Just like a heart keeps humanity alive in the world, human resources (HR) keeps humans at the centre of the business world. Nitin Prabhakar Deshpande had been an engineer by the mind; however, in his heart, he always felt compassion for the human element in the machine-oriented field of manufacturing. Thus, when Nitin entered the industry with an engineering qualification and initially worked in project management. Over the years, due to his inclination and involvement, he was given the opportunity to take on an additional role as a Management Representative to implement a Quality Management System (QMS). He led the transition from ISO 9001:1994 to ISO 9001:2000 in a short period, simplifying systems and procedures and making system as a way of working than any additional work. Following this, he was assigned to lead the Safety Management System audit team, with a focus on improving safety awareness and practices. The audit methodology was based on the British Safety Council’s Five-Star Safety Management Audit System.
Subsequently, Nitin headed a Knowledge Management Cell, where he initiated activities to convert the hard-earned, tacit knowledge within the organization into a comprehensive Body of Knowledge, ensuring it remained within the company. During this time, he was also a key member of the Business Reengineering Cell, working on drastic process reviews and the elimination of unproductive processes, including workflow and plant operations.
Guiding Manufacturing into a New Era
Following globalization in the 1990s, Nitin helped install sophisticated plants supplied by European manufacturers, which featured state-of-the-art plant control systems. Recognizing the need for skilled engineers, he began developing manuals for the engineering function. Later, he took on the responsibility for the Learning & Development (L&D) function, eventually leading the full role as Sr. General Manager in Human Resource Development (HRD). Considering the workforce’s average age and educational background, a Total Productive Maintenance (TPM) program was initiated as part of Employee Engagement, where Nitin, as secretary of the TPM organization, facilitated the change through TPM.
During this period, he also wrote several engineering manuals, including TISERA (Technical Integrity, Safety & Engineering Reliability Audit), Instrumentation Engineering & Standard Installation Practices, and a book titled ‘Industrial Management & Engineering Economics’ published by Arihant Publications. Nitin had the opportunity to work on and contribute to new business areas, gaining an understanding of complete business processes, all while finding the work both challenging and fulfilling.
For Nitin, the business of HR is business. He believes that the HR function serves as the heart of the management system. As he often states, “Corporate ethics drive the company, and it is the backbone of any company’s existence.”
Driving Corporate Ethics at Every Step
Later Nitin joined Cooper Corporation Pvt Ltd, in a corporate role as CHRO. As custodian of human capital, he emphasizes the importance of employee involvement, transparency, and a commitment to quality in every endeavor. He strongly believes that organizations are built on trust, a principle that must be reinforced through all programs and practices. “Employees must be considered part of the larger family,” Nitin insists, “and progress is only possible when we take everyone along.”
He frequently cites the words of Chairman & Managing Director, Shri Farrokh Cooper, who believes in teamwork and often says that as captain of the team, he couldn’t have achieved anything without the collective efforts of everyone.
The Business of HR is Business
The HR landscape is continually evolving. Sharing the USPs that make Cooper Corporation one of the best transformational manufacturing companies, Nitin says, “We believe the business of HR is business! As I said, best quality and on-time delivery across the globe is our USP.” They export more than 50% to the USA, Europe and many other countries. Access to new markets and new products has made them expand their business -new product range as well as new products. A committed, local workforce where more the 400+ employees are working for more than 25 years is their strength, he adds.
Often recognized as a driving force behind Cooper Corporation, Nitin shares his approach to inspiring leadership. He has always been an organizational-minded individual, even from his school days. He believes that people need direction and active involvement within an organization. He emphasizes the importance of empowering individuals to make decisions and handle adverse situations. The situational leadership model has greatly influenced his career, guiding his approach. Nitin advocates for participative leadership, involvement in decision-making processes, and openness, all of which he believes contribute to creating a natural leadership pipeline within an organization.
Creating a Sense of Pride
The essence of future HR transformation lies in innovation, disruptions, and enhancing the end-user experience. At Cooper Corporation, they believe that customer delight is paramount and that a customer’s business concerns must be their own. Techniques such as Total Productive Maintenance (TPM) and Six Sigma are utilized to optimize waste and improve operational efficiencies without compromising customer satisfaction.
They also emphasize the importance of sustainability and Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). The company continuously strives to integrate sustainability into its business operations and engages in CSR activities focused on development rather than welfare. These initiatives aim to create a sense of pride within the surrounding community.
Digitalization and technological advancements are crucial aspects of the modern HR ecosystem. Nitin shares that most of their people processes are digitalized. It not only increases the efficiency of the HR function but ensures employee satisfaction for day-to-day processes. Adapting newer technologies further saves on cost and time. The e-LMS ensures you get the return on your learning and development efforts, he explains. The HR Vendor Management and visitor management application ensure seamless integration with specific led-down processes and real-time data and MIS availability. The Continuous digitization of processes and adapting technological changes like AI, Industry 4.0 is the future, “And we are moving in that direction.”
Cornerstone of Success
Nitin ardently believes that the workforce is the cornerstone of their success as an organization. Cooper Corporation operates in the rural areas of South Maharashtra, fostering a culture of employee involvement, uniqueness, and empathy. Its focus on skill evaluation, grading, and upgradation ensures that employees feel a strong sense of belonging to the organization.
Nitin and his management team firmly believe in the critical role of human capital in creating and multiplying organizational value, recognizing that great things are often achieved by ordinary people. Their people strategy is built around fundamental values, emphasizing a collaborative culture, performance-oriented HR systems, effective industrial relations through a unique workers model, a strong focus on skill development, and the building of systems and professionalism.
Solving Labour Sensitive Issues
As a leader in the manufacturing sector, Nitin shares the challenges they face. “Our industry is labour incentive, and getting labour to perform manual work is becoming difficult.” The employees do not want to move to towns and see their future in metros and urban areas. This was a challenge to expansion, which Nitin and his management team overcame by offering a better environment, wages and welfare schemes to the workers. Providing them with an opportunity to upgrade from unskilled to skilled helped them raise their earning capacity and enhanced their status in society.
An Advice to the Aspirants
Businesses are a way for the Indian industry to pace up its economic potential and capacity. In his advice to budding entrepreneurs aspiring to enter his industry, Nitin says they need not focus on services or newer technologies. There is enough space for newer ideas in Indian manufacturing to innovate. Finding the needs, market and right solution will help them settle in the venture, provided that they have the perseverance to keep going against all odds. India, to become the third largest economy, will primarily be dependent on more GDP from manufacturing activities.
Fostering an All-Inclusive Future Progress
Divulging his company’s vision, Nitin says, “We have a historical legacy; we want to grow to help India grow. We are continuously expanding in new products and are coming up with more aluminium products, newer engines, and agricultural tractors, as well as venturing in new auto component products besides expanding in CI and SG cast Iron range.”
These future expansions will need a larger workforce with a high aspiration to grow. Adapting newer systems, balancing work and life, and creating career growth opportunities will be new challenges. Increasing female participation in the manufacturing industry will provide them with new avenues for financial independence. HR systems and processes will obviously be required to align with the aspirations of the new workforce, he concludes.
