DBS Bank India believes in attracting top talent and actively cultivating it, shares Kishore Poduri, Managing Director, and Country Head - HR, DBS Bank India, while speaking to BW People, in an exclusive interview. Edited excerpts
HR technology has enabled innovative digital platforms for enhancing employee engagement. How has DBS Bank India leveraged it and can you share a few examples of innovative tools or platforms that are being used?
DBS Bank India leverages technology to foster a highly engaged and productive workforce by integrating innovative tools with its comprehensive HR systems. At the core is Workday, our leading HR management system, which provides data-driven insights to inform decisions, personalise employee experiences and drive organisational change. Building on this foundation, the HR Workbench centralises HR operations, boosting productivity and enabling our team to focus on supporting employees.
Complementing this is our robust Learning Management System (LMS), offering over 10,000 modules accessible across platforms, including a mobile app, ensuring employees have the resources needed to excel in a rapidly evolving environment. Expanding this digital ecosystem, we have implemented Beeline, an end-to-end lifecycle management tool for our contingent workforce, seamlessly connecting payroll vendors, HR and reporting managers.
Additionally, we are deploying predictive modelling to enable managers to make personalised efforts towards fostering a fulfilling work culture for their teams. This proactive approach addresses the significant costs associated with employee turnover in the banking industry, including recruitment, training and onboarding expenses. To further enhance workforce agility and adaptability, we leverage AI-driven tools such as iGrow, an AI/ML-powered career enabler that understands employees’ career aspirations, shares insights and matches them with curated recommendations, resources, and new role opportunities based on the Triple EEE framework (Education, Exposure and Experience).
Furthermore, we are introducing Enterprise Knowledge Base, a Gen-AI-powered search assistant that provides employees with seamless access to enterprise information, enabling them to respond effectively to stakeholders' needs and focus on higher-value work. Together with iRewards, which offers employees a comprehensive view of their total rewards, these tools reflect our commitment to creating a workplace where employees feel valued, supported, and empowered to thrive.
As the HR landscape evolves, what key trends do you foresee shaping the future of talent management in India, particularly in the BFSI sector?
We see the future of talent management in India being shaped by several key trends: the increasing use of data analytics and AI to personalise development and enhance decision-making; a heightened focus on employee experience, including wellbeing programmes and a culture of recognition and a strong commitment to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) as a critical factor in attracting and retaining top talent.
Our talent management strategy reflects these trends, emphasising a proactive and holistic approach. We prioritise building a diverse and scalable organisation by nurturing internal talent and aligning our talent planning closely with strategic business goals. This involves meticulously forecasting future workforce needs, including the impact of AI on the operating models of various businesses and support units, fostering proactive skill-building to address an AI-enabled future and developing a robust pipeline of future leaders. Our process focuses on bridging the gap between talent demand and supply, collaborating closely with business leaders to translate long-term objectives into actionable annual priorities.
A crucial aspect of our strategy is identifying and developing high-potential individuals through a rigorous nomination process based on performance, potential and alignment with our values. These individuals participate in a comprehensive leadership development programme designed to prepare them for accelerated career growth. This combination of proactive planning, data-driven decision-making, and a strong commitment to employee growth ensures that we possess the right leadership and capabilities to drive continued success.
How has the 'Reimagine' internship programme for women returning to work contributed to the organisation’s DEI goals?
We recognise that women returning to work after a career break often face significant challenges re-entering a rapidly evolving professional landscape. These challenges range from navigating technological advancements to overcoming unconscious biases that may exist within the workplace.
'Reimagine' directly addresses these challenges by offering a structured six-month internship programme, providing participants with valuable project-based experience and the invaluable support of experienced mentors. This carefully designed programme helps bridge skill gaps, fostering a seamless transition back into the workforce.
Beyond simply providing practical skills, 'Reimagine' actively works to mitigate unconscious bias, creating a supportive and inclusive environment where participants can thrive. By tapping into this high-calibre talent pool of experienced professionals, 'Reimagine' also significantly enhances gender diversity within DBS Bank India.
As younger employees are prioritising purpose-driven workplaces, how is DBS aligning with these values?
DBS Bank has embedded purpose into the very fabric of our organisation. This is evident in our significant work through the DBS Foundation, where we actively uplift the lives and livelihoods of those in need. We focus on providing essential needs and fostering inclusion by equipping individuals with financial and digital literacy skills, building resilience against life’s uncertainties and enabling them to achieve greater social and financial stability.
Furthermore, we actively encourage our employees to participate in meaningful community engagement through our ‘People of Purpose’ (PoP) employee volunteer movement. We provide each employee with two official volunteer-leave days annually to support their involvement in causes they care about. Collaborating with like-minded partners, we design impactful volunteer programmes that directly address pressing social needs and reach those most vulnerable in our communities. This resonates deeply with younger employees who are increasingly drawn to organisations that embody a strong sense of purpose and seek meaningful work that aligns with their own values. We actively align our initiatives to attract and retain this vital talent pool.
Employees' wellbeing is becoming an important concern in today’s work environment. What measures have you taken to prioritise employees' mental, physical and financial wellbeing? Could you share some key programmes or initiatives that DBS Bank India has taken for the wellbeing of its employees?
Our comprehensive approach to wellbeing is encapsulated in our 'DBS Cares' programme, a holistic benefits package designed to address individual needs at every life stage. We take a hyper-personalised approach, recognising that wellbeing is a deeply personal journey. Our ‘iFlex’ wellness wallet allows employees to customise their benefits package, choosing options that best suit their specific needs, whether it's enhanced insurance coverage, outpatient department (OPD) benefits or other personalised support. We also encourage a healthy lifestyle through ‘iFit’, a comprehensive health management tool that provides additional rewards upon achieving fitness goals, demonstrating our commitment to supporting employee wellbeing through tangible and meaningful initiatives. Our holistic approach, encompassing ‘Best of Me, We and E’ (environment), ensures a supportive and thriving workplace where employees feel valued, cared for and empowered to prioritise their overall health and wellbeing.
Upskilling and reskilling are critical in today’s fast-changing work environment. How does DBS Bank India address this need and what skills do you see as most in demand for the future of work?
We take a skills-based approach, strategically aligning employees with projects that leverage their existing strengths while simultaneously providing ample opportunities for growth and development. By proactively identifying skill gaps through the strategic use of AI, we create highly targeted and personalised upskilling and reskilling programmes tailored to meet individual needs. This ensures our workforce remains agile, adaptable and future-ready. iGrow, our AI/ML-powered career enabler tool, is a prime example of this approach. iGrow helps employees understand their career aspirations and identify new opportunities within DBS using the ‘Triple E’ approach – Education, Exposure, Experience that align with their goals. We're investing heavily in upskilling our people in critical areas such as cloud computing, AI and machine learning, cybersecurity, data science and agile development— equipping them with the skills that will shape the future of our industry and allow us to continue delivering innovative solutions that meet the evolving needs of our customers, thereby also delivering on our brand promise of ‘Live more, bank less’.
In a competitive talent landscape, what are DBS Bank’s priorities for retaining top talent while fostering a culture of innovation and inclusion?
In today's competitive talent market, DBS Bank India believes in attracting top talent and actively cultivating it. This is achieved through a multipronged approach focused on fostering a culture of innovation and inclusion, driving meaningful engagement, and empowering our people to thrive. A key component is our Employee Experience Council, a dedicated team that actively listens to employee needs and develops tailored programmes to enhance their experience. This ensures that our initiatives are not only relevant but also impactful. We focus on leadership development and career advancement, investing in our employees at every level to build a future-ready workforce. We empower employees to pursue roles aligned with their aspirations, offering ample opportunities for internal mobility. This boosts employee satisfaction and fuels organisational agility. Our robust mentorship programmes provide personalised guidance and a safe space for employees to learn, grow and unlock their full potential. These initiatives help us ensure that DBS Bank India remains a destination of choice for top talent.
Asia’s Safest Bank, 2009 – 2023, Global Finance
Best Bank in the World 2022, Global Finance
World’s Best Bank 2021, Euromoney
India’s Best International Bank 2021, Asiamoney
World’s Best Banks - #1 in India 2021, Forbes
World’s Safest Commercial Bank 2021, Global Finance
