‘What do you want to be when you grow up?’ If you engage in a conversation with me, a version of this question will inevitably surface. And I am willing to bet that you will have an answer – one that will likely not match your current career. The good news is that you aren’t … Continue reading Boring Businesses: Trading Ping Pong Tables for Laundromats
Dwindling start-up investments, relentless headcount pressures (read layoffs), and an obsession with productivity metrics clearly demonstrate that there's no running away from our current 'era of efficiency.' As organizations continue to grapple with their largest expense, it’s time to talk about the silver bullet that is supposedly solving this big bulging bill i.e., Agents and … Continue reading Let’s talk about the cost of AI
If you've been following me for a while, you're likely familiar with my podcast, HR Bandit. For those new to the scene, it's a monthly deep dive into the hottest news from the world of work. Every month, my co-host Apoorva and I begin by curating a list of eye-catching stories, then whittle it down … Continue reading Everything that happened in May 2025
As someone who’s always on the lookout for change and experiments, I've often found myself in the grip of an idea so compelling that I can’t shake it off. The longer I sit with it, the more certain it becomes that someone needs to work on it. You may be able to relate - the … Continue reading Great ideas: Knowing When to Hold & When to Fold
In today's business landscape, the pace of change isn't just fast—it's unprecedented. Generative AI has revolutionized business operations, creating opportunities and challenges that seemed like science fiction mere years ago. Meanwhile, geopolitical complexities—from fractured supply chains to escalating trade tensions—demand constant organizational pivots. This isn't simple technological and political disruption—it's a perfect storm of compounding … Continue reading Project Zero: Tackling the Hidden Costs of Accelerating Change
At the start of the year, during the first team meeting, the team leader went round the room asking everyone one thing they are going to start, stop and continue this year – be it at work or outside. As the meeting notes claim, I stated that I would create a 5-year career plan, start … Continue reading 5-Year Career Plan: The Plan About Making the Plan
In 2024, a Gallup survey revealed that twenty-two percent of workers feared their jobs would become obsolete due to technology, up from 15% in 2021. If the study were repeated today, I'd bet that percentage would be closer to twenty-five. Since ChatGPT first shook the world in November 2022, the pace of change has accelerated … Continue reading FOBO: The fear of becoming obsolete
In a significant shift across corporate America, many companies are stepping back from their Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives; but one company is going against the grain having launched a head turning campaign. In February, Elf Cosmetics launched a campaign called So Many Dicks. Turns out, there are more men named Dick (including Richard, … Continue reading Defying Corporate America’s Diversity Retreat
I completed a decade at Amazon on 16th February 2025 and two of the many conversations that followed led to some deep introspection. The first was a discussion with a colleague who joked about now being stuck with the organization for good and being unable to get out (she says she speaks from experience). The … Continue reading Always On interviewing
Recently, I encountered a new term in workforce planning that caught my attention: NNACV (Net New Annual Contract Value). As someone who's been tracking the increasing focus on workforce planning, this shift in headcount accounting intrigued me. In the age of efficiency, it is only natural that the biggest expense on the balance sheet undergo … Continue reading Workforce Planning: HC to NNACV
The HR Business Partner Story 