ESSAR Oil HR Head Tells IMT-Nagpur Students: Learn Tried And True Theories And Apply

Online, October 26, 2012 (Newswire.com) - Students at Institute of Management Technology Nagpur got the inside scoop on human resources when Harsh Bhosale, head of human resources for Essar Oil Limited, lectured at the campus Oct. 5.

Bhosale has spent 25 years in the field - in India and abroad in the U.K., China and Vietnam - driving change, implementing performance management systems, building employer brand, implementing HR management processes and dealing with union negotiations.

Outlining gaps existing between theory and practice, he told students how a manager can effectively fill them and said they should try to understand and apply the theories they are learning, rather than challenging them.

The best way to apply theories is to apply them to yourself, he said, then see if they will work for the organization or not, telling students the key to success is to "think small and aim big."

"One must understand the theories taught to him," said Bhosale, "and ensure the application of these theories in your work. This will give you the capability to apply the learning into practice. Believe in your profession and have pride in whatever you do."

To give the IMT-Nagpur students a little hands-on experience, he presented them a case study, highlighting various issues such as lack of communication, feedback, appraisal and induction and asked them to give possible solutions to the various problems.

In a brief interview after the lecture, he again stressed the need to learn theories well and apply them.

"The theories of management have been established after years of research," he said. "They have been tried, tested and challenged for their authenticity. Application of what you have studied is essential, otherwise learning them holds no meaning. Even in carpentry, a carpenter follows a certain theory rather than doing it in a makeshift manner. The same goes for a manager who needs be to more professional in his approach rather than having a casual approach to work."

"Wherever you work, apply theory into practice," he said. "The HR theories can be implemented in areas like marketing and finance, as the lateral theories can be applied in every field."

Human resources can be a very challenging field, said Bhosale.

"Human beings are dynamic," he said. "It is difficult to manage them. In a company, manufacturing and sales are the activities that earn revenue for the firm, but a good employee is an asset to the company that gives long-term returns.

"This is why companies emphasize employee retention and employee engagement," he said, citing the human resource model adopted by Essar for employee engagement and it's three components - 'Say, Stay and Strive'.