A lasting impression

On the morning of February 18, 2010, a Mahindra Scorpio picked up 24-year-old Gunjan Shukla and dropped her at office. Soon, a colleague walked up and gave her a rose.

This was no secret admirer's idea of making her day but her first day at work with Mahindra & Mahindra. It was the automotive giant's unique way of saying: Welcome. "It is an HR programme called "first impressions", which allows us to monitor every touch point with a new recruit," says Prince Augustin, Senior Vice President, Human Capital, Mahindra & Mahindra. Employees are asked the simplest questions: were their visiting cards handed to them on time, has the induction program happened, have performance targets been set, among others.

"The idea is to track the employee engagement," says Augustin. Incidentally, Shukla works as an Assistant Manager with the company's "auto passion" programme. It is an initiative to get employees passionate about the automotives business and technology. Quizzes and events are conducted around the country involving all employees. Says Pawan Goenka, President (Automotive Sector), M&M: "Talent management is critical. It is crucial that we chart career paths for employees." Then, there is no room for complacency.