Empathy-Driven Global HR Partnerships: Building Sustainable Work Ecosystems by Prerna Rajan

The video features an insightful conversation with Prerna Rajan VP Global Partnership & Business HR Head Damco Solutions, discussing the profound impact of global partnerships on HR sustainability strategies. Prerna emphasizes how globalization and digital transformation have become the backbone of HR strategies, enabling organizations to access diverse talent pools and adopt hybrid working models that reduce carbon emissions and improve employee well-being. The discussion highlights Damco Solutions’s commitment to treating employees like family, focusing on empathy, integrated ecosystems, and responsible talent management. The company’s approach includes co-creating policies that blend HR and business responsibilities, promoting cross-border talent mobility, and fostering inclusive hiring practices with a strong emphasis on gender diversity. Prerna also reflects on the importance of continuous growth, agility, and long-term career support, rejecting opportunistic practices in favor of thoughtful, sustainable organizational development. This holistic and empathetic approach has helped the company navigate challenges like the pandemic while maintaining a loyal and motivated workforce.

Key Insights

🌍 Global partnerships as a backbone of HR sustainability: Prerna explains that global partnerships allow HR teams to embrace a wider perspective, integrating diverse talent pools and global best practices into their core strategies. This approach dismantles traditional silos within organizations, making HR a shared business responsibility and encouraging co-creation of policies that benefit the entire ecosystem. It reflects the evolving nature of HR from isolated projects to strategic business enablers.

🌱 Hybrid work as a sustainability driver: The adoption of hybrid and agile work models is not only a response to digital transformation but also a deliberate sustainability strategy. It reduces carbon footprints by limiting commuting and business travel while promoting employee well-being through flexible working conditions. This shift benefits both employees and the environment, showcasing how sustainable business practices can align with operational efficiency.

❤️ Empathy and integrated employee support: Damco Solutions’s philosophy treats employees as part of a larger family ecosystem, acknowledging their personal lives and responsibilities. This empathy-driven approach fosters genuine trust and motivation, reducing the need for constant external incentives. It highlights how emotional intelligence and human-centric policies improve employee engagement and loyalty.

🔄 Strategic workforce development through upskilling: The company’s emphasis on cross-skilling and continuous development has been crucial, especially during the disruptions caused by the pandemic. This proactive strategy ensures workforce agility and resilience, allowing employees to adapt to changing business needs and maintain productivity despite external challenges. It underscores the importance of investing in human capital as a long-term organizational asset.

🌐 Cross-border mobility enabled by digital collaboration: Regional hubs combined with hybrid digital systems facilitate smooth cross-border talent transfers. This seamless mobility is closely linked with Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) goals, demonstrating an integrated approach to workforce management that incorporates sustainability and diversity. The collaboration between global and regional teams ensures that mobility policies are effective and aligned with broader business objectives.

👩 Commitment to gender diversity and inclusion: Gender equality is embedded in Damco Solutions's hiring and leadership practices, with women well represented at leadership, middle management, and developer levels. This inclusive culture is normalized rather than exceptional, reflecting a mature approach to diversity that strengthens organizational culture and enhances innovation through varied perspectives.

📈 Long-term growth, loyalty, and non-opportunistic culture: Prerna shares that the company rejects opportunistic hiring and short-term gains, instead focusing on building long-term careers and personal growth. This philosophy fosters deep organizational loyalty and a strong sense of belonging, which is vital for sustainable talent retention. The emphasis on agility, financial growth, and family care creates a comprehensive ecosystem supporting employees at every stage of their journey.