Redefining Rewards and Engagement: Insights from the Zaggle Spend Smart Summit, Gurugram 

The 5th edition of the Zaggle Spend Smart Summit took place at DoubleTree by Hilton, Gurugram, bringing together an eclectic mix of finance leaders, HR professionals, and business innovators. The evening served as a platform to exchange ideas, uncover strategies, and explore how organizations can move from transactional rewards to building deeper, trust-based engagement with employees and partners. 

At a time when workplace expectations are shifting rapidly, the summit emphasized that traditional recognition models are no longer enough. Instead, enterprises need to adopt intelligent, technology-driven frameworks that not only recognize effort but also foster long-term loyalty, transparency, and connection. 

A Keynote That Set The Tone 

The event began with an insightful keynote address by Paras Kaushik, CHRO & CIO, HT Media Group, who spoke about the changing nature of rewards and engagement. He highlighted how organizations today must look beyond short-term perks and focus on creating experiences that are personal, scalable, and powered by technology. 

Paras stressed that recognition should no longer be limited to financial incentives or one-off gestures. Instead, businesses need to cultivate a culture where engagement is continuous and meaningful, supported by digital tools that bring transparency and agility. His perspective set the tone for the evening, encouraging attendees to think of rewards as a strategic lever for building stronger bonds with their people. 

Panel Discussion: Building Trust Through Transparency and Security

The keynote was followed by a dynamic panel discussion on “Building Trust and Driving Engagement: Transparency and Security in Rewards Programs.” The session brought together experienced leaders who offered a wide range of perspectives: 

• Saurabh Garg, National Commercial Excellence, Sales Development Manager, Pernod Ricard India 
• Shailendra Somani, Senior General Manager and Head Sales, I&B and E&C, Schneider Electric 
• Paras Kaushik, CHRO & CIO, HT Media Group 

The panel was moderated by Mayank Chawla, Business Leader, Zaggle Propel, who guided the discussion toward the pressing need for transparency and security in engagement strategies. 

The conversation explored how employees and partners today expect more clarity and fairness in reward structures, and how organizations can build credibility by ensuring that rewards are not just consistent but also secure. From leveraging technology to prevent fraud and inefficiencies, to designing transparent processes that inspire trust, the panelists shared actionable ideas that resonated strongly with the audience. 

The session also shed light on the importance of aligning rewards programs with business goals. By linking engagement strategies to long-term organizational objectives, companies can not only motivate employees but also drive performance and strengthen partnerships. 

Looking Ahead 

The evening concluded with a clear message – the future of rewards and engagement will be shaped by intelligence, innovation, and impact. As businesses continue to navigate changing workforce expectations, they must create systems that are fair, transparent, and deeply engaging. 

A heartfelt thank you to all our speakers, panelists, and attendees who contributed to making the Gurugram edition of the Spend Smart Summit a remarkable success. Your insights and participation reaffirm our belief that engagement done right can transform the way organizations connect with their people. 

We look forward to carrying these conversations into future editions of the Spend Smart Summit, as we continue to reimagine the future of rewards and build smarter, more connected workplaces.