The keynote speakers U T Nirmal Kumar, IT Industry Leader for consulting practice, Hewitt, India and Sanjay Gawde, senior consultant, Western India (IT and ITES), Hewitt, India spoke on the Total reward philosophy and its importance, recent trends in salary increase and key drivers for the same, compensation philosophy, challenges and opportunities created by the current economic slowdown and last but not the least CEO’s agenda for the People and the expectation from HR.

“Even as India Inc is likely to cut the planned salary increase in the coming year, most firms want to avoid job cuts. Majority of companies in the country are trying to be selective in planning the workforce and benefit cuts for 2009, while they anticipate a decline in their company’s business performance next year. Companies have already started scrutinising their benefit plans and are likely to make some revisions in 2009,” concluded the speakers.

Sunil Karad, executive director, and MIT Group of Institutions took lead in sponsoring the interactive session with the stalwarts of the IT/ITES industry on the theme.