Winner’s Interview Professional Services
Driving People Engagement delivering the impact you desire – both for clients and your own career,” he explains. “I spend a lot of time coaching future leaders both formally and informally, helping guide them through key decisions and helping them shape their own careers. I have also put in place a programme for people to continuously learn and grow through structured and unstructured learning programmes.”
their lifestyle,” he notes. “In a traditional professional services environment, it can be challenging to align the expectations of clients with the expectations of talent. I would like to see creativity and forward thinking from our industry to keep talent – specifically out-of-the-box thinking millennials – engaged, dedicated and contributing.”
“Open education, particularly unstructured learning to supplement organisational training, is also vital to keep talent relevant, engaged and growing” Naik is also a frequent sponsor and host for several initiatives to induct, orient and upskill Accenture people, both locally and globally. “Given the huge focus I place on driving the workforce of the future, I am a committed sponsor of the HR function within my organisation, and frequently partner with them to drive people engagement projects,” he says.
Lee Naik 2015 Rising Star Professional Services Lee Naik is Managing Director at Accenture Digital - South Africa, and this year’s winner of the Rising Star award in the Professional Services category. “Winning this award was a proud achievement and a significant personal milestone for me,” says Naik. “Being selected by a group representing the top echelon of industry leaders is a great honour and motivation.” Rising Star is a prestigious recognition of success within an industry, and of the participants’ general contribution as leaders. “I see my success as depending on and contributing towards that of my clients, employer and the teams I have the privilege of working with,” says Naik. “I am deeply grateful for the times when my own success has contributed to or inspired success in others.” Naik’s passion is to play a role in the success of others, and one of the primary reasons he continues to enjoy working at Accenture is its commitment to people. “Asking for help and partnering for success is encouraged, and it is critical for
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Naik believes that people engagement is key to the retention of talent in any industry.
Naik concludes with a word of encouragement for young talent faced with seemingly insurmountable obstacles: “Do not focus on your problems, but on how you would like to change them. Focus on your own personal drive to succeed, and help others while asking for help along the way. With determination, constant skills growth and the right networks you will become a person of significant personal, professional and social power – even if it’s hard to satisfy your own high standards.”
“Supply and retention of skills remain a top challenge,” he says. “In an increasingly tech-led and digitally-driven environment, it can be difficult to find talent with that magic combination of deep technical expertise and broad, strategic insight. These talented individuals are in demand, and increased partnership and collaboration between related service providers could be a key to solving this challenge. Open education, particularly unstructured learning to supplement organisational training, is also vital to keep talent relevant, engaged and growing.” Many organisations have embarked on a reshaping of their talent management processes. “Gone are the days of annual reviews,” says Naik. “This is being replaced by real-time feedback combined with ongoing coaching and development to help individuals with their professional evolution and personal development.” Naik says that increasingly, employees are demanding more from their employers. “They want to work where they want, at a time that suits their work-life integration plans, on a device that best complements
Rising Star Annual 1st Edition
Lee Naik & Commissioner Malatji