Sri Lankans are marked by their untapped potential, according to HSBC's Regional Head of Learning, Talent, Resourcing and Organisation Development for Asia Pacific, Michael Fracarro.
Elaborating, he noted that this was because they were often well qualifed to take on broader roles in other areas; a capability he had come across time and again during his interactions with Sri Lankans working offshore within the HSBC network.
Mr. Fracarro made these remarks during an interview with the Sunday Times FT on the sidelines of an exploratory two-day visit to Colombo, his first, during which he led a regional Human Resources (HR) Town Hall meeting with local HR staff and met with local senior management to 'understand the local business, its capabilities and requirements to render his support in implementing best HR practices'.
Of the global bank's local operations, Mr. Fracarro noted that the Sri Lankan HR function of the bank had proven to be a key driver, especially during the country's turbulent past, in managing the anxiety of employees, maintaining high engagement with staff and providing opportunity.
He further highlighted the relevancy of local HR efforts, indicating that it was because they maintained a 'sense of stability' as well as a 'reputation for training' that HSBC's status as one of the top choices for young Sri Lankans entering the workforce was consistently earned; a situation with which the bank is growing increasingly familiar as fully 70% of staff are currently below 40 years of age.
Mr. Fracarro also credited referrals by staff and the Chief Executive's active role in the business community as central to securing the strong interest by potential employees that the bank enjoys. |
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