Either life happens or you hold the power in you to make it happen, believes Dakshdeep Singh, the Senior Vice President of Product and Digital Transformation at PeopleStrong.
However, how can you shape your professional journey the way you want with every chance you get? Let’s ask Dakshdeep.
Sir, as a visionary leader in the industry, could you take us back to the beginning of your journey? What motivated you to step into this dynamic ecosystem?
Let me be honest — I didn’t grow up dreaming of becoming an HR tech product leader. I grew up in a middle-class family where engineering was the gold standard. If your cousins were engineers, so were you. So, I followed the script. Studied Computer Science, built some fun stuff in C++ and OpenGL — an invoicing system and a sketch tool, and even did projects for seniors (the unofficial side hustle!). I thought I was ready for the tech world.
Then, real life happened. I got placed in HCL, and within months, the recession hit. Projects disappeared. We were “on the bench”, which is a fancy way of saying “doing nothing, learning everything.” But here’s the twist — it was during this phase that I stumbled into the Talent Management Group through an internal job post. From code to recruitment? Sounds weird, right? But I was curious. I didn’t want to just sit around. I wanted to understand how the real corporate world worked.
That single decision rewired me. I saw how processes, tech, and people intertwined — and it fascinated me. Fast forward to my MBA, I chose HR (yeah, the techie picked HR), then came back to HCL driving tech-enabled HR implementations like Kenexa globally. Every turn since then — whether in performance management or onboarding tech — pulled me deeper into HR Tech.
Then PeopleStrong happened. It wasn’t just another job. It was alignment — of passion, purpose, and potential. Here, I could build tech that actually touches lives, solves workforce challenges, and redefines how HR works.
What motivated me? The chaos. The curiosity. The sheer thrill of figuring things out where people meet tech. That thrill? It’s still going strong.
PeopleStrong has emerged as India’s leading transformational company in its niche. Could you share the guiding philosophy that has propelled your organization’s success?
To us, transformation isn’t just a goal — it’s our default mode. We aren’t selling software. We’re changing how work works. Our secret is a simple philosophy: “People-first, tech-smart.”
Instead of technology being about adding layers of complexity, it should strip it away. Our guiding principle – is to simplify work life for the user, whether it’s an HR leader navigating a global payroll process or a new joiner marking their first attendance via face recognition on their mobile. We obsess over experience — the kind that feels intuitive, invisible, and empowering.
Another pillar of our success is co-creation. We don’t sit in glass rooms drawing flowcharts in isolation. We walk into our customers’ world — literally. We run Visioning Workshops with CHROs, business heads, and IT teams. We map their chaos, understand their “if only…” pain points, and then build with them. That mindset has helped us develop products that don’t just work — they solve.
And then there’s a scale with soul. We’ve grown to serve 2.5M+ users across 500+ enterprises, but we’ve done it without losing our edge. Every new module, every AI bot, and every dashboard we build is focused on outcomes — faster payroll, smarter hiring, seamless compliance — you name it.
The world of work is evolving fast. And PeopleStrong’s north star is this: If it doesn’t move the needle for the employee and employer, it’s not worth building.
That’s the heartbeat of our transformation story. People-first. Tech-smart. Outcome-obsessed.
The industrial landscape is continually evolving. Please brief our audience about your firm’s USPs and how you are currently positioned as one of the best transformational companies in its sector.
Let’s be real — HR Tech isn’t just about ticking boxes anymore. The industry has moved from backend process automation to front-line business transformation. And right in the thick of it? PeopleStrong — stands tall as the enabler of agile, AI-first, and employee-centric organizations.
So, what makes us stand out in this ever-evolving maze?
First up is our Unified HCM Suite. From hire to retire, it’s all under one umbrella — Recruitment, Core HR, Payroll, Attendance, Leave, Learning — you name it. Ours is natively integrated, meaning data flows seamlessly, analytics stay sharp, and user experience remains top-notch.
Then comes our AI-first approach. Our AI agents handle HR queries in real-time, draft job descriptions on the fly, generate employee letters, and even assist managers with workforce insights like attrition risk and internal mobility suggestions.
Another superpower? Extensibility. Our open API architecture lets clients plug and play with third-party tools, marketplaces, or even custom internal workflows. Want your ATS to talk to your L&D platform while syncing payroll? Done. We don’t force-fit — we flex.
Lastly, our deep industry adaptability. Whether it’s public sector, pharma, manufacturing, or BFSI — we know what compliance, structure, and scale look like.
Your outstanding leadership style is often recognized as a driving force behind your company’s achievements. Could you shed light on your approach to leadership and team building within the organization?
I’ve always believed leadership isn’t about a corner office or a title. It’s about energy transfer — how your vibe, your clarity, and your courage shape the people around you. And honestly, my leadership style is built on three things: context, care, and co-ownership.
At PeopleStrong, I lead a cross-functional team that builds the backbone of our HRMS suite — from Payroll to Core HR to GenAI tools. But I never pretend to have all the answers. Instead, I focus on giving clarity of “why” and space for the “how.” I ensure every team member — whether a fresh product analyst or a seasoned designer — knows the real-world problem they’re solving, not just the feature they’re building. That shift? It fuels ownership.
I also invest deeply in human connections. I make it a point to do weekly connects — not just about progress but about what’s blocking them mentally, emotionally, or creatively. This people-first approach has helped me build a culture of psychological safety, where it’s okay to challenge the status quo, fail fast, and try wild ideas (like launching GenAI bots in less than 45 days!).
And finally, I believe in building leaders, not teams. I’ve mentored several folks across engineering, product, and delivery who now lead key charters independently. My goal is always to create a system where people grow faster than the org chart.
The essence of future transformation lies in innovation, disruptions, and enhancing the end-user experience. How does your company strike a balance between operational efficiency and customer satisfaction?
Let me tell you something we live by at PeopleStrong — if your product doesn’t make the user’s life easier, it’s just fancy code. That’s why we don’t treat operational efficiency and customer satisfaction as two separate goals. They’re two sides of the same coin — and we’ve made it our mission to master both.
Innovation for us starts with listening. We don’t build for the boardroom; we build for the end user — the HR executive rushing to close payroll, the employee applying for leave, or the manager planning a team restructure.
Now, let’s talk disruption — our AI agents, for instance, aren’t gimmicks. They’re built to handle real, messy problems. From resolving HR queries to drafting offer letters, they save HR teams hours.
We also run something we call “heartbeat loops” — continuous feedback cycles from customers, partners, and internal users. It’s our real-time compass. It helps us pivot fast, prioritize ruthlessly, and deliver updates that actually matter.
And guess what? This obsessive balance is paying off. We’ve helped enterprises reduce HR query load by 50%, cut payroll cycle times by 60%, and improve digital adoption across the board.
Efficiency is great. Delight is better. But when do you deliver both together? That’s when you transform businesses. That’s the PeopleStrong way.
Digitalization and technological advancements are crucial aspects of the modern industrial ecosystem. How does PeopleStrong integrate these principles into its core functioning and contribute to a technovative future?
Let’s be honest — it’s no longer enough to do digital. You’ve got to be digital — and that’s where PeopleStrong really leads the charge.
We don’t treat digitalization as a “project” or some separate vertical. It’s in our core DNA. From the ground up, our platform is designed to operate in the real world of hybrid workforces, decentralized teams, and rising employee expectations. We’re built cloud-first, API-ready, and AI-native — not as a plan, but as a reality today.
One of the coolest ways we embody digital-first thinking? Our composable architecture. That means we give enterprises the Lego blocks to build what they need — quickly, securely, and flexibly. Whether it’s integrating attendance from IoT-based biometric devices, plugging into a global payroll partner, or embedding a ChatGPT-powered assistant inside the HR portal — our system flexes to it all.
Tech without empathy is noise. We’re building digitally but making it decidedly human.
The workforce is the cornerstone of any successful organization. How does PeopleStrong foster a culture of growth, skill development, and empowerment among its employees?
You know, we often talk about transforming enterprises — but transformation starts at home. At PeopleStrong, we treat our people not just as employees but as co-owners of our mission. Growth isn’t a program here — it’s a way of life.
We’re a bunch of curious, driven, and slightly obsessive folks who believe learning should never stop. Whether you’re an engineer, a designer, or a customer success lead, the mindset is simple — you own your craft, and we invest in your mastery. We’ve built an internal learning ecosystem where micro-skilling, certifications, role rotations, and leadership coaching are just the start.
One of the coolest things we’ve done is create pathways, not ladders. That means people can move sideways across functions — from delivery to product, from support to design — based on where they want to grow. It’s about mobility with meaning, not just promotion with perks.
As a leader in India’s industrial sector, PeopleStrong has likely faced its share of challenges. Could you share an instance where your team’s resilience and ingenuity triumphed over adversity?
Oh absolutely. Transformation sounds glamorous on stage — but behind the scenes, it’s messy, emotional, and full of curveballs. One moment that stands out was when we took on a project to modernize the entire HR ecosystem of a legacy-rich, 80-year-old organization. Picture this: thousands of employees, multiple business units, decentralized data, manual workflows, and zero cloud readiness. Now add a tight nine-month go-live timeline — during peak pandemic uncertainty. It was chaos waiting to happen.
But instead of panicking, our team leaned into it.
We kicked off with what we call Vision Workshops — deep dives with their leadership to not just understand their processes but their fears, aspirations, and cultural nuances. Then, we built a transformation blueprint — not a “lift and shift”, but a full redesign: Core HR, Payroll, Leave, Attendance, the whole shebang — all automated, integrated, and cloud-deployed.
Businesses are a way for the Indian industry to pace up its economic potential and capacity. What would be your advice to other budding entrepreneurs who aspire to venture into the startup space?
Ah, startups. The adrenaline, the anxiety, the all-nighters. It’s the ultimate rollercoaster, and honestly? I love it.
While I didn’t build a startup from scratch, I’ve been part of building inside a rocket ship — where every product release feels like a pitch, every customer conversation shapes the roadmap, and every mistake is a lesson in humility. So, to every budding entrepreneur out there, here’s what I’ve learned — the fun way and the hard way.
- a) Solve real problems. Not pitch-deck problems. Real ones — the kind your users rant about, the ones that keep your clients up at night. If your solution makes life easier for even 10 people today, you’re on to something big tomorrow.
- b) Build with empathy. Everyone talks about user experience, but do you truly understand the day-in-the-life of your end user? Spend time in their world. Observe. Listen. Their struggles will guide your features better than any whiteboard session.
- c) Timing > Talent (sometimes). Even the best ideas can fail if they’re too early — or too late. Stay aware. Read trends. Be flexible enough to pivot without losing your soul.
- d) Don’t glorify hustle. Yes, hard work matters. But so do mental health, rest, and meaningful relationships. The best founders I know have stamina, not just speed.
- e) Your team is your superpower. Hire people smarter than you. People who’ll challenge your ideas but never your vision. And when they win, celebrate harder than you would for yourself.
India’s economic potential is massive, and the startup space is its creative engine. So, if you’re ready to build, fail, learn, and repeat — I say jump in. But don’t just aim to be the next unicorn. Aim to be useful. Aim to be remembered.
Looking ahead, what is your vision for PeopleStrong? How do you aspire to continue making a significant impact on India’s transformational future landscape?
If I had to sum it up in one sentence, I want to help make PeopleStrong the most loved HR Tech brand in the world — not just the most used.
We’ve already built something extraordinary. We’ve reimagined how businesses manage people, pay them, engage them, and plan for them — across industries and borders. But the world of work is changing faster than ever. AI is here. Hybrid is here. Flexibility isn’t a perk anymore — it’s an expectation.
So, the big vision? Human-first, tech-enabled transformation at scale. India is at the cusp of a workplace revolution. Our demographics, digital appetite, and entrepreneurial energy make it fertile ground for global leadership in work-tech. And if I can play even a small role in shaping that — not just with technology, but with heart and purpose — then I’ll count that as my biggest win yet.
The future of work isn’t just about automation. It’s about elevation. And we’re here to lead that journey.