Mumbai, 21st May 2025: In a move to redefine the future of talent in India’s Global Capability Centres (GCCs), SHRM India and LinkedIn unveiled the Talent Strategy Playbook: The Future Starts Now on Day 1 of SHRM Tech 2.0 2025. Launched in front of 2,000+ delegates and 150+ speakers, the report launch marked a pivotal moment in the evolving discourse on AI, digital transformation, and people-first leadership in the workplace.
As India cements its position as a global GCC hub, the playbook addresses the mounting paradox: an abundance of opportunity constrained by acute skill shortages and outdated hiring models. This strategic guide distils insights from India’s top GCC leaders and offers a blueprint for driving innovation through people-first, AI-enabled, and skills-centric workforce strategies.
Key Highlights from the Playbook:
• AI Momentum: Only 13% of GCCs have truly integrated AI across their talent operations, despite 67% using it occasionally or moderately.
• Brand as a Talent Magnet: While 70% of GCCs believe in L&D effectiveness, nearly 30% see no clear link to internal career movement or growth.
• Learning ≠ Mobility: Despite strong investment in Learning & Development, 30% of respondents say L&D programs are failing to support internal career mobility.
• Skills-First is the Future: 53% of GCCs have adopted skill-based platforms, but only 10% assess future skills regularly hindering workforce agility.
• Employer branding is no longer optional: Top GCCs win talent by showcasing growth opportunities (33%), company culture (23%), and authentic employee stories (14%).
• Reskilling Over Recruitment: 41% of GCCs are investing in internal upskilling, while only 15% are hiring AI specialists, reflecting the cost and availability challenge.
The Playbook further outlines five strategic priorities for GCCs:
1. Shift to a skills-first hiring model backed by internal talent marketplaces.
2. Accelerate AI adoption by linking technology with workforce reskilling.
3. Build authentic employer brands that differentiate GCCs in a competitive market.
4. Reinvent L&D as a mobility driver with clear, measurable career outcomes.
5. Evolve towards intelligent talent platforms using data-driven insights for hiring and development.
A powerful opening segment set the tone for the transformative event. In her welcome address, Achal Khanna, CEO – SHRM India, MENA & APAC, emphasized the need for a human-centred approach to digital transformation, and said, “SHRM Tech is not just a platform for conversations – it’s a launchpad for action. As we step into a future powered by AI and human ingenuity, we must focus on trust, purpose, and adaptability. Limitless possibilities unfold when people and technology come together to lead change. People influence the global growth, we influence the people”.
Some of the keynote speakers like Zarin Daruwala, Former Cluster CEO – India & South Asia, Standard Chartered Bank, Richard Rekhy, Vice Chair, Grant Thornton Bharat & Former CEO, KPMG India, Dr. Praveer Sinha, CEO & Managing Director, The Tata Power Company delivered thought-provoking perspectives.
Day 1 at SHRM Tech 2.0 2025 featured a series of dynamic panel discussions that tackled some of the most pressing themes in the world of work. Experts delved into topics exploring AI’s impact on talent acquisition, from building high-intent pipelines with employer branding to enhancing hiring decisions through smart assessments. With agentic AI, culture personalization, and inclusive leadership beyond performative I&D, the focus remains human-centric. Ultimately, it’s about blending speed, ethics, and trust to empower delegates with actionable insights and tools to drive change in their organizations.
Building on the momentum of an inspiring first day, Day 2 of SHRM Tech 2.0 2025 promises to deliver deeper insights and future-forward thinking. The day will feature a high-impact sessions by Andy Biladeau, Chief Transformation Officer, SHRM; Pranjal Sharma, Economic Analyst, Advisor & Author, The Next New; A. Balasubramanian, Managing Director & CEO, Aditya Birla Sun Life AMC; Puneet Chandok, President, Microsoft India & South Asia & several other illustrious names from industry. These experts will dive into pressing themes including data ethics, redefined leadership, and building adaptive, digitally resilient organizations. The thought-provoking sessions will herald a vibrant Workplace 2.0—where recognition, roles, and resilience evolve through AI, leadership, and culture in concert, not conflict.
With over 2,000+ delegates, 150+ speakers, and 100+ partners, SHRM Tech 2025 has set the stage for workplace transformation at scale.