Putting People First in a Digital World | Elizabeth Matthew | Head of LeaD (Leadership and Diversity) | TCS | Sudeep K | VP-HR | TCS
In a world that is constantly evolving, businesses need to keep pace with technological shifts while maintaining a focus on their most valuable assets: their people. Every technological disruption presents an opportunity for growth, not just for enterprises but also for their workforce.
Digital transformation is more than just the adoption of new technology. It calls for a profound shift in organizational attitudes, behaviors, and cultural norms. As a globally recognized digital transformation enabler, Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) recognizes the value of a workforce that is connected and driven by a shared vision and purpose. ‘Engagement with Purpose’ forms the cornerstone of TCS’ employee engagement strategy. It focuses on the holistic well-being of employees, including health, lifelong learning, career development, social collaboration, and community service. By addressing multiple dimensions of employee life, TCS helps foster a sense of purpose that extends beyond the workplace, enabling holistic development for all 600K+ employees across 55 nations.
Empathy remains a key focus in all employee initiatives of TCS. A culture of coaching and mentoring has helped employees network effectively and feel a sense of belonging towards creating a collective systemic shift. The pioneering TCS Cares program for emotional well-being offers peer care support, one-on-one counseling, a 24/7 helpline, manager sensitization workshops, self-harm prevention resources, and empowerment programs. TCS also promotes social and physical wellbeing through programs such as Fit4Life, Yoga, and Purpose4Life, fostering meaningful connections and engagement among employees across all geographies.
Organizations need to recognize the importance of equipping its workforce with the skills necessary to thrive in an environment of rapid technological change. As artificial intelligence (AI) becomes increasingly central to the IT industry, TCS is focused on building the world’s largest AI-ready workforce with every employee being GenAI-ready by 2025.
Continuous learning is a way of life at TCS. Employees are encouraged and incentivized to make use of the extensive learning and certification opportunities. Programs like TCS Elevate, a learning-based talent transformation initiative, are designed to nurture problem-solvers. It enables a closer relationship between learning, skills development, career progression and compensation. It reinforces our belief that top talent exists everywhere. Calibrated to cater to all levels, nearly 70 percent of our employees have been part of the Elevate journey so far.
A diverse workforce brings to the table a rich tapestry of perspectives and cognitive abilities, serving as a wellspring of innovation and ideas. The #OneTCS spirit not only unifies employees across geographical and cultural boundaries towards a common goal but also aligns them with the company’s vision for the future.
TCS’ people-first approach has stood the test of time. The past four years have been a period of unprecedented transformation and resilience for the organization in the face of the pandemic, the Great Attrition, and the Great Hiring Wave. TCS not only survived but thrived, emerging stronger, only because of its commitment to making people the front and center of its strategies; prioritizing health, well-being, and safety of its people, while ensuring business continuity.
As we navigate the complexities of the digital age, the TCS story serves as a powerful reminder that even as we embrace technological advancements, the heart of any successful organization remains its people. TCS’ people-centric strategies offer valuable insights for organizations worldwide to grow and evolve in an increasingly technology-driven world, while holding on to the human element.