Dr. James Thomas MSW, Ph. D
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Worked as “General Manager – Organization
Development/Corporate HR” in Shahi Exports Pvt. Ltd.,(www.shahi.co.in)
(for all Business Divisions) from January 2010 till June 30, 2010 (Total
years of work at Shahi was 8 years). Shahi is the largest exporter of
ready to wear apparel in India and has an employee Strength of more than 65000.
1. Worked
as “Manager – Human Resources” in Esix Technologies Pvt. Ltd,
(www.esixtech.com) (a Software Development and Consulting Firm) Chennai.
2. Worked
as a ‘Senior Executive – Human
Resources’ in M/s Kumaran
3. Worked
as a “Consultant – Human Resources” in M/s Manni & Kalarickal, Bangalore.
4. Worked
as the “Director” of Group for Urban and Rural Development
5. Worked
as “Social Worker” in KPFHP, Mysore affiliated to Christian Children’s Fund,
USA.
with
First Class and First Rank.
1. Introduction about your job/career,
define your career?
Presently, I am heading HR function
along with Administration, Legal, Social, Environmental and buyer compliances
of Gokaldas Exports Ltd., one of the largest exporters of Ready to wear Apparel
to USA and Europe. Gokaldas Ltd., is one of the portfolio companies of
Black Stone Group. I am a part of the Senior Management team of GE.
I have been trying to infuse professionalism in HR, though a tough task,
migration from promoter driven company to a professionally driven company is a
tough task. I have been focussing on developing HR systems and driving
them. The thrust areas appropriately in the areas of Talent
Acquisition and Management, Employee compensation and benefit administration,
Performance Management System, Learning and Development, implementing 5 S and
so on.
I have started my career with NGOs and taught in the Department
of Studies in Social Work for a year and then worked with a couple of Software
companies before moving to Apparel Domain. Started my stint in Shahi
Exports Pvt. Ltd., in the Knits Division and later moved on to Corporate HR
functions for the Group in Bangalore.
Heading HR Functions of Gokaldas Exports Ltd., is a
very challenging task, factories spread across more than 33 locations and an
employee strength of 40K plus.
2. Qualification
required for this job
A person should have competency in
handling a large workforce with a thorough theoretical understanding of the
subject. The most important aspect of this job is that one should have a
large heart to become a good HR person, though education and other skills are
also very important. I have secured 1stRank in my MSW course specializing in
Human Resources and also completed my Doctoral Studies from the University of
Mysore.
3. Personal qualification/skills
required for this job?
The person should have handled a large
workforce coupled with understanding of employee relations, managerial
effectiveness, good communication skills etc.,
4. Best aspect of this job
It is good to handle the complete gamut of HR function for a
large organization like Gokaldas exports Ltd.
5. Challenging aspects of this job
The most challenging aspect of this job is to sustain the
Human Resource pool. Since Human talent is scarce in this domain we are
facing a lot of challenges to hire and retain talent. We do require about
5K people for the month of January 2013.
6. Your achievement
I have been working hard in this
Apparel Industry to bring about a change and highlight the role of HR in
business performance. With confidence I could say that there are a number
of initiatives to bring up the organizational culture of this industry, where
by HR fraternity has recognized my work in this field.
To turn around a company with family
oriented work culture to a professional work culture has been a very
challenging task. It requires a lot of top Management intervention.
7. Your secret of success in your
career
I believe that hard work pays.
One has to be in constant touch with the developments taking place in his
own field and also outside. I have been a part of the core business
leadership and have got involved in business HR. Been a part of quality
management initiatives, LEAN management including implementing 5S and TPM and
once HR gets into the business we could add much more value to business and HR
will be recognized as the integral part of the business.
8. Give some interesting accounts of
your academic/education days
I cherish my college days of St. Philomena’s and
ManasaGangotri campuses, University of Mysore. I was a part of the
College basketball, shuttle cock, football and hand ball teams and
represented ManasaGangotri in Shuttle cock.
I have secured Fr. Didian Scholarship for securing highest
marks in Sociology exam and also received National Merit Scholarship during
college days. I was the topper in MSW and secured 1st Rank.
Participated in two10 days rural camp and also taken
students for a 10 days camp in Molakalmuru.
9. How did you plan your career?
I have exposure to various fields and that has given me good
understanding of the various nuances of working with people. From NGOs to
teaching to consulting to HR function.
10. Describe your experience of your first day at
work in your first job
My first commercial assignment was with
a Professor for a Research Project, data collection work. Even though it
was only for a shorter period I felt very happy to work and earn money
11. Your major achievements
Could establish as a forward looking HR
professional, HR fraternity recognized my contribution to apparel industry
I have received the HR Leadership Award based on the
following parameters.
HR LEADERSHIP AWARDat the 7th EMPLOYER BRANDING AWARDS
(Regional Round) is the most prestigious Award. It is a highest honour which an
Individual can receive for his or her contribution
The task of choosing an award winner
was given to a global research cell. This cell constitutes of professionals
from different parts of the world. These professionals are then asked to submit
their recommendations. This Cell is chaired by a Chairman who reviews
recommendation. The Jury meets and identifies award winners.
Ø Competencies are judged based on the following frame
work:
1. Strategic
Perspective
2. Business
Goal Management
3. Risk
Management
4. Team
Orientation and People Management
5. Networking
6. Change
Agent
7. Customer
Focus
8. Business
Acumen
9. Performance
Management
10. Achieving
Excellence
Ø The criteria adopted are:
1. Not
much is written about the professionals in the media.
2. ·
Internal perception, within the
organization& external perception is balanced on credibility, achievement
& value contribution to the business.
3. Track
record of performance and achievements.
4. Values,
integrity and work life balance are essential competencies.
12. Being a leader what do you think you possess as a
leader that sets you apart from other leaders?
My exposure to various fields has given
me immense opportunity to get involved with various teams, worked with them to
achieve the results. A Leader can perform only when the team performs.
I mingle very freely with the team members and other colleagues.
13. How as a Leader you go about
developing yourself today
Abreast with the latest development in
the field and clued on to what the business requires, that’s the most
important. We need to deliver what the business wants and I am trying to
be ahead of the requirements.
14. What keeps you passionate
about social work
I am very font of Social Work. I am presently the
Managing Trustee of SNEHA (Society for New Environment and Humanitarian) an NGO
working towards the improvement of marginalized sections of the Society
especially Women and Children. SNEHA also work for the children afflicted
with Cancer, organized a no. of medical camps, free cataract operation camps,
awareness programs for school kids related to HIV/ AIDS, free educational
facilities to destitute children and so on.
15. What are your ambitions for the next phase in
your life/career
I want to advance in my career as HR
Director rep. in the Board.
And also I want to develop the NGO and start a School of
Social Work. Since I am the President of MSW Alumni Association of the
University of Mysore I would like to form an Alumni Association of the Schools,
Colleges and Universities of Social Work and create a Council for Social Work
Education and that would be the monitoring Body for all Social Work Education
like Indian Medical Council.
16. Your reading
I have been trying to catch up with the
latest books, however, due to other pressing engagements indulging in books
have come down.
17. What are your interest/hobbies
I am very much font of sports; however as of now there are
no much activities. I love horse riding, shuttle cock and Karate.
18. Family
I have a very good lovable family. My wife takes care
of home front as well as she is an HR Consultant to various companies. She has
a Doctorate in Human Resource Management from the University of Madras.
She is also learning various foreign languages and presently she takes
care of SNEHA (Society for New Environment and Humanitarian Action). My
elder daughter is in 9thstd and second daughter in 3rd std.
19. Tips for aspiring professionals Social Workers
Follow your heart and definitely you
would succeed.
20. Bitter experience in your career
Someone takes the fruit of your hard work
Email: james@james.co.in
