Faces of HR: L'Oreal's Yanuar Kurniawan's biggest takeaway from his first day in HR

By truly listening to employees' needs and pain points, says the leader, can HR develop solutions that drive business success.

Among the many takeaways from Yanuar Kurniawan's early days in HR, is one that sticks with him today: The true need to align HR strategies with business goals. It's about having strong business acumen and understanding that the organisation's 'customers' are its own employees, the leader notes.

"By truly listening to their needs and pain points, we can develop HR solutions that empower them and drive business success. It's this people-centric approach, communicated in clear business language, that earns HR a seat at the leadership table."

With more than a decade of experience in talent and leadership development, organisational effectiveness, and HR transformation, Yanuar is currently People Development and Learning Director at L’Oréal.

A recognised thought leader, he was named a LinkedIn Top Voice in 2024 and generously contributes to academia as a Faculty Advisory Board Member at Universitas Gadjah Mada.

In an interview with Sabarish Prasad ahead of his session at HRO's ⁠Transform Talent Indonesia 2024, Yanuar talks about driving business success through a people-centric approach.

Q. What steps do you believe are necessary to transform today's talent into the talent that the business needs?  

Transforming our current talent to meet future business needs is a strategic process.

We must first clearly understand how the business landscape is evolving and identify the skills and knowledge gaps that will emerge.

Next, it's crucial to map our existing talent pool and assess their individual capabilities and potential. With a clear picture of the gaps and opportunities, we can create targeted development plans.

Finally, open communication with our employees about this vision, ensuring they feel supported and prepared to become the future leaders of our organisation, is vital.

Q. Could you share emerging trends that you believe will have the most significant impact on HR in the next few years? 

The HR landscape is being reshaped by emerging trends. Technologies like AI and ChatGPT, while not replacing human expertise, demand upskilling to leverage their efficiency. Simultaneously, the rise of younger generations in the workforce necessitates adapting HR policies, particularly in areas like performance management and benefits, to diverse motivational drivers.

Lastly, learning and development must evolve to be personalised, engaging, and digitally fluent, incorporating diverse methodologies and platforms to equip talent for the future of work.

Q. What are you most looking forward to in your session at #TransformTalentID?  

I'm thrilled to be participating in #TransformTalentID! I'm eager to share L'Oréal's deep commitment to nurturing talent and our innovative learning and development programs. We'll explore how these initiatives, tailored for all career stages, empower us to develop, engage, and retain top talent.

I believe our people-centric approach, combined with cutting-edge learning experiences, serves as a model for building a future-ready workforce. Let's exchange ideas and inspire one another!

I want to attend the conference: If you're keen to attend this closed-door conference, kindly register your interest here. For speaking opportunities, please write in to Sabarish Prasad. We look forward to welcoming you!

I want to sponsor: Engage in meaningful dialogue through dedicated speaking slots, roundtable discussions, and at your booths! If your organisation provides any talent solutions and products that you'd like to showcase, you’ll fit right into this event. To learn how you can sponsor, please reach out to a member of our team now!

Lead image / Human Resources Online