Elevated Workplaces That Tap Into People Power

If you were to conduct a spot survey with industry leaders, you will doubtlessly find that an overwhelming majority of them understand the value of a talented, respected, and well-supported workforce. The understanding that ‘People’ represent one of the Ps that form a company’s pillar is very palpable.

And yet, people-first companies are rare. Nearly two decades since legendary management consultant Peter Drucker first said, “Culture eats strategy for breakfast”, his words are more prescient than ever, and this manifests itself in many ways. Richard Branson, founder of The Virgin Group, is on the record as saying, “When it comes to business success, it is all about people, people, people”. And the Marriott chain of hotels follows a similar philosophy, which says “If we take care of our people, they will take care of our customers, and the customers will come back”.

Perhaps most notably, that great seeker of value, the celebrated investor and CEO of Berkshire Hathaway Warren Buffett, understands why one of his most lucrative investments, Costco, is performing so strongly. It’s its people-first philosophy. Studies show that investing in human capital don’t impact the bottom line or reduce competitiveness. In fact, it’s the opposite. Costco’s commitment to employees and customers sees them perform robustly, year-after-year. People and profits go hand in hand.

Clearly then, people form the beating heart of an organisation, and the 4^th edition of Team Marksmen’s Most Preferred Workplace lauded those that have embraced this truth fully. These are the workplaces that have evolved rapidly to meet the diverse needs of the day, embracing innovative models to serve both customers and employees effectively. Right from prioritising employee wellbeing and fostering a culture of diversity, equity, and inclusion to engaging talent, and adapting to evolving needs are key drivers of growth, these are the organisations that understand better than most what it takes to succeed in the modern-day milieu.

This research-driven and industry-focused initiative came to be realised on the back of a rigorous, industry-wide research that appraised organisations on parameters such as work-life balance, employee centricity, diversity, equity & inclusion, organisational purpose, reskilling and upskilling initiatives, career development and rewards. Those recognised as leading the charge in creating aspirational workplaces include:

1) ACA Group
2) AdaniConnex
3) Ajanta Pharma Limited
4) Alembic Pharmaceuticals Ltd.
5) Amway India Enterprises Private Limited
6) Anant National University
7) BUSINESSNEXT
8) Cadila Pharmaceuticals Limited
9) CapeStart Software Pvt. Ltd.
10) Coforge Limited
11) Cyble Inc
12) DCM Shriram Ltd
13) Drychem India Pvt. Ltd.
14) ElasticRun
15) Fenesta
16) Goodyear India
17) Greenlam Industries Ltd
18) Gujarat Fluorochemicals Limited
19) Hero MotoCorp Limited
20) Hindustan Unilever Limited
21) NTPC Limited
22) Honda Cars India Ltd.
23) INDIAN IMMUNOLOGICALS LIMITED
24) Infosys Finacle
25) Intellect Design Arena Limited
26) JMS Mining Pvt Ltd
27) KIRTILAL KALIDAS JEWELLERS PVT LTD
28) Lennox India Technology Centre
29) Lumen Technologies
30) Mars India
31) Maruti Suzuki India Ltd.
32) Meril Life Sciences Pvt. Ltd.
33) Modern Veer Rays Security Force (India) Pvt. Ltd.
34) Mondelēz India Foods Pvt. Ltd.
35) Nyati Group
36) P. D. Hinduja Hospital & Medical Research Center
37) Quinnox
38) SBI GENERAL INSURANCE COMPANY LIMITED
39) Shyam Steel Industries Ltd
40) Tech Mahindra
41) TELUS International
42) Tetra Pak
43) The Leela Palaces, Hotels and Resorts
44) TVS Motor Company
45) UFlex Limited
46) UNIMONI FINANCIAL SERVICES LTD
47) VA Tech WABAG Ltd
48) Varun Beverages Limited
49) VFS Global
50) Xebia
51) Zuventus Healthcare Ltd

Sharing his take on the sidelines of the event, Rajesh Khubchandani, Co-founder and CEO of Team Marksmen Network, said, "For any organisation, its most valuable asset isn't its technology, products, or market share—it's people. Creating a preferred and inclusive workplace isn't just about attracting talent; it's about unleashing human potential. Most Preferred Workplace 2024-25 recognises those building a work environment where diversity is celebrated, where every voice is heard, and where personal growth is intertwined with company success.

This isn't just about feel-good policies; it's a strategic imperative. When people feel valued and see a path to realizing their aspirations, they innovate, collaborate, and drive our companies forward. By fostering a culture of belonging and continuous learning, they're not just building preferred workplaces—they're cultivating the ideas and leadership that will define our collective futures."