Ankur Sawhney is the Group People & Culture Director for 7-Eleven at DFI Retail Group, overseeing the people strategy for 7-Eleven operations across China, Hong Kong, Macau, and Singapore. With over 15 years of HR leadership experience, he has led organisational design, culture transformation, and change management initiatives, building high-performance teams and driving business impact.

Earlier in his career, he spent over a decade at Procter & Gamble, holding multiple HR leadership roles, including Director of HR for Supply Chain in Vietnam, where he managed a workforce of over 1,600 employees across Southeast Asia.

In this episode, Ankur shares his journey from engineering to HR leadership across multiple countries and companies, including Procter & Gamble. Delve into the priorities for modern HR, such as talent management, career breaks, and the interplay between organizational culture and technological advancements. Get insights into how retail and FMCG industries differ in employee management and learn about the skills necessary for future-proofing businesses.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction

00:57 Ankur's Career Journey in HR

04:34 The Value of Career Breaks

07:21 Key People Priorities in Retail

09:32 Building and Sustaining Company Culture

17:06 Future Skills and Differences between Retail and FMCG

23:51 The Ideal Workplace of the Future

31:25 Rapid Fire Questions and Conclusions

Resources

[Free] Get this episode key insights here: https://blog.engagerocket.co/the-hr-impact-show/driving-cultural-change-and-engagement-in-retail-ankur-sawhney

Connect with Ankur Sawhney: linkedin.com/in/ankur-sawhney-0a35628

Connect with Dorothy Yiu: linkedin.com/in/dorothy-yiu

Youtube: youtube.com/@TheHRImpactShow

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/the-hr-impact-show

Thank you for tuning into The HR Impact Show. Don't forget to hit Subscribe! If you enjoy the show, please leave us a 5-Star Review and share with your friends.

Are you hungry for more? Join our HR Impact Community for monthly insights from global HR leaders and event invites: https://www.engagerocket.co/hrimpact

About The HR Impact Show

Join top global people leaders for honest conversations about how to build and transform high-performing cultures.

Hear from CHROs and HR experts from global and world-renowned organisations as they share their top people analytics tips, leadership journeys, lessons and challenges while navigating the complexities of transformation and the multi-generational and diverse cultures in Asia.

Hosted by Dorothy Yiu, EngageRocket's CEO & Co-founder and Fung Tai, EngageRocket's VP of Customer Success.

Norbert Modla is the Vice President of Human Resources for Greater Asia at Becton Dickinson (BD), a leading global medical device company. With a career spanning the U.S., Europe, and Asia, he has led HR transformation, M&A, and digital innovation initiatives across diverse industries. He also spent over 8 years in consulting, driving large-scale change initiatives. Norbert's passion lies in developing high-functioning organizations and fostering talent, drawing parallels to putting together a winning sports team.

Join Dorothy Yiu in conversation with Norbert Modla, VP of HR for Greater Asia at Becton Dickinson, as they discuss redefining performance and potential in HR. Norbert shares his journey from economist to HR leader and how BD’s “fit for role” framework aligns talent with strategy. They dive into how AI enhances talent development and how BD’s innovative onboarding connects employees with the company’s impactful work. Gain insights into managing change, fostering agility, and creating a high-performing, future-ready workforce.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction

01:01 Welcome to the HR Impact Show

01:23 Guest Introduction: Norbert Modla

01:56 Norbert's Journey into HR

02:56 The Importance of Deep Involvement in HR

03:57 Challenges in HR Transformation

04:42 Managing Change and Talent Development

07:35 Scaling HR Practices with AI

08:09 Cascading Company Vision to Ground Level

22:26 Adapting HR Strategies Across Cultures

27:09 Future of the Workplace

33:58 Rapid Fire Questions and Conclusion

Resources

[Free] Get this episode key insights here: https://blog.engagerocket.co/the-hr-impact-show/fit-for-role-norbert-modla

Connect with Norbert Modla: linkedin.com/in/norbert-modla-2a372913

Connect with Dorothy Yiu: linkedin.com/in/dorothy-yiu

Youtube: youtube.com/@TheHRImpactShow

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/the-hr-impact-show

Thank you for tuning into The HR Impact Show. Don't forget to hit Subscribe! If you enjoy the show, please leave us a 5-Star Review and share with your friends.

Are you hungry for more? Join our HR Impact Community for monthly insights from global HR leaders and event invites: https://www.engagerocket.co/hrimpact

About The HR Impact Show

Join top global people leaders for honest conversations about how to build and transform high-performing cultures.

Hear from CHROs and HR experts from global and world-renowned organisations as they share their top people analytics tips, leadership journeys, lessons and challenges while navigating the complexities of transformation and the multi-generational and diverse cultures in Asia.

Hosted by Dorothy Yiu, EngageRocket's CEO & Co-founder and Fung Tai, EngageRocket's VP of Customer Success.

Benjamin Festin is the Vice President of Human Resources at SP Group, with nearly 20 years of HR leadership across diverse industries. He has led talent strategy, organisational design, and change management initiatives, driving workforce transformation and business impact. Previously, he held key HR leadership roles at Dairy Farm Group and Mediacorp, leading executive development and culture transformation. Earlier in his career, he specialised in change management and human capital advisory at Accenture and Ernst & Young, supporting organisations across Asia-Pacific.

Join Fung, VP of Customer Success at EngageRocket, in this insightful episode of the HR Impact Show featuring Benjamin Festin, Vice President of Human Resources at SP Group. Discover how to foster engagement, lead transformative change, and build future-ready teams leveraging data. Ben shares his journey in HR across diverse organizations and reveals practical strategies for embedding future thinking, agility, and technology in the workplace. Learn about SP Group's initiatives, including leadership competency refreshes and technical skill enhancements, and dive into the role of AI and predictive analytics in HR.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction

00:38 Welcome to the HR Impact Show

01:02 Guest Introduction: Benjamin Festin

01:46 Benjamin's Career Highlights

02:51 Leadership Competency Changes

04:28 Engagement and Difficult Conversations

08:19 Building a Supportive Work Environment

12:42 Future-Proofing the Workforce

20:48 Embracing Technology and AI

24:23 The Ideal Workplace of the Future

31:01 Rapid Fire Questions with Benjamin Festin

Resources

[Free] Get this episode key insights here: https://blog.engagerocket.co/the-hr-impact-show/debunking-hr-myths-embracing-change-benjamin-festin

Connect with Benjamin Festin: linkedin.com/in/benjamin-festin-ihrp-sp-a4761a70

Connect with Fung Tai: linkedin.com/in/fungtai1801

Youtube: youtube.com/@TheHRImpactShow

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/the-hr-impact-show

Thank you for tuning into The HR Impact Show. Don't...

Vanessa Iloste is the Vice President of Human Resources at Sephora Asia, with over 20 years of HR leadership across the retail and luxury sectors. She has driven HR strategies that enhance business performance, employee engagement, and cultural transformation across diverse markets. Previously, she held key roles at LVMH and Société Générale, leading leadership development, omnichannel transformation, and DEI initiatives. With an MBA from ESSEC Business School, Vanessa is passionate about building inclusive, high-performing teams and fostering innovation in HR.

In this episode, Vanessa Iloste discusses the future of workplace relationships, the importance of creating an experiential workforce, and the value of learning agility. Vanessa shares her 27-year journey in HR across Asia's retail and luxury sectors, touching on key career highlights and strategies for building a culture of continuous learning and inclusivity.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction: Building the Workplace of the Future

01:26 Welcome to the HR Impact Show

01:47 Guest Introduction: Vanessa Iloste

02:24 Vanessa's Career Journey and Highlights

06:04 Encouraging a Career in HR

08:39 Career Transitions and Working Identities

15:48 Leadership and Learning Agility

24:45 Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at Sephora

28:08 The Ideal Workplace of the Future

34:16 Rapid Fire Questions and Final Thoughts

Resources

[Free] Get this episode key insights here: https://blog.engagerocket.co/the-hr-impact-show/inclusive-experiential-work-cultures-vanessa-iloste

Connect with Vanessa Iloste: linkedin.com/in/vanessa-iloste-4a30a537

Connect with Dorothy Yiu: linkedin.com/in/dorothy-yiu

Youtube: youtube.com/@TheHRImpactShow

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/the-hr-impact-show

Thank you for tuning into The HR Impact Show. Don't forget to hit Subscribe! If you enjoy the show, please leave us a 5-Star Review and share with your friends.

Are you hungry for more? Join our HR Impact Community for monthly insights from global HR leaders and event invites: https://www.engagerocket.co/hrimpact

About The HR Impact Show

Join top global people leaders for honest conversations about how to build and transform high-performing cultures.

Hear from CHROs and HR experts from global and world-renowned organisations as they share their top people analytics tips, leadership journeys, lessons and challenges while navigating the complexities of transformation and the multi-generational and diverse cultures in Asia.

Hosted by Dorothy Yiu, EngageRocket's CEO & Co-founder and Fung Tai, EngageRocket's VP of Customer Success.

Jayaram Philkana is the Chief Human Resources Officer at Indorama Corporation, with over 33 years of global HR experience across the pharmaceuticals, biotech, agriculture, FMCG, and food sectors. Known for driving transformative people strategies, he has led HR operations across 12 countries, spearheaded global transformation programs, and aligned talent with business goals to achieve long-term impact. His career spans senior roles at Syngenta, Glenmark Pharmaceuticals, UPL Limited, and Cargill, with expertise in talent development, organizational effectiveness, and executive rewards. A dedicated mentor, Jayaram is passionate about empowering young adults, particularly from underserved backgrounds, to realize their potential.

In this episode of the HR Impact Show, host Dorothy Yiu, CEO and co-founder of EngageRocket, holds an insightful conversation with Jayaram Philkana (JP), the CHRO of Indorama Corporation. JP emphasizes the importance of clarity in achieving alignment between an organization's vision and its workforce. He delves into the concept of 'Talent to Value' to highlight how organizations can focus talent management efforts on roles that create the most value.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction

00:53 Welcome to the HR Impact Show

01:13 Guest Introduction: Jayaram Philkana (JP)

01:38 JP's Professional Journey and HR Philosophy

03:15 The Strategic Value of HR

03:58 Ensuring Clarity in Organizational Goals

05:30 Sustaining Clarity Amidst Change

06:48 HR Transformation at Syngenta

09:00 Talent to Value: Focusing on High-Impact Roles

10:17 Identifying and Nurturing High Potentials

14:27 Balancing Talent Development and Performance

17:44 The Role of Compensation in Talent Management

20:39 Promoting Growth Mindset in Leadership

25:43 The Future of Work: Hybrid and Distributed Leadership

30:58 Advice for HR Professionals

34:50 Rapid Fire Questions with JP

39:46 Final Thoughts

Resources

[Free] Get this episode key insights here: https://blog.engagerocket.co/the-hr-impact-show/talent-to-value-jayaram-philkana

Connect with Jayaram Philkana: linkedin.com/in/jayaramphilkana

Connect with Dorothy Yiu: linkedin.com/in/dorothy-yiu

Youtube: youtube.com/@TheHRImpactShow

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/the-hr-impact-show

Book Recommendation: “How to Win Friends and Influence People” by Dale Carnegie

Thank you for tuning into The HR Impact Show. Don't forget to hit Subscribe! If you enjoy the show, please leave us a 5-Star Review and share with your friends.

Are you hungry for more? Join our HR Impact Community for monthly insights from global HR leaders and event invites: https://www.engagerocket.co/hrimpact

About The HR Impact Show

Join top global people leaders for honest conversations about how to build and transform high-performing cultures.

Hear from CHROs and HR experts from global and world-renowned organisations as they share their top people analytics tips, leadership journeys, lessons and challenges while navigating the complexities of transformation and the multi-generational and diverse cultures in Asia.

Hosted by Dorothy Yiu, EngageRocket's

Vanessa is a strategic HR leader with over 20 years of experience driving business success by empowering people and fostering innovation. As Senior Vice President of Global Human Resources at ST Engineering, she leads talent management and supports teams in creating smart urban solutions.

Previously, Vanessa held leadership roles at AbbVie, LVMH Group, and Target Corporation, gaining global expertise across HR and commercial functions. An adjunct faculty member and INSEAD graduate, she is passionate about shaping future HR leaders and turning human capital into a competitive advantage.

In this episode, Vanessa Teo shares her journey navigating career transitions from merchandising to HR, highlighting the pivotal moments that shaped her path. She offers insights on building future-ready workplaces, with a focus on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), talent management, and organizational transformation. Drawing from her experiences as a parent to neurodivergent children, Vanessa provides a unique perspective on creating inclusive and purpose-driven work environments.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction

00:55 Welcome to the HR Impact Show

01:58 Vanessa's Career Journey

05:34 Cross-Functional Moves and Key Takeaways

07:45 The Importance of Mentorship

11:05 Traits for Successful Career Transitions

14:52 Building and Maintaining a Network

18:26 Elevating Employee Experience and Future Readiness

20:25 Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI)

25:42 The Ideal Workplace of the Future

28:29 Advice for HR Professionals

29:47 Final Thoughts and Recommendations

Resources

[Free] Get this episode key insights here: https://blog.engagerocket.co/the-hr-impact-show/career-transitions-vanessa-teo

Connect with Vanessa Teo: linkedin.com/in/vanessa-teo-60798052

Connect with Dorothy Yiu: linkedin.com/in/dorothy-yiu

Youtube: youtube.com/@TheHRImpactShow

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/the-hr-impact-show

Career Transitions Podcast: careertransitions.buzzsprout.com

Book Recommendation: Working Identity by Herminia Ibarra – A must-read on making successful career transitions through small, incremental experiments.

Thank you for tuning into The HR Impact Show. Don't forget to hit Subscribe! If you enjoy the show, please leave us a 5-Star Review and share with your friends.

Are you hungry for more? Join our HR Impact Community for monthly insights from global HR leaders and event invites: https://www.engagerocket.co/hrimpact

About The HR Impact Show

Join top global people leaders for honest conversations about how to build and transform high-performing cultures.

Hear from CHROs and HR experts from global and world-renowned organisations as they share their top people analytics tips, leadership journeys, lessons and challenges while navigating the complexities of transformation and the multi-generational and diverse cultures in Asia.

Hosted by Dorothy Yiu, EngageRocket's CEO & Co-founder and Fung Tai, EngageRocket's VP of Customer Success.

Fermin Diez is a globally renowned HR strategist and thought leader with over 35 years of experience across 40 countries, having served as Regional Head of HR for global MNCs and driving transformative people strategies. He is the co-author of influential books, including ‘Human Capital and Global Business Strategy’, 'The Remuneration Handbook' and ‘Fundamentals of HR Analytics’. Currently focused on strengthening Singapore’s social service sector, Fermin continues to shape the HR profession through his teaching, speaking, and advisory roles.

In this conversation, Dr. Diez shares insights on HR analytics, technology, and strategic business integration, highlighting key projects and evidence-based management’s role in debunking HR myths. He also discusses the future of HR, urging professionals to embrace AI, adapt to change, and build strong organizational cultures. Packed with practical advice, this episode is a must-watch for staying ahead in HR.

00:00 Intro

01:20 Introducing Dr. Fermin Diez

01:55 A Journey Through Four Decades in HR

03:07 The Drive for Change in HR

04:53 The Importance of Analytics and Technology

06:10 Challenges in Compensation and Strategic HR

08:06 The Role of HR at the Board Level

08:58 Maintaining Energy and Productivity

11:05 Embracing Technology Across Generations

12:10 The Power of Data and People Analytics

12:40 Memorable HR Analytics Projects

18:42 Misconceptions and Barriers in HR Analytics

23:59 Key Drivers of Employee Engagement

25:13 Retention Strategies and Their Impact

26:43 Exploring AI in HR

27:52 Practical AI Applications for HR

30:04 Challenges in Implementing AI

33:55 Future of the Workplace

48:25 Rapid Fire Questions

51:34 Final Thoughts

Resources

[Free] Get this episode key insights here: https://blog.engagerocket.co/the-hr-impact-show/ai-people-analytics-fermin-diez

Connect with Dr. Fermin Diez: linkedin.com/in/diezfermin

Connect with Dorothy Yiu: linkedin.com/in/dorothy-yiu

Youtube: https://youtu.be/uJEV1mt8OXs

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/the-hr-impact-show

Thank you for tuning into The HR Impact Show. Don't forget to hit Subscribe! If you enjoy the show, please leave us a 5-Star Review and share with your friends.

Are you hungry for more? Join our HR Impact Community for monthly insights from global HR leaders and event invites: https://www.engagerocket.co/hrimpact

About The HR Impact Show

Join top global people leaders for honest conversations about how to build and transform high-performing cultures.

Hear from CHROs and HR experts from global and world-renowned organisations as they share their top people analytics tips, leadership journeys, lessons and challenges while navigating the complexities of transformation and the multi-generational and diverse cultures in Asia.

Hosted by Dorothy Yiu, EngageRocket's CEO & Co-founder and Fung Tai, EngageRocket's VP of Customer Success.