Sakshi Jawa, Former CPO tại Tiki: Cách "quản trị" con người hiệu quả | Vietnam Innovators S2 EP04

TL;DR

Innovation in HR is about fostering a culture of experimentation.

Transcript

[Applause] so hello everyone thank you for joining this episode of vietnam innovators i am the guest host for today my name is dan i'm the ceo of dreamplex and i'm here with our very distinguished guest mitsu sakshi jawa previously from amazon coupon tiki and now startup oy what that means we're going to hear today but first let me say welcome to o... Read More

Key Insights

• Innovation in HR is about creating an environment where employees feel encouraged to experiment and do things differently, beyond their daily tasks.
• The responsibility of fostering innovation lies with everyone in the company, not just senior leaders, and it should be a shared value.
• Building a culture where employees are comfortable with failure is crucial for innovation. It involves setting up a safe framework for experimentation.
• Job rotation and exposure to different roles can help employees understand the broader business context, although it may face resistance initially.
• Hiring the right people is critical. It's important to hire individuals who are better in certain areas than the hiring manager to ensure team growth and success.
• In fast-paced startups, embracing ambiguity and the ability to pivot quickly are essential skills for both managers and employees.
• Transparent communication and aligning everyone with the company's core values are fundamental to building a cohesive and motivated team.
• Vietnam is seen as a burgeoning tech hub with a strong focus on engineering education, poised for significant growth in the tech industry.

Questions & Answers

Q: How does innovation relate to HR according to Sakshi Jawa?

Innovation in HR, as described by Sakshi Jawa, involves creating a work environment where employees are encouraged to think differently and experiment beyond their day-to-day tasks. It is about fostering a culture where making mistakes is acceptable and learning from them is encouraged. Innovation in HR is not just about new ideas but also about improving processes and enabling employees to contribute to the company's growth in unique ways.

Q: What role do senior leaders play in fostering innovation?

Senior leaders play a crucial role in fostering innovation by setting the culture and context for it. They need to align on innovation initiatives and ensure these are cascaded throughout the organization in a measurable and rewarding way. Leaders are responsible for creating a safe environment where employees feel empowered to experiment and innovate without fear of failure. Innovation should be a shared value and responsibility across all levels of the company.

Q: Why is hiring the right people important for innovation?

Hiring the right people is essential for innovation because it ensures that the team has complementary skills and can challenge each other to grow. Sakshi emphasizes the importance of hiring individuals who are better in certain areas than the hiring manager, as this brings new perspectives and expertise to the team. The right hires contribute to a culture of continuous improvement and innovation, driving the company forward.

Q: What challenges did Sakshi face when implementing new processes at Tiki?

When implementing new processes at Tiki, Sakshi faced challenges related to change management. Employees were accustomed to existing processes and were resistant to change. She had to balance the introduction of new systems with the need for gradual adaptation, ensuring that employees understood and bought into the changes. Communication and workshops were key to overcoming resistance and aligning everyone with the new processes.

Q: How does Startup Oi aim to support engineers and companies?

Startup Oi aims to support engineers by providing a platform for them to connect, collaborate, and innovate. It offers a space for engineers to interact, attend events, and engage in coding activities. For companies, Startup Oi provides insights into matching engineers with suitable roles, considering both technical skills and cultural fit. The platform bridges the gap between engineers and companies, facilitating growth and innovation in the tech industry.

Q: What is the significance of Vietnam in the tech industry according to Sakshi?

Sakshi views Vietnam as a burgeoning tech hub with a strong focus on engineering education and a growing pool of tech talent. The country's emphasis on tech courses and engineering universities positions it as a potential global platform for innovation and tech development. Sakshi believes that Vietnam is on the cusp of significant growth in the tech industry, with the potential to become a major player in the global tech landscape.

Q: How does Sakshi approach building a team at Startup Oi?

Sakshi approaches building a team at Startup Oi by focusing on core values and principles from the outset. She emphasizes the importance of hiring individuals who align with the company's values and are open to doing things differently. Transparency, communication, and a global mindset are key aspects of the team culture. Sakshi ensures that every team member understands the company's vision and is prepared for the challenges and opportunities of working in a startup environment.

Q: What lessons did Sakshi learn from her experience at Amazon that she applies to her current role?

From her experience at Amazon, Sakshi learned the importance of being vocally self-critical and hiring people who are better than oneself in certain areas. These principles have shaped her approach to leadership and team building, emphasizing accountability, continuous learning, and the value of diverse perspectives. Sakshi applies these lessons to her current role by fostering a culture of innovation, transparency, and global thinking at Startup Oi.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Sakshi Jawa emphasizes the importance of innovation in HR by creating an environment where employees are encouraged to experiment and innovate beyond their daily tasks. She highlights that innovation should be a shared responsibility across the organization.

• Sakshi shares her experiences from working at Amazon, where being vocally self-critical and hiring people better than oneself were key leadership principles. She applied these insights at her subsequent roles in Kupang and Tiki.

• Startup Oi, founded by Sakshi, aims to connect engineers globally and provide a platform for innovation and collaboration. The company focuses on building a strong team culture and values transparency and global thinking.