Manager No 1

KOCHI: Where most find it a handful managing a house of four, here is  a man who has been helming several industries with ease since the last 26 years. We’re talking about none other than P T George who recently received the ‘Manager of the Year’ 2012 award from Kerala Management Association.Ask him what he feels about the honour and George says, “Though the award is for the year, but a manager is being made over a long period. Becoming a good and established manager requires lot patience and passion towards the job.”George who is currently working as the head HR at FCI OEN Connectors Ltd, Kochi says he was extremely fortunate to begin as the management trainee at Aluminium Industries Ltd., Relays Division,“After degree I was confused whether to pursue  M Com or MSW but I was interested in people and hearing their concern so taking up HR seemed more to my liking and finally I joined MSW in Loyola College Trivandrum.”It was after joining Terumo Penpol in 1986, as personnel head that George got the rare chance to set up a HR department. “Unlike the HR professionals at that time I consider myself fortunate to be part of setting up a HR Department in Kerala,” says George who has experience in the arena of HR, training, employee relations, compensation and benefits in industries like pharmaceutical, textiles, minerals, hospitals, automotive and electronics. Ask him whether there is a difference in the working style and strategy employed in each of the industries, he says, “Though the sectors are different, the concerns of the employees are almost the same. Sorting out the problems, listening to employees and building a good rapport is the important thing an HR should do.”For those youngsters who believe that an HR job is relatively easy, and comes with a fancy post and salary, George would like to acquaint that the task isn’t exactly a cake walk. “HR people have to work closely with the business heads and at the same for the good of the employees. In general they should work for the progress of the overall organisation. One has to manage huge workforce through turbulent times which could even lead to lock out, has to sign settlements with step jump in productivity and has to manage unions etc,” says George. “An aspiring HR should have a leadership quality, passion to listen to others problems and lead the organisation in terms of vision,” adds George.Ask him what is the main difference that he finds among the employees of the past and present, he says, “Earlier employees did not ask questions. But now with the new gen workers, they tend to inquire about everything. They are more knowledgeable. They are very energetic but at the same time they behave as if they know everything,” says George who has also got the HR Leadership Award for Global HR Excellence from Asia Pacific HRM Congress.