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| They manage the organisations for their
bosses who range from the mighty Kumarmanglam Birla to the indomitable Ratan Tata; from
the successful Mahindras to even the growing Lalbhai group. And do exceedingly
well.`Citadel' handpicks nine CEO's who are at the helm of affairs of their respective
organisations! A peek into their success stories! |
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(CEO, Birla A T & T) |
 He's moved into the hub of activity only for the last few months, but this
ex-IIM from Calcutta is excited about his sizzling connections! "Despite the fact
that we are passing through tough times, what thrills me is the sheer potential that this
industry has... Besides that, we at Birla AT&T, touch our customer's life so
intimately, that it makes my job tremendously enjoyable!" How he got the job: Though
he was happy playing the role of the Managing Director at Blow Plast Ltd., he finally gave
into a headhunter's call! "The potential of working in this blue chip Aditya Birla
Group Company, wowed me. Especially with investments that underline our strong committment
to the industry."
Business Philosophy "To provide the most advanced connectivity and best
delivery mechanism in India." Latest Effort: AT&T's pre-paid card, which they
plan to launch in the next three months. Strengths: "The ability to work with large
teams and stay focussed." Weaknesses: "In trying to run a fine balance between
the right decision at the right time, I sometimes might err on seeing too much of the
other side."
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| (CEO, Mahindra British Telecom) |
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 He's been leading MBT - rated in DataQuest by the Gartner Group,as one of the
top three Consulting, Integration and Development Company, for the last three years in
India. As a part of the Vision 2000 program, he initiated changes resulting in the
company's revenue increasing from Rs. 320 millions in Feb '96 to 1752 millions in Feb '99.
"I've always enjoyed being a part of this discipline! I have been fascinated with it,
for twenty long years!" Resume Highlights: He's managed to increase MBT's offshore
software engineering output from 25 person years to 409 person years and helped create
customers in USA, Japan, Middle East and India. Work Stresses: "I get paid to deal
with stress!" Personal Strengths: "People perceive me to be straightforward and
a good professional." On first-name basis with all his 2000 plus colleagues in Pune,
Bombay and London. Keen to break away from the `boss mode' Work Habits: Endures long hours!
"I seem to have high reserve energy".
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(CEO,
Tata Technologies India Ltd.) |
 (CEO,
Tata Technologies India Ltd.)"I've been a player in the IT
industry for the last 33 years!" is his opening statement! Playing the field in Telco
after a 12 year tenure in IBM, he's now the master of the game. Breaking away from the
parent company of Telco, to finally set up Tata Technologies India Ltd. which he defines
as a highly vertical Engineering IT company, he elucidates, "We remain within the
domain of Tata values." Corporate Goal: "I envision TTIL to become one of
India's top five companies; move from a 200 crore company to 500 crore company in
two-three years!"
Effort: AT&T's pre-paid card, which they
plan to launch in the next three months. Strengths: "The ability to work with large
teams and stay focussed." Weaknesses: "In trying to run a fine balance between
the right decision at the right time, I sometimes might err on seeing too much of the
other side."
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| (CEO,
Merloni ThermoSanitari Ltd.)(tm) |
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 "He has been with Merloni ThermoSanitari Ltd. ever since they made
their presence felt in India. Involved at every stage, from buying the land at Chakan
("It needed at least 21 licenses and permissions from the government!") to
setting up a state-of-the-art equipment, and technology plant to manufacturing Racold
water heaters in India. How he got the job : "One has always lived life a little
dangerously!" is his refrain when you ask about his stints at various companies like
IFB Bausch, Usha International, Sandvik Asia, LML, etc. What impressed his bosses of the
US $4bn Merloni Group headquartered in Italy was definitely the fact that he unfurled IFB
Bausch Machine, an unknown brand in the market (often then confused as FBI!) from a little
room into one of the top brands in the automated machine slot in India. Resume Highlights:
"What excited me was the freedom to turn everything out and redo the entire system
which was in shambles, when we took over Racold." The fact that it belonged to the
small sector industry did not deter him as he has set benchmarks in the industry with
better safety measures as well as a new range of products. "Our water boilers are not
just barrels".
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(CEO,
Nav Maharashtra Chakan Oil Mills Ltd. - Agro Division)(tm) |
 Not long ago, it was a company perceived as a family owned business, run by
Pravin Lunkad. A marwari(tm) establishment. Dr. Vaidya changed all that. Coming from
Hindustan Lever Limited, where he'd spent 15 years, he increased their career graph at a
fast forwarding 105 per cent and today the turnover stands at over a few hundred crores!
"It's definitely to Mr. Pravin Lunkad's credit that he wanted to induce
professionalism into his group. I was the first step!" The satisfying aspect about
his job is definitely the zilch people turnover in his organisation. "People are
happy being with us, finding scope for growth and they enjoy being a part of our
organisation! Resume Highlights: Considered as the HLL boss in the market, he branded NAVCOM
and repositioned himself in his late forties. Today, NAVCOM stands amongst the top five in
its specialised arena. Currently by industry consensus, also the Chairman of the
prestigious CLFMA. Personal Strengths: Cultivates close working relationships, placing a
lot of trust and faith in them which has usually been rewarded. Latest Endeavour: In their
effort to becoming nature friendly, they are developing seeds and various eco-friendly
products.
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| (Cummins
Diesel Sales and Services India Ltd.)(tm) |
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 "Nobody walks into my office with a smiling face. They are in pain and
we are supposed to provide them with the life saving drugs! Only when it is done... they
crib about the money they pay!" But he is enjoying being a part of this competitive
industry called Cummins, where he has switched roles and has proved himself in various
capacities - rising from an apprentice engineer on the shop floor to heading the company!
on being an old faithful: "The freedom that the organisation provides is the main
stay! Growth opportunities, challenging work and recognition, all becomes secondary!"
Corporate Goal: "Positive results are definitely the buzz word, but what is essential
to plan is where my organisation and the industry stands in the next 10 years and to
retain my competitive edge! I want to be my customer's first choice when they need to be
serviced. |
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(CEO,
OmniTalk) (tm) |
Established in Pune three years ago, OmniTalk has accrued 20 crores last year. Zig-zagging
their way up, this Lalbhai venture is making it big in the world of mobile radio receivers
and PBX's. An ISO 9001 company, Vipen Malhotra, who started this from scratch says,
"We are looking forward to move from 2,500 radio receivers to 6000 at the end of the
financial year!" How he got the job: Having designed the first 14 inch Black and
White television for which he received a large order from the Lalbahis, he was invited to
set up OmniTalk from scratch! On being the CEO:"The challenge to shape an entire
company, its prospects, its future is very exciting!
"Business Philosophy : "Small is beautiful!" Especially as their
mobile radio receivers and PBX's subscribe to that in terms of size and beauty! Stress at
work: Is dealt with by counting ten... slowly! Also by brisk walks and giving up on
smoking, which has made him feel healthier! |
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(CEO,
Hoganas India Ltd.) |
"I've given birth to this baby and now I have watched it grow for the last thirteen
years," explains Sud about Hoganas India Ltd. Moving to India from Thailand to be at
the helm of affairs, Sud has pushed this company into becoming a success story growing at
an annual rate of 10 to 15 percent. Continuously reinventing himself and his products,
this CEO says he enjoys every minute of the challenge! Now with 20% of their turnover
coming from exports to the Middle East, he is into making all the right moves!
Corporate Goal: "To retain the leadership in India and retain the 90% market share
that we currently have and also to maintain the quality in the wide range of products that
exist. Latest Endeavour: He is currently taking a breather after doubling the capacity of
his plant in Ahmednagar. Personal Strengths: Like a sportsman, to be able to fight to the
finish, "and fight fairly!" On being a CEO: "My job remains to
conceptualise at a macro level and define my market place and my functioning in it! And I
delegate correctly, so I don't work long hours!"
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