Samunnati empowers India’s agricultural ecosystem with a people focus
SUCCESS STORY
Driven by a vision to promote self-sustenance across the agricultural ecosystem, Chennai-based Samunnati empowers smallholder farmers and agri-enterprises through its customised financial solutions. It provides market linkage, financial and advisory services for the agriculture sector.
Since its inception in 2014, Samunnati has reached out to over 800 farmer producer organisations (FPOs) and over 1,500 agricultural enterprises in 20 Indian states, uplifting the lives of four million farmers across 100 agricultural value chains, including Pilots. The firm’s push for socioeconomic change continues as it embarks on a bold expansion strategy, growing its brand presence across the country.
THE CHALLENGE
As an agri-fintech start-up focused on creating social impact, Samunnati is constantly finding ways to help traditionally underserved smallholder farmers better access working capital and financial services. But operating across the agricultural ecosystem – providing financial, market linkage and advisory services – means it faces a challenge in recruiting for non-traditional job descriptions, often requiring hybrid skills with no industry parallels.
As Samunnati accelerates non-linear growth by creating linkages across its lending and trading verticals, expanding into new geographies, and enhancing productivity measures, it has to hire good talent that will grow with the company.
THE SOLUTION
Over the last four years, despite its lean HR team, Samunnati closed roles of varying levels across the business process, technology, product, audit, and support functions. The team augmented its killer hiring instincts with LinkedIn Recruiter to manage the hiring process, leveraging LinkedIn’s network effect to boost job views and talent branding.
Leaders at Samunnati acknowledge the importance of continuous learning and employee growth, especially as the firm continues to expand. The Learning & Development team spins its magic with LinkedIn Learning by supplementing instructor-led sessions with LinkedIn modules; creating learning paths based on employees’ development needs; and uploading custom content to cascade leadership communication and knowledge on company offerings. These efforts have boosted employee development and retention. For sales teams making their rounds in the field all day long, the bite-sized content, together with the relevant learning challenges and employee recognition initiatives, have been a winning formula.
Main product used:
THE RESULTS
Time Savings
InMail acceptance rate was 36 per cent, and it took a week on average for Samunnati to make a new hire, with 30 per cent closures done through LinkedIn.
Increased Learning Adoption
In 2021, there were 67 per cent repeat learners clocking 1.5 monthly hours of learning per user.
Drop in Attrition
LinkedIn Talent Insights' deep data pegs Sammunati’s attrition rate at a single digit.
“Samunnati is an organisation that serves a social purpose. LinkedIn Talent Solutions has helped us hire and develop talent that suit our vision in a seamless and effective way. As we continue to grow, building strength across the employee life-cycle will be key to sustaining our people success.”
ABOUT SAMUNNATI
Samunnati empowers smallholder farmers and agri-enterprises through its customised financial solutions. It provides market linkage, financial and advisory services for the agriculture sector.
INDUSTRY:
Financial Services
No. OF EMPLOYEES:
201- 500 employees
HEADQUARTERS
Chennai, Tamil Nadu
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