JWA 2021 Jewellery Industry Best Practices

Customer feedback has been mostly positive, with many commending the brand for the craftsmanship, design and finish of its products, among other things. PURPOSEFUL LEADERSHIP In the same way that he exhibited foresight in growing Zilara,Dhiaanhadtodealwith thethreatof theCOVID-19 pandemic. “We focused on three essential elements: Prioritising the health of employees, supporting health and government officials in their efforts to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and mitigate the effects of the pandemic, and supporting the communities around us,” he says. When the pandemic struck, he trained his eyes on how Emerald could continue to sustain its sizeable workforce, more than half of whomaremigrants. “We provided free accommodation for them and made it our mission to help them in any way we can,” Dhiaan shares. This includes the construction of quarantine facilities; provision of personal protective equipment, masks and sanitisers; and the setting up of counselling and 24/7 emergency medical services, tonamea few. Salaryadvance loans were extended to those in need. When things started settling down, the company resumed its recruitment process. “We are happy to say that despite the pandemic, Emerald is growing its workforce. Knowing the importance of having the right talent, we had a mass recruitment drive that resulted in our largest workforce since our inception,” he says. The company also invited back personnel who had to leave at the height of the pandemic, assuring them that health protocols and safety guidelines are being followed within Emerald’s manufacturing sites. With his goal of enriching the skills set of employees, Dhiaan spearheaded the creation of Emerald’s training centre, along with its own modules and professional trainers. “Aside from encouraging us to put the emphasis on the right technologies, the pandemic gave us a fresh perspective when it comes to developing new capabilities. This opened our minds to exciting opportunities and platforms,” he shares. Ultimately, the company’s efforts have paid off. “Last year, we had the highest product turnover and achieved record-breaking profits. These indicate that the improvements made are steering the business in the right direction,” says Dhiaan. 1, 5. Dhiaan Srinivasan, Director for Business Development at Emerald Jewel Industry India Limited 2. A pair of chandelier earrings 3. One of Zilara by JewelOne’s stores 4. Emerald’s senior executives 5 3 4