Not e E dit or’ s
THE ARCHITECT OF TRANSFORMATION: BALA V SATHYANARAYANAN, LEADING BUSINESS REVAMP IN 2025
Adaptability,invention,andexcellenthuman
capitalbecomethemostwidelyregarded valuesinthebusinesssphereby2025.Bala VSathyanarayanan,ExecutiveVicePresidentand ChiefHumanResourcesOfficeratGreif,isthe centralpersonconcernedandtransformationalleader makingaholisticbusinessoverhaul.Hegoesway beyondthepaledwelledbytraditionalHRfunctions andisarguablyoneofthearchitectsoforganization evolution.
Havingestablishedthenotionofhumancapital,itcan bestatedthatorganic-thoughtassociationcreates businesssuccess.Withrespecttoafirm'ssuccessful transformation,heempathicallyclaimsthatan engagedworkforceresilientmakescementedthe foundationonwhichanytransformationstands.The humanisticargumentationofcontinuinglearning, beinginclusive,andempoweringpeopleformsthe basisforthem.Further,hehasaknackforseeingand definingtheneedsoffutureworkers,thenstrategizing anticipationandpreparation,makinghimstandoutas avisionaryleader.
Someof2025'schallengesarethosethatmost businesseswouldface:disruptivetechnologies, transformationofmarketconditions,andtheneedfor moresustainablepractices.Alltheseissuesformpart oftheleadershipexcellenceofBala: agility and foresight in navigating complexity.Revamping businesstranslatesintorestructuringsystemsand processesandusheringinamindsetrevolutionthat thrivesinitscommitmenttoinnovationculture.
Balafacilitatesastrategicvisionconcerningtalent acquisitionanddevelopmenttorealizethefutureof thebusiness:attractingandnurturingdiversetalent pools.Heprotectsallsuchinitiativesthatarepossible intheworkplaceinlinewithdiversity,equity,and inclusionsothateverysingleemployeecanblossom andaddhisorheruniqueexperience.Adiverse workforceisnotonlyaquestionofethicsbutof competitivestrategy
Additionally,Balapreciselyhasthequalityofmaster changemanagementtoleadorganizationsthrough transitionperiodswithsensitivityandcandor.He recognizestheimportanceofeffective communicationindevelopingthetrustandbuy-inof employeesatalllevels.Healsoadvocates transparencyincommunicationtotheemployees, keepingtheminformedandinvolvedintheprocessof revampingtheorganization.
However,in2025,ameasureofBala'sinfluenceis notstatisticsorKPIsbutsubstantivechangeinthe livesofemployeesandcommunitiesinwhichthey serve.Thisisaleaderwhounderstandsthattrue successcomesinbuildingasustainableandjust futureforallstakeholders.Hisstrategicvision, people-centeredapproach,andethicsareenoughto crownhimby Insights Success India as'TheMost InfluentialLeaderRevampingtheBusinessin 2025.'
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Intheworldofleadership,whereinnovationand resiliencedefinesuccess,oneindividualiseagerto leaveanindeliblemark.BalaVSathyanarayanan, theExecutiveVicePresidentandChiefHuman ResourcesOfficer,embodiesaspiritoftransformation, bringingadynamicvisiontotheforefrontofGreif’s journey.Knownforhisabilitytoinspireteamsandspark creativity,Bala’sdrivestemsfromarelentlesspassionto pushboundariesandcraftsolutionsthattrulymakea difference.
Throughinitiativeslikethedigitalcustomerplatform—a projectthatseamlesslyblendstechnologywith practicality—Balademonstrateshowexcellenceand innovationcanredefineindustries.Hisleadershipisnotjust aboutguidingteamsbutempoweringthem,creatingan environmentwheretrust,collaboration,andpersonal growththrive.
Bala’sstoryisoneofdetermination,whereeverychallenge isanopportunitytoshowhismettleandeveryachievement asteppingstonetogreaterimpact.AsGreif’sjourney unfolds,hiscommitmenttonurturingtalentandfosteringa cultureofexcellencecontinuestoshapethecompany’s legacyinIndiaandbeyond.
AJourneyofResilience
Bala’sjourneyisatestamenttoresilience,adaptability,and arelentlessdriveforexcellence.BeforejoiningGreif,
hemadesignificantcontributionstotheHRlandscapeat severalgloballyrenownedcompanies,including Xerox Corporation, Hewlett-Packard Inc., Avaya Inc., Coca-Cola Inc.,and United Technologies Inc.Beginninghiscareerin AsiaandlatertransitioningtotheUnitedStates,Bala’srise fromtechnicalrolestoleadershippositionsreflectshis determinationandabilitytoadapttonewchallenges, includingmasteringEnglishasanon-nativespeaker.
HisentryintothedynamicworldofHRandleadershipwas fuelledbyapassionforachievingoutstandingresultsin high-energy,fast-pacedenvironments.Knownforhis entrepreneurialspiritandenthusiasmforcompetitive challenges,Balahasdevelopedaleadershipstyledefined byhighenergy,determination,andatalentforinspiring thosearoundhim.Heisdrivenbyacommitmentto overcomingobstacles,drivingprogress,andfosteringa senseofexcitementandpurposewithinhisteams.
Bala’sjourneyshowcaseshisdedicationtopersonaland professionalgrowth,aswellashispassionforleadingwith authenticity,innovation,andafocusonmeaningfulimpact.
Leadership,InnovationandSustainability
Bala'sleadershipphilosophy,whichdrivesGreif’ssuccess, isaseamlessblendofinnovation,operationalexcellence, andasteadfastcommitmenttoquality.Underhisguidance, GreifIndiahasachievedremarkablemilestones,including obtainingISOcertificationsfortheirDamanand
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Ankleshwaroperations,signifyingtheiradherencetothe highestinternationalstandards.Thiscommitmentto excellenceisfurtherexemplifiedbygroundbreaking innovationsliketheaward-winningCRTESScap,a revolutionarysolutionthathasgarneredglobalrecognition, includingtheprestigiousWorldStarAward2024.These accomplishmentsunderscoreGreifIndia’sfocuson deliveringsuperiorsolutionsthatenhancetheentiresupply chain.
AttheheartofGreif’senduringsuccessisadedicationto sustainability,innovation,andreliability—corevaluesthat shapetheiruniquesellingpropositionsandrobustmarket positioning.Withalegacyspanningover147years,Greif consistentlyleveragesitsexpertisetoprovideindustrial packagingsolutionsthatprotect,transport,andstore essentialgoodsandmaterialssafelyandefficiently This relentlessfocusonqualityandinnovationensuresthatGreif notonlysupportsitscustomersbutalsocontributesto keepingsocietyandtheworldmovingforward.
EmpoweringTeamsandTransformingCustomer Experience
Bala’sleadershipatGreifisfirmlygroundedinthe principlesofservantleadership,withafocuson empoweringandupliftingteammemberstoperformattheir best.Bychampioningthe"OneWorld,OneGreif,One Team"philosophy,Balapromotesacultureofunity, collaboration,andinclusivity.Hisapproachbreaksdown organizationalsilos,ensuringthateverycolleaguefeels valuedandconnectedwhileworkingtogethertowarda commonvision.
Thiscommitmenttocollaborationextendstocustomercentricinnovation,exemplifiedbytheGreif+platform. Designedasastate-of-the-artself-servicetool,Greif+ revolutionizescustomerinteractionsbyoffering24/7access tocriticalservicessuchasordermanagement,invoice retrieval,shippingdetails,andreal-timeanalytics. Automatingroutinetasks,theplatformenhances operationalefficiencyandminimizesadministrative burdens,allowingGreiftostrikeaperfectbalancebetween streamlinedprocessesandexceptionalcustomer satisfaction.
Forcustomers,Greif+isagame-changer.Itssecureand personalizedinterfaceempowersuserstoindependently managetaskswithease,reducingdowntimeandimproving operationalfluidity TheintegratedFAQsandhelpcentre
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provideinstantanswers,furtherenhancingtheuser experiencewhileminimizingtheneedfordirectsupport. Designedtoaccommodatediversecustomerprofiles—from smallbusinessestoafter-hoursoperators—Greif+ensures accessibility,simplicity,andreliabilityforall.Through initiativeslikeGreif+,Bala’sleadershipreflectsaforwardthinkingvisionwhereemployeeempowermentand customersatisfactiondrivesuccessinaseamless, interconnectedecosystem.
CommitmenttoInnovationandSustainability
OneofGreif'smosttransformativeprojects,thedigital customerplatforminitiative,underscoresthecompany’s unwaveringcommitmenttoinnovationandexcellence. Pilotedsuccessfullyin2023,thisplatformrevolutionized thecustomerexperiencebystreamliningonlineordering andoperationalprocesses.Theoverwhelminglypositive feedbackfromcustomershasspurredplanstoexpandthe platformacrosstheU.S.in2024.Thisforward-thinking initiativedemonstratesGreif’sdedicationtodelivering efficient,cutting-edgesolutionsthatenhancecustomer serviceandsatisfaction.
Complementingtheirtechnologicaladvancements,Greif’s sustainabilityeffortsareequallyremarkable.Thecompany achievedzerowastetolandfillat49facilitiesandis progressingaheadofscheduleinmultiplemarketstomeet its2025goalof90%wastediversion Theseachievements highlightGreif’ssteadfastcommitmenttosustainabilityand circularmanufacturing,reinforcingitsfocusonlong-term environmentalresponsibilityalongsideoperationaland businesstransformation.
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Throughinitiativeslikethedigitalcustomerplatformand ambitioussustainabilitymilestones,Greifcontinuesto exemplifyinnovation,efficiency,andadedicationto buildingabetterfuture.
KeyLessonsinResilience,GrowthandLeadership
BalasharesaninstancewheretheGreifIndiateam demonstratedremarkableresilienceandingenuityduring theirjourneytoachieveISOcertificationfortheir operationsinDaman(Unit2)andAnkleshwar(Unit3). Thissignificantmilestoneshowcasedtheteam'sdedication, hardwork,andcommitment.Despitethechallengesposed byrigorousinternationalstandards,theteam,underthe leadershipofindividualslikeSunilandthemeticulous effortsoftheQualityAssuranceteamsledbyTarakant, successfullynavigatedthecertificationprocess.This achievementnotonlyhighlightstheirabilitytoovercome operationalhurdlesbutalsosetsthefoundationforfurther growthandcontinuousimprovementintheiroperations.
BalaSathyanarayanan'sadvicetobuddingentrepreneurs lookingtoventureintothebusinessworldincludesseveral keyprinciples:
• Adaptability:Entrepreneursshouldalwaysbeready toembracechange,asitistheonlyconstant,bringing newopportunities.
• Self-Advocacy:It'simportanttotakeaseatatthe table,advocateforoneself,andseekoutmentors, coaches,andsponsorswhowillchampiontheir growth.
• CuriosityandLearning:Constantcuriosityanda commitmenttolearningareessential.Themoment onestopslearningisthemomentgrowthstagnates, bothpersonallyandprofessionally
• ComfortwithDiscomfort:Entrepreneursmuststep outsidetheircomfortzones,embracediscomfort,and pushthemselvestogrowwithoutreachingabreaking point.
Theseprinciplesarefundamentalforanyoneseekingto succeedintheentrepreneurialspace.
DrivingGrowthandInnovation
Bala’svisionforGreifcentresondrivinggrowthinlocal marketswhiledeliveringlegendarycustomerserviceona
globalscale.Thisgoalistobeachievedthroughdigitaland supplychaintransformation,ensuringthatvalueiscreated forcustomerswhilemaintainingoperationalexcellence. Balaunderscorestheimportanceofleveragingadvanced technologieslikeAItostreamlineoperations,enhance customerexperiences,andsupportthecompany'sstrategic objectives.
Bala’sapproachinvolvesbuildingaflexible,modular digitalarchitecturethatcanadaptasthebusinessevolves, ensuringresilienceandadaptabilityinarapidlychanging world.Sustainabilityisalsoacorefocus,witheffortsto improveenergyefficiency,minimizerawmaterialusage, andembracerenewableenergy.Balaisequallycommitted toleadershipdevelopment,ensuringacontinuouspipeline ofqualifiedcandidatesforfutureleadershiproles,thereby fosteringaninclusiveandengagedworkforce.
IntermsofmakingasignificantimpactonIndia’sbusiness landscape,Bala’sstrategicinitiativesatGreifarealigned withabroadervisionofbusinesstransformationthrough technologyandsustainability Thisincludesenhancing supplychainmanagement,optimizinglogistics,anddriving digitalinnovationtocreateacompetitiveedge.Through theseinitiatives,BalaaimstopositionGreifasaleaderin customer-centricgrowthandoperationalefficiency, contributingtothebroaderbusinessecosysteminIndia.
leader is one who knows the way, goes the way and shows the way.
Are HR Leaders Ready for the Challenges of the Future?
HRleadershaveundergonetremendous transformationoverthepasttenyears.Ithas movedawayfrompurelyadministrativefunctions intostrategicpartnerrolesthatdriveorganizationalgrowth, culture,andinnovation.Thebusinessenvironment continuestochangerapidly Thetechnologyshift, workforcedynamics,andchangingexpectationsof employeeshavegivenbirthtoaquestion:AretheHR leadersindeedreadyforforthcomingchallenges?
TheChangingWorkforceLandscape
Managinganincreasinglydiverseandmultigenerational workforceisoneofthechallengesthatHRleadersface. GenZ,Millennials,GenX,andBabyBoomersexistin workenvironments,buttheirpreferencesandexpectations asregardsworkdiffer.Withtheyoungergenerations valuingflexibility,work-lifebalance,andpurposeintheir jobs,itmeansintroducingchangesinworkcultureand policies.
Anothertrendistheadventofthegigeconomyandremote workwhichhaschangedentirelytheneedforHRpersonnel tofindwaysofengagingandmanagingthedistributed workforcewithoutcompromisingtheorganizationalculture whilemaintainingrobustcommunication.
TechnologyandDigitalTransformation
NewHRoperationswillsufferintegrationofAI,Machine Learning,andDataAnalytics.Allsteps,rangingfromtalent acquisitiontoperformancemanagementandemployee engagement,willfindnewwaystoeasetheprocessand enhancedecision-making.
Thereexistsadual-prongedchallengefordigital transformation:itmustensurenewtechnologieshavebeen introducedsuccessfullyandthatHRprofessionalsacquire orenhancetheiralreadyexistingskillsforeffectiveuseof thetools.HRleadershavetonowbetech-savvyanddatadriventopanoutanalyticalcapabilitiestoforecasttrends, makedecisions,andpersonalizeexperiencesforemployees.
BuildingaResilientWorkforce
Workforceresiliencewasdemonstratedbytheimpactofthe COVID-19pandemic.Indeed,withunprecedentedbusiness disruptioneventsoccurring,muchhadHRleadersin activitiesassociatedwiththecontinuityofbusiness, employeewell-being,andpreparationforremotework activity.
Astheywouldsayinthefuture,HRleadersmustremain focusedontheissueofmentalhealthandwell-beingso theywillcultivateaverysupportiveandinclusive atmosphere.Thesetypesoforganizationsmaketheir employeesworkinanenvironmentthatwillalmost conditionthemtobecomeagile,adaptable,andlifetime learnerssothattheycantackletomorrow'schallenges withoutworry.
LeadershipDevelopmentandSuccessionPlanning
Infuture-readyorganizations,leadershipshouldbestrongat alllevels.Thus,HRleadershipshouldfocusontheareasof high-potentialtalentidentification,developmentof leadershipcapabilities,androbustsuccessionplanning.
Asleadershipstylesevolvetofavorempathy,inclusion,and collaboration,itwillbeimperativeforHRleaderstocraft trainingprogramsthatequipcurrentandfutureleaderswith thesevitalskills.
NavigatingtheRegulatoryandEthicalMazes
Regulatorycomplexityisgrowingintermsofincreasingly newlawsandregulationsfordataprivacy,newlawson diversityandinclusion,andworkplacesafety Thus,
HRleadersshouldcontinuetolearnnewlegalrequirements andcomplywiththem,alongsideretainingeffortsonethical humanresourcepractices.
Ontopofthat,withbusinessesbecomingmoreadeptat harvestingandprocessingemployeedata,safeguardingdata willrankasacentralpriority.HRleaderswillthenhaveto steerresponsiblenavigationthroughthosebecalming, complexwatersoftechnologicaladvancesaswellasthe ethicsofbehavior.
FosteringaCultureofInnovation
Innovationisindeedtheheartofsuccessinevery organization.Bypromotingefficientcommunicationand collaborationinexperimentation,itwillenhancethespace thatencouragesinnovationwithintheorganization. Complementthestructuresandsystemsbypursuing organization-wideteamworkoversilosandrewarding effortsthatareinnovative.
SuchculturesofinnovationinHRwilldevelopmodern organizationsthatcouldeasilyremaincompetitiveyetagile inchangeablemarkets.
Inception:RisinguptotheChallenge
ChallengesawaitHRleadersinthefuture,and opportunitiestoo.Keepingupwithtrendsandemerging issuesintheworkforcewillneedcontinuousandlife-long learning.
Leaderswillshapethefuturesuccessoftheirorganizations bypreparingthemtounderstandandnavigatethe complexitiesofadigital,diverse,anddynamicwork environment.Prioritizingtechnologyadoption,employee well-being,leadershipdevelopment,andacultureof innovationwillpositionthemfavorablyinanorganization forsuccessinthefuture.
Guardiansofthecultureoftheirorganizationsandtalent, HRleadersmustpossessresilience,flexibility,andvision. Whilethefutureholdsalotofuncertainty,onething remainsclear:theHRleaderswhowillmeetthischallenge willbetheonesstirringmeaningfulchangebycreating workplacesinwhichbothbusinessesandemployeesare abletoflourish.
Will Robots Take Our Jobs?
Withtherapidexpansionofthedigitalrevolution, itisnowwell-knownthattechnologywill changeindustries.InHumanResources(HR) departments,AI,machinelearning,andautomationare changingthewaysorganizationsrecruit,engage,and managepeople.Withthisinfluxofintelligentmachines, though,onequestionbeggingtobeaskediswhetherrobots willtakeoverourjobsinHumanResources.
AutomationintheFieldofHumanResource
HRprocesseshavebeguntobeautomated.LargeHR functionsareautomatizedwithtime-consumingactivities suchasapplicationscreening,payrollprocessing,employee onboarding,andbenefitenrolment.AI-poweredtechnology notonlyaidstheHRfunctioninitsefficiency,butitalso minimizeshumanerrorandoperationalcosts.
Essentially,theseanalyticaladvancedtoolslettheHR professionalmakedecisionsbasedonlargedataregarding themanagementofhumanresources,makingassessments, andemployeeengagementmatters.Amongsuch applicationsarechatbotsthatrespondtoemployeequeries, therebysmootheningHRcommunicationsandallowingthe HRteamtofocusonmorestrategicinitiatives.
HRReinvented
Whileautomationmayreplacecertainmundanetasks,itis unlikelytoeliminatecompletelythehumantouchinHR. Instead,humanresourcesisgentlyevolvingintoamore strategic,people-orientedentity.
HRleaderscouldnoweffectivelytransferalladministrative functionstomachinesandareencouragedtospendmore timeontasksrequiringemotionalintelligence,creativity, andcriticalthinking.Amongthosearestrategiesfor fosteringorganizationalculture,advocatingdiversityand inclusionprograms,startingtoenhanceemployee experiences,anddevelopingleadershipcapabilities.
Duetothisshift,moreemphasiswillbeplacedintheHRof thefutureonhumanskillslikeempathy,communication, andconflictresolution-areaswhererobotshavepresently notexcelled.
AIasaSupport:NottoReplace
IfHRprofessionalsconsiderAIandautomationaspartners ratherthanfoes,thesesystemscanbeviewedasenhancing theirowncapabilities.Forexample,AIcananalyze employeefeedbackforpatterningandpotentialproblems, thusallowingforproactiveHRintervention.
PredictivemodelswillenableHRtoforecastworkforce trends,skillgaps,andtargetedtrainingsolutions,providing HRwithmorecloutinternally
AnEthicalandPrivacyApproach
Asautomationbecomeswidespread,sotoowillthe considerationofethicsanddataprivacyarounditsuse. Therefore,HRleadersmustrespondtothesechallengesto guaranteethatAI-inducedactionsarejust,transparent,and unbiased.
Additionally,safeguardingtheprivacyandconfidentiality ofemployeedatawillbeparamount.Organizationsmust implementstrongdatagovernanceframeworkstoprotect sensitiveinformationandsubsequentlybolstertrustwith theirworkforce.
TheFutureHRProfessional:AHybridSkillset
HRprofessionalswillbeexpectedtocreatethehybrid skillsetthatthrivesinthistechnology-ledenvironment, combiningtechnicalskillswithtraditionalinterpersonal skills.
Knowinghowtocollaboratewithartificialintelligence software,understandingdataanalytics,andkeepingtrackof technologicalinnovationswillbeessential.Parallelly,HR leaderswillneedtohonetheirmanagerialpeopleskillsto engageemployeesandencourageafavorableworking atmosphere.
Theseprofessionalsmustcontinuouslylearnandupgrade theirskillstoremainrelevantandadaptableinfast-moving technology
EmployeeEmpowermentbyTechnology
Ifanything,automationcanempowerworkersthrough othermeans:relievingthemfromrepetitivefunctions,thus allowingthemtoconcentrateonvalue-addingfunctions.
Onceagain,theHRleaderstandsatthehelmofthis transformation,establishingalearningandinnovation culture.SuchaculturecouldallowHRtotechnologically equipitsworkforcetocopewithnewdevelopmentsin technologyandbuildafuture-readyworkforcewithin differentmovingenvironments.
Future:AnEvenlyTippedScale
ThefutureofHRwillbethenicelybalancedecosystemof bothhumanandmachineuse.Computerswillundoubtedly carryoutroutinework,yetimaginationandcriticalthinking lacedwithempathywillremainirreplaceabletraits.
ThoseHRprofessionalsequippedwithtechskillswilluse theirnew-foundabilitiestousherinorganizationalsuccess. Theywillbeworthyarchitectsofthefutureofworkand nurturersinensuringthattheworkstaysfundamentally human.
Inessence,thequestionisnotwhetherrobotswilltakeour jobsinHRbutratherhowwewillutilizethemtodesign workthatismoreimportantandimpactful.Thefuturewill gotothosewhowillbenavigatingthisnewenvironment withanoutlookofinnovation,collaboration,and continuouslearning.Thisjourneyhasjustbegun,andthe HRleadersareinapositiontotrailblazetowardthis excitingandtransformationalfuture.
Leadership is the capacity to translate vision into reality.