decade and at a variety of firms. What were the challenges you had to overcome to achieve this level, and what is your success mantra?
Large corporations often require a long time to adopt new or revised HR policies and they may also regard HR as a department with limited value. Concord, on the other hand, adopts a completely different strategy. When it comes to establishing policies that increase employee happiness and retention, this organization gives us all the flexibility we could want.

When it comes to dealing with problems, my mantra is to think creatively.In addition, when it comes to implementing and analyzing HR best practices, I adopt a much more strategic approach. Also, I believe in

working hard to develop and maintain a solid professional network and I am pleasantly surprised by the amount of support and advice I receive as a result of keeping those connections.

What has been your response to the challenges posed by pandemic? How would you describe your role in tackling those challenges?
COVID has proven to be a difficult phase for everyone in HR. Concord was able to not only survive but also prosper, largely owing to effective regulations and more regular review intervals. We were among the first organizations to deploy a work from home system, and we soon created regulations that assured employees received the emotional and financial support they needed to be happy and productive. We analyzed, established, or modified policies such as internet reimbursement, remote office equipment reimbursement, compensated COVID lead, financial support, and many more.

Going forward, what are the changes in market behaviour that you anticipate, and what are the opportunities that you foresee as a leader?
The IT market is evolving at a rapid pace, and new firms backed by large investors are creating ripples in the industry and propelling it forward. This seems to have an impact on the recruiting process by making it extremely difficult to attract and retain top performers. Concord has been able to solve this by adjusting to quick market changes and providing the amenities that potential workers need, such as a hybrid work environment. This continual activity, I believe, positions our organization well as the industry continues to grow and experience swings and resets.

Sharanya Govind, Director - Human Resource, Concord Technologies
Sharanya completed her MBA in Human Resources from M.O.P Vaishnav College for Women. Sharanya has worked for a number of major corporations including Accenture, Siemens Hitachi and Daimler and is presently the Director of Human Resources at Concord Technologies.