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How ownpath helped Hero MotoCorp's Vida build a flexible design team

TL;DR

• Client: Hero MotoCorp (Vida division)
• Industry: Automotive (Electric Vehicles)
• Service: ownpath Talent
• Results: Two designers hired on contract, one transitioning to full-time role; leading to rapid website and app interface development for Vida

About Hero MotoCorp and Vida

Hero MotoCorp, a leader in the automotive industry, launched Vida, their alternate energy vehicle division. Vida aims to create innovative and sustainable mobility solutions for the future, pushing the boundaries of electric vehicle technology.

The problem statement

As Vida set out to create their digital presence, they recognized the need for a dynamic approach.  The rapidly evolving nature of both the EV industry and design practices required a flexible and adaptive strategy.

The team needed skilled product designers to craft their website, app, and dashboard experience. However, without senior designers to build an in-house team, they were at a crossroads.

While they had previously worked with design agencies, this approach had its limitations:

• Once the agency left, there was no one to maintain or evolve the work
• Adapting to changing technical requirements or pivoting direction was difficult
• Re-engaging agencies for changes came at a high cost

Onboarding an agency comes at a high cost, and hiring for design is challenging. Beyond just finding talented designers, they grappled with the inherent complexities of design hiring in a rapidly evolving field.

Moreover, Arul Praveen, Lead Product Experience at Vida, understood that hiring for design posed unique challenges

Hiring for design is not easy because you’re constantly facing new problem statements. You’re not repeating what you’ve done in the previous place

Vida needed a solution that offered both flexibility and quality—a way to work with top-tier designers on a contractual basis, who not only meet their current needs, but also adapt to new contexts and challenges.

This required a different approach to talent acquisition and development, and this is where ownpath came into the picture.

The Solution: Talent acquisition with ownpath

Vida chose to partner with ownpath to help them find and nurture the right design talent. They were looking for an engagement model with "more intimacy of thoughts and skills”.

Recognizing the unique nature of Vida's requirements, ownpath stepped in with a customized approach to talent acquisition and mentorship.

1. Finding the right talent, fast

Vida’s first requirement was for a product designer to create their website, dashboard experience, and mobile app. Within days, ownpath had shortlisted candidates and presented their profiles to the hiring manager, Arul Praveen.

The result? After vetting, Anudeep was selected and onboarded for a 12-month contractual role, all within a week.

2. Adapting to evolving recruitment needs

Eight months into Anudeep's contract, Vida's requirements evolved. The team reached out to us again, this time needing help to hire a brand designer.

ownpath understood their new requirements, and started shortlisting candidates we believed would be the perfect fit for the role. This time, within just one day, the Vida team selected Ashritha, a fellow at ownpath, and onboarded her for a 4-month contractual role.

At ownpath, they had the right approach towards hiring. We spent a lot of time with the candidates, sometimes had multiple conversations and would give them an activity - take them through the process. Especially [because] design  is something that you can't just hire based on experience. - Arul Praveen

With these designers, Vida was rapidly able to design and develop Vida's new website, app, and dashboard interface.

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3. Continuous mentorship and support

The Vida team believed in a fundamental principle: designers are made through exposure. They understood that nurturing talent and leveraging individual strengths could help professionals perform better, especially when faced with novel challenges.

This philosophy aligned perfectly with ownpath's approach. While the Vida team focused on helping Anudeep and Ashritha hone their design skills in the context of Vida's specific needs, ownpath played a crucial supporting role.

We acted as a sounding board for both the designers and the Vida team. This three-way collaboration created a unique environment for growth and problem-solving:

1. Vida provided real-world challenges and industry-specific guidance.
2. The designers brought their skills and fresh perspectives to the table.
3. ownpath offered mentorship, facilitated feedback sessions, and helped bridge any communication gaps.

This approach allowed for a more holistic development of the designers' skills. It wasn't just about completing tasks, but about growing as professionals who could adapt to new contexts and challenges.

By incorporating this nuanced approach to talent development, Vida was able to not only meet their immediate design needs but also cultivate professionals who could grow with the company and adapt to future challenges.

The impact

The partnership between Vida and ownpath yielded significant results:

1. Successful talent acquisition and successful completion of both design contracts. 2 skilled designers were hired on contract in weeks, meeting Vida’s immediate needs.
2. Seamless integration into the team - The designers felt like part of the Vida team, allowing for closer collaboration and better results.
3. Rapid development of Vida's website, app, and dashboard interface
4. Skill development with consistent feedback. Both designers showed significant growth, adapting to Vida's unique challenges and high standards.
5. Long term success: Ashritha's transition from her contract position to a full-time role at Vida.

Arul Praveen summed up the experience:

I think you [ownpath] are doing really great. What worked for us is having individual superstars rather than having a team which becomes too much of an overhead. If you [ownpath] continue to find such talent and connect people, I think it's a great endeavour.

Wrapping up

Vida's experience demonstrates the power of flexible, tailored talent in the rapidly evolving design landscape. By partnering with ownpath, Vida was able to build a dynamic design team capable of bringing their innovative vision to life, while avoiding the pitfalls of traditional hiring models or agency relationships.

This approach not only met Vida's immediate design needs but also laid the foundation for long-term success in their digital initiatives

If you're a company looking for exceptional design talent, we can help! Book a discovery call, or fill this form to learn more about our tailored solutions.

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