Confederation of Indian Industry, Coimbatore Zone organised the 16th Edition of HR NXT Conclave 2025 with the theme “Beyond Boundaries: HR for the next Decade” on Thursday.

Mahalingam Ramasamy, Managing Director, Netcon Technologies (I) Pvt Ltd, in his inaugural address, mentioned that companies are now renaming their HR verticals as the objectives of the function are evolving. With globalization, multicultural and multi-modal work environments are becoming a necessity. This shift has changed the perspective on investments—not only in machines but also in talent development. 

He pointed out that with the workforce becoming more fragile and flexible, by 2030, there will be a significant rise in freelancers, especially in the IT and startup sectors. This trend will create a "Just in Time" employment model, similar to manufacturing systems, where employees arrive as and when projects require them. He also emphasized that without AI, companies will struggle to remain competitive and future ready.

Anand Venkitraman, Chief Executive Officer, Nexup Partners LLP, in his keynote address, mentioned that companies have come a long way from prioritizing experience over potential and qualification over competency. He also stated that young employees do not stay unless they find a purpose in their work, along with flexibility and growth opportunities. He emphasized that "one size does not fit all" and that people perform best when they have control over how they work.

Commenting on the AI revolution, he noted that AI is only as good as the data we feed into it. He raised concerns about the quality of data, stating that poor data could mislead decision-making and result in lost potential. Additionally, he stressed that diversity and inclusivity should evolve into an ecosystem rather than being treated as mere checkboxes. Regarding employee welfare and mental health, he remarked that wellness programs such as yoga sessions will not be effective if employees are already drained. Instead, he highlighted that employees who are high in energy and value alignment perform better.

Rajesh Doraiswamy, Vice Chairman, CII Coimbatore and Joint Managing Director of Salzer Electronics Ltd, observed that every industrial disruption has initially been perceived as a threat to the workforce but has ultimately led to an increase in employment, albeit with a shift in the nature of work.

He stated that the next-generation workforce seeks an agile work environment, and HR professionals should focus on nurturing leadership and empowering talent. He also noted that inclusivity remains one of the biggest challenges in talent development and that leaders must be cultivated for the workforce of the future.

Sridhar Suryanarayanan, Convenor, CII HR Panel and General Manager - HR at ZF Windpower Coimbatore Pvt Ltd, while delivering the theme address, highlighted that the vision for 2047 (Well-Developed India) requires strong support from HR. He stated that change must be driven with empathy and innovation. AI-driven HR platforms, he noted, are essential to facilitating these transformations. He also mentioned that the conclave was designed to address key topics such as Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI), the HR and CEO connection, and the impact of technology on HR functions.

Kaushik Sundhar S, Co-Convenor, CII HR Panel and Lead - Performance Management at Shiva Texyarn Limited, delivering the concluding remarks, emphasized that HR has transitioned from being process- and policy-driven to becoming a strategic people function.

Quoting the inaugural address, he stated that "the future of HR is not what we see; it is what we create." He concluded by thanking the speakers and delegates for their active participation.

The program concluded with case study presentations from six MBA student teams, shortlisted from 20 teams representing 10 different institutions, who participated in the Case Master competition organized as part of the CII HR NXT Conclave 2025.