In today’s competitive solar market, achieving sustainable growth requires more than technical expertise; it demands a strong, structured HR foundation. Stratefix partnered with Navitas Solar to overhaul their HR framework, setting the stage for growth and industry compliance.
Navitas Solar, an emerging leader in the solar energy sector, faced critical challenges in their HR operations, impacting both growth and organisational efficiency. With a dedicated management team of five directors, Navitas Solar was set to scale up and establish a solid presence within the solar market. However, their HR framework lacked essential components like team alignment, structured policies, performance management, and ISO compliance—key factors in building a sustainable, growth-oriented organisation aligned with their vision.
To address these challenges, Navitas Solar engaged Stratefix Consulting, a well-established business management and HR consultancy known for delivering comprehensive solutions that align with industry standards.
This case study demonstrates how Stratefix Consulting’s expert HR interventions transformed Navitas Solar’s internal operations, enabling the company to scale up and achieve industry-leading performance. Through custom HR processes, modernisation, and strategic planning, Stratefix enabled Navitas Solar to streamline overall operations and foster a culture of accountability and motivation.
Solar Energy Growth and Workforce Challenges
The Indian solar energy sector is rapidly expanding, with an anticipated market value of USD 10 billion by 2025. This growth is fuelled by government initiatives and a shift toward renewable energy. However, growth in this sector requires a strong HR foundation to manage an expanding workforce, regulatory compliance, and skill development to keep up with industry standards.
In a competitive landscape, companies like Navitas Solar must address internal inefficiencies to meet the demands of a growing market.
Prior to Stratefix’s intervention, Navitas Solar faced several HR-related issues:
- Lack of Team Alignment: Teams operated in silos, with misaligned goals and frequent miscommunication that impacted productivity.
- Absence of Organisational Structure: The lack of a formal structure led to unclear roles, ineffective reporting lines, and inefficient work processes.
- No Standardised Compensation System: The absence of a gradation chart created disparities in salary, causing dissatisfaction and impacting employee retention.
- Inadequate Documentation and Policy Implementation: Insufficient HR documentation and inconsistent policy enforcement posed compliance risks.
- No Formal Performance Management: The lack of Key Result Areas (KRAs) and Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) resulted in unmeasured performance and limited accountability.
- Low Employee Engagement and Retention: A lack of structured engagement activities and career progression paths led to low morale and high turnover.
Stratefix developed a comprehensive HR transformation strategy to address these issues, focusing on creating a strong HR foundation, aligning teams, and enabling Navitas Solar to sustain growth.
Stratefix’s HR Transformation Strategy for Navitas Solar
- Developing an Organisational Structure
To align teams and enhance productivity, Stratefix implemented a clear organisational structure:
- Departmental Structure and Role Clarity: Each department received a well-defined organisational structure, establishing clear reporting lines and responsibilities. This alignment not only improved communication but also enabled efficient decision-making within departments.
- Hierarchy Development: Stratefix developed a hierarchical structure that provided both upward mobility and accountability, creating a framework that supported Navitas’s growth goals.
- Establishing a Gradation Chart and Standardising Compensation
Fair and transparent compensation is vital for employee retention and satisfaction. Stratefix addressed this by developing a detailed gradation chart:
- Gradation Chart Implementation: This standardised chart correlated salaries with qualifications and experience, ensuring fairness and addressing compensation discrepancies.
- Market-Aligned Salary Structure: A salary comparison survey was conducted to benchmark against industry standards, making Navitas competitive in attracting and retaining talent.
- Strengthening HR Documentation for ISO Compliance
To maintain compliance with ISO standards, Stratefix revamped Navitas Solar’s HR documentation:
- Policy Documentation and ISO Alignment: Stratefix created and formalised HR documents, including contracts, policies, and employee handbooks, ensuring compliance with ISO requirements.
- Compliance Assurance: Comprehensive HR documentation allowed Navitas Solar to meet regulatory standards, improving organisational credibility and facilitating future audits.
- Implementing Core HR Policies
Stratefix introduced and enforced several key policies crucial to workplace culture and compliance:
- Environmental Policy and POSH Implementation: In alignment with industry standards, Stratefix implemented an Environmental Policy and the Prevention of Sexual Harassment (POSH) Policy.
- Policy Awareness and Training: Awareness sessions ensured employees understood and adhered to these policies, fostering a safe and compliant workplace culture.
- Performance Management System
To improve accountability and performance, Stratefix implemented a robust performance management framework:
- Developing Job Descriptions, KRAs, and KPIs: Stratefix created detailed job descriptions and established KRAs and KPIs, enabling continuous performance tracking for each role.
- Regular Performance Reviews: One-on-one review meetings provided a platform for employees to submit performance sheets, promoting a culture of accountability and continuous improvement.
- Enhancing Employee Engagement and Recognition
Employee motivation and satisfaction are critical for a productive workforce. Stratefix introduced structured engagement activities and recognition programmes:
- Reward and Recognition Programme: This programme highlighted monthly and quarterly achievements, recognising contributions from both production and administrative teams.
- Team Engagement Activities: Through regular engagement events, Stratefix improved morale and strengthened workplace relationships, reducing attrition and building a cohesive workforce.
- Modernising HR Systems and Integrating ERP and HRMS
Modern HR systems streamline operations and reduce errors. Stratefix transformed Navitas Solar’s HR framework by integrating technology:
- ERP and HRMS Implementation: A tailored ERP system centralised HR operations across finance, payroll, attendance, and leave management, replacing manual systems.
- Enhanced Record-Keeping and Efficiency: The HRMS simplified leave applications and payroll processes, ensuring data accuracy and improving overall HR efficiency.
- Training and Development Programmes
Stratefix recognised the importance of upskilling Navitas Solar’s workforce to handle evolving HR systems and industry requirements:
- Training Needs Identification (TNI) and Skill Matrix: Stratefix conducted a TNI to identify skill gaps and prioritise training programmes.
- Employee Training: Targeted training sessions empowered employees to use new HR systems effectively and contributed to building a skilled, adaptable workforce.
- Recruitment and Retention Strategy
To support Navitas Solar’s expansion plans, Stratefix refined recruitment and retention strategies:
- Recruitment Dashboard Development: A recruitment dashboard provided a real-time overview of hiring progress, improving transparency and efficiency.
- Competitive Recruitment Practices: Salary benchmarking and talent sourcing strategies enabled Navitas to attract qualified candidates for its new plant in Kosamba.
Achieving HR and Work Force Excellence at Navitas Solar
Stratefix’s comprehensive HR interventions led to remarkable improvements across HR operations:
- Enhanced Team Alignment and Communication: A formal organisational structure and regular meetings improved alignment, ensuring that teams worked towards unified goals.
- Fair and Transparent Compensation: The gradation chart eliminated salary discrepancies, boosting employee satisfaction and reducing turnover.
- Compliance with ISO Standards: ISO-compliant documentation facilitated smoother audits and strengthened Navitas’s commitment to industry standards.
- Increased Employee Motivation and Engagement: The Reward and Recognition programme, alongside regular engagement activities, significantly improved morale and productivity.
- Improved Performance Management: Clearly defined job roles, KRAs, and KPIs fostered a culture of accountability, with continuous performance monitoring and regular feedback sessions.
- Streamlined Operations: Integrating ERP and HRMS centralised HR functions, reducing errors and enhancing HR efficiency.
- Skilled Workforce and Talent Retention: Training sessions and competitive salaries ensured that Navitas Solar retained skilled employees and filled roles with qualified candidates.
Sustaining Growth and Building on Success
Following the successful transformation of Navitas Solar’s HR operations, Stratefix developed a roadmap to support ongoing growth and future scalability:
- Ongoing Training Needs Identification and Development: Stratefix will continue to assess training needs and update the skill matrix to ensure that employees are equipped to handle emerging challenges.
- Enhanced Performance Management System: The next phase includes designing a more advanced performance management system to align individual goals with Navitas Solar’s objectives.
- Regular Reward and Recognition: To maintain high motivation levels, Stratefix will continue to run structured recognition programmes, celebrating outstanding achievements.
- Targeted Recruitment for Expansion: Stratefix will assist in developing recruitment strategies specific to Navitas Solar’s new plant, ensuring a seamless expansion process.
Final Thoughts
Stratefix Consulting’s strategic HR transformation has empowered Navitas Solar to streamline its HR operations, creating a structured, compliant, and employee-focused environment.
By addressing inefficiencies, implementing modern systems, and fostering a positive culture, Stratefix has equipped Navitas Solar to handle the complexities of the growing solar energy market.
The ongoing partnership between Navitas Solar and Stratefix demonstrates the importance of expert HR consultancy in enabling sustainable growth and preparing organisations for long-term success in competitive industries.
Contact us today to find out how we can help you achieve excellence.
