DBS Bank India: Nurturing Its Talent Pool
DBS Bank has a string of awards to its name like the Global Bank of the Year, bestowed on it by The Banker. The bank believes that a great workplace enables employees to lead a “fulfilled life”. It focuses on a work culture that encourages its employees to grow professionally. BW Businessworld ‘s Sheena Sachdeva chats with Surojit Shome, CEO, DBS Bank India about the bank’s inclusive work environment
On the organisation’s work culture
We believe that a great workplace is one where an employee leads a fulfilled life. The whole concept of a great workplace transcends the physical space and is very delicately balanced on a fulcrum – that is how easily and completely a culture and ideas of the organisation permeate into people. Our digital footprint over the last decade has enriched people’s journey at the bank, thus consolidating our positioning among the best workplaces in the country.
DBS Bank has been a renowned name in Asian markets for the last 50 years, however, we are intrinsically trying to absorb a 26K startup culture, where people have the freedom to express themselves. PRIDE is a mantra at DBS, with the abbreviation – P-Purpose driven, R- Relationship led, I-Innovative, D-Decisive, E-Everything fun. Moreover, the gesture of caring is an integral part of our culture, which is exhaustively represented in our Employee Value Proposition (EVP).
DBS is fundamentally a learning organisation where our employees are empowered to be at the top of their game.
On the company’s evolution and people practices DBS Bank commenced on a digital transformation roadmap in 2009. Since then it has been a steady climb for the brand in terms of market presence and digital impact.
Today, agile thinking is an integral part of our DNA. Our people are empowered by an exhaustive repository of data to help them innovate in their quest for a solution to business problems, and in the process, execute relevant collaborations. Our flexible work culture facilitates an environment where like-minded people can work towards a common goal. Digital capabilities are at the very basic stage of our constitution, thus bringing not only a sense of parity in the experience, but enabling our people to be the best version of themselves.
On employee attrition and retention
Well, culturally we are an organisation who value people relations, giving loyalty its due recognition. At all times our efforts are invested towards nurturing a talent pool for succession planning. At the same time, professional mobility is an important aspect of our corporate philosophy. Our internal mobility programmes facilitate switching of roles across functions and businesses, at two or three years of service.
The global mobility channels enable our bankers to chart a roadmap of their careers that may take them across international locations. Since these career mobility options are provided at the organisational level, the talent retention rate is considerably on the higher side.
On brand identity
DBS is the Best Bank in the World (Global Finance) and Global Bank of the Year (The Banker). The accolades were received after a slew of awards including The Best Bank in Asia Pacific (Global Finance), and Safest Bank in Asia (Global Finance). As a leader in the BFSI sector, we are also heavily invested in bringing in the next generation of innovation in technology to the industry and in leveraging the position to consolidate our financial positioning in the market, thus ensuring sustainable outcomes, and customer satisfaction for the business.
