“They (other HR professionals) told me not to do it! I went ahead and took up the challenge,” says Raghav and adds with a smile, “I formed my Yahoo! Group – HR in India.” The group achieved success within 5 years of its launch by becoming India’s biggest HR Network. With two decades of HR experience in the manufacturing and IT sectors Raghav is a humble, unassuming HR consultant. Formed in September 2001 the group is 12,484 members strong today.

“My members made the group possible, they selflessly provide content without expecting anything in return,” he adds. In fact the group’s uniqueness is its spam-free content, resulting from a rigid screening process that Raghav has put in place. New members answer a questionnaire that ensures their interest is in HR and not in spamming. The group has become a platform to raise industry-related concerns and discuss HR guidelines.

“I can share knowledge, which multiplies,” says Raghav philosophically. The group has plans to approach management colleges in order to get the student community to embrace the HR function. They intend to achieve this by mentoring those who are interested. The group discusses work pressures, decision making, communication skills, etc. The group has met twice, in 2006 and 2007, to discuss HR policies and practices at an annual IT festival in Bangalore. They are currently in the process of studying the HR policies of a software firm, exploring the concept of Return on People (ROP) as opposed to Return on Investment (ROI).

Having put speculations and the nay sayers to rest, HR in India is a strong group, and growing in numbers. And Raghav, the respectful moderator, sees the group expanding by leaps and bounds in the years to come. We wish them the very best.

To know more about the HR community, join the Yahoo! Group HR in India. If you want to share an interesting story of your Yahoo! Group, please send it to us at groups@yahoo-inc.com Stay tuned for our next coverage.

Thanks!
Ganesh
Yahoo! Groups India

“A mad idea that worked… a sense of achievement… a dream that became reality, ” says Vibhu Rishi , fondly recollecting his memories of BikeNomads, his Yahoo! Group. As a teen, he was not allowed a two-wheeler. Today he owns not one, but two motorbikes.

Chasing his passion for travel and biking, he started looking out for bike travel groups where people share their experiences. Upon not finding one to his liking, he created, in 2002, a group of his own – BikeNomads. Today, the group boasts of 764 members and high levels of energy. The first annual meet was held in Goa in 2006, followed by Hampi in 2007 and Dandeli earlier this year. More than forty bikers, some with their spouses, had gathered before the ruins of the magnificent temples of Hampi, celebrating yet another year of great biking.

Vibhu and his fellow moderators are putting every bit into moderating this dream group. The members are taking the group to the next level by introducing trip-organization process. Volunteers start off by planning trips to interesting and adventurous destinations. They then coordinate with other members and bring them together to ensure successful bike trips.

To know more about biking and travelling, join BikeNomads. If you want to share an interesting story of your Yahoo! Group, please send it to us at groups@yahoo-inc.com . Stay tuned for our next coverage.

Thanks!
Diti
Yahoo! Groups India