XLRI Organises METAMORPHOSE 2024

XLRI, one of India’s premier business schools, recently hosted its flagship event, Metamorphose 2024, bringing together top HR professionals, industry leaders and academic experts to explore the future of the HR function. Held from September 27-29 in Jaipur, the event focused on the pivotal trends reshaping HR today - leadership, agility and AI.

As businesses worldwide face unprecedented changes, the HR function is undergoing a significant transformation. Modern leadership is no longer defined by traditional hierarchies but by empathy, adaptability and a commitment to employee well-being. Agility has become crucial as organisations adopt flexible work models and faster decision-making processes to remain competitive in a rapidly evolving environment. Meanwhile, AI is revolutionising HR practices by streamlining recruitment, talent management and performance assessments through data-driven insights that enhance human potential.

At Metamorphose 2024, distinguished speakers and participants discussed how these trends are shaping the future of HR. Featuring knowledge sessions facilitated by McKinsey & Co., the event addressed key challenges such as organisational agility, the role of GenAI in HR and the need for institutional capability in building resilient organisations. The theme for the event was Emerge - Sustain - Lead.

The event kicked off with an offbeat interaction with Svati Chakravarty Bhatkal, co-director of Satyamev Jayate, as she dived into her rich social experiences seen through the cinematic medium. Thereafter, the participants were welcomed by Srini Vudumula, the convenor of the event, who highlighted the transformative journey of XLRI as it marks 75 years of excellence in education and leadership. During his opening address at Metamorphose 2024, he delivered a powerful message around the theme of Emerge-Sustain-Lead that set the tone for the event. With his deep insights into the challenges of today’s world, he highlighted the transformative essence of Metamorphose 2024, underscoring its significance in a time of such unprecedented change. “Metamorphose represents not just survival but growth amidst chaos,” he stated, emphasising the importance of resilience in the face of volatility. He further stressed the critical need for collaboration and meaningful exchanges of ideas to shape not only organisations but also the larger society.

At Metamorphose 2024, McKinsey's knowledge sessions provided leaders with actionable strategies for navigating the evolving business landscape. Patrick Simon - Senior Partner McKinsey highlighted that 60 per cent of Chief Financial Officers (CEOs) foresee major transformations ahead, stressing agile structures, empowered workforces and continuous learning as keys to thriving in volatility. Faridun Dotiwala - Partner, McKinsey focused on resilience and speed in adapting to change, while Julian Kirchherr - Partner, McKinsey showcased how GenAI is enhancing HR efficiency and talent pipelines. Chaitali Mukherjee, Partner, McKinsey introduced the VECTOR framework for building institutional capability and Patrick Simon predicted future HR models centred on agility and digital integration. Faridun Dotiwala further emphasised self-awareness and human-centred leadership for positive change.

Leading sponsors such as Darwinbox, ICICI Bank, ITW, Alldigi Tech, Joye.ai, Rezolv, NxtWave and Partners such as Mondelez, Jack Daniels, ORIX India, United Breweries, Indian Conventions, Sula contributed to the event's success. Cultural and networking opportunities, including a gala dinner and live folk music, created a space for informal connections and forged strong relationships among participants.