Alumni of companies now serve as an important point of contact for companies, as well as a platform for talent search and mentoring. For some, these networks were once seen as just social platforms, but are now essential cogs in the wheel of business success. As organizations realize their strategic importance, these networks are reshaping the way companies engage with former employees, ensuring graduates continue to contribute to their heritage while shaping their future.
comfort factor
The corner offices of Indian companies are aware of this change. Suresh Narayanan, chairman of Nestlé India, says graduates at companies serve as a “sounding board” for talent and non-competitive information sharing. The company has an alumni association system, where former colleagues are encouraged to share their opinions about the organization and check on progress. What helps, in Narayanan’s opinion, is that it has a friendly atmosphere. Its inherent informality helps leaders feel comfortable having discussions with trusted former colleagues in a “safe space,” he said.
Traditions play an important role in fostering such connections. For example, Hindustan Unilever Limited (HUL) has institutionalized alumni engagement through rituals such as retirement board meetings. HUL CEO Sanjiv Mehta said these events attract participants from all over the world.
“Many retired directors living overseas plan their visits to India to coincide with these gatherings.” “The event will see the current CEO of HUL Asia deliver a ‘State of the Union’ speech, followed by a Q&A session and dinner. The most senior retired CEO will give a speech. “This is a meaningful way to honor tradition and foster pride in the company,” he says. HUL alumni also host reunions across the city at their own expense, demonstrating the deep-rooted pride and camaraderie among colleagues. This is, without a doubt, worth taking advantage of. strategic resources
Beyond social connections, alumni networks serve as a strategic resource, and their wealth of know-how coupled with goodwill is an important source of insight. “Whether in recruiting, strategic advice, crisis management or mentoring, our graduates bring unparalleled loyalty and expertise,” said the CEO, who has extensive experience at Tata Motors and the Aditya Birla Group. says Rajiv Dube, a veteran director. These efforts have proven fruitful. An Indian conglomerate recently sought advice from a retired CFO during a new product launch. His insights into pricing and financial strategy contributed significantly to the success of this initiative.
Alumni involvement also helped major technology companies when they faced major software crises. A retired executive led a task force of alumni and current employees to quickly resolve the issue and demonstrate the lasting value of these connections. Examples like this highlight the transformative potential of alumni networks.
But alumni engagement needs to respect boundaries, warns Arun Nanda, who spent 50 years with the Mahindra Group. “Alumni should only provide advice when asked. They can act as sounding boards, but it is important that they do not interfere with the autonomy of current management. Outside of work, the alumni network The focus should be on promoting social connections,” he emphasizes.
Pawan Goenka, chairman of the Indian National Space Promotion and Accreditation Center (IN-SPACe) and former Mahindra MD, advocates making the most of the knowledge of alumni. “Selected retirees serve specific roles and provide invaluable value through their expertise,” he says.
He particularly praises ISRO’s approach where retirees actively contribute to design reviews, training and mentoring and play a key role in the organization’s performance. “IN-SPACe supports dozens of ISRO retirees as a resource for the broader space industry and start-ups, ensuring their expertise remains available,” Goenka added. In emerging fields such as space, where the demand for human resources far exceeds the supply, the wisdom of our seniors is invaluable.
boomerang employment
Some of this effort is accelerating the growing trend of “boomerang hiring”, especially in businesses. That’s exactly what graduates return to their former employers. Venky Venkatesh, President of Human Resources Group at RPG Enterprises, says the biggest driver of culture, values and growth in a workplace is when even former employees introduce themselves to their circle or want to rejoin. He says it’s something he thinks about. Over 100 alumni have rejoined the RPG group in the past two years, he claims.
We don’t just nominate top candidates from our network and participate in person. For example, a senior executive at a multinational company recently used alumni connections to recommend top candidates for the company’s international expansion. This individual’s ultimate success highlighted the potential of networks in talent acquisition.
The reason is very simple. By valuing alumni, companies not only demonstrate their commitment to past contributors, but also increase opportunities for current and future employees. This evolving dynamic positions graduate management as an integral part of many organizations’ workforce strategies, bridging the gap between tradition and growth. That’s why nearly two years ago, RPG Group launched RPG Alumni Circle, a platform aimed at creating meaningful engagement with alumni and staying connected to this extensive network.
“This forum keeps alumni informed about developments within the RPG Group and also follows the professional journey of former employees.Currently, the network has over 2,500 members, It confirms the strong bond between the group and its employees,” says Venkatesh.
It’s important to keep the conversation going. Vivek Gambhir, Lightspeed’s venture partner and chairman of consumer electronics company Boat, which is part of the Bain Alumni Group, said the group is very active “with significant commitment and support from the company.” I am. It leads to regular meet-ups, holiday parties, etc. in different cities of India. We also host regular webinars on a variety of topics for alumni.
Alumni also have exclusive access to Bain IP through a specially developed alumni portal. We provide specialized support to graduates looking for employment. And of course, as Gambhir points out, there is also a very active WhatsApp group where alumni support each other with connections and expertise.
