Key areas to be focused as HR in IT Industry

Dear all,
I would be glad if someone can share details on how different one HR works in IT Industry as compared to some other industry. As I have a meeting with the CEO of IT Industry and I have never worked in one so wanted to be prepared.
Please help in regards to the key points to be noted.
Regards,
Tanya Sekhon

Dear Tanya,
What is the purpose of the meeting with CEO from IT company? Have you applied for a job or you will meet him as consultant?
Your question is "if someone can share details on how different one HR works in IT Industry as compared to some other industry". It is not a question of industry, but what matters is how this company is different from any other company!
IT industry or otherwise, HR functions by and large remain same. Everything depends on what kind of role that you will be assigned. Even though you are in IT industry, what if you are given very basic task like recruitment, payroll, joining formalities etc? In what way will it be different from any other industry?
In the meeting with CEO, ask him what people-related challenges he faces. Is it employee attrition or lack of teamwork or something else? Once you understand this, you should be able to provide instantaneous solution.
By the way, most of the CEOs have orientation towards cost reduction. Therefore, rather than getting into usual HR rhetoric or jargon, explain to him what you did you do in the past to reduce the cost that was related to the HR Department.
All the best!
Dinesh Divekar

Dear prospective IT HR candidate,
Unlike manufacturing organisations , where HR will be called upon to deal with large number of skilled workers, ( may be perhaps unionised which will add different flavor), in IT , he will be dealing with highly educated knowledge workers who are exposed to state of art hardware and software technologies and who question everything and want to know why of everything including HR policies.
While job content may not materially be different, the priorities, approach and unique sensitivity to their high level expectations is required to be displayed by HR.
They work under tremendous pressure triggered by deadlines, targets and quality of work sustainable in fiercely competitive international markets.
The HR policies should match and do balancing act of demands of both sides to stay and grow in this demanding work environment.
Regards,
Vinayak Nagarkar
HR- Consultant.