The Shape of Work – Details, episodes & analysis

"Find a coach or mentor, embrace failure, stay connected to business changes - keys to HR success."

In this episode of The Shape of Work Podcast, we're honoured to host Aprajita Sud, Head of People Function at Indiagold. With a remarkable career trajectory spanning various HR leadership positions and a diverse educational background, Aprajita shares her profound insights and experiences with us. Let's delve into the conversation!

In this episode, Aprajita Soodbidas, a seasoned HR professional, shares insights on AI integration, psychological safety, and remote/hybrid work models. She emphasizes the importance of mentorship, embracing failure, and leadership development. Her practical advice serves as a guide for HR professionals navigating the evolving landscape of the workforce, highlighting adaptability, empathy, and forward-thinking approaches in human resources.

Episode Highlight

• What are the key emerging trends in the HR landscape?
• How can HR strategies adapt to these changes in job roles?
• What are some strategies for shaping flexible work policies?
• What approaches do industry leaders take to support employee well-being?
• How can HR professionals prepare themselves for the future of work?

Follow: Aprajita Sud

Produced by: Priya Bhatt

Podcast Host:Ipshita Sharma

About Springworks:

Springworks is a fully-distributed HR technology organisation building tools and products to simplify recruitment, onboarding, employee engagement, and retention. The product stack from Springworks includes:

SpringVerify— B2B verification platform

EngageWith— employee recognition and rewards platform that enriches company culture

Trivia — a suite of real-time, fun, and interactive games platforms for remote/hybrid team-building

SpringRole — verified professional-profile platform backed by blockchain, and

SpringRecruit — a forever-free applicant tracking system.

Springworks prides itself on being an organisation focused on employee well-being and workplace culture, leading to a 4.8 rating on Glassdoor for the 200+ employee strength company.

"Prioritize diversity, inclusion, and psychological safety in learning interventions to foster organizational growth and equity."

Today, we're joined by Sindhuja Parthasarathy, an HR Leader, DEIB Consultant, Psychotherapist, and celebrated Photojournalist. With prestigious degrees and dual passions in talent development and documenting human rights through her lens, Sindhuja is a two-time Laadli UNFPA award winner. Join us as we explore her journey across corporate excellence and impactful storytelling, highlighting her advocacy for change in India’s socio-cultural landscape.

In this enlightening episode, Sindhuja Parthasarathy. She advocates for proactive mental health strategies, intersectional DEI solutions, and coaching interventions to drive sustainable change. Through inclusive leadership and technology integration, this conversation navigates the complexities of modern workplace diversity and inclusion, offering strategic insights for leaders and employees alike.

Episode Highlight

• Why proactive mental health support in the workplace?
• What's the essence of an intersectional approach to DEI?
• How does technology, like AI, contribute to inclusivity?
• What's the shift in diversity coaching?
• Why is inclusive leadership critical, especially in hybrid work?
• What strategies support underrepresented groups?

Follow: Sindhuja on Linkedin

Produced by: Priya Bhatt

Podcast Host: Ipshita Sharma

About Springworks:

Springworks is a fully-distributed HR technology organisation building tools and products to simplify recruitment, onboarding, employee engagement, and retention. The product stack from Springworks includes:

SpringVerify— B2B verification platform

EngageWith— employee recognition and rewards platform that enriches company culture

Trivia — a suite of real-time, fun, and interactive games platforms for remote/hybrid team-building

SpringRole — verified professional-profile platform backed by blockchain, and

SpringRecruit — a forever-free applicant tracking system.

Springworks prides itself on being an organisation focused on employee well-being and workplace culture, leading to a 4.8 rating on Glassdoor for the 200+ employee strength company.

"At FuelBuddy, we empower women in the oil and energy sector, offering flexibility, financial independence, and career opportunities. We're transforming lives and fostering inclusivity."

In this podcast, we explore the remarkable career of Neerajj Gupta, the CEO of India Business at FuelBuddy and a Certified Financial Planner. With a background that includes pivotal roles at Ford, Nissan, Barclays, and ICICI Bank, Neerajj brings a wealth of experience. His academic journey encompasses a Doctorate in Business Administration from Golden Gate University and an MBA in Finance from the International Management Institute. Join us as we unravel the insights, challenges, and successes that have defined Neeraj's career in the ever-evolving world of business.

In this episode, unveil the story behind India's doorstep diesel delivery revolution and delve into insights on challenging legal norms and fostering innovation. Discover FuelBuddy's transformative impact on energy distribution, workplace culture, and its commitment to diversity. This episode serves as a blueprint for success in the evolving energy sector and corporate dynamics. Tune in for a compelling narrative on entrepreneurship, innovation, and the future of sustainable energy.

Episode Highlight

• Discusses the recent green light from the Indian government for doorstep diesel delivery.
• Highlights FuelBuddy's edge through the acquisition of a key competitor
• Introduces FuelBuddy's Women Energy Consultant Program for empowerment
• Reflects on FuelBuddy's revolutionary doorstep diesel delivery approach

Follow Neerajj on Linkedin

Produced by: Priya Bhatt

Podcast Host:Archit Sethi

About Springworks:

Springworks is a fully-distributed HR technology organisation building tools and products to simplify recruitment, onboarding, employee engagement, and retention. The product stack from Springworks includes:

SpringVerify— B2B verification platform

EngageWith— employee recognition and rewards platform that enriches company culture

Trivia — a suite of real-time, fun, and interactive games platforms for remote/hybrid team-building

SpringRole — verified professional-profile platform backed by blockchain, and

SpringRecruit — a forever-free applicant tracking system.

Springworks prides itself on being an organisation focused on employee well-being and workplace culture, leading to a 4.8 rating on Glassdoor for the 200+ employee strength company.

“Tomorrow's workplace is going to be diverse. We are talking about generational diversity, gender diversity, sexual diversity. Probably tomorrow with Gen Z's coming on board, you'd have people who would not want to just do your job, they would want to do a gig with you.”

Welcome to another episode of The Shape Of Work Podcast. In this episode, we have Amrita Pandey, HRBP & Lead - DE&I. Amrita Shares her wisdom on the key skills needed for success as an HRBP and the challenges and opportunities in HR.

Amrita has an overall work experience of over thirteen years. She did her Bachelor of Technology from SRM Institute of Science and Technology ad her MBA from the Xaviers Institute of Social Service. She has worked at various organisations throughout her career some of which are Tata Consultancy Services, Nomura, and  Hero MotoCorp prior to her time at Colgate.

Episode Highlights

• Key skills needed for success as a Human Resource Business Partner
• How to measure the return on investment?
• How to balance flexibility with the need for structure?
• What are the biggest challenges and opportunities for HR professionals in the company?

Follow Amrita on Linkedin

Produced by: Priya Bhatt
Podcast Host: Riddhi Agarwal

About Springworks:

Springworks is a fully-distributed HR technology organisation building tools and products to simplify recruitment, onboarding, employee engagement, and retention. The product stack from Springworks includes:

SpringVerify— B2B verification platform

EngageWith— employee recognition and rewards platform that enriches company culture

Trivia — a suite of real-time, fun, and interactive games platforms for remote/hybrid team-building

SpringRole — verified professional-profile platform backed by blockchain, and

SpringRecruit — a forever-free applicant tracking system.

Springworks prides itself on being an organisation focused on employee well-being and workplace culture, leading to a 4.8 rating on Glassdoor for the 200+ employee strength company.

“Profitability is the key, the whole startup ecosystem is evolving in a manner where every manager, every employee, every leader will have to think about profitability and scalability together. So sustainable scalability is the way forward, it cannot be at the cost of profitability.”

In the newest episode of The Shape of Work podcast, we are honoured to have with us Amit Singhi, Director at MFine, an online health organisation that has online consultations and at-home tests to medical delivery and scans. Join us to hear what he has to say about managing sales and the importance of relationships in sales.

Amit Singhi has an overall experience of ten years. He started off his career at SBI Capital Markets as an Associate and later moved on to work at various organisations including ClubYantra where he was a CoFounder, Genecorp where he was a CoFounder and HealthifyMe where he was the Head of Account Management. He did his B.Com(Hons) from St.Xavier’s College Kolkata and his MBA from SVKM’s Narsee Monjee Institute of Management.

Episode Highlights

• How to stay motivated when faced with difficult goals?
• The importance of relationships in sales
• Why are insights so important in sales?
• How will the startup culture evolve in the next few decades?

Follow Amit on Linkedin

Produced by: Priya Bhatt
Podcast Host: Aparajeeta Boro

About Springworks:

Springworks is a fully-distributed HR technology organisation building tools and products to simplify recruitment, onboarding, employee engagement, and retention. The product stack from Springworks includes:

SpringVerify— B2B verification platform

EngageWith— employee recognition and rewards platform that enriches company culture

Trivia — a suite of real-time, fun, and interactive games platforms for remote/hybrid team-building

SpringRole — verified professional-profile platform backed by blockchain, and

SpringRecruit — a forever-free applicant tracking system.

Springworks prides itself on being an organisation focused on employee well-being and workplace culture, leading to a 4.8 rating on Glassdoor for the 200+ employee strength company.

“A good leader should be confident enough and make sure that people all around him or her are happy, and they are not just happy on the face, but realising the fact that they can share things with the person. So they're open to that leader.”

Today’s episode of The Shape of Work podcast features Smriti Aryan, Medical Information Scientist at Fresenius Medical Care Asia-Pacific, the world’s leading provider of products and services for individuals with kidney diseases.In this episode, Smriti sheds light on the difference in work cultures in different countries and the importance of diversity.

Smriti Aryan is a well-versed medical professional who has an overall work experience of over a decade. She has worked at various organisations on a global level. She had worked at the University of Hong Kong as a PHD Researcher, and ROHTO Pharmaceuticals as an Associate Principal Scientist.

Episode Highlights

• The work culture in Hong Kong and how it is different from that of India
• The importance of diversity in the workplace
• Why do leaders need to give space to their employees?
• Why is Communication important in today's world?

Follow Smriti on Linkedin

Produced by: Priya Bhatt
Podcast Host: Archit Sethi

About Springworks:

Springworks is a fully-distributed HR technology organisation building tools and products to simplify recruitment, onboarding, employee engagement, and retention. The product stack from Springworks includes:

SpringVerify— B2B verification platform

EngageWith— employee recognition and rewards platform that enriches company culture

Trivia — a suite of real-time, fun, and interactive games platforms for remote/hybrid team-building

SpringRole — verified professional-profile platform backed by blockchain, and

SpringRecruit — a forever-free applicant tracking system.

Springworks prides itself on being an organisation focused on employee well-being and workplace culture, leading to a 4.8 rating on Glassdoor for the 200+ employee strength company.

“Building equity helps create a sense of belonging, fostering engagement and supporting personal and professional commitments.”

The newest instalment of the Shape of Work podcast highlights the challenges that we see in the HR workspace and its future. Our guest for this episode is Darshika Chandra Khare, Head HR- Pharmaceuticals India and South Asia at Johnson & Johnson, the largest and most diversified healthcare products company in the world. Producing life-changing breakthroughs every day.

Darshika is an HR veteran, having an experience of over fifteen years. She has worked at many well-known organisations such as HDFC Standard Life Insurance, Godrej Industries, Nature’s Basket, etc. She did her Bachelor’s Degree from Isabella Thoburn College, did a student exchange program at the University of Applied Science in Germany, and her MBA from Goa Institute of Management.

Episode Highlights

• Challenges and future of HR workspaces
• Diversity and inclusion in the industry
• How to balance work and life?
• The importance of motivating yourself

Follow Darshika on Linkedin

Produced by: Priya Bhatt
Podcast Host: Hashmita Tarasinghani

About Springworks:

Springworks is a fully-distributed HR technology organisation building tools and products to simplify recruitment, onboarding, employee engagement, and retention. The product stack from Springworks includes:

SpringVerify— B2B verification platform

EngageWith— employee recognition and rewards platform that enriches company culture

Trivia — a suite of real-time, fun, and interactive games platforms for remote/hybrid team-building

SpringRole — verified professional-profile platform backed by blockchain, and

SpringRecruit — a forever-free applicant tracking system.

Springworks prides itself on being an organisation focused on employee well-being and workplace culture, leading to a 4.8 rating on Glassdoor for the 200+ employee strength company.

“A company can put out as much information as possible, or drive this particular culture, but if we don't have employees to participate in that culture, then it doesn't make a difference.”

In today’s episode of The Shape of Work podcast, our guest talks about the top technology trends that will catch up as organisations adapt to the new world of working. We have Jasmine Norris, Director, Human Resources and Culture at eSimplicity- an engineering firm that delivers high-quality Healthcare IT, Cybersecurity, and Telecommunication solutions. Jasmine has been in the HR industry for over 25 years now, and has worked in companies like Manheim and Amentum.

Episode Highlights

• Strategies that can enable a healthy work culture
• How can organisations build an inclusive work culture?
• Top technology trends that will catch up as organisations adapt to the new world of working

Follow Jasmine on Linkedin

Produced by: Priya Bhatt
Podcast Host: Archit Sethi

About Springworks:

Springworks is a fully-distributed HR technology organisation building tools and products to simplify recruitment, onboarding, employee engagement, and retention. The product stack from Springworks includes:

SpringVerify— B2B verification platform

EngageWith— employee recognition and rewards platform that enriches company culture

Trivia — a suite of real-time, fun, and interactive games platforms for remote/hybrid team-building

SpringRole — verified professional-profile platform backed by blockchain, and

SpringRecruit — a forever-free applicant tracking system.

Springworks prides itself on being an organisation focused on employee well-being and workplace culture, leading to a 4.8 rating on Glassdoor for the 200+ employee strength company.

“AI and machine learning are the skills that are happening, and not just that, in your future for survival, you really need to have these skills and understand how these technologies work.”

The newest instalment of the Shape of Work podcast highlights the challenges that candidates face today while they prepare for interviews. Our guest for this episode is Sophronia S, Human Resource Director at Reshamandi- India’s first and largest B2B marketplace digitising the natural fibre supply chain.

Sophronia has around 14 years of experience in HR functional areas especially Manpower Planning, Recruitment, Vendor Management including HRM, Organization policies, Employee Relations, Rewards & Recognition, Performance Management administration, Compensation and Benefits. She did her PGDHRM from Symbiosis Centre for Distance Learning and has worked in companies like Ocwen Financial Solutions Pvt. Ltd and NET HR.

Episode Highlight

• The changes in the role of HR directors from the past
• Strategies to adopt to make sure that the company retained its workforce
• Challenges that candidates face today while they prepare for interviews
• What are the skills that budding professionals must have in them according to the current trends?

Follow Sophronia on Linkedin

Produced by: Priya Bhatt
Podcast Host: Archit Sethi

About Springworks:

Springworks is a fully-distributed HR technology organisation building tools and products to simplify recruitment, onboarding, employee engagement, and retention. The product stack from Springworks includes:

SpringVerify— B2B verification platform

EngageWith— employee recognition and rewards platform that enriches company culture

Trivia — a suite of real-time, fun, and interactive games platforms for remote/hybrid team-building

SpringRole — verified professional-profile platform backed by blockchain, and

SpringRecruit — a forever-free applicant tracking system.

Springworks prides itself on being an organisation focused on employee well-being and workplace culture, leading to a 4.8 rating on Glassdoor for the 200+ employee strength company.

“India is definitely open to diversity, equity and inclusion work, but it's just happening like a seasonal or occasional event and it is more event-based; it is not on a people development base. There is definitely a lot of scope, organisation can reassess what they want to do with diversity or with DE&I”

This latest episode of The Shape of Work introduces our listeners to Lakshmi Sreenivasan, Founder at The Outcast Collective, a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion consulting and advisory firm. The Outcast Collective was started with a mission to bring those individuals on the margins to the centre. In this episode, Lakshmi talks about making an organisation completely inclusive and how to handle the concept of DE&I.

Lakshmi has an overall work experience of a decade and has worked at Square Sequel Consulting and LS Learning Systems before her time at The Outcast Collective. She did her B.Com from the University of Madras, her PGDBM from ICFAI, her Masters of Psychology in Indira Gandhi National Open University and her PGTFT from Tata Institute of Social Sciences. She is also a Erickson Certified Coach and has done Design Thinking from MIT Sloan School of Management.

Episode Highlights

• How to adapt to the concept of DE&I?
• How to make an organisation completely inclusive?
• Best practices for addressing unconscious bias in the workplace
• The role of technology in accelerating the DE&I agenda

Follow Lakshmi on Linkedin

Produced by: Priya Bhatt
Podcast Host: Archit Sethi

About Springworks:

Springworks is a fully-distributed HR technology organisation building tools and products to simplify recruitment, onboarding, employee engagement, and retention. The product stack from Springworks includes:

SpringVerify— B2B verification platform

EngageWith— employee recognition and rewards platform that enriches company culture

Trivia — a suite of real-time, fun, and interactive games platforms for remote/hybrid team-building

SpringRole — verified professional-profile platform backed by blockchain, and

SpringRecruit — a forever-free applicant tracking system.

Springworks prides itself on being an organisation focused on employee well-being and workplace culture, leading to a 4.8 rating on Glassdoor for the 200+ employee strength company.