This week HR CONNECT was in conversation with one of its esteemed members, HR Practitioner and Academician, Dr. Balakrishnan Parasuram.
Dr. Balakrishnan has 27 years of HR and academic experience and is currently Founding President of Malaysian Industrial Relations and Human Resource Management Institute, Malaysia.
Here are a few snippets from our chat…..
PLEASE ADD A SHORT BIO ABOUT YOURSELF.
I completed my PhD from the University of Wollongong, Australia, MSc (IR/HR) from Sterling University, UK and my Bachelor of Social Science (Hons)(Econs/Development).
I also completed a Diploma in Educationas well as a Certificate in Higher Education and Diploma in High Skill from the (Ministry of HR, Malaysia).
Currently I am the Founding President of Malaysian Industrial Relations and Human Resource Management (HRM) (MIRHA) as well as Research Fellow, National Human Resource Centre (NHRC), Ministry of HR, FELLOW, ANGKASA UMK (AURA).
WHAT IS YOUR CURRENT DESIGNATION?
I am currently a Professor of HRM and IR at Faculty of Business and Entrepreneurship University of Malaysia (Kelantan).
WHAT, ACCORDING TO YOU, IS THE BIGGEST HR CHALLENGE TODAY?
The biggest challenge today, be it in industry or academia is to retain the best talent.
WHAT ARE SOME OF THE CHALLENGES THAT YOU HAVE HAD TO FACE IN YOUR HR JOURNEY?
A lack of employee engagement, employee participation, and loyalty issues. Apathy, complacence and people not working to their full potential.
WHAT DO YOU LOVE MOST ABOUT YOUR JOB?
Teaching and mentoring is my passion and I truly enjoy teaching subjects in Human Resource Management and Industrial Relations, coaching and mentoringaspiring PhD and Masters students and networking with scholars from across the world.
I also enjoy conducting multidisciplinary research and find it very fulfilling and rewarding.
HOW WOULD YOU LIKE ASIAHRM TO SUPPORT YOU IN YOUR CAREER?
By bringing in top HR practitioners from their network for my knowledge-sharing sessions.
By initiating study groups on HR and IR matters.
By assisting in the joint publication of articles on HR and IR.
Organizing joint workshops and webinars between the University of Malaysia (Kelantan) and AsiaHRM.
WHAT ARE YOUR SPECIAL INTERESTS AND HOBBIES?
I enjoy swimming, travelling, reading, writing, networking and meeting new people.
Interview with Mr. Kunaseelan Thooraju
This week, we had a short interaction with one of our senior most members, Mr. Kunaseelan Thooraju, HRDcorp Trainer and HR Leader, Malaysia.
Here are a few snippets from our chat……
YOUR NAME
Kunaseelan Thooraju .
PLEASE ADD A SHORT BIO ABOUT YOURSELF.
I am a passionate Human Resource Professional with 29+ years of experience in all areas of Human Resource Capital Development.
I graduated with a Diploma in Business Management from Cambridge Tutorial College UK in 1995, thereafter completed a BSc Degree in Business Administration from Century University (US) in 1998 and went on to become a Certified Human Resource Manager from MIHRM. I am also a Member of Chartered Institute of Personnel Development (CIPD) and also a Certified HRDcorp Corporate Trainer.
I have worked extensively in the area of Human Resource Development in the Asia Pacific region. I have been SVP HR/Operations and Head of Human Resources for Malaysia and Singapore engaging with diversified Industries such as Insurance, Property Development, Construction, Manufacturing, Engineering, Retail Trading, Food Manufacturing, F&B Services and International Franchise operations.
I have also conducted many internal training s on people development, management and leadership skills, compliance and governance.
My area of expertise lies in implementing effective learning solutions for performance improvement.
WHAT, ACCORDING TO YOU, IS THE BIGGEST HR CHALLENGE TODAY?
Talent retention. The dynamics of the economic scene is fast changing and employees want to move on when there is no clear career growth plan in place. Even the best salary cannot retain them if there is no visibility. In my years of experience, I have seen employees between the age group of 20-35 years moving jobs easily and it is only after the age of 35 that one usually stabilizes in an organization.
WHAT ARE SOME OF THE CHALLENGES THAT YOU HAVE HAD TO FACE IN YOUR HR JOURNEY?
Undoubtedly, retaining talent has been the most difficult task.
WHAT DO YOU LOVE MOST ABOUT YOUR JOB?
Working with people and engaging with them is what I enjoy the most about my job.
HOW WOULD YOU LIKE ASIAHRM TO SUPPORT YOU IN YOUR CAREER?
By engaging more with professionals like us to share our knowledge with upcoming HR personnel by way of conducting trainings in the Asia Pacific region. Going forward, I wish to build my own Learning & Development platform and AsiaHRM can help market those courses.
WHAT ARE YOUR SPECIAL INTERESTS AND HOBBIES?
Reading.
Interview with Mr. Zulhaimee Abdullah
This week, HR CONNECT was in conversation with Mr. Zulhaimee Abdullah, VP HR-Honda Malaysia. Mr. Abdullah is a core Committee member and Country Lead- Asia HRM. He is one of the topmost HR leaders globally today and has a vast number of awards to his credit.
He was awarded the HR Champion award 2021 by World HRD Congress. Also received the 501 fabulous global leaders award in 2020 by the World HRD Congress.
Here are a few snippets from our chat:
YOUR NAME
Che Zulhaimee Bin Abdullah
PLEASE ADD A SHORT BIO ABOUT YOURSELF.
I live in Kuala Lumpur, married with two children .
I started my career in 1992 as a Management Trainee with TM, Global, the largest telecommunications company in Malaysia. Within TM, I assumed a number of roles such as Head of HR and Admin for R and D division, Head of HR for Penang state, Manager- IR and ER and HSE for Northern Region, Head of OD and IR and AGM, as well as HRBP.
My last position with TM was that of AGM, Human Capital Business Partner, TM Global, covering regional offices in the APAC region.
In 2012, I joined Scope International, a subsidiary of SCUK as Senior HR Relationship Manager.
Thereafter joined Proton as Senior Manager IR and Union Management. In 2019, I moved to Honda Malaysia.
My area of expertise lies in people transformation, Union Management, Change Management and Human Capital Development.
WHAT IS YOUR CURRENT DESIGNATION?
VP-HR(Honda Malaysia)
WHAT, ACCORDING TO YOU, IS THE BIGGEST HR CHALLENGE TODAY?
Employees today are way more demanding and it has become extremely important for people managers to focus on employee engagement. Employee experience in the workplace is a key factor that determines attrition/retention and has become more important than ever before. It is sometimes quite challenging to convey this change to the Management.
WHAT ARE SOME OF THE CHALLENGES THAT YOU HAVE HAD TO FACE IN YOUR HR JOURNEY?
It was challenging to deal with the CXOs and top management who thought that they knew more about HR than the HR professionals themselves!
WHAT DO YOU LOVE MOST ABOUT YOUR JOB?
I enjoy coaching and mentoring new professionals and watching them grow in their career.
HOW WOULD YOU LIKE ASIAHRM TO SUPPORT YOU IN YOUR CAREER?
Networking and knowledge sharing
WHAT ARE YOUR SPECIAL INTERESTS AND HOBBIES?
I enjoy travelling to new countries and sight seeing.
Interview with Ms. Jamilah Husain
Your Name
Jamilah Husain.
PLEASE ADD A SHORT BIO ABOUT YOURSELF.
I am a retired corporate sector management consultant and am currently working in strategic planning, corporate governance, and ISO standards in a freelance capacity.
My portfolio of work primarily includes the design and delivery of courses, academic modules and consultancy, writing training materials, and ISO standard documentation. I have also been involved in organizing international seminars for many local and international participants such as (IFTDO, ITU conference, and Trainers conference), and have worked closely with sponsors and speakers for the same.
In 1993, I joined TELEKOM Malaysia in Training and Development. I am a certified ISO 9001 Lead Auditor, ISMS 27001 Auditor, and BMCS Lead Implementer.
During my tenure with TELEKOM Malaysia, I was awarded the Best Trainer, Best Executive, Risk Champion, and TM Group Best Executive.
WHAT IS YOUR CURRENT DESIGNATION?
Retired Training and Development and ISO Consultant.
WHAT, ACCORDING TO YOU, IS THE BIGGEST HR CHALLENGE TODAY?
Getting hold of the right talent
Retaining talent, especially the millennials who are most likely to switch jobs.
To anticipate how long an employee will stay and delegate work accordingly.
Keeping employees engaged and motivated at all times.
Getting employees to participate wholeheartedly in training and upskilling themselves.
WHAT ARE SOME OF THE CHALLENGES THAT YOU HAVE HAD TO FACE IN YOUR HR JOURNEY?
Having to deal with attitudinal problems among staff.
Lack of foresight among employees and getting them to come out of their comfort zone.
Unwillingness to upskill especially in this age of digitalization, where it is of utmost importance to stay updated with technological skills.
WHAT DO YOU LOVE MOST ABOUT YOUR JOB?
I love working with people and sharing ideas and knowledge in the process. I enjoy watching people absorb and improve themselves. I enjoy coaching and mentoring too.
HOW WOULD YOU LIKE ASIAHRM TO SUPPORT YOU IN YOUR CAREER?
I would like AsiaHRM to support its members through engagement, knowledge sharing, and training.
WHAT ARE YOUR SPECIAL INTERESTS AND HOBBIES?
Reading and travelling, exploring new countries and cultures.
