share on
"With the rapid pace of change in the retail-wholesale industry, we knew that building a resilient, adaptable, and innovative workforce was not just a priority but a necessity," Panchalee Weeratammawat, Chief People Officer, Central Retail Corporation, shares.
Central Retail Corporation believes its achievements in HR excellence, recognised at the HR Excellence Awards 2024, Thailand, are a testament to the company's unwavering commitment to its people. Underpinned by a strategy that values inclusivity, empowerment, and growth, the team is keen to showcase how fostering a resilient and innovative workforce leads directly to business success.
Central Retail won a total of five gold and two silver trophies on the awards night, culminating in the Overall HREA Winner title.
- Gold:
- Excellence in HR Innovation,
- Excellence in Graduate Recruitment and Development,
- Excellence in In-House Talent Pipeline Strategy,
- Best HR Team (MNC),
- HR Leader of the Year (Panchalee Weeratammawat)
- Silver:
- Excellence in Workplace Culture,
- Excellence in Cross-Generational Workforce Engagement
In this interview, Panchalee Weeratammawat, Chief People Officer, Central Retail Corporation, shares the motivation behind the company's award-winning people strategy, reflecting on challenges the team had to overcome along the way.
Q What was the motivation that sparked your passion & business case for pursuing your outstanding people strategy?
The motivation behind our people strategy stems from a deep-rooted belief that employees are the heart of every successful organisation. At Central Retail, we aim to create an environment where every individual feels valued, empowered, and aligned with our shared vision. The business case was clear: Fostering a supportive, inclusive, and growth-oriented culture leads to sustained employee motivation, which drives long-term engagement and commitment and, ultimately, business success.
With the rapid pace of change in the retail-wholesale industry, we knew that building a resilient, adaptable, and innovative workforce was not just a priority but a necessity.
Q Looking back, can you share a challenge that you overcame in your journey of HR excellence? How did you triumph?
One of the most significant challenges we faced was creating the right environment that fosters positive employee experience. With over 60,000 employees across diverse business units at different maturity stages, ensuring consistency in our HR strategy was no easy feat. We overcame this by guiding through shared principles, encouraging everyone to embrace our ‘One CRC, One HR Team’ ethos, and focusing on open communication and collaboration among multiple HR teams across the organisation.
By fostering a culture of shared goals, mutual support, and empathy, we created a unified HR team willing to support one another in meeting the unique needs of each business unit. The results speak for themselves, as the unique strength of our ‘One HR Team’ across 14 business units has become a cornerstone of our success in driving numerous HR initiatives for Central Retail.
Q Beyond the recognition, what impact do you hope your feature in the HR Excellence Awards would have on the HR community and manpower landscape?
I hope that our achievement serves as a beacon of inspiration for professional HR practitioners in creating people-centric organisations in Thailand and beyond. The HR landscape is evolving, and it’s critical that companies see the importance of placing their people at the heart of their strategy. By sharing our journey, I hope to encourage others to invest in people development, well-being, and innovation. Our recognition is not just about winning awards, but about setting a new standard for HR excellence and driving positive changes, ultimately helping to uplift the HR community and create a better environment for everyone to thrive in.
Q Could you share some advice you would give to others aspiring to follow in your footsteps?
The most important advice I can offer is to remain focused on your purpose, striking the right balance between people and business. Being an HR leader is not easy; it requires unwavering determination, persistence, and resilience. The world of HR is constantly evolving, and staying ahead necessitates a willingness to innovate while never losing sight of the individuals behind the numbers.
Cultivating meaningful relationships and fostering an empathetic environment are essential, as is the ability to understand and influence stakeholders.
Through dedicated efforts in addressing challenges and adding value to the organisation or community you serve; respect and trust will not be too hard to earn.
Q Let's talk inspiration! Who has been a driving force behind your success?
The driving force behind my success has always been the remarkable Central Retail HR team I’ve had the honor to lead and work alongside. Leading an organization of this scale and complexity presents its own challenges, and I truly appreciate that the dedication and commitment of my HR team are integral to our achievements. Their unwavering support and energy inspire me daily and fuel us to strive for excellence. The challenges we’ve faced have pushed me to think innovatively in generating pragmatic solutions and expanding my leadership horizons.
At the heart of my journey is the profound inspiration drawn from King Rama IX, whose exemplary leadership embodies action over rhetoric. His unwavering dedication to serving others and uplifting communities, coupled with a vision for positive changes, profoundly shapes my approach to leadership.
Ultimately, it’s the collective spirit of collaboration, support, empathy, and shared vision that drives us forward, allowing us to realise extraordinary results together.
Read more interviews on why organisations have won trophies for their HR practices - head over to our Winning Secrets section!
Photos: Provided
share on
