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| The day Lila Poonawalla had been looking
forward to with trepidation, has finally dawned. After years of unstinted service where
she played a pivotal role in the tremendous growth of the company in India, the biological
clock had struck at fifty-five. Having worked with the Swedish multinational for
thirty-three years where she rose like the proverbial phoenix from a junior apprentice to
the high flying group chairperson of three companies, the lady with an insatiable appetite
for adventure, helped steer Alfa Laval to different levels of profitdom. |
 First, starring in the stellar role of the Exports Manager and
then graduating to the plum role of the M.D of Alfa Laval and Tetra Pak. Suddenly her
world was awash with head-on challenges, marketing strategies and political correctness.
And once in a while, she even stumbled across bruised male egos that stood stubbornly in
the way of progress. But the formidable lady at the helm of affairs, didn't blink an eye.
Instead, it only fuelled her ambition, to strive harder and prove her mettle. So after all
those hectic hours of working round the clock, which ensured that her career graph saw a
meteoric rise, it was time to take that long, well deserved holiday. Why then, does it
sound so ominous to somersault into nothingness after playing a crucial role in moulding
the company and its people, into a winning team? Right now the lady is in the transit
lounge - from spearheading different markets in India and aboard to breaking new grounds
on the personal and professional front. It is indeed a long journey. Moreso, since
retirement doesn't seem to sit comfortably on her sturdy shoulders. |
 It doesn't look like she is ready to call it a day. Not as yet.
There is a lot of fire and spunk in her as she's ready to take on the world. What then
does this dynamic MD of Tetra Pak plan to do, once the arc-lights are switched off on her
power-packed performance in the corporate world, we wondered. "I had planned it this
way" begins the vociferous lady. "I had always maintained that I would retire at
the age of fifty-five," she says bravely. "I think it's high time Firoz and I
spent some time together, before we are too old to have a good time. If I had retired five
years hence, Firoz would have been sixty-eight by then and that would be no fun since we
wouldn't be able to drink wine and party together with all the other things we love
doing," she reasons, gesticulating with her well manicured hands, "Like
travelling for instance." Now, she doesn't really have to elaborate on that as we
spot a photograph of the adventurous duo, bungee jumping together from towering heights in
New Zealand.
"Also, it's not as if I'll totally stop going to the office. Fortunately, Lars Nygren
who has taken over from me, is very receptive to ideas. Also, he has an experience of
thirty- seven years with the company where he has worked in third world countries which
has given him a feel of things to come." She further clarifies, "I will still be
the employee Chairperson for the next two years and support Lars. In short, I will be
advising them. Of course, it's up to them to take it or leave it," she points out
matter-of-factly. "I will also be attending the management meetings in Sweden. Though
I am still on their payroll, and I'm living in the company bungalow, I think it's time the
new generation takes over so that fresh life is breathed into the company. I just feel so
good that my bosses have appreciated all the work I put in and so right now I can have the
best of both the worlds," she sportingly concedes. |
 Even as there is a long distance call from London, asking her if
she could develop marketing strategies for a liquor company, abroad, Lila reveals that she
needed this space to do all the things she always wanted to. "I have a long list of
things to do, beginning with an important role to play in the field of education. Now that
I have amassed so much knowledge, I want to share it with the management students. I have
already spoken to Dr.Shejwalkar and told him that I would like to be a guest lecturer at
his management institute. Also, Arun Nigvekar, the Vice-Chancellor, Pune University has
been inviting me to speak to his students, which I intend doing, once I work on a lecture
series presentation. I am planning to prepare a paper on the various styles of leadership.
I think in this day and age, it's important to be dynamic as well as a flexible leader,
considering there is a marketing war going on out there," she enthuses about the
cameo role which excites her sensibilities. That of mentoring and playing professor
Higgins when it comes to grooming a promising heir to the corporate throne. "There
are so many business families in this country who don't have a son and want their
daughters to take over the reins of their business empire. That is where my experience in
the field can help. I firmly believe that women make much better bosses. They are more
intuitive, sincere and understanding. And yet they must know how to think like a man. How
to behave on the shop floor, how to carry oneself in a business environment, how to dress
etc.," she elaborates on the finer points of doing the perfect tight-rope walk. She
muses as she haltingly talks about another challenging offer she has received from one of
the prominent business houses of Pune. To mentor the daughter-in-law, of a leading
industrialist in Pune, who needs some sprucing up. "To be honest, I am quite excited
about it," she reveals with child-like glee.
Riding the crest of another major high, that is deeply etched in her mind, was the
time she received the Padamshree. The woman of steel, recollects that golden moment with a
twinge of nostalgia. "Initially, when I got a call saying that I was going to be the
proud recipient of the award, I excitedly told my husband about it. But he only laughed it
out saying someone was definitely pulling my leg. He refused to believe that it could be
even a remote possibility. Till a government official came home with the required papers
and confirmed it. Why, they had even got an undercover agent posted outside our home who
was monitoring all my movements. Since they have to double-check the credentials of the
recipient of this prestigious award. They must know for sure that the awardee doesn't
indulge in any anti-social activities," she informs, amused. "Receiving the
Padamshree was a beautiful moment, which I can recall in absolute detail, right from the
time we rehearsed on how to walk and receive the award, to the tea party, when the Prime
Minister, the late Rajiv Gandhi had remarked, `Poona is too small for you. So why don't
you come to Delhi and contribute your expertise to the country.'" |
 Setting
high standards not only for herself but also for her team is what probably got her
involved with the Quality Circle Of Excellence. Spreading the net to ensure that quality
permeates into all areas of life, Lila Poonawalla who is Chairperson Emeritus, The Quality
Control Forum of India, Pune Chapter, is keen to get the schools involved as well.
"Oh! There is a lot more to be done," exclaims the lady who has miles to go
before she actually thinks of putting up her feet and resting in that beautiful house she
has built at Balewadi, while the White House, which is bursting with memorabilia, is
concerned. "I have a vast collection of little knick-knacks I have picked up on my
trip abroad," she reveals a little consciously as she talks about converting her new
home into a museum. "Each item is associated with a beautiful memory. Whether it's an
exquisite crystal, or an assortment of kettles, a melange of miniature cows, wall plates
or other souvenirs, I can tell you when I bought each one of them, at what price and at
which shop. I have all of it compiled in a software program." Which speaks volumes
about the kind of person she is : Meticulous and Systematic. "In fact, I have a
collection of around 70,000 photographs, and all of them are properly labelled and
compiled carefully. That is why Firoz has built our new home in such a way that we can put
our collection on display." And also to pen her vast repertoire of experiences in the
corporate world, which has been the epicenter of her existence. "I would like to put
down on paper the various incidents and events that have shaped my life. Also I want to
drive home the point that one should not get bogged down in life because you desperately
want to amass material wealth."
Well, the fervour radiates in her work, whether she is managing
the Lila Poonawalla Foundation for the education of the girl students; or is passionately
involved with a Japanese foundation or the Swiss Development Corporation or the?...
Afterall, for this achiever who has trained her searchlights on excellence, only the sky
is the limit. And knowing her, she would be probably setting high standards at that
altitude as well! There's no stopping Lila Poonawalla when it comes to perfection. |
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