RIL goes big on nurturing talent ahead of Jio launch

New Delhi: Ahead of the launch of telecom venture Jio and completion of $33 billion capex cycle, Mukesh Ambani-led Reliance Industries is focusing on HR transformation with aim to motivate, engage, and retain talent.

Driven by Hital Meswani, Ambani's key executive and executive director on RIL board, the programme of 'Celebrate Careers' revolves around recognising best practices and accomplishments of employees, rewarding them and celebrating their career.

"Our R-HR (Reliance-Human Resource) Transformation journey has picked up phenomenal pace in the last one year," Meswani said in a note to employees.

'Celebrate Careers' is about celebrating life at work.

The owner of the world's largest oil refinery complex launched R-Voice, a radio engagement programme for employees to voice their opinion, which he described as a move towards making Reliance "a listening organisation".

"The participation rate of 81 percent confirmed your unwavering support in helping Reliance gain insights into what our colleagues are thinking and feeling - what is working well and where we need to focus our attention on engaging you better," he wrote.

The company this month is launching 'Manager Best Practices' through R-Radio - an innovative digital platform where employees can listen and learn from the best practices adopted by some of its managers.

"Following R-Radio, we will continue to support our leaders and managers with two additional tools to help them develop people management skills. These learning tools include suggested courses and articles on employee engagement and a communication playbook that will provide practical approaches for enhancing communications within teams," he added.

Ashwani Dahiya, senior vice-president, RIL, said, "We launched our RIL-Samman recognition programme last month... We have been evolving and making changes for nearly a year."

The company worked with OC Tanner for the HR best practices.

Ty Brown, MD India, OC Tanner, said, "Any transformation needs time. We understand and see Reliance taking some steps in the right direction."

Appreciation, he said, is the most underutilised leadership lever, but cost-effective too.

Zubin Zack, Director & Chief Recognition Strategist, links the success of the programme to concrete measurement parameters.
"We integrate these with education of managers to know more about how an appreciation culture can improve productivity and allow leading teams more effectively," Zack said.