Vijay TN, a dynamic HR leader with over two decade of experience, brings a passion for people cultivated during his early days in customer service. This passion led him to transition into HR, where he steadily climbed the ladder. His expertise spans talent acquisition, employee engagement, performance management, and strategic planning. Prior roles honed his ability to foster positive work environments and align human resource with business goals.
Can you give a brief overview of your career journey, from the beginning to your current role as Vice President Human Resources at Square business services?
As a seasoned Human Resources professional with over 20 years of experience. My career began in customer service, where I transitioned into human resource through internal recruitment. Over the years, I’ve held increasingly responsible roles, start As a seasoned Human Resources professional with over 20 years of experience. My career began in customer service, where I transitioned into human resource through internal recruitment. Over the years, I’ve held increasingly responsible roles, starting as an HR Executive and progressing to Head of human resources. These experiences have provided extensive expertise in talent acquisition, employee engagement, performance management, statutory compliance, and strategic planning. Currently, as Vice President of HR at Square Business Services, I lead the human resource function for a mid-sized BPM in hyderabad. My focus is on developing and driving strategy, cultivating a positive work environment, and ensuring alignment with the company’s business objectives. My career reflects a constant dedication to learning and adapting within the dynamic field of human resource.
Looking back at your career, what lessons learned from previous roles do you find yourself applying most often in your current HR leadership?
My experience in human resource leadership is driven by several core principles. First, I believe in an employee-centric approach, where understanding employee needs and aspirations, coupled with open communication, builds trust and fosters a positive work environment. Second, continuous improvement is paramount. The human resource landscape is constantly evolving, and my adaptability to new technologies, practices, and methodologies ensures I remain relevant and can drive positive change within the organization. Finally, strategic alignment is crucial, by aligning initiatives with the overall business strategy, I guarantee efforts support and enhance company objectives, leading to improved business outcomes. This focus on employee well-being, continuous improvement, and strategic alignment, all informed by data-driven decision-making, contributes significantly to effective leadership. My formula here is CASDE = Communication + Adaptability + Strategic Alignment + Data-Driven Decisions + Empathy = Effective HR Leadership And a firm believer of the following quote by my idol: “Effective leadership is not about making speeches or being liked; leadership is defined by results, not attributes.” – Peter Drucker
In your role as VP of HR, what’s been a particularly challenging situation you’ve had to navigate, and what strategies did you use to overcome it?
Though new at Square Business Services, my prior experience tackling technology challenges is relevant. In a prior mid-sized BPM role, I led a technology initiative to address outdated systems hindering efficiency. A needs assessment with IT led to a robust HRMS implementation, improving talent acquisition, retention, and data-driven decision making through analytics and employer branding. This resulted in decreased turnover, faster hiring, and a stronger employer brand, highlighting the value of technology in achieving positive outcomes.
What are your key strengths in HR management, and how do they benefit the organisations you’ve led?
My core strengths lie in aligning human resource initiatives with business goals for impactful contributions. I foster positive work environments that drive employee engagement, satisfaction, and retention, leading to higher productivity and reduced turnover. I’m passionate about developing future leaders through talent identification and nurturing, building a strong leadership pipeline for sustainable growth. Additionally, my experience in change management allows me to lead smooth transitions, minimising disruptions and maintaining employee morale.
Leading human resource at Square Business Solutions surely requires a lot of energy. What strategies do you employ to ensure you’re recharged and ready to tackle each day?
To ensure sustained effectiveness, I prioritize worklife balance with clear boundaries between professional and personal time. This focus on well-being is complemented by continuous learning through professional development courses, industry publications, and networking within the human resource communities like SHRM and XLRI. Seeking mentorship from experienced professionals further fuels my growth, regular physical activity, like morning walks or gym sessions, maintains both physical and mental well-being. Finally, I leverage effective time management to prioritize tasks, avoiding burnout and ensuring I consistently deliver my best.
Looking to the future, what personal goals are you passionate about pursuing within and outside of work?
As an innovator, I leverage technology and data to enhance employee experiences and foster a culture of inclusivity, collaboration, and continuous learning. My passion extends beyond work to volunteering and education, balanced with hobbies and family time, this approach fuels my professional success. Joining Square Business Services aligns with their mission, my two-year plan focuses on increasing employee engagement (20%) and reducing turnover (15%) through innovative technologies, inclusivity, collaboration, and learning opportunities. Our aligned strategies aim to attract, develop, and retain top talent for sustainable growth, for that i am grateful for the unwavering support and visionary leadership of Ravi Banda, MD and CEO of Square Business Services Pvt. Ltd.
