CRAFTING A STRATEGIC WORKFORCE: HUMAN RESOURCE FORMULATION FOR A THRIVING NEW BUSINESS VENTURE

Assignment Taken

STRATEGIC PROPOSAL FOR HUMAN RESOURCE DEPARTMENT FOR A NEW BUSINESS OPPURTUNITY(AIRWAY DELIVERY)

Case Understanding

Company's Board has decided to venture into 'Hyper Local Delivery space' and want to conduct local delivery through drones. Your company has all necessary permissions. Company has decided to start this venture as "Short Range Drone Based Services" instead of Long-Range Drone Flight operations due to high purchase cost of "Long range drones". Company Intend to build an end-to-end Drone Operations & Management Platform through which a rapid scaling of business can be achieved. Company has performed several successful beta testing deliveries for initial participants such as food delivery companies, few Pharma Chains & Internal Local deliveries and looking forward to exploring more business areas for cost-effective cargo deliveries. As per feedback received by Initial Users time saving is clear and best use case for "drone services". CEO of one Food Delivery company commented that "...A 15 Min. Delivery promise for a 5KM long delivery is doable in case of drones which can never be delivered within 15 min via today's busy city roads." Company wants drone services to add value to end users and as it is an extension of company's current services portfolios. Below is the price table for local deliveries charges by the company (current setup) Drone Delivery Companies board has created a division for Drone Business & Goals for this Division are: To achieve Break-Even within first year of operations. Keeping above Goals in Mind, as a Leader of division, which is dedicated to Drone business line of company, you are assigned to prepare & present a complete business plan for Company's Board approval. All Department Heads will work as per Leader's directives to create all supporting plans like Business case, Marketing plan, Brand Journey projection, HR Recruitment & Training Plan, Financial planning for FY 2023-2024, Plan on IT Infrastructure Including Apps, Website/s, and Management Information System etc.

BCS Solution Summary

Conduct a thorough analysis of the skills required for drone operations, including drone piloting, maintenance, and logistics management. Collaborate with educational institutions and training center’s to identify potential talent in the field of drone technology. Utilize data from skill assessments and performance evaluations to ensure that the recruited workforce aligns with the division's goals. Develop comprehensive training programs that cover technical skills related to drone operations, safety protocols, and compliance with aviation regulations. Implement continuous learning programs to keep the workforce updated on the latest advancements in drone technology and operational best practices. Use data on training effectiveness and employee performance to optimize and tailor training programs for specific roles within the drone division. A comprehensive training and development program is essential for the employees of the drone delivery division to achieve the company's goals of break-even, brand establishment, and market leadership. 1. Drone Technology and Operations: Regulatory Compliance: Train employees on all applicable civil aviation regulations for drone operations, including licensing requirements, flight restrictions, and safety protocols. End-to-end Drone Operations and Management System: Train employees on the company's proprietary drone operations and management system, including flight planning, dispatching, tracking, and data analytics. Software Development and Maintenance: Provide software developers with the necessary training and tools to maintain, update, and enhance the company's drone operations software. IT Infrastructure Management: Train IT staff on managing and maintaining the company's IT infrastructure, including servers, networks, and security systems, to ensure seamless drone operations. Customer Service Excellence: Train employees on providing exceptional customer service, including handling inquiries, resolving issues, and maintaining a positive brand image. Brand Awareness and Advocacy: Educate employees about the company's brand identity, values, and mission to foster brand ambassadorship and promote positive brand perception. Communication and Interpersonal Skills: Enhance employees' communication and interpersonal skills to effectively interact with customers, partners, and colleagues, contributing to a positive brand experience. Creativity and Innovation: Encourage employees to think creatively and develop innovative solutions to challenges and opportunities in the drone delivery industry. Problem-Solving Skills: Train employees in effective problem-solving methodologies to identify, analyze, and resolve operational issues, technical glitches, and customer concerns. Continuous Learning: Promote a culture of continuous learning and encourage employees to stay updated with the latest advancements in drone technology, regulations, and industry trends.

Solution

As a HR manager I have come up with few strategies which will make our company achieve it vision of:

• To achieve Break-Even within first year of operations.
• Brand Establishment.
• Innovation in processes and product to become Market leader.

Skill Assessment and Recruitment:

Conduct a thorough analysis of the skills required for drone operations, including drone piloting, maintenance, and logistics management. Collaborate with educational institutions and training center’s to identify potential talent in the field of drone technology. Utilize data from skill assessments and performance evaluations to ensure that the recruited workforce aligns with the division's goals. Regular Assessments: Conduct periodic evaluations to track individual and team performance.

Drone Operators:

Skills:

• Proven experience in operating short-range and long-range drones
• Proficiency in drone flight control systems and navigation software
• In-depth knowledge of drone regulations and safety procedures
• Ability to plan and execute delivery routes efficiently
• Excellent hand-eye coordination and problem-solving skills

Minimum Eligibility:

• Bachelor's degree in aviation, logistics, or a related field
• Valid DGCA-approved drone pilot license
• At least 2 years of experience operating drones in a commercial environment

Software Developers:

Skills:

• Expertise in developing and maintaining end-to-end drone operations and management systems
• Proficiency in programming languages like Python, Java, or C++
• Strong understanding of cloud computing and data management principles
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team
• Excellent problem-solving and analytical skills

Minimum Eligibility:

• Bachelor's degree in computer science, software engineering, or a related field
• At least 3 years of experience in developing enterprise-level software applications
• Familiarity with drone technology and applications

Support Staff:

Skills:

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
• Ability to provide customer service and support
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and other relevant software
• Strong attention to detail and organizational skills
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team

Minimum Eligibility:

• High school diploma or equivalent
• At least 2 years of experience in customer service or administrative support
• Proficient in English language and communication

Marketing & Branding Specialist:

Minimum Eligibility:

• Education: Bachelor's degree in marketing, communications, or a related field
• Experience: 3+ years of experience in marketing and branding, with a proven track record of success in developing and executing marketing campaigns, managing social media accounts, and creating compelling brand content.

Skills:

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Strong understanding of marketing principles and best practices
• Proficient in social media platforms and analytics
• Experience with graphic design software
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team

Financial Analyst

Minimum eligibility:

• Education: Bachelor's degree in finance, accounting, or a related field
• Experience: 2+ years of experience in financial analysis, with a strong understanding of financial statements, budgeting, and forecasting.

Skills:

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
• Proficiency in financial modeling and analysis software
• Excellent communication and presentation skills
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team

Quality Assurance Specialist

Minimum eligiblity:

• Education: Bachelor's degree in computer science, software engineering, or a related field
• Experience: 2+ years of experience in quality assurance, with a strong understanding of testing methodologies, defect tracking, and root cause analysis.

Skills:

• Strong attention to detail and the ability to identify and report defects
• Proficient in testing software applications
• Experience with quality assurance tools and methodologies
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills

Data Analyst

Minimum eligiblity:

• Education: Bachelor's degree in statistics, data science, or a related field
• Experience: 2+ years of experience in data analysis, with a strong understanding of statistical methods, data mining, and data visualization.

Skills:

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
• Proficient in data analysis software and tools
• Experience with data cleaning and preparation
• Excellent communication and presentation skills

Training and Development Programs:

Develop comprehensive training programs that cover technical skills related to drone operations, safety protocols, and compliance with aviation regulations. Implement continuous learning programs to keep the workforce updated on the latest advancements in drone technology and operational best practices. Use data on training effectiveness and employee performance to optimize and tailor training programs for specific roles within the drone division.

A comprehensive training and development program is essential for the employees of the drone delivery division to achieve the company's goals of break-even, brand establishment, and market leadership. The program should focus on the following key areas:

1. Drone Technology and Operations:

Drone Fundamentals: Provide a thorough understanding of drone technology, including aircraft systems, aerodynamics, flight control systems, and sensor technologies.

Regulatory Compliance: Train employees on all applicable civil aviation regulations for drone operations, including licensing requirements, flight restrictions, and safety protocols.

Operational Procedures: Develop and implement standardized operating procedures for pre-flight checks, flight planning, mission execution, emergency response, and post-flight procedures.

2. Software and Technology:

End-to-end Drone Operations and Management System: Train employees on the company's proprietary drone operations and management system, including flight planning, dispatching, tracking, and data analytics.

Software Development and Maintenance: Provide software developers with the necessary training and tools to maintain, update, and enhance the company's drone operations software.

IT Infrastructure Management: Train IT staff on managing and maintaining the company's IT infrastructure, including servers, networks, and security systems, to ensure seamless drone operations.

3. Customer Service and Brand Building:

Customer Service Excellence: Train employees on providing exceptional customer service, including handling inquiries, resolving issues, and maintaining a positive brand image.

Brand Awareness and Advocacy: Educate employees about the company's brand identity, values, and mission to foster brand ambassadorship and promote positive brand perception.

Communication and Interpersonal Skills: Enhance employees' communication and interpersonal skills to effectively interact with customers, partners, and colleagues, contributing to a positive brand experience.

4. Innovation and Problem-Solving:

Creativity and Innovation: Encourage employees to think creatively and develop innovative solutions to challenges and opportunities in the drone delivery industry.

Problem-Solving Skills: Train employees in effective problem-solving methodologies to identify, analyze, and resolve operational issues, technical glitches, and customer concerns.

Continuous Learning: Promote a culture of continuous learning and encourage employees to stay updated with the latest advancements in drone technology, regulations, and industry trends.

Regulatory Compliance: Educate on DGCA guidelines and safety protocols.

 We can also collaborate with other training institute like:

• Indian Institutes Of Drones
• Indian Academy Of Drones
• Drone Federation Of India

Talent Retention and Motivation:

Design a competitive compensation and benefits package to attract and retain top talent in the drone industry. Implement performance-based incentives to motivate employees to achieve operational targets and contribute to the division's success. Regularly gather feedback from employees through surveys and performance reviews to address concerns and improve the work environment.

Promote Diversity and Inclusion:

Foster a diverse and inclusive workplace where all employees feel respected and valued.

Implement policies and practices that promote diversity and address biases.

Continuous Feedback and Performance Management:

Replace traditional annual performance reviews with regular, constructive feedback sessions.

Set clear performance expectations and provide opportunities for skill enhancement.

Retention Analytics:

Use data and analytics to identify trends and potential retention risks.

Act proactively to address issues before they become major concerns.

Exit Interviews and Learning from Departures:

Conduct exit interviews to understand the reasons behind employee departures.

Use the feedback to make improvements and enhance the overall employee experience.

Leadership Development:

Invest in leadership development programs to ensure that managers are equipped with the skills to lead and motivate their teams effectively.

Cross-Functional Collaboration:

Facilitate communication and collaboration between different departments, such as operations, technology, and marketing, to ensure a cohesive approach to drone service delivery. Use data on cross-functional collaboration to identify areas for improvement and implement strategies to enhance teamwork and synergy.

Establish a cross-functional team to oversee the drone delivery project. This team should include representatives from marketing, sales, operations, finance, and IT.

Develop a clear communication plan for sharing information and updates across all departments. This will help to ensure that everyone is on the same page and that there are no surprises.

Create a shared repository for all project documentation. This will make it easy for everyone to access the information they need, and it will help to prevent duplication of effort.

Hold regular meetings to discuss progress and identify any roadblocks. This will help to keep the project on track and ensure that everyone is working towards the same goals.

Encourage feedback from all stakeholders. This will help to identify areas where the project can be improved.

Recognition & Incentives:

Merit-based Rewards: Implement a recognition program for outstanding contributions.

Performance-based Incentives: Tie bonuses to meeting or exceeding performance targets.

KPIs & Performance Metrics:

Quantifiable Goals: Establish delivery efficiency metrics, software uptime, and compliance adherence.

Adaptability and Innovation:

Emphasize the importance of adaptability and innovation in the rapidly evolving drone industry. Encourage employees to contribute ideas for process improvements and technological advancements. Track and analyse data on innovation initiatives and their impact on operational efficiency and customer satisfaction.

Employee Well-being:

Implement programs that prioritize the health and well-being of employees, considering the potentially high-stress nature of the drone operations. Monitor employee satisfaction data and make adjustments to policies and programs to improve overall well-being.

Diversity and Inclusion:

Promote diversity and inclusion within the workforce to bring in a variety of perspectives and ideas. Utilize data on diversity metrics to ensure that the workforce represents a broad range of backgrounds and experiences.

Succession Planning:

Develop a succession plan to identify and groom future leaders within the drone division. Use data on employee performance and potential to create a pipeline for leadership positions.

Conclusion

By focusing on these key areas, the company can build a high-performing workforce that is well-equipped to drive innovation, achieve break-even within the first year, and establish the company as a market leader in the drone delivery industry.

Attached File Details

View Attachment file (NMO BUDGET - NMO.pdf)