We understand that tech. is going to be a key driver of growth for food businesses across the world and we acknowledge the need. We are in process of deploying software’s and technology to enable the efficiency in a phased manner. We have SAP and HRMS implemented and will be going ahead with adopting modern tech. to enhance customer touch points in days to come.
1. Please tell us something about your early days & career story.
Prashant is a well-rounded HR professional who has 16+ years’ experience in field of HR. He has worked with companies like Videocon, Haier Appliances, ICICI Prudential and Sun Pharma. Currently He is Chief HR Officer of and heading HR and Training of Absolute Barbeque Pvt. Ltd. Also know as AB's. AB’s is a buffet restaurant chain which is headquartered in Hyderabad, India. Company started in 2013 and currently employs 2000+ people. It operates 50+ outlets in India & Dubai.
I hail from a small village in Madhya Pradesh and like many others children in those areas, my schooling also happened in tribal schools with almost no access to library or complete set of course books. I was more inclined towards Art and culture, but science looked a better option as it was told to me that I can appear for medical exam at later stage and that will assure me a living.
I went on completing my B.Sc. in Hindi medium from a college where there was no line of sight to my next move. By this time, I was also sure that I wasn’t very keen on studying medical. However, in pursuit of doing something meaningful in life and having a better living standard, I went to Indore city where some friends of mine suggested that I should appear for test conducted by AIMA (All India Management Association) and I could do MBA. I listened to them, participated in exam and secured a seat in a college affiliated to Pune University.
Honestly, first semester was gone deciphering the lectures as I came from Hindi medium. Nonetheless, I picked up quickly and completed the degree with respectable marks. My first job happened at Videocon (a conglomerate of those times) and that is where learning started. Since I was hungry to learn and wanted to cover up the lot of lost ground in less time, I jumped many jobs in my initial days. Here the focus was learning the best practices and to be surrounded by people who you can learn from. This strategy paid off well. During this journey I also learnt that there is no alternate to Hard work and dedication.
Another important aspect which I must mention was Staying hungry all the time until today. I still feel that there is lot to learn, and I am still the same old Hindi medium boy who has to cover a lot of lost ground. God is also kind to those who keep trying.in last 16 + years of my career, I got opportunity to work with great Industry leaders in the consumer durable, Insurance, Retail and Pharma space. Currently I head HR for a food retail organisation who has vision to go for IPO in next few years’ and I am enjoying each bit of it.
2. Why did you decide to be in the food industry?
It was year 2010 when I was looking to work with an organisation which was recognised as great places to work for. I felt that such place will immensely help me learn the best HR practices. With these thoughts in mind, I joined Jubilant foodworks (master franchise of Domino’s Pizza in India, Nepal and Bangladesh). I spent almost 7 years with company and realised that food industry is place full of action.
7. Which is your favourite book & why?
Another important aspect which I must mention was Staying hungry all the time until today. I still feel that there is lot to learn, and I am still the same old Hindi medium boy who has to cover a lot of lost ground. God is also kind to those who keep trying.in last 16 + years of my career, I got opportunity to work with great Industry leaders in the consumer durable, Insurance, Retail and Pharma space. Currently I head HR for a food retail organisation who has vision to go for IPO in next few years’ and I am enjoying each bit of it.
2. Why did you decide to be in the food industry?
It was year 2010 when I was looking to work with an organisation which was recognised as great places to work for. I felt that such place will immensely help me learn the best HR practices. With these thoughts in mind, I joined Jubilant foodworks (master franchise of Domino’s Pizza in India, Nepal and Bangladesh). I spent almost 7 years with company and realised that food industry is place full of action.
Each level in organisation across functions, gets close encounter to floor operations and that really helps you build your career as a through professional. If an HR person is not able to hire on time, it has straight line impact on your revenue and results are not long term but real time.
3. What are some of the day to day business challenges that you face & how do you overcome them?
In my current role my challenges are multi-field. I am responsible for building organisation block by block and also set up the culture at the same time. It is a challenging job. Food retail is labour intrinsic business and availability is always a challenge. Resultant, here hiring happens first and then you marry the new hires with culture. By the time you desire to see the desired results, your 60-70% of population has changed. Through out this, one has to remain positive and focused. Our plans are to create a sustainable model of hiring and also work on our internal food preparation to be automated to best possible extent and reduce dependence of trained manpower.
4. What are some of the global trends in the HR industry that can pave for growth in India as well?
I think post pandemic, which is still around, Employee Well being will take a first seat in HR priority list globally. Employees are likely to choose organisation who focus on work life balance, facilities covering not only employees but their families and have a sustainable business model. HR in particular will have a challenging task to establish these EVP’s going forward.
5. How do you leverage software & technologies for business efficiency?
We understand that tech. is going to be a key driver of growth for food businesses across the world and we acknowledge the need. We are in process of deploying software’s and technology to enable the efficiency in a phased manner. We have SAP and HRMS implemented and will be going ahead with adopting modern tech. to enhance customer touch points in days to come.
6. How important is supply chain management for the food industry & how in your opinion can it be improved?
Ohh..this is super important. In-fact SCM is backbone for the food Industry. Timely procurement and distribution of raw material is key to your successful floor operation. In order to improve the SCM for any food business, It is important to arrive at the needed architecture. Volumes will tell you whether you need to have your own commissary setup or need to have it outsourced.
3. What are some of the day to day business challenges that you face & how do you overcome them?
In my current role my challenges are multi-field. I am responsible for building organisation block by block and also set up the culture at the same time. It is a challenging job. Food retail is labour intrinsic business and availability is always a challenge. Resultant, here hiring happens first and then you marry the new hires with culture. By the time you desire to see the desired results, your 60-70% of population has changed. Through out this, one has to remain positive and focused. Our plans are to create a sustainable model of hiring and also work on our internal food preparation to be automated to best possible extent and reduce dependence of trained manpower.
4. What are some of the global trends in the HR industry that can pave for growth in India as well?
I think post pandemic, which is still around, Employee Well being will take a first seat in HR priority list globally. Employees are likely to choose organisation who focus on work life balance, facilities covering not only employees but their families and have a sustainable business model. HR in particular will have a challenging task to establish these EVP’s going forward.
5. How do you leverage software & technologies for business efficiency?
We understand that tech. is going to be a key driver of growth for food businesses across the world and we acknowledge the need. We are in process of deploying software’s and technology to enable the efficiency in a phased manner. We have SAP and HRMS implemented and will be going ahead with adopting modern tech. to enhance customer touch points in days to come.
6. How important is supply chain management for the food industry & how in your opinion can it be improved?
Ohh..this is super important. In-fact SCM is backbone for the food Industry. Timely procurement and distribution of raw material is key to your successful floor operation. In order to improve the SCM for any food business, It is important to arrive at the needed architecture. Volumes will tell you whether you need to have your own commissary setup or need to have it outsourced.
Understanding the cost involvement, quality and quantity availability will also matter. In a large operations it makes lot of sense to have your own commissary setup to have consistency of price, quality and availability. However, in case food operations is smaller, your dependency is ought to be on external supplier In such a scenario, keep a tab on price index, inflation, proper forecasting, long term price block, alternate vendors for each SKU’s etc.
7. Which is your favourite book & why?
Panchatantra – an ancient Indian collection of interrelated animal fables. The five tantras or Bheda’s (Mitra Bheda, Mitra Labha, War and Peace, Loss of gains and Rash deeds) are still so relevant in all walks of life. If one is able to keep these basics intact, rest become so easy.
.jpeg)
0 Comments