The Shape of Work

#59: Everything you wanted to know about setting up the HR function and hiring at an early-stage startup, with Saurabh Nigam

August 09, 2021 Springworks Season 1 Episode 59
The Shape of Work
#59: Everything you wanted to know about setting up the HR function and hiring at an early-stage startup, with Saurabh Nigam
Show Notes

When is the perfect time for a startup to make its first HR hire?

If there is anyone who knows the answer to the question, it’s Saurabh Nigam, Vice President- Human Capital at Omidyar Network India.

Having worked with several startup founders, Saurabh truly understands the entrepreneurial DNA and knows what goes inside the mind of an entrepreneur.

In the episode, we discuss with Saurabh:

  • Why is hiring correctly always a top priority at a startup
  • When should a small business or startup make their first HR hire
  • The Founder’s Hiring Dilemmas: restricting first set of hires to their close networks vs getting out of that 'inner circle' bubble while scaling
  • How to set up powerful employee career paths to help retain high-performers
  • His thoughts on people switching paths to establish their career in HR

Why is hiring right always a top priority at a startup?

Every business, whether a startup or established business entity, needs people. According to Mr Saurabh Nigam, hiring is an integral part of operations and function. Hiring correctly is always the topmost priority.
The right candidate brings value to the organisation. It is vital to consider how new hires fit into the company’s goals, aspirations. Several founders manage several roles themselves and hire people from networks and relatives.
This is basic human behaviour to test new ideas with people in contact. Startups get their internal team or first couple of recruits from relatives and networks.

How to set up powerful employee career paths to help retain high-performers?

Early-stage startups should consider the following points for a powerful career path to retain high-performers:
•      There should be a balanced approach between the employee’s expectation from the job company and the company’s expectation from the employee.
•      Company’s communication should be clear about job, salary, and perks.
•      There should be ample opportunities to grow and share ideas in the workplace.
•      Consistency of behaviour with new and old employees

Mr Saurabh Nigam’s thoughts on people switching paths to establish their career in HR

Mr Saurabh Nigam said about people switching jobs from other fields to HR that it is never late to explore different career options if the person is confident about it. The person should be well aware of the nuance, job responsibilities, operations, hiring, etc. The person should do justice with the job and be honest with the organization.

Follow Saurabh on LinkedIn

Produced by: Priya Bhatt
Podcast host: Abhash Kumar

BONUS: We understand that, as a startup, choosing the perfect HR software might be a little confusing. Hence, we offer A Buyer’s Guide to HR Software [2021] which will help you choose the  best HR software you need for your organization.