Role of HR in real estate sector


Ms. Kanthi D. Suresh, Konnexions, Delhi NCR real estate, Bangalore Real Estate, JLLM, Jones Lang LaSalle Meghraj, Track2Media, Track2Realty, ravi sinha, india realty news, india real estate news, real estate news india, realty news india, india property news, property news indiaReal estate traditionally has always had the perception of being a sector where ‘land & buildings’ was the language required and ‘people skills’ were of no great relevance. But, now, even big Real estate players are soon beginning to understand the importance of effective ‘client servicing’, enhanced ‘team productivity’ and professional ‘managerial skills’. All of this are people skills revolving around the most important asset of any organization..’PEOPLE’.

The effectiveness of an HR department can be gauged by the fact how it contributes to the organization as a channel of Help, as an OD interventionist and as a Controller.

There was a time when one considered HR to be just a support function, because it did not contribute to the bottom line. However, with the boom in the economy and growth of the knowledge economy, HR has taken on a new role. As the focus moves from traditional brick and mortar organizations to more people oriented business like IT-ITeS, media etc.

HR has become significant in nature and magnitude of its role in an organization. The competitive advantage of organizations has moved from machines and production to the expertise and creativity of its people, HR has a large role to play in attracting, motivating and finally retaining these very people.

In spite of this so called increases in power, one of the biggest fears that HR faces today, according to experts is that of striking a balance between the employer and the employee. Experts say that HR seems to be facing the brunt of the employer and the employees as it still does not seem to have the authority to take a stand regarding issues dealing with the organization. This trend is typically seen in sectors like Real-estate in India, which is still highly promoter driven.

HR will only find success in dealing with these issues if they are given the freedom to incorporate the necessary changes through an HR perspective. I personally believe that comprehending an organization right from its culture, ethos, policies, practices, values, is more important, to find a right candidate, rather than just rely on a well drafted Job description.

With immense opportunities, organizations are chasing very limited resources especially in terms of talent availability, spiraling compensation and benefit costs. The challenge for HR is therefore huge in the Real estate sector,and spread across various sectors including talent management i.e. talent acquisition, development and retention, building organizational capability, HR effectiveness measurement and organizational effectiveness.

So the question here arises is that does HR have a say in this or all they do is bring in random people with a few years of experience and place them in front of a line manager? While everyone complains that HR does not really care about what kind of people are bought in, experts have a different point of view. The feel that HR needs time to find the people with the right skills sets to complement not just the job but also the organization.

The author, Ms. Kanthi D. Suresh, is the Managing Director, Konnexions.


6 Comments

  1. Siddhartha Guhathakurta on

    Its correctly defined here. As it is very much needed in Real Estate business the HR activities. Mostly to see the labour laws, Safety, Proper skill set for recruitment. Valuable customer care.

    HR has a very big role in this business but I think its missing in real estate businesses.

  2. SANDEEP SHARMA on

    It is easier said than done. My submission is that ‘Who is to bell the cat’ ?

    Without doubt it is we, the HR people in the Real Estate sector. Please make your presence felt.

    Kind regards
    Sandeep Sharma
    VP-HR

  3. Its correctly defined here that HR has very important role in Real Estate Sector.Mostly to see the labour laws, Safety, Proper skill set for recruitment. Valuable customer care.The challenge for HR is therefore huge in the Real estate sector,and spread across various sectors including talent management i.e. talent acquisition, development and retention, building organizational capability, HR effectiveness measurement and organizational effectiveness.

    Kind regards
    Neetu Dubey
    HR Manager

  4. Hello Mam,
    I would like to ask is it a good decision to join a real estate company as a HR.
    Regds,
    priya

  5. I agree that HR has various challenges in the real estate sector which HR has to overcome and build a strong force and reputation.
    But the issue here in real estate sector is it is not organized and is owner dominated sector where HR is not been given free hand to experiment and implement, it still is been treated as a clerical department.
    If HR in real estate has to change then the owners owning the business have to change their mind-set and start trusting HR dept, real estate has to start focusing more on training and development, employment engagement, strategy planning, comp and benefit factors, hiring analysis, effective appraisal system etc..
    Things are not difficult if company management and employee believe in change management.

  6. This is a great article it has clearly specified the importance as well as the essential role of HR in the real estate field. Thank you for sharing such great piece of information. And the article is very clear & easily understandable too.