VIEW FROM THE TOP
MARCH 2018 VOLUME 6 ISSUE 12 ` 200
Bridging Connectivity & IQ
Art in Motion by Ralfonso
The Air Cab
Making A Smart Case Ramesh & Anushree Tainwala SAMSONITE “Work-life balance is not something we find, it's something we create. Let us create it, together.”
In our endeavour to get CEOs to live a life beyond the boardroom, we at CEO Lounge, get them together to make some memories, fun and of course have a great time.
Relive your passion, rekindle old memories and do something you've been wanting to do.
At CEO Lounge, it is all about 'you' and 'your time'.
Driving lifestyles forward with our various engagement platforms
For more information on our engagements please write to: [email protected] CONTENTS March 2018 44 80 Unique Sea Escapes 44 Getting Things Done 46 How to identify leaders who get things done even when faced with steep odds
46 The John Cooper Works Package A special project by Mini 18 Carrying On The Luggage Legacy Samsonite International S.A. Chief Executive Ramesh Tainwala and his daughter Anushree Tainwala, Executive Director Marketing, Samsonite South Asia share their beginnings, life, brand vision, and other interests with us... 18 Photograph: Sachin Ruhil Interview 62 The Big World of Licensing A quick guide to branded merchandising 72
2 DAYS OF ADRENALINE RUSH | 40 CEOs DRIVE TO WIN
52 COMING SOON
72 Not Just Sushi The art of Japanese cuisine [email protected] 52 Killer Workout 62 Knowing when to pause and take a break
6 | MARCH 2018 NEW HOTELS
log on to www.ceolounge.net
Publisher & Editor-in-Chief Deepak Yadav
Publishing Director Raju Sarin [email protected]
EDITOR Hari Govind Nair
DEPUTY EDITOR Amit Ranjan Rai
ART DIRECTOR Sachin Ruhil
CONTRIBUTORS Jayakrishanan Nair, Saurabh Sinha Four Seasons Desroches Island Mahé island. A highlight of any stay is surely dinner amid the panoramic ADVERTISING Afloat in crystal clear waters in the views at the remote Lighthouse on Deepak: 91 9818706321 Outer Islands of Seychelles and the southern tip of Desroches Island, seemingly worlds away from everyday where the evening may begin with For Enquiry noise, stress and obligation, the new drinks at the circular bar terrace on [email protected] Four Seasons Resort Seychelles at the first floor. Then head downstairs to Desroches Island – the only resort on the main restaurant for dining indoors PRINTED AT the entire island – is the quintessential or out on the lawn terrace, where EIH Limited – Unit Printing Press tropical escape, while also providing freshly grilled or cooked meat and fish RNI NO. DELENG/2012/42931 every modern comfort and luxury, – plus a seafood raw bar - is prepared and plenty to discover for today’s under the watchful eye of Head Chef E-MAGAZINE SUBSCRIPTION active travellers. sprawling over the Olivier Barré and his brigade. Chef http://www.magzter.com/IN/Imagine- southwestern portion of a 933 acre, Barré, an avid fisherman, also invites Pie-Charts Media-amp-Lifestyle-Pvt-Ltd./CEO- sparsely populated and virtually guests to join him in catching their India/Business/ untouched, this tropical paradise own fresh seafood, which he will is just 35 minutes by a scenic flight prepare for them personally to enjoy Printed, published and owned by from the international airport on later that day. Deepak Yadav. Published at G-1/27, pies and tarts Uttam Nagar, New Delhi -110059, Printed at EIH Limited – Unit Printing Press, Plot No–22, Sec- 5, IMT Manesar, Gurgaon, Haryana-122050. Editor: Deepak Yadav.
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8 | MARCH 2018 uch has been written and spoken about how software-based Mtechnology, data analytics and connected devices can work together to transform every aspect of business. But now the process of digital transformation is set to have an enormous impact on our health and fitness too. Not only will these advances affect the quality of life for millions, they could also have far-reaching implications for the healthcare sector and employers in general. Improvements in medicine and nutrition have helped life expectancies increase throughout the last century. Ten ways But older populations are leading to a greater incidence of degenerative and lifestyle-related health issues. These kinds of non-communicable diseases already account for 75 per digital could cent of deaths worldwide, according to the World Health Organisation. Tens of millions of people are suffering from these diseases around the world, transform greatly reducing their quality of life. The economic impact is similarly immense — just five non-communicable diseases could cost the global economy $47 HEALTHCARE trillion by 2030, according to the World Economic Forum. From genomics to telemedicine to 3D bioprinting, So what could digital transformation do to make us here are some technologies that could revolutionise healthier, and the health sector fitter? an industry and make us all healthier Here are just some of the ways that digital technologies could help us live not just longer, but healthier and more productive lives: INSIGHT
1) GENOMICS responses of patients with similar DNA, media may become the feedback 7) GENETIC ENGINEERING Telecommunications Union, an agency researchers at the Wake Forest Institute Increased computer processing power lifestyles and medical histories can mechanism that leads to continual While genetic engineering of human of the United Nations, there are more for Regenerative Medicine announced is beginning to unlock the true potential allow us to truly understand health risks optimisation of health services. DNA to fight disease remains deeply than 7 billion mobile subscriptions that they have successfully implanted of human DNA analysis — enabling truly and the impact of different treatments. controversial, gene therapy and the worldwide, up from 738 million in 3D printed bone, muscle and tissue personalised testing and treatment that 6) DIGITAL TREND MONITORING use of genetically-modified viruses to 2000. Globally, 3.2 billion people are into animals. By using DNA analysis, could vastly improve patient outcomes 4) ORGANS-ON-CHIPS By tracking keyword activity on social fight disease is becoming increasingly using the Internet, of which two billion we’re approaching the age of custom- for a huge range of diseases. A combination of advances in DNA media and search engines, trends common. Genetically-modified live in developing countries. made replaceable body parts. It’s not sequencing and stem cell research has towards searches for particular mosquitos are also being deployed in the This trend has enabled the just replacement — perhaps the future 2) WEARABLES enabled researchers to grow miniature medical symptoms are increasingly fight against malaria and the Zika virus. development of creative solutions may present us with the possibility of Smart health monitors that can organs, based on patients’ own DNA. being used to help identify and that leverage the ability of connected customised body parts that could even collect personalised, real-time data, Connected to electronic sensors, they respond to disease outbreaks. This 8) TELEMEDICINE technologies to reach people who improve functionality. encouraging healthier lifestyles, and can measure response to treatment insight is of course beneficial to any Mobile technology is increasingly being would otherwise find it difficult to collecting reams of data to feed into at a cellular level to understand which organisation in the health sector, used to reduce pressure on healthcare access healthcare information. WHAT DOES ALL THIS MEAN FOR medical research. Some companies methods will have the most success but it can be useful for any employer systems by removing the need to EMPLOYERS? have already introduced wearables into before applying them to the patient. seeking to keep their workforce travel to see a healthcare professional. 9) SURGICAL ROBOTS Providing for the healthcare needs of the workplace to boost performance. healthy or well-staffed. For a large Any cut to travelling time in any As well as enabling more precise an older workforce will require new By monitoring the stress levels and 5) SOCIAL MEDIA HOSPITAL REVIEWS employer, accurate interpretation environment has the potential to make surgery, which speeds up recovery time, solutions to keep down the cost of health of their staff, companies can Healthcare providers and regulators of the data could lead to a range a positive impact on productivity. But the use of robotic surgical equipment accessing healthcare and to limit the recommend healthier habits, often alike are increasingly using patient of possible preparations — from telemedicine is likely to have the most can enable specialist surgeons to lost productivity triggered by health leading to higher productivity. reviews collected via social media or the ordering of more tissues for an transformative effect on more remote treat patients thousands of miles issues. Recent research in the Journal digital surveys to identify potential outbreak of the common cold to hiring communities, where conducting away, reducing the need to travel for of Occupational and Environmental 3) BIG DATA USED IN MEDICINE issues and improve the quality of care. additional freelance staff to fill in for remote assessments of patients via treatment. In time, they may be able to Medicine even suggest that businesses As more DNA gets analysed, wearables The immediacy of social media and employees who require sick leave. mobile phones is beginning to provide operate independently. with strong health and wellness gather more lifestyle data, and medical its ability to spread both positive and When the algorithms predict these access to medicine for some of the programmes perform better than records are digitized, much more negative messages so widely may see trends accurately, the impact can be world’s poorest people at a fraction 10) 3D BIOPRINTING those without. detailed comparative patient analysis healthcare providers responding ever immense — but there are serious of the cost of providing roving doctor The ultimate medical dream has come becomes possible. Comparing the faster to customer feedback. Social challenges to overcome. services. According to the International closer to reality — in February 2016, An EY report
12 | MARCH 2018 CEO INDIA | 13 CUTTING EDGE BRIDGING CONNECTIVITY & IQ A NEW AND RELATIVELY SIMPLE TECHNIQUE FOR MAPPING THE WIRING OF THE BRAIN HAS SHOWN A CORRELATION BETWEEN HOW WELL CONNECTED AN INDIVIDUAL’S BRAIN REGIONS ARE AND THEIR INTELLIGENCE
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n recent years, there has been a technique to give an even more precise higher order functions – such as problem upbringing, for example? And how do concerted effort among scientists mapping of the human brain. solving and language – and intelligence. these connections strengthen or weaken to map the connections in the brain A typical MRI scan will provide a “We saw a clear link between the across development?” – the so-called ‘connectome’ – and single image of the brain, from which it is ‘hubbiness’ of higher-order brain regions “This could take us closer to being I possible to calculate multiple structural – in other words, how densely connected able to get an idea of intelligence from to understand how this relates to human behaviours, such as intelligence and features of the brain. This means they were to the rest of the network – brain scans, rather than having to rely on mental health disorders. that every region of the brain can be and an individual’s IQ,” explains PhD IQ tests,” says Professor Ed Bullmore, Now, in research published in the described using as many as ten different candidate Jakob Seidlitz at the University Head of Psychiatry at Cambridge. “Our journal Neuron, an international team characteristics. The researchers showed of Cambridge and NIH. “This makes new mapping technique could also help led by scientists at the University of that if two regions have similar profiles, sense if you think of the hubs as enabling us understand how the symptoms of Cambridge and the National Institutes then they are described as having the flow of information around the brain mental health disorders such as anxiety of Health (NIH), USA, has shown that ‘morphometric similarity’ and it can – the stronger the connections, the better and depression or even schizophrenia it is possible to build up a map of the be assumed that they are a connected the brain is at processing information.” arise from differences in connectivity connectome by analysing conventional network. They verified this assumption While IQ varied across the within the brain.” brain scans taken using a magnetic using publically-available MRI data on participants, the MSNs accounted The researcher of this study, Jakob resonance imaging (MRI) scanner. a cohort of 31 juvenile rhesus macaque for around 40% of this variation – it is Seidlitz, is at PhD student on the NIH The team compared the brains of monkeys to compare to ‘gold-standard’ possible that higher-resolution multi- Oxford-Cambridge Scholars Programme. 296 typically-developing adolescent connectivity estimates in that species. modal data provided by a 7T scanner may A graduate of the University of Rochester, volunteers. Their results were then Using these morphometric similarity be able to account for an even greater USA, he spends half of his time in validated in a cohort of a further 124 networks (MSNs), the researchers were proportion of the individual variation, says Cambridge and half at the National volunteers. The team used a conventional able to build up a map showing how the researchers. Institutes of Health in the USA. Jakob’s 3T MRI scanner, where 3T represents the well connected the ‘hubs’ – the major “What this doesn’t tell us, though, is research aims to better understand the strength of the magnetic field; however, connection points between different where exactly this variation comes from,” origins of psychiatric disease, using Cambridge has recently installed a regions of the brain network – were. They adds Seidlitz. “What makes some brains techniques such as MRI to study child and much more powerful Siemens 7T Terra found a link between the connectivity more connected than others – is it down adolescent brain development and map MRI scanner, which should allow this in the MSNs in brain regions linked to to their genetics or their educational patterns of brain connectivity.
16 |MARCH 2018 CEO INDIA | 17 INTERVIEW
Carrying On The Luggage Legacy
Samsonite International S.A. Chief Executive Ramesh Tainwala and his daughter Anushree Tainwala, Executive Director Marketing, Samsonite South Asia share their beginnings, life, brand vision, and other interests with us...
Words by KANIKA DHAWAN | Photographs by SACHIN RUHIL
t’s a bright, sunny day at Igatpuri, “Look at that plant in the distance especially because of his headmaster Nashik. Ramesh Tainwala is — it’s the Odomos plant from Mizoram. KK Singh who was “like a father” to busy tending to his garden at his I have planted it to ward off mosquitoes him. In 1976, he joined the prestigious sprawling and earthy bungalow — a and other insects,” he says. His BITS Pilani to pursue industrial I enthusiasm is infectious and childlike. engineering. “I had got selected in plot of land he bought 15 years back and took five years to build. Tainwala For Samsonite’s Chief Executive, the NDA but decided not to join the Army — a certified phytophile — and his humble Citronella or Odomos plant is because of a family situation. I still gardener move with equal enthusiasm worthy enough of invoking such real have the joining warrant, as it still while carefully examining the plants emotions, something we can attribute remains an unfulfilled dream.” By his and trees that occupy a chunk of to his humble beginnings in erstwhile third year, Tainwala armed with an space at the bungalow. For Tainwala, Bihar — Jharkhand. His ancestors eight-point score applied to specialise these aren’t simple flora. They are a hailed from Rajasthan and lived in in mechanical engineering but opted collectors’ item, labour of love and an Myanmar over many generations. for Master of Management Studies extraordinary hobby. He prides himself “They probably went to live in Burma serendipitously. He passed out from with the 112 global varieties of mangoes with the British, returned to India as business school with the second — like Miyazaki from Japan, Sweet refugees and settled in Ranchi. That’s highest score and some very surprised Elena from the Philippines, Madame why I think of myself from Bihar,” professors, who thought he was better Francique from Haiti and Criollo from shares Tainwala. off doing engineering. But that’s not Peru, which grace his garden that His father ran a kirana shop in his style. has beautifully been landscaped with Ranchi and his housewife mother He is inquisitive, open to change arches, bridges, a tree house and a took care of the other siblings. After and a person who knows how to dig lovely pond full of big, orange Koi fish. I finishing schooling from a boarding beneath his own feet to create value spot a Red-Veined Darter or dragonfly that trained children to join the Army, in any situation. At BITS, when he fluttering over the lotus and realise how near home, he headed to BITS Pilani. felt short-changed because of poor rare is the foliage that Tainwala has For Tainwala, school was his first English, he decided to stand for planted with so much care. home and had a lasting impact on him elections, not only for himself but for
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all the Hindi speaking and thinking students. “We always felt out of place and were constantly conscious of our Bihari roots. I wanted to change that.” And he did so by winning the election for the first two years. Even though his grades took a beating but Tainwala wasn’t going to back down. He worked hard to get his grades back on track, and bring about a change in the campus environment. When it was time to start making a living, Tainwala applied to Asian Paints and luggage maker VIP Industries — two companies that were always the centre of discussion at his management school. Unfortunately, he was selected by neither but he remained undeterred — true to his perseverant persona. “Recently, I met Dilip Piramal [of VIP] and he said it’s good we didn’t select you. Otherwise you wouldn’t have become the chief executive that you are,” he shares jokingly. Thereafter, he started working with a distant friend of his father’s — Kamal Kumar Agarwal, a plastic commodity trader, following which he set up Tainwala Trading to become a commodity trader himself and a key vendor to companies like Asian paints, VIP, Kelvinator, Godrej, Safari, etc. In 1985, he set up Tainwala Chemicals and started manufacturing plastic sheets that are used in making suitcases. In 1994, when Samsonite wanted to enter India, Tainwala hosted the then chief executive officer of Samsonite International SA — Luc Van Nevel. One night, at the newly-opened The Leela, Mumbai, a partially-drunk and frustrated Nevel asked Tainwala if he would like to become his partner. Nevel had been scouting for a “reliable partner” but his search had been in total vain. Obviously, Tainwala didn’t pay much heed to this offer that was put forth to him in a state of inebriation. After a few days, Marc Matton, Vice President Marketing and Sales at Samsonite Europe NV, called Tainwala and asked him to come to Belgium to discuss the offer. After a lot of discussion and thought, he and Samsonite entered into a partnership, which continues to date with Tainwala taking care of a bigger
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INTERVIEW
portfolio of operations and countries lost all its capital, and the sales were efficient airlines, reduced airfare, and for the brand. less than the salary they had to pay. changing consumer tastes have greatly After joining Samsonite, Tainwala At this time, Luc Van Nevel reassured contributed to Samonite’s growth put his heart and soul in the business Tainwala with his years of experience and Tainwala envisages it to become of making baggage. Even though his and market expertise that, “it takes a a, “10-billion dollar company in the own business started floundering, long time to build business.” It took future.” Today Asia is Samsonite’s Samsonite that gave him a bigger eight years for Samonite to break even single largest business. Out of the canvas became the centre of his in India, and that was just the start. `5,000-crore luggage market in India, business life. Based on the 108-year- “We are one of the very few Samsonite owns 40 per cent of the 60 old brand’s Biblical and core tenet to companies that continue to do the per cent organised market share. “Do unto others as you would have same business even after 100 years; Also, the growing clamour for them do unto you,” Tainwala plunged Samsonite was founded in 1910 by lightweight, durable and easily-mobile himself into the India unit. “Luc is my the Schwayder brothers in Denver,” baggage and their scale gives the brand godfather. He taught me to always be he beams. Today, Tainwala has a huge advantage over others. They also good to people. He told me you must transformed the company from a spend a whopping 100 million dollars never be in a situation that you feel single brand to a multi-brand company on research and development, which embarrassed to meet somebody you selling different products at different is more than the global turnover of know,” he shares. price points to a range of target many companies. Samsonite recently The first three years were most audiences. launched its 2.2 kg-liteshock collection. trying for Tainwala as the company had Of course, budget and fuel- Interestingly, the R&D department has
Luc is my godfather. He taught me to always be good to people. He told me you must never be in a situation that you feel embarrassed to meet somebody you know."
Ramesh Tainwala plays a game of cards with his lovely daughter Anushree and dear wife, Shobha
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now been bequeathed with the task of more important, than making the right When she’s not devising marketing coming up with a luggage that’s less decision. You need to decide, experiment, strategies and interacting with her team, than two kgs! learn from it and move on. I think the only Anushree dives into books and reads in With brands like Tumi, American reason we can work together is because her free time. She also combines her Tourister, Hartmann, High Sierra, he isn’t involved in the everyday running zest for nature and travel by visiting Gregory, Speck, Lipault and Kamiliant in India and works out of a different beautiful places. Some of her recent in its kitty, Samsonite ensures each of country, and also because I have a buffer trips include Patagonia, Ranthambore its brand remains true to its DNA. For person in between.” and the Arctic Circle forests in Sweden. example, Tumi for Tainwala is the gold There is a great bond of trust Since she dislikes noisy places, the standard of luggage, designed for people between dad and daughter. “Every lush Nashik house often proves to be a who want top-class quality. American time I’m unable to make a decision happy and quiet getaway. A lot of credit Tourister is a brand that connects well or weighing two very difficult options for the greenery around Nashik can be with the millennial because they are or when it involves making a choice given to Samsonite because they have looking for cool and reliable luggage. between work and family I turn to my planted close to three lakh trees in the Off late, American Tourister that father to talk things through because I last eight years; villagers, students, is helmed by Anushree Tainwala has know he will give me unbiased advice. employees, suppliers and government signed Virat Kohli and Christiano My dad turns to me too especially when institutions have also joined hands with Ronaldo as its Indian and global brand it comes to new marketing and product them to support the cause. Tainwala is ambassadors. Having studied at Harvard ideas that he is thinking of,” she says. also working to make Samsonite carbon- Business School and Cambridge, the Apart from her forthright father, neutral by 2030 and by June, this year, the petite and pretty Anushree is equally Anushree who is married to Karan Nashik plant will generate its own energy! passionate and prepared like her father. Maheshwari has her mother Shobha At the Igatpuri residence, precious Growing up in Mumbai in a large joint and brother Ayush (Executive Director, Tanjore paintings, Buddhist thangkas family with 10 cousins, lots of family Bagzone Lifestyle Pvt Ltd) by her side. and cute art by family members adorn
I turn to my father to talk things through because I know he will give me unbiased advice. My dad turns to me too especially when it comes to new marketing and product ideas that he is thinking of"
members and a shortage of space, “My mother is the nicest person I have walls. Sweet-scented white frangipani she counts her “family” as her biggest ever met. She is constantly running trees beautifully complement the influence. “They forced me to be real and around, helping the extended family, distressed furniture from Jodhpur in the scrappy, fight for what I believe in and she never says no to anything. And my spacious courtyard. want it,” she says. brother is taciturn in nature and does not Their garden continues to grow As Executive Director Marketing, communicate much. He is my biggest because of the single-minded efforts of Samsonite South Asia, Anushree critic and definitely keeps me real!” Ramesh Tainwala. He even has a nursery believes everybody is a mini- Over the past years, Samsonite to nurture his small, leafy friends before entrepreneur and business leader of has done some interesting marketing sending them out into his big lush green their work area. “I like having a highly campaigns like #takebackMondays. expanse. motivated team and like to drive them This year, they will be launching two Up next, apples are what he will be at the high-level strategy, and give them new campaigns for American Tourister. trying to grow. Even though he has been sufficient room to make, and implement One is a young and trendy concept for unsuccessful at it but he doesn’t give up decisions. I get involved in details only backpacks. It is fun and built around so easily. A friend of his has informed on critical projects,” she informs. the idea that backpacks are a great way him after watching a particular episode “When I look at Anushree, my heart to show off the inner personality. The of Krishi Darshan that a man has swells with pride,” says Tainwala gushing campaign will allow fans to be part of the managed to grow apples on his balcony about his little girl who has him as her movement and interact in a fun way. The in the hills. Mr Tainwala is already “tough boss” and is no way living under second campaign is going to be as huge excited to track down the apple man and his shadow. “I like working for him. I’ve because it will bring together two of the seek his advice. Until that happens, he learnt the importance of making quick biggest sports icons, Cristiano Ronaldo is looking at a few courses, as farming decisions from him. He always taught and Virat Kohli in a tongue-in-cheek is his real passion. Didn’t we tell you us that very often making a decision is manner. already that he is a constant gardener!
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required for the meeting, so we stay on track. I also like to clear my mind and prepare notes before the meeting so I can lead the discussion in a more efficient manner. I also like to set aside some time for open discussion during the meeting, as some of the best ideas come out of freewheeling discussions
Five interesting things in your office In-development samples and prototypes, marble emoticon paper weights, a bottle of ketchup and Harvard Business Review magazines
Your ultimate holiday destination and why? Bhutan. It’s the perfect mix of nature and culture. I also got married there so it holds a special place in my heart
What is your greatest indulgence? Domino’s Pizza
What kind of music do you enjoy? Your favourite movie and song? I like rock music – U2, Police, Journey and Coldplay. My favourite song is My Way by Frank Sinatra. I don’t have a favourite movie though!
What’s your poison? A full-bodied glass of red wine
What kind of coffee or tea do you like? Chamomile Your favourite holiday destination Bhutan Favourite artists… Personal Memo Your greatest indulgence FN Souza and Matisse My children! What is your kind of cinema? A few Ramesh Tainwala I get up at 5.30am and touch base with Your favourite music favourite films… my colleagues across different time I really enjoy bhajans and my children I like watching intense thrillers like Argo, Please share the three greatest zones. Then, I start to work on my hate them! Captain Philips and Day of the Jackal. My influences of your life. garden. After that, I get ready and reach favourite movie of all time is Mary Poppins My first influence was my school office by 9 am and stay there till 5.30pm, Your favourite movies headmaster, KK Singh who always and again at 6pm, I catch up with the rest All kind of Hindi movies featuring Anushree Tainwala work but I enjoy the solitude and come Any brands or designers you are fond of? encouraged me to dream. Second would of the world. Govinda up with some of my best ideas during the I can’t do without my Tory Burch shoes be my first employer, KK Agarwal who What is a day in your life like? commute. I also like to listen to podcasts taught me to take swift action and not How do you prepare for important What are you reading right now? My day in Mumbai begins at 6 am. I or audible books while travelling. In the Which watch are you wearing at the waste time in arguing and debating. meetings? I am reading Scale by Geoffrey West that spend time with my husband or read and evening, I generally catch up with friends moment? The third person would be the founder I don’t like to prepare, as I like to speak creates mathematical models around go through emails in the morning before and family over dinner or drinks or have I’m wearing Cartier of Good Night - Kalyanraman Mohan from the heart death work. I’m at work between 8.30 am and a quiet evening at home with yoga or a who told me about the importance of 7 pm. I like to spend time with each of long walk What kind of books do you like? Please marketing and the real power of creating Five favourite things in your office? Your message to the youth of today... my brand teams during the course of the name a few favourites. a brand. Plants, flowers, my children’s photos, When you have more than your share of day, and also catch up with the design, How do you prepare for important I read everything from classics to current books, and iconic Samsonite ads on the wealth, you need to think of people. Give development, and the communications meetings? popular reads and across genres. I prefer What’s your day like? wall back a part of your wealth! team. I have a long commute to and from I like to prepare an agenda and time fiction to non-fiction.
28 | MARCH 2018 CEO INDIA | 29 INSIGHT WHAT MAKES A CEO SUCCESSFUL? IN HIS NEW BOOK, THE MAKING OF A CEO, AUTHOR SANDEEP K KRISHNAN ATTEMPTS TO UNDERSTAND HOW INDIVIDUALS EVOLVE AS GREAT CEOS. THE JOURNEY TO THE TOP, HE SAYS, INVOLVES THREE KEY ASPECTS — BUILDING PROFESSIONAL CREDIBILITY, MANAGING YOUR CAREER AND MANAGING YOURSELF. AN EXCERPT FROM THE BOOK.
hat makes a CEO experienced and successful CEOs of successful? It would be too multibillion-dollar businesses, found easy if there was a simple six competencies that are critical for Wanswer to that question. success. These were self-awareness, The difficulty is that there are CEOs for having a moral compass, being an different types of organizations which effective listener, possessing good may vary in nature, size, age and even judgement, being a persuasive the country of operations. communicator and leading with tenacity. They found that a successful SKILLS AND EXPERTISE OF A CEO CEO has to have a high level of self- The typical competencies expected of a awareness and the ability to be wise, CEO fall into five categories. These are: persuasive and resilient. thinking strategically, communicating, These competencies can apply to enhancing teamwork, motivating others, other senior leaders as well. In an and developing others. Very similar to interesting study, Russell Reynolds, a the broad competencies mentioned leading executive search firm, looked here, Indra Nooyi, CEO of PepsiCo, at the attributes that differentiate articulated the leadership competencies CEOs from other executives. Of the required by a CEO as the five Cs at one sixty attributes they studied, nine were of their conferences. unique to CEOs. These five Cs stand for: Top three of the nine attributes THE MAKING OF A CEO 1. Competency: The knowledge, skills o Willingness to take calculated risks AUTHOR: Sandeep K Krishnan and competence one brings to the table. o Bias towards action PUBLISHER: Penguin Random You are respected for your ability to o Ability to efficiently read people House India bring unique value. 2. Courage and confidence: The ability Other six attributes PAGES: 256 to give your opinions and decisions. o Forward thinking Willingness to take a stand. o Optimistic 3. Communication: The written and oral o Constructively tough-minded articulation of your thoughts that can o Measured emotion help align and motivate your team and o Pragmatically inclusive other stakeholders. o Willingness to trust 4. Consistency: To have a clear view on matters and clarity on the principles The nine identified attributes that govern your work style. showed paradoxes that CEOs go 5. Compass: Your values that will help through: their ability to be decisive yet you go on the right path. inclusive, being emotionally intelligent Coming from a similar perspective yet tough, and strategic yet having a to Indra Nooyi’s, three researchers, bias towards action. Modesto A. Maidique, Candace In an interview with IIM Bangalore Atamanik, and Ruthann B. Perez, students, Krishnakumar Natarajan (KK), after interviewing twenty-five co-founder and executive chairman
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of Mindtree, the multinational IT firm, They are willing to go the extra mile path to the top. described the qualities of a CEO, ‘I think to make it happen. The second aspect So if we look at a pipeline approach that the answer to this question has is the learning ability — learning towards growing into a CEO, the changed over the years. Back in my continuously and using requisite skills starting point would be right when time, a CEO had to be charismatic and to put new ideas to productive use in an individual joins an organization. tell people what needed to be done all the organization. The enterprising spirit Evolved organizations are able to the time [your communication skills]. looks at the willingness and skill to take specify what competencies are critical In today’s world, I would say that a up new opportunities and assignments for successful performers who can CEO needs to be more collaborative in an organization. Their willingness to grow in an organization. Research than earlier because he does not go beyond their comfort zone can help shows that while intelligence and know everything. He also needs to be them garner richer experiences and values are important, organizations more humble because he does not prepare themselves for higher roles. need to evaluate potential candidates and developing top talent), team skills, thinking strategically (big picture, know everything and has to listen to This, along with dynamic sensors — on the following competencies. These leadership and change leadership. taking calculated risks), execution skills everyone’s input in a respectful manner. the knack to sense the organizational are strategic orientation, market The body of thought leadership The key enabling (getting things done) and managing Also the CEO should be able to deal climate in terms of potential challenges insight, result orientation, customer available gives an interesting landscape people (ability to read people, build a with moments of crisis. Be calm, do that might affect their career negatively impact, collaboration and influence, showing how certain competencies skills of a great team and keep them). We explore not lose the confidence, think about — helps professionals navigate their organization development (attracting can define potential and growth of in detail here the multiple aspects of the solutions and do not break under individuals to the very top of the CEO include: communication and decision-making as the pressure.’ Here, KK mentions how organization. The generic model of this part of thinking strategically. inclusiveness and collaboration become growth as a CEO is described in the communication and critical behavioural traits of CEOs. figure above. influencing skills, CEO COMMUNICATION He also stresses the ability to power However, apart from the behavioural Communication is often stated as one through tough situations. traits, a CEO has to handle a whole thinking strategically of the most critical skills that a CEO In most established organizations lot of responsibilities that require should possess for his/her success. the ‘potential’ of a professional is seen deep functional expertise and overall (big picture, taking Communication involves reaching out as a key parameter for growth. While experience. Key responsibilities are best and influencing multiple stakeholders. performance is an outcome of doing delivered by an individual who has high calculated risks), CEOs need to communicate their the current job effectively, potential strategic and business thinking, and vision and strategy across all levels is the individual’s ability to grow. An the ability to manage people, including execution skills and of the organization, and influence interesting research paper published internal and external stakeholders. It key stakeholders, including board in Harvard Business Review spoke is also important to understand what managing people members, investors and shareholders, about four ‘X’ factors that defined high makes CEOs successful. key team members, employees at potential. These were drive to excel, It is quite certain that the job of a (read people, build a large, and even society. Their verbal learning capability, enterprising spirit CEO is rather complex and requires and written communication, and also and dynamic sensors. People with above-average skills. From interviews great team) non-verbal aspects like body language high potential have a great drive to with CEOs and other existing literature, or attitudes, are often scrutinized and excel; this means delivering excellent we have identified key enabling skills of interpreted by stakeholders. CEOs results in good or bad conditions. a CEO: communication and influencing of established organizations are also
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expected to face media and attend PR you a coffee company?’ events on a regular basis. To which Schultz said, ‘We’re not Communication essentially happens Communication in the coffee business. It’s what we at the following levels/forums: sell as a product but we’re in the 1. One-on-one communication that is is often stated as people business — hiring hundreds of verbal or through emails employees a week, serving sixty million 2. Public speaking at internal or one of the most customers a week, it’s all human external forums connection.’ In that moment Carmine 3. Traditional media communication critical skills that realized that successful leaders and 4. Social media communication inspiring communicators do not talk The CEO of Starbucks, Howard a CEO should about the product as much as they paint Schultz, has fabulous communication a picture of what the product stands for. skills and this is considered a major possess for his/ Voice modulation, clarity of content factor of his success. Schultz’s and body language are techniques communication style emphasizes her success. that CEOs learn over a period of time. providing a vision to the business that Communication skills relevant for a others can connect with, aligning Communication CEO can also be developed with the the team to the common goal, and right training. For example, Juan providing a human touch through involves Ramón Alaix, the CEO of Zoetis, storytelling. Carmine Gallo, author described a rigorous approach on of The Storyteller’s Secret: From reaching out how he would communicate with TED Speakers to Business Legends investors, media or the board as the describes it further through Schultz’s and influencing CEO of a company that was getting response to a business question: ‘I multiple ready for an initial public offering hear you talking about people, health (IPO). Most CEOs have to give a insurance, customer service, and the stakeholders. number of interviews, make public experience in your stores, but I have yet appearances, address internal and to hear you say the word coffee. Aren’t external audiences, and even be active
on social media. In their role, CEOs silos to a more collaborative culture. come across crisis situations and it is Similarly, Jack Welch of General their responsibility to communicate One of the most Electric (GE), though known to be very on behalf of the organization. How a assertive and demanding, had excellent CEO communicates — spontaneous critical elements listening skills and ensured that he was or planned — is a critical element understood and the messages that he in making his/her image. The CEO’s in the process of was trying to get through to the senior image also influences the reputation leaders were well communicated. A few of the organization with internal and communication of the other communication skills that external stakeholders. Jack Welch swears by are simplicity and One of the most critical elements is that how the clarity, frequency of communication, in the process of communication is and the ability to persuade others to how the CEO makes sure that he is CEO makes follow in his steps. There are three understood in the proper sense by aspects that sum up the essential the larger audience. This involves a sure that he communication skills of CEOs or top combination of techniques that could leaders. These are: ability to have help in effective communication. Some is understood two-way communication, repeating the of the best CEOs put in efforts to be communication keeping in mind clarity understood and to determine how in the proper and the simplicity of the message, and their message is communicated to the the use of storytelling to connect with organization. Alan Mulally, the CEO sense by the the audience. who is credited with the turnaround larger audience of Ford, emphasized the ‘unity of Reprinted with permission of Penguin purpose’ in all his communication and Random House India. Excerpted from relied on multiple channels to get the The Making of a CEO. Copyright © message through, transforming the Sandeep K. Krishnan 2017. All rights way the organization worked — from reserved.
34 | MARCH 2018 CEO INDIA | 35 INSIGHT GROCERY RETAILING, REIMAGINED As grocers face into the future they should not lose sight of what customers love about them today
Words: Stephen Caine and Lisa Koette INSIGHT
oday’s grocery business will the strong new competition and rapid starts by investing to protect those be virtually unrecognisable changes, retailers can no longer avoid hard-earned loyalty and market- a decade from now. As the tsunami coming at them. share advantages and build on those Amazon brings its power and In fact, those who do not invent strengths, thoughtfully expanding proven approach to deliver the future run the risk of being digital capabilities while finding new Tthe market’s omnichannel potential, overwhelmed by it. They also have more ways to reimagine physical stores to now boldly setting a new frontier with power than they think. serve evolving customer needs. its Amazon Go store of the future, The reality is that as omnichannel Grocers can learn from markets and as food delivery services and becomes widespread in the industry, that are further along on the learning specialised start-ups continue to enter many traditional incumbent grocers curve. While online now represents the competition in unexpected ways, are in a solid position to outpace the only 3 per cent of all grocery sales in grocery retailing is evolving at record competition, both old and new, with a the US, it accounts for 9 per cent in speed — and it is easy to feel daunted model that is sustainably profitable. the UK, about 5.5 per cent in France by the changes. Indeed, many grocers Over the decades, these players have and is approaching 20 per cent in in the US have cautiously watched steadily gained market share and many South Korea, where the urban density events unfold and, amid tough industry have built industry-leading levels of (and digitally savvy population) makes economics, shied away from making customer loyalty. Ceding ground to the economics work well. Traditional the required big moves that will help newcomers now means losing not only grocers in those markets have taken them get out ahead. They’ve struggled customers’ hearts, but also the scale early, aggressive moves to pre-empt to invest sufficiently in a battle they fear and cost gains that have bolstered competition from online pure plays. they cannot afford to win. However, with years of success. So the road ahead Some have maintained market share
even as the business has made its big online. It also improved its product online shift. line with high-profit offerings such as Consider the strategic steps taken Start by investing ready-made meals. by South Korea’s E-Mart to eliminate Another example of a move toward customer pain points and attract to protect those the future: The acquisition of Argos by shoppers to stores, while increasing Sainsbury’s, which allowed the large UK the degree to which retailing becomes hard-earned grocer to further build its scale in non- seamlessly omnichannel. For example, loyalty and food categories, access new fulfillment to serve different grocery buying needs, capabilities and add Argos shops within the retailer built a proprietary digital market share its supermarkets. platform combining all of its grocery Retail economics have been formats as well as a “marketplace.” It advantages challenging, and in hindsight some offers numerous in-store services tied grocers have made some steps to its mobile application. Customers and build on that aren’t worth replicating, but can scan the barcode of bulkier those strengths, they’ve also created new customer products using the E-Mart mobile propositions while striving to manage app and, after paying at the register, thoughtfully pricing and face some big questions, have the products delivered to their such as what you can charge for home. Shoppers can retrieve product expanding digital and what you need to give away. For information such as reviews and example, in the battle for market share, discounts by scanning the product’s capabilities while some European grocers have neglected QR code. E-Mart invested significantly finding new ways to charge for the extra effort required in back-end operations to offer five for delivery, exposing themselves to different same-day delivery options. To to reimagine financial trouble. Now, consumers have create synergy with its online business, been educated that picking, packing it assigned new roles for stores — physical stores and delivery come at no cost to them. they now serve as pickup centres and That’s difficult to reverse. The lesson to shipping centres for orders placed retailers making those new decisions
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is clear; educate the market from the and Wegmans built a reputation for start on the price and value of the retail theatre and prepared foods. service you are providing. Grocers cannot Now, these differentiating strategies Winning also means redefining can give traditional grocers a leg up your investment model. Doing nothing lose sight of on newcomers in multiple ways. For comes at a big cost. By not investing example, when customers like your to maintain your leadership position, the critical role brand, they already spend more with you will watch your business erode. that stores you and may be more likely to stick Even in the changing landscape, with you over a newcomer if you have a scale still matters, and investing will play in strong e-commerce offering. to maintain your leadership The omnichannel imperative position is more critical than ever the customer has brought with it an opportunity before. However, it is important to to re-evaluate how you differentiate acknowledge that investments in both experience. and how you can bring that same online and offline will remain dilutive That requires philosophy to online offerings while in the near term, and that there is an evolving your physical stores to imperative to manage costs to fund boldly meet changing shopper behaviour. the moves that will be necessary to If anything, omnichannel is a tricky survive and flourish. experimenting balance. While shoppers undoubtedly Over the years, leading US grocers will go online for more and more of have shown how to take the initiative with stores their routine purchases, they will required to gain an edge over rivals. to enhance always look to physical shopping Grocers like H-E-B invested to as a part of their total shopping emphasise localised store formats the shopper experience. It provides inspiration, and product assortments, companies variety, entertainment, personal like Walmart and Aldi created a value experience contact and advice, and the ability to proposition on pricing, Publix made confirm freshness and make impulse high-touch customer service a priority, purchases, among many other things.
A huge part of the challenge has 1. Really understand what it is been figuring out how to nail the online that customers love about you. A offering without losing sight of the You cannot fundamental rule for physical stores critical role that stores will play in the still applies in an omnichannel world: customer experience. That requires be all things You cannot be all things to all people. boldly experimenting with stores to to all people. You need to clearly define your value enhance the shopper experience — to proposition. What do you stand for that learn what shoppers like in a local You need to is truly distinct? Where do you focus? trade area while testing your own What can you deliver better than anyone capabilities. For example, you could clearly define else? Is it convenience? Price? Fresh install cafés where shoppers can food? Understand what your customers dine on prepared foods provided by your value want and why you have earned their third-party vendors, or devote aisles proposition. loyalty, and do not abandon that as you to fresh seafood. You might design an define your e-commerce model. In fact, attractive space devoted to picking up What do you double down on it. items bought online, or erect kiosks 2. Take your current differentiation for placing online orders that will be stand for and use it online. Omnichannel is delivered to a shopper’s home within an an opportunity to recommit yourself hour, seamlessly combining the best of that is truly to the value proposition that made both physical and digital retailing. distinct? What you successful in the first place. If The most successful grocers you put something out there that will be those that invest to offer an can you deliver is too different, it will just confuse omnichannel experience without losing your customers. The objective is sight of their unique value proposition better than to reimagine your current value and what they stand for in the proposition and take that online. For customer’s mind. anyone else? example, if fresh is your differentiation, offer five degrees of ripeness for HOW TO FIND YOUR FUTURE bananas ordered online. Grocers We find that leading grocers get five can look across industries to see things right. how companies are successfully
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translating their brand positioning example, geo-targeting may mean into an online environment. Sephora’s offering free online delivery in an value proposition includes an in- Online brings urban centre, where it is not cost store experience in which shoppers prohibitive and where customers may sample various types of cosmetics with it a host be more willing to pay, but charging before buying. Online, it relies on for delivery in outlying areas. It may augmented reality to offer its “Sephora of critical mean piloting new mini-store formats Virtual Artist,” an interactive virtual business model in city centres but larger stores in makeup mirror that allows shoppers suburbs. Be careful not to over- to experiment with different products, decisions. Be deliver or overcommit in ways that are shades and styles. Likewise, Best Buy unprofitable and difficult to reverse in is known for its store-within-a-store careful not to the race for market share. concept and the availability of Geek 3. Understand that investing in Squad technicians. The electronics over-deliver or digital capabilities (tools and people) retailer’s site offers a similar store- overcommit in and operations is table stakes. To within-a-store experience online as succeed in omnichannel you will well as the chance to chat live with a ways that are need to invest in a range of new Geek Squad agent. capabilities, such as generating, Online brings with it a host of unprofitable collecting and analysing customer critical business model decisions, data for personalised marketing and such as choosing delivery offerings and difficult to services. These investments should — same day, next day and pickup — reverse in the be designed to improve the efficiency and the choice between what you of your overall operation in addition build yourself and where you partner. race for market to boosting basket size and margins. Start small and experiment, working You cannot invest in everything all at with different models and partners share once. You will need to be disciplined, to test both physical and online focusing all investments to serve your options narrowly by geography. For chosen strategy. The best companies
have a portfolio mindset (for instance, lot to get a head start on picking up performance. You no longer can 70 per cent of investment is to items purchased online. Important: segregate profitability within the four support the current business, 20 Your vision of the future physical walls of a physical store from online per cent is for near-term changes store needs to be tailored locally. This profitability. You need to combine and 10 per cent is for farther-out is what H-E-B achieves by operating them, considering the total cost to innovations). Take a careful, honest its food hall-inspired Central Market serve. Among the questions to ask: look at the capabilities you have, concept in some upscale locales What is your charge-back philosophy? what you need to execute on your and its Mi Tienda stores in areas What is the customer willing to pay strategy and the gaps to fill. For many that serve primarily Hispanic/Latino for? What do you give away for free incumbents, the answer will involve customers. In addition, it is critical to earn loyalty? What will you charge redesigning the operating model for to understand how new parts of the for? For example, your customers an omnichannel world. store that may seem auxiliary to the may be willing to pay for same-day 4. Reimagine the role of the physical shopping experience, like tables delivery but not for in-store pickup store. Again, as omnichannel takes for ready-to-eat meals, will gain — but how will that vary by location? hold, the physical store experience importance by boosting foot traffic. Without appropriate attention to will need to change. Stores will look Another big consideration: getting the charging tactics and pricing, online vastly different 10 years from now right-sized store for the location. will continue to offer less attractive — with an expansive pickup area, a 5. Revise how you think about your returns than traditional store retailing convenience section for topping up investment model. Do not make the on a standalone basis. purchases made online and other big mistake of evaluating investments in There is no avoiding the need to changes that we cannot yet imagine. omnichannel on a standalone basis. reimagine grocery for an omnichannel Ask yourself what you want the If you do, it will always look dilutive. world. For the leading incumbent physical store to look like for your You need to consider investments in grocers — who have built impressive customers and begin moving in that a broader context of total trade areas customer loyalty over the years — the direction now. For example, create a and catchment areas. It is critical opportunity is yours to lose. customer-friendly pickup experience to understand customer profitability that is operationally efficient. across channels. And remember that Stephen Caine and Lisa Koetter are Walmart is experimenting with an there is a cost of doing nothing in members of Bain & Company’s Retail offering in which customers can text your analysis. practice. Caine is based in Chicago, an associate while in the parking The same applies to measuring Koetter in Boston.
42 | MARCH 2018 CEO INDIA | 43 INSIGHT HOW DO LEADERS GET THINGS DONE?
A NEW MODEL CALLED RESULTS INTELLIGENCE CAN HELP COMPANIES IDENTIFY LEADERS WHO GET THINGS DONE EVEN WHEN FACED WITH STEEP ODDS
Words: Sachin Rajan INSIGHT
Musk founded in 2002 with the aim PEOPLE WHO MAKE THINGS HAPPEN products, but they were the first to of making space travel as routine as India has had its own share of innovators make them commercially viable for airplane travel, has launched a steady who spotted opportunities and created mass consumption. Their initial efforts and growing number of missions for products that revolutionised their may not have been perfect and their customers ranging from NASA to industries. Pratap Reddy, a cardiologist futures likely looked bleak at certain telecommunication companies. As of by profession, was moved by the plight points — but despite headwinds, each November, the company had launched a young patient who had died due to the was able to fundamentally change the a record 16 missions in 2017, double lack of adequate medical facilities in structure of their industries in ways its 2016 tally. India. In 1979, he started Apollo Hospital, that others believed impossible. Today, Musk, who also founded India’s first corporate hospital, which While every era had leaders who PayPal precursor X.com, one of the has grown into the largest hospital changed the status quo, the need first online banks, in 1999, has no chains in India, and also manages for such talent has never been more plans of slowing down. He founded hospitals in countries such as Nigeria, crucial than today. Complexity is rising uccessful leaders seem goes the way,” says John Maxwell, What makes Musk different? It’s Boring Company to investigate Mauritius and Oman. and the pace of change is accelerating, to function effortlessly American author and speaker. not necessarily the originality of his underground road travel and also Karsanbhai Patel, founder of the forcing companies to innovate smarter — balancing multiple Most people would count ideas, but instead his remarkable wants to colonise Mars. Nirma Group, made his first batch of and faster to stay ahead of the responsibilities while building themselves fortunate to launch a ability to turn them from dream to While Elon Musk belongs to a detergent in his own backyard and sold competition. Technology is creating S single successful business. Then reality. Tesla has faced inevitable select group of innovators, this ability it door-to-door on his bicycle. Sensing massive change and disruption that and expanding their organisation’s strategy and vision. They seem to there’s Elon Musk. The Silicon Valley setbacks, including serious to get things done is something that the demand for a low-price but good- have forever altered the way consumers have found a way to achieve the right businessman has helped scale four production delays to its Model 3, many leaders possess in varying quality detergent among middle and and businesses interact. combination of charisma, enthusiasm brand-name, category-defining but still surpassed 250,000 total degrees. We call this Results lower middle-class families at that Not only do leaders need to be and self-assurance, helped along businesses in less than 20 years cars delivered at the end of 2017. Intelligence and explain how it relates time, he launched the low-priced Nirma 360-degree thinkers, but they also need by opportunities that they grasp and — PayPal, Tesla Inc, SolarCity and It also boasts a market cap larger to the more popular Emotional brand in 1969. And the rest is history. to be innately collaborative, agile and maximise. “A leader is someone who Space Exploration Technologies Corp than two of the three largest US- Intelligence (EI), and how to effectively These individuals were not the first possess cross-functional knowledge. knows the way, shows the way and (SpaceX) — and he is still going strong. based automakers. SpaceX, which hire for it. or only inventors to dream up their Change is now constant, and leaders
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are now expected to also be change would quit. By building a leadership managers. Leaders who don’t keep up team with high RI, companies will slowly be overtaken by those who People with can innovate more efficiently and continue to keep up with the changing effectively. They can focus on what tides. Keeping this in mind, how do we high levels matters, discard what doesn’t, and identify the right leaders for tomorrow? easily pivot to take on new priorities. of RI can Those who have RI are calculated A RELIABLE MODEL FOR envision ways risk takers. They combine big bets PICKING WINNERS with preparation and practical Most executives will have impressive to accomplish considerations. In the Leadership Span accomplishments listed on their model we have developed with Hogan resumes. Through our years of helping large, complex Associates, they would score high on companies pick leaders, however, we’ve many of what we call the “loud” traits noticed that there are some who are goals that are — being disruptive, risk taking, and exceptionally gifted with the ability not obvious galvanising — but also some of the to get things done regardless of the quiet ones, such as pragmatism. context or phase of their career. We call to others, and RI can be considered a this ability Results Intelligence (RI). complement to Emotional Intelligence RI is different from classic they stick with (EI), which is the ability to consider intelligence, or how much someone and manage emotions in relating to knows. Instead, it’s the ability to them past the other people. In the most effective beat the right path to the finish line, point when executives, RI and EI balance each regardless of obstacles that may other out. If someone is too focused emerge. People with high levels of others would on results, without paying attention RI can envision ways to accomplish to how they make people feel, morale large, complex goals that are not quit will suffer. Conversely, if someone obvious to others, and they stick with is too focused on emotions, without them past the point when others thinking about results, productivity
will suffer. Together, RI and EI can resource, they are often seen as the ASKING THE RIGHT QUESTIONS help leaders make progress without squeaky wheel (but who ultimately get This model provides a useful alienating those around them. the grease). shorthand for finding leaders with RI When we reviewed our interviews •Results-getters learn existing rules — and perhaps some inspiration for with the executives who distinguish and processes, but then determine those who could improve their effort- themselves for RI, we found some where they can skip steps to create to-result ratios. At the same time, it common themes in how they describe efficiencies. For example, they might sets up a logical line of questioning in the way they work. Based on this look to shortcut a project approval or hiring processes. analysis, we have identified five capital allocation process when an Where do you begin when developing an consistent facets of RI that can help initiative is particularly time-sensitive. action plan to achieve a specific goal? companies screen for this ability in The question that’s always in their •Good answer: Seeks to understand their hiring processes. mind: Which rules are firm and which the big picture and desired end state, People who have high levels of RI are flexible? works backward from the end state tend to do the following five things •Results-getters are willing to face to organise problems into logical extremely well: criticism for leaving out key people buckets, is clear about which resources •Results-getters have a clear and if doing so helps them advance their are needed, ensures the plans relate precise end objective seared into their project more effectively. They seek directly to the goal. minds. They then reverse engineer; buy-in and involvement with only •Poor answer: Overly general regarding deconstructing final results into the most crucial parties, living by magnitude of work, overly flexible and components and processes that the mantra that it’s better to ask open ended, uncertain what good will need to take place. They tend to be forgiveness than permission. look like, has trouble prioritising tasks. excellent planners who start with •Results-getters are objective and How do you keep track of initiatives in highly specific goals and approaches. clear-eyed in their evaluations about your area of responsibility? They hold frequent reviews to ensure results, and failure is not an option. •Good answer: Has a strong accountability. When one route is closed, they will project management mindset, clear •Results-getters are single-minded find another. They tend to have organised plans, includes phases, about getting what they need to exceptionally high standards, they timeframes and accountability. succeed. Whether it’s more people, set a clear tone for their teams that Checks on progress frequently. more money, or some other type of nothing but the best will do. •Poor answer: Comfortable with a
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hodgepodge of actions and roles, allows emphasise scope, overly concerned plans to drift without regular review. about offending others. Is it acceptable to you to break rules or Results-getters Tell me about a time when you were defy common industry practices? Why unsuccessful in reaching a goal. or why not? learn existing •Good answer: Will not let himself or •Good answer: Respects rules, but rules and herself fail, believes there is always a considers other ways to solve problems; solution, has visible discomfort with believes rules can be a hindrance in processes, but not achieving objective. some circumstances, uses gray areas •Poor answer: Rationalises, works too to his or her advantage. then determine hard to justify a failure, blames others. •Poor answer: Always follows rules, So the next time you need someone too black and white in thinking, wants where they to shake things up, don’t just look a clear rule book and consistently can skip steps for someone who seems charismatic thinks about how things have been enough to pull it off, or has great ideas done in the past. to create for how to do it. Put them to the test. How do you decide which people to Do they think like someone who has involve in a project or initiative? efficiencies. They high RI? Do they act like someone who •Good answer: Has a strong has high RI? And most importantly, orientation toward efficiency, is openly might look to are they able to continuously adapt against bureaucracy and believes that shortcuts when an themselves to the environment around consensus can lead to mediocrity. them and continue to push for results? Believes in short focused meetings, initiative is time- It’s time for change, make sure you avoids and removes those viewed as don’t get left behind. roadblocks. sensitive •Poor answer: Overly inclusive, likes The author is Managing Director — to think out loud with others, does not India, Russell Reynolds Associates
50 | MARCH 2018 VIEW FROM THE TOP
UNIQUE SLEEPS FOR THE YEAR OF THE SEA KILLER WORKOUT PUSHING IT IN THE GYM IS ONE THING, BUT GO TOO FAR AND YOU COULD SUFFER A POTENTIALLY LIFE- THREATENING CONDITION
CEO INDIA | 53 HEALTH
to a couple of days after a traumatic injury or extreme workout. Levels of the electrolytes sodium and potassium become unbalanced and a buildup of the nitrogenous compound urea occurs in the blood if kidneys begin to fail, leading to confusion and heart palpitations. If you notice these conditions— especially swollen body parts and/ or darker-than-normal urine— seek immediate medical attention. Treatment includes an intravenous saline solution that helps to flush excess myoglobin from the bloodstream, rehydrating the body’s cells, and relieving stress on the kidneys. In extreme cases, dialysis may be required to prevent kidney failure. And if a muscle group is experiencing a prolonged loss of circulation, doctors may surgically relieve pressure. If you’re just feeling achy and fatigued, try to see your health-care practitioner within two days to test your blood for high levels of creatine kinase, a biological marker of rhabdo. There are differing levels of rhabdo. It may be very self-limited and require minimal medical support. Or it may be very serious, leading to kidney failure.
STAYING STRONG Since dehydration plays a role in rhabdo, it’s important to make sure your body is getting enough fluids. The American College of Sports Medicine recommends drinking 16 to 20 ounces of fluid at least four hours before any workout that lasts up to an hour and 8 to 12 ounces within 15 minutes of beginning it. For every 15 minutes you exercise to the point of sweating (even mildly), throw back 3 to 8 ounces of water. If your exertion exceeds an hour, ou’ve certainly heard the United States each year. Athletes Any intense exercise puts a strain failure during the eccentric (negative) Other culprits include infections like have 3 to 8 ounces of a sports drink expression “no pain, no gain,” who do high-intensity or extreme on muscles. When that strain exceeds phase and then go on to do additional influenza or conditions like herpes or to balance out your electrolytes. But but there’s such a thing as endurance workouts are often among what you can handle, your muscle high-intensity exercises can develop sickle cell anemia and even certain most important, listen to your body. If pushing it too hard in your those who feel the effects of rhabdo. fibers may tear open, spilling a protein this dangerous muscle breakdown. medications such as antihistamines, you can’t maintain proper form during Y called myoglobin that would normally antidepressants, statins, and a weight routine, or you feel faint, workouts. And the consequences Trying to cram in your fitness (doing can go far beyond sore muscles WHAT CAUSES IT? transport oxygen to your muscle cells an extreme amount of exercise in acetaminophen. dizzy, or can’t catch your breath during and fatigue. Athletes who overexert High-endurance activities involving into the bloodstream. As a result of a short amount of time) can also cardio, scale down your pace, load, or themselves to an extreme point heavy lifting can increase the risk of this spillage, the torn muscle can take its toll. Hydration also plays HOW YOU’LL FEEL intensity. And don’t be afraid to take it can develop a condition called rhabdo, as can other forms of over– rapidly deteriorate, while the kidneys a part. Research shows that when Fatigue and achy muscles are the easy now and then. One week a month, rhabdomyolysis, a breakdown of exertion or trauma. But while CrossFit can become overwhelmed by rising muscle cells are deprived of adequate usual first signs of rhabdo. Other try to modify your workout. Regularly muscle tissue that can lead to kidney is sometimes blamed for causing myoglobin in the blood. water, they shrink and become more hallmarks include swollen limbs, scaling back intensity will help you get failure, heart damage, and even death. rhabdo, research shows CrossFitters Athletes who perpetually push vulnerable to breakdown. In addition, brown-colored urine, nausea, vomiting, stronger and ensure that overtraining Although relatively rare, rhabdo affects are no more likely to develop it than themselves past the point of fatigue alcohol consumption or excessive and fever. won’t keep you from performing at approximately 26,000 people in the powerlifters, gymnasts, or rugby players. or who do an exercise to muscle levels of caffeine can lead to rhabdo. Symptoms appear within a few hours your best.
54 | MARCH 2018 CEO INDIA | 55 AUTOMOBILES The John Cooker Works Package Mini special projects has cooked up an innovative accessories package for the Mini Convertible. Now customers can equip their Mini Convertible with the John Cooker Works Package AUTOMOBILES
he Mini Convertible can be brake energy regeneration system while highly flexible food sales vehicle, with a directly in front of their customers’ eyes, for the John Cooker Works Package are Package perfectly matches the Salt, fitted with the new John Cooker driving. Food waste is further utilised by menu of applications including selling or kiosk operators who need a spacious in Chilli Red and Berry Blue. Pepper and Chilli Mini equipment Works package and turned the NFN battery system to sustainably sushi, ice cream or fresh juices. food presentation area, the Convertible “Street food businesses are a packages. “The Mini Convertible is now into a mobile street vendor. power the unique vehicle. Only the driver’s seat needs to be with John Cooker Works Package offers great complement to established even more unique than ever before and is T The solid-wood surface made from folded down in order to install the John countless opportunities for businesses. restaurants and offer their customers the smallest multifunctional food truck The Convertible receives a solid-oak food sales and preparation surface. sustainably grown oak in Cornwall, folds Cooker Works Package. This creates an “The strikingly painted and backlit fantastic variety. However, typical in the world”, says Adam Zapple, Head of This features an induction cooker with to fit the contours of the interior when amazing amount of space under the solid- mirror caps and side scuttles in Citrus street food trucks are often too big and Development of Mini Special Vehicles. integrated fume hood. The vehicle’s the roof is down and serves as a stable oak surface which can be used for storing Yellow give the Convertible a sharp street cumbersome for our city centres. The Be it on the streets of Shanghai, generously proportioned 160 - 215 litre storage for food and beverages in spite of ingredients and cooking utensils. Should food look. We applied the knowhow we Convertible can be used by street food in front of Barcelona’s office blocks or luggage compartment of the Convertible the light-weight construction technology the weather suddenly turn, the convertible gained from our Mini Yours vendors to whisk their food directly to whipping around tourist hotspots in stores the required cooling technology, used. The package meets all food roof can be closed in only 18 seconds vehicle personalisation the customer and even right onto festival London, the Mini Convertible with John whilst a high-voltage Natural Food regulation requirements and can be used with the food surface in place. Potential programme”, says Tam grounds”, says Harry Chinn from Mini Cooker Works Package is an eye catcher Nanotechnology battery ensures power for hot and cold dishes alike. Customers customers could include start-ups looking Bree of the MINI Design Business Innovation. making life hard for the burger van chips supply and is charged by the standard selecting this new pack benefit from a to prepare their culinary masterpieces Team. The Sport Stripes The John Cooker Works Accessory or the corner café.
58 | MARCH 2018 CEO INDIA | 59 TRAVEL
THE SOUND OF SILENCE Yes, silence definitely has a sound of its own. There are not many places where you can hear it and Suvaasa at Ramgarh is one of those few. Here’s what it sounds like…
t’s very easy to get lost in the with mostly good roads throughout. feel of a highly maintained boutique ruckus of our cities. With digital The resort is about an hour away mansion with ‘Alfred’ like services. Of detoxes, special diets, extreme from Nainital and is just a short drive course a batmobile and a cave full of fitness routines and what not away from places such as Bhimtal, toys would have been perfect, but then I Mukteshwar, Hartola and Nathuakhan. hey… Aren’t we on a natural detox? creeping into our daily life, I thought it was time to step out of this manmade Apart from the location, a major Apart from the main resort, bubble for a natural cleanse. stand out point for Suvaasa is their staff. Suvaasa also has another colonial Enter Suvaasa Resort at Ramgarh, Consisting of the local folks, the staff bungalow in Ramgarh. With just two Uttarakhand. Of course it’s another goes out of their way to ensure that rooms, this modest imperial structure manmade structure but it’s the resort’s your stay is beyond comfortable. When literally has a 360 degree view of location which is a talking point. I mentioned my craving for some local the valley. Sitting on the outside of a Perched on the incline of a mountain cuisine, their talented chef ensured mountain bend, it actually gets one of slope in Ramgarh, this boutique resort that everything, from the starters to the the best views of Ramgarh. was the perfect cure for the writer’s main course and even the desserts had Finally, did I get my mojo back, was block that I was facing. a local touch and flavour to it. I able to write again… Of course I could About 5-6 hours away by road from The rooms are quite spacious and and I was back on track and all set for Delhi, the route is quite easy to do airy. More than a hotel it gives you the the next literary adventure!
60 | MARCH 2018 CEO INDIA | 61 INSIGHT
The Big World Of LICENSING THE WORLD OF MERCHANDISING AND LICENSING CAN LOOK QUITE DAUNTING. HERE’S THE ROUTE MAP...
Words: Jiggy George INSIGHT
he licensing world has today social media. Sports Licensing is of Star wars where the licensing diversified into multiple includes major sports leagues which revenues have far outstripped box genres of licensing making operate the licensing business for office earnings. And that is the true it one of the most interesting its teams. It also includes sports essence of the business. While T organizations like IOC International franchise films have outings every industries across the globe. Entertainment, Sports, Celebrity Olympic Committee and FIFA World couple of years (think Star Wars, and Publishing licensing have been Cup as well as athletes. Globally, Batman, Superman, Marvel, Justice driving forces in the last 4-5 years Entertainment licensing holds sway League, Kung Fu Panda, Ice Age and and in this article we will focus on in the licensing world accounting for numerous others) the merchandise two of the most important categories almost 45% of the market share of arm of the business makes sure that - Entertainment, particularly films, the 251 billion dollar industry as per the brand lives on in retail in the form and Sports as the emerging forces in Licensing Industry Merchandisers of apparel, accessories, publishing, India, the potential, challenges and Association Annual global report, toys and more giving consumers a way forward. 2016. Sports is another solid 10% chance to continue to engage with the Entertainment licensing accounting for approximately 25 brand and keeps the franchise alive includes the licensing opportunity billion US$ at retail. till the next edition rolls into theatres. springing primarily from feature On to Entertainment and films Closer home, Krrish 3 and Bahubali films, television shows, video first. Think movie merchandising and 2 have had very successful runs in games, online entertainment and one of the biggest success stories the L&M world. However, it begs the question of what are the essential tick marks for a film to also have a successful licensing outing and where do we really stand in India as far as movie merchandising is concerned. For one, films and its character must have the personality and the ability to translate into a merchandise-able programme. If you take the example of animation – Kung Fun Panda is eminently merchandise-able , but a Roger Rabbit did not have the X factor. licensing franchise – this could be at an early stage and make it a part while international films have had Second, it definitely helps to be a in the form of premise, characters, of their future plans – merchandise, massive success in the licensing part of a franchise with prequels and ability to spawn sequels/prequels, marketing, retailing - even if the arena, their impact in India, where sequels opportunities which make signature styling etc. Second most release date is 2-3 years away. The Bollywood reigns supreme has been it possible for the stake holders – important point is to get started with fact that both Krrish 3 and Bahubali small. The most successful Hollywood licensees, retailers, marketeers – to the licensing proposition in early 2 have had a strong play in multiple films have a box office run of not more take a long term investment view of scripting days so that the writers categories of licensing, has had an than 2-3 weeks and more often than a property. The third most important and production team always keep the impact in the market and is proof that not, films have exited screens without factor is planning. Licensing must be licensing lens handy and third is the this can be done well in India as well. having the necessary impact for planned as a crucial element of a film planning such that potential partners, Moreover the market is changing. moving the merchandise off shelves. right from the scripting stage to allow retailers, licensees are onto the film We are waking up to the fact that This is where Bollywood comes for a successful licensing proposition. And in these licensing essentials lies the answer for Bollywood to unlock its true potential. Currently licensing in Bollywood, more often than not, is being approached as a marketing tool once the film is almost ready and therefore ends up being a media multiplier exercise with at best, a short lived apparel extension in stores. If we need to change the game in India and there is truly space to do so, studios and filmmakers need to approach licensing very differently. Firstly, there is a need to look at it from the lens of the plot and characters having the ability for becoming a successful
64 | MARCH 2018 CEO INDIA | 65 INSIGHT
in - it is relevant to our market, is sports has been fuelled by the prolific revolution of sorts is gathering steam, found football to be the more far more powerful and also affords growth of sports, (outside of cricket there is another one underway in the aspirational sport to watch and are a greater degree of planning and which continues to rule the roost), in licensing arena. heavily engaged in European football control versus a Hollywood release. European soccer leagues and other Take Football for example. leagues across EPL, La Liga and the Indian studios and production houses league sports in the domestic scene. While cricket has the biggest draw, Bundesliga. And this interest has are also waking up to the true From being only cricket crazy country, football is far ahead of the curve on fuelled the licensing business of potential and power of licensing. there is a move towards consuming the licensing front. The beautiful football in India. Real Madrid, FIFA The interest, discussions and deals other sports, of sports becoming game has captured the imagination World Cup, FC Barcelona already around Bollywood films is on the rise sport-tainment. And while this mini of the Gen next. India’s youth has have sizeable licensing programmes and coming years will definitely see in India and there are many more more and well integrated Bollywood European league clubs waiting to licensing success stories. enter the market. Real Madrid, a Sports licensing in India has a club Dream Theatre represents is slightly different trajectory, with if an example of the rising power of not as much or greater potential football merchandising in India. than film licensing in India. The past Real Madrid Football Club in India few years has seen the emergence has product across Apparel, both in of Sports in a more defined form. kids and adults, Eyewear, Gifts and Domestic leagues across Kabbadi, Novelties and Sporting Goods across Hockey, Football, Tennis, Wrestling key retailers, stand alone stores and etc have sprung into action and are e-commerce platforms and there is seeing massive attendance in stadia massive interest flowing in from other and strong viewership on TV. Sports categories. The business at retail is also journeying into mainstream for Real Madrid alone will be hitting Bollywood with certified hits like INR 25-30 crores in this year. Another Mary Kom, Dangal, Chak De India watershed football programme is and there is a marked rise in the FIFA, represented by Dream Theatre power and influence of A list Sports in India. India hosted the FIFA U-17 celebrities. This new found interest in World Cup in October 2017 across 6 Indian cities and apart from the boost it gave the sports in India, the tournament had a full fledged licensing programme comprising Apparel, Gifts and Novelties ( Metal posters, Plush, Ceramic Mugs, Bag tags, Magnets, Caps etc) with prices are in the Rs. 150-500 range. The products saw brisk sales across 150 stores of Shoppers Stop, Max Retail, Central, Globus, Sports Station and a 1000+ apparel and sports stores in around 22 cities across India. What’s more, in a first for India, the merchandise sold from In-stadium kiosks in 6 cities where the matches categories (apparel in kid and adults, winners emerging and the licensing were held, with fans being able to buy accessories, gifts and novelties, business taking off. It is already being authentic FIFA U-17 merchandise as footwear, rainwear, back to school, looked at closely for its potential and they walked in to watch the matches. School Bags) of products hitting there is no doubt that these will not just And the next big one is FIFA 2018 stores from April onwards. There be big businesses, but just like movie Russia World Cup. The 21st FIFA World is a clear 3-5 times increase in the licensing, it will give fans a chance to Cup kicks off from 14th June 2018 business in a period of just 4 years. engage with the brands not just on field and India is ready for it! What was a As for the domestic leagues of and on TV, but beyond. 8-10 city retail footprint with Lifestyle, the Sports franchises in India and Pantaloons, and Central stores for their licensing fortunes, the future is Jiggy George is the founder & CEO FIFA 2014, has already grown to a 10+ bright. The foundation of establishing of Dream Theatre Pvt. Ltd., a brand key retailer tie-up with product being the leagues, of getting the consumer management and licensing company available in 20-25 cities apart from interested and continuously engaged that builds, represents and distributes E-commerce platforms. The FIFA is being laid. The coming years will entertainment, sports and fashion 2018 Russia World Cup will see 7-8 see the settling down of the leagues, brands in South Asia.
66 | MARCH 2018 CEO INDIA | 67 ART Art in Motion by Ralfonso A MASTER AT THE INTERSECTION OF ENGINEERING AND ART, RALFONSO GOES BEYOND TRADITIONAL SCULPTURE BY INCORPORATING MOVEMENT INTO HIS PIECES – ART IN MOTION!
ind, water, light, and the element of Time add an intriguing fourth Wdimension to Ralfonso’s dynamic sculptures. Natural surroundings fuel the fluid movements of his kinetic works creating dynamic and unpredictable interactions at the hands of Mother Nature. “My work has the added element of time and change-over-time - so it goes beyond just a three dimensional shape,” Ralfonso points out. A perfect example of an environmentally interactive art piece is Ralfonso’s monumental 10-meter tall Dance with the Wind, which was commissioned for the 2008 Olympics in Beijing. This sculpture undulates with the gentlest breeze or the strongest winds to produce a poetic, yet unpredictable dance. The wind triggers a stack of five balls by pushing a flat, round disk at the top of the vertical composition, which is counterbalanced by a weighted sphere at the base. Mirror-polished stainless steel enhances the viewer’s experience, its reflective qualities revealing its surroundings shimmering in the sun. A smaller collector version standing 100 cm tall and limited to 15 pieces engages spectators with its hypnotic sway. Ralfonso masters kinetic sculpture with unparalleled imagination and an exceptional ability to set art into motion. These unique talents shine through in Karo, a German word for rhombus, a geometric diamond shape. Closer inspection of this 120 cm tall artwork, limited to just 10 pieces, reveals 16 self-balancing diamond- shaped elements forming an even
68 | MARCH 2018 CEO INDIA | 69 ART
larger rhombus. The striking, clean small as 45 cm, Ralfonso’s inspiration step utilizing all available techniques lines come to life with the slightest is the nature surrounding him – and including laser, water jet, CNC cutting, breeze or touch of the hand, moving the world is his studio. The creation and 3D printing. Once the piece is built each rhombus back and forth in an process takes between four months to scale and tested it is finally ready for unlimited combination of patterns. and a year depending on the scope installation. Another artwork in the exhibition of the project. Ralfonso’s design idea Ralfonso’s works are in tune with is the slowly tilting EXclamation – an is transferred into a sketch detailing the desires of collectors, offering very exclamation point that looks as though the structure of the sculpture and limited series and bespoke, site-specific it should fall over and stay down, but the hidden mechanics required to and unique “one – off” designs for doesn’t, thanks to a clever weight system create mechanisms with a horizontal discerning clients. Depending on the bringing it upright. Imagine these striking axis or weighted elements. “Finding final location of the installation, the sculptural constructions or other brilliant the right place at the intersection of collector can choose from a variety of works by Ralfonso moving in harmony design, mechanics, and technology – materials ranging from 316L stainless with the trees in a garden or swaying in and creating never before seen ‘art in steel and fiberglass, to aluminum and the breeze on a rooftop terrace. Standing motion’ pieces,” as Ralfonso describes. even Kevlar, with finishing options 80 cm tall, EXclamation is a limited The initial drawing is then including colors and mirror or matte edition of 33 pieces. constructed in three dimensions using polishing. The possibilities are endless. From large-scale outdoor small models. To test and finetune the His works have recently sold very installations like Tubus measuring construction, several CAD programs successfully at the Sotheby’s New York 15 meters in length, to sculptures as may be used. Construction is the final “Contemporary Curated” auction.
70 | MARCH 2018 CEO INDIA | 71 Not just Sushi LIGHT AND FLAVOURFUL, JAPANESE CUISINE IS AN ART. CHOPPING, SLICING THE MEAT, FISH AND VEGETABLES IS A SKILL, AND COOKING IT REQUIRES EXPERTISE.
Words: Aruna Rathod
72 | MARCH 2018 CEO INDIA | 73 LEISURE
AN EVENING IN TOYAMA Dinner with Chef Miura Personalised meal with Shinichi Miura, former Japanese chef at Japanese embassy, hotel at Australia and New Zealand. He now runs the Yatohachi Inn in Toyama, which is famous for its Gomado Springs and a very popular destination during spring and summer season. Chef Miura cooked up a Japanese meal with great love and affection. Sitting in the tatami room – dining area with a low broad table and a low chairs without legs called zaisu, I didn’t know what to expect. But the warm hospitality of Chef Miura and his wife Kiomi, dressed in a traditonal kimono made that evening a cherished one. My meal began with a large lacquer red plate (the red side is used in winter and black during summers) with five bowls of various sizes on it, filled with different kinds of food and a set of exquisite chopsticks. I assumed this was my dinner. I began tasting each dish – one was a tangerine, scooped out of its fruit and stuffed with cheese, oysters and mushroom; another bowl had paper thin slices of lotus stem cooked in a sugary syrup; another a vegetable coated with batter and fried and a large bowl of tofu, coated and fried. This was just the first course! Kiomi then brought a ceramic bottle with Sake with two tiny cups. Sake, the rice wine, can be had either warm or cold and it makes for a great drink with a traditional Japanese meal. or the uninitiated, Japanese salted, steamed, slivers and flakes. Not only because of it’s bright orange colour. Uni is The second dish was a sizeable piece meals could be all about sushi fish, plenty of sea food that includes shell the soft orange centre of a sea urchin and of fish cooked in a sauce and topped with radish and carrot that was sliced extremely and tempura. But there is a lot fish, mussels, molluscs, crustaceans, and most commonly eaten with rice or wrapped thin. Next came the soba noodles (made more to Japanese cuisine and echinoderms. Eels are a speciality in Japan. in rice and seaweed. from buckwheat) with sauce served in a F Besides Tokyo, where one can ceramic container with a cover, next came each meal brings to the table, plenty of You can eat sushi with your fingers. colour, sauces and serving dishes that experience all kinds of cuisine, certain Simply pick up a piece of sushi, dip it in a beautiful pink plate with fish topped with beaten egg; then fish again followed by are cute, colourful and art pieces by prefectures like Toyama are famous for the soy sauce and then eat it in one bite if shrimp tempura. Then came hot piping themselves, in various materials like their fresh seafood. you can! Miso soup and rice, that was cooked in a ceramic, glass and lacquer ware. Bowls, Tempura, or battered and deep fried traditional rice cooker, which is called Kama in Japanese. Kama can be used on a direct flat plates, square and rectangular A BITE OF JAPAN seafood and vegetables, are typically served flame, and this allows for a slightly burnt platters, and of course, sushi served in So besides Sushi, all Japanese love the with either salt, or a tempura dipping sauce rice at the bottom, which is called Okoge, cute cups from ceramic bottles. Not only is very popular local dish called Sashimi. or “tsuyu” as it is known in Japanese. When and much favoured by the Japanese. Japanese cuisine great to taste, but a feast These are slivers of raw fish, served in a a tsuyu dipping sauce is available, it is Rice is the last course of a Japanese meal and I truly had no space for dessert! for the senses – in every way possible. plate, along with a smaller empty dish for usually served with a small plate of grated Japanese use the phrase “itadakimasu” serving a small portion of soy sauce. Often daikon radish and freshly grated ginger. Add before beginning a meal, like Grace wasabi, or Japanese horseradish, is mixed the daikon and ginger into the tsuyu sauce that is said before meals. Itadakimasu, into the soy sauce. Wet towels are provided prior to dipping your tempura to eat. raw fish and rice. Japanese cuisine soybean products are also staples in a bento box. A typical lunch would be a literally means “to humbly receive” or “to at meal times, but these are for cleaning While visiting Miyajima island, about 45 slowly became modern in the 1800s when Japan. These include miso (fermented bowl of broth with vegetables, seaweed, or thankfully receive food”. It is also a thank your fingers, not as a face towel. minutes from Hiroshima, make it a point to vegetarian food was served in small soybean paste) and tofu (a soybean curd fish. The bento is a traditional box lunch you to the person who cooked the meal and To eat sashimi, each piece of sashimi is have Octopus in any form at the restaurants portions, and all food was divided into five that resembles custard). packed in a small, flat box with dividers. It an acknowledgment to the life that was dipped into the separate dish of soy sauce there. Most popular are the called Takoyaki colour groups - green, red, yellow, white, Green tea is the national beverage of includes small portions of rice, meat, fish, sacrificed to make the meal possible. and wasabi, and conveyed with the help or octopus fritters. These dumplings are and black-purple) and six tastes (bitter, Japan and hot water is served on tap. In and vegetables. Stuffed rice balls called Rice is the chief crop of Japan, so don’t of chopsticks into the mouth. One needs made by preparing a batter of flour blended sour, sweet, hot, salty, and delicate). some restaurants, a tiny chest of drawers onigiri are very popular and are available in be surprised if you find rice for breakfast, to dip the fish into the sauce, not pour the with stock, chunks of octopus are added After a ban of more than one thousand hold bags of green tea and one can various combinations – rolled in seaweed; lunch and dinner in Japan. Another feature sauce on the fish. along with seasoning and then fried. years, beef returned to Japan during the have the tea throughout the meal. It is a with tuna and the list goes on. of Japanese cuisine, is that soup is had at Sushi is served on a wooden square Meiji Period (1868–1912). great digestive. The Sushi conveyor belt It is considered rude to eat while the end of the meal, unlike most cultures plate in most restaurants, along with HOW JAPANESE CUISINE EVOLVED Rice and noodles make their restaurants are quite popular in Japan. walking, or driving. The Japanese where it serves as a starter or appetiser. a small dish for serving soy sauce and During early times, A.D 700, Buddhism led appearance at every meal. The soba Fresh ingredients are always used and respect their food and rightly so, Besides rice, be ready to have plenty of wasabi. Uni is an expensive topping, and to a ban on eating meat. Sushi became noodles are very popular as they are seasonal produce is used to prepare most considering the efforts that go into fish in Japanese cuisine – fresh, raw, dried, it’s the sea urchin that looks very appealing popular as a result since it is made with thin brown noodles. Soy sauce and other dishes. For those in a rush, lunch can be making this wonderful cuisine!
74 | MARCH 2018 CEO INDIA | 75 CUTTING EDGE
BELL HELICOPTER UNVEILS EXCLUSIVE AIR TAXI DESIGN THE AIR AND EXPERIENCE DURING ITS DEBUT AS THE FIRST MAJOR HELICOPTER MANUFACTURER CAB TO EXHIBIT AT CES CUTTING EDGE
ell Helicopter, a Textron Inc. limits of vertical flight and challenging urban obstacles for decades with Class-leading comforts just relax and enjoy the view of the below in a comfortable, relaxing space. company and major global the traditional notion of aviation to traditional rotorcraft. Now they’re compliment a tech-forward cabin world below. Bell Helicopter, a wholly owned helicopter manufacturer, solve real-world problems,” stated expanding the scope of air travel and to deliver the seamless, connected One look inside Bell’s air taxi subsidiary of Textron Inc., is an has revealed its air taxi Bell Helicopter’s President and CEO aviation technology to advance life’s experience far exceeding your typical reveals an expertly crafted interior, industry-leading producer of B Mitch Snyder during the Las Vegas conveniences. From shaving precious fostered by years of customer insight commercial and military, manned and cabin design and fully integrated user ground-bound rideshare. With a full experience. The four-passenger cabin show. “The future of urban air taxi minutes off a cross-town commute suite of connectivity technologies and attention to detail. Passengers unmanned vertical-lift aircraft and the demonstrates Bell’s view of an on- is closer than many people realize. for your cannot-miss meeting to that such as video calling, wifi, artificial will sync into a fully integrated user pioneer of the revolutionary tiltrotor demand mobility aircraft that focuses We believe in the positive impact last-minute tee time with friends (with intelligence and wireless charging, experience control center, where aircraft. Globally recognized for world- on a people-first engineered user our design will have on addressing room for your clubs!) - Bell’s on- passengers of Bell’s Urban Air Taxi they can catch up on world news, class customer service, innovation experience tailored with an urban air transportation concerns in cities demand Urban Air Taxi concept makes will have the option to fully maximize hold a video conference call, share and superior quality, Bell’s global taxi ride. worldwide.” the previously unthinkable a viable their airtime - already a fraction of documents with other passengers or workforce serves customers flying Bell “Bell Helicopter is innovating at the Bell has been moving people over solution to your busy life. their ground-bound commute - or to simply unplug from the noisy world aircraft in more than 120 countries.
78 | MARCH 2018 CEO INDIA | 79 UNIQUE SLEEPS FOR THE YEAR OF THE SEA “Ar lan y môr, mae pob rinweddau… Ar lan y môr mae nghariad inne” (By the seaside is every virtue… By the seaside is my sweetheart). The Welsh are so soppy about the sea, they even have folk songs dedicated to the drama of it all. And my, is it romantic! Wild, windswept and bursting with life. There is some magnificent sea, river, and waterside stays to be had … and every one of them has a story. Start plotting your escape now TRAVEL
PORTMEIRION, GWYNEDD, Suite, where the future King Edward VIII tranquil Marine Spa. Pembrokeshire includes Welsh slate made by local NORTH WALES slept in 1934. produce features on the menu at the craftsmen and specially commissioned Whisk your partner to other-worldly Cliff and Gallery restaurants, both artworks by local artist Bethan Clwyd. Portmeirion, the creation of Sir Clough ST BRIDES SPA HOTEL, of which are ideally placed to take in You can enjoy local flavours on the Williams-Ellis, whose dream was to SAUNDERSFOOT, PEMBROKESHIRE, spectacular sunsets. seafront terrace, with dishes on the create an Italianate village in Wales. SOUTH WEST restaurant menu including Welsh The result is a magical collection of Wales It’s hard to find a more perfect GWESTY CYMRU, ABERYSTWYTH, rarebit topped with local eggs and – brightly coloured buildings and gardens place to relax than the infinity pool at St MID WALES you’re by the sea after all – Cardigan that lead down to the sea. At the shore Brides Spa Hotel – a beautiful property Overlooking Cardigan Bay from Bay lobster. is the Grade-II listed Portmeirion Hotel, perched on a clifftop overlooking Aberystwyth’s handsome Victorian which opened in 1931 and has hosted Saundersfoot and the sea. Most rooms promenade, Gwesty Cymru is a HARBOURMASTER, ABERAERON, artists, playwrights, royalty, politicians have sea views and a balcony, and there superbly-positioned five star hotel and CEREDIGION, MID WALES and tycoons. Opt to stay in the Peacock are six serviced apartments, plus a restaurant. Décor in the eight bedrooms Prepare to crown the Harbourmaster
82 | MARCH 2018 CEO INDIA | 83 TRAVEL your new favourite hotel. It’s the kind of place people return to as often as they can: for the warm welcome, beautiful décor (including Welsh favourite, Melin Tregwynt furnishings), thoughtful touches, and incredible location. Book the Madona Suite for panoramic coastal views. The boutique hotel houses a fab restaurant and a menu regularly featuring scallops, oysters and juicy Welsh steaks.
CLIFF CAMPING, ANGLESEY, NORTH WALES Feeling intrepid? Try cliff camping, where the phrase “living life on the edge” is taken 100 per cent literally. The experience starts in the afternoon with rock climbing practice, before your ‘portaledge’ is set up in the evening – a sturdy canvas shelf that’s tethered to the side of a cliff, which will be your bed for the night. All that remains is to tuck into a hearty meal from your perch, admire the sunset and fall asleep to the sound of the lapping waves.
COES FAEN LODGE, BARMOUTH, GWYNEDD, NORTH WALES Architecture and design enthusiasts will be wowed by Coes Faen… as will spa-lovers… and foodies! Set in a 19th century Victorian lodge on the water, Coes Faen has been lovingly and tastefully renovated. Plenty of glass lets in natural light, while stone and oak floors showcase the building’s history. There’s also unobtrusive technology to enhance your stay with music and lighting. Each of their six rooms has a spa-style bathroom, and the restaurant serves delicious Tuscan-style meals on Fridays and Saturdays.
TWR Y FELIN, ST DAVIDS, PEMBROKESHIRE Twr y Felin is proud of its coastal location, and as proof there are 100 pieces of specially commissioned art inspired by the St Davids Peninsula to discover throughout the hotel. The luxury property is just ten minutes from the Pembrokeshire Coast Path and the gorgeous beach at Caerfai Bay. There are 21 bedrooms, including two fabulous suites, all designed to pamper. Settle into the art lover’s snug known
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as the Cornel bar before dinner at Blas, LAKE VYRNWY HOTEL AND SPA, their two AA-rosette restaurant. POWYS, MID WALES Opulent and elegant Lake Vyrnwy Hotel SCAMPER HOLIDAYS, GOWER and Spa overlooks the magnificent PENINSULA, SOUTH WALES lake of the same name, boasting Gower was the UK’s first designated dreamy views of the fairy-tale tower Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, that sits atop the lake’s waters. When and there’s no better way to experience you’ve stopped admiring the landscape it than with some glorious glamping. from your balcony, take stock of the Overlooking the award-winning Rhossili spectacular décor within your sleeping Bay or Llangennith beach, you can quarters. Many of the 52 rooms have choose from shepherd’s huts, tiki sumptuously large four-poster beds and lodges, smart campervans or timber look out onto the lake or the gardens. tent cabins. Scamper Holidays offer The spa continues the theme with them all, as well as delightful upgrades incredible lake-side views, and offers for those wanting to add sweet little pampering treatments and an exclusive touches like champagne welcome Thermal Suite. hampers or eye-catching bunting. Location is the key to this spot, getting THE OLD RECTORY ON THE LAKE, TAL- you up close and personal with some Y-LLYN, GWYNEDD, NORTH WALES Wales’s most beautiful beaches If you’ve walked up – and down – mighty
Cadair Idris in Snowdonia National MID WALES Park, there’s nowhere more inviting to The Bunkhouse in Glasbury is described rest your weary legs afterwards than by its owners as a posh bunkhouse, The Old Rectory on the Lake. Homely, which sleeps up to 14 people in welcoming and friendly, the hotel’s two supreme comfort. Enjoy comfy sofas, upstairs double bedrooms have glorious a wood-burning stove and large tables Victorian free-standing baths. If you for feasting – fantastic for friends or fancy something less conventional, family get-togethers. Fun is the keyword spend your evening in the outdoor hot here – there’s actually a slide inside tub, enjoying the stunning lake views. the property – and The Bunkhouse is perfectly placed for canoe trips on the THE BUNKHOUSE, GLASBURY, POWYS, River Wye.
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Urwerk UR-210 Platinum Black
Once they’ve seen it in action, nobody can deny the appeal of the UR-210. To appreciate it fully you have to keep your eyes glued to the dial as the minutes hand approaches the end of its hour. Don’t blink, because if you do, you’ll miss a display of controlled energy in the lighting return of the retrograde hand as it snaps back to the start of the next hour. It’s a few seconds to the hour and time holds its breath as it prepares to return the minutes to their starting point. The action is too swift for the eye but you hear the sharp click that announces the arrival of the hand exactly on zero. The spectacular combination of the revolving satellite complication and retrograde minutes is seen nowhere as in the UR-210. The prominent three- dimensional minutes hand acts as a high- tech cowling that encloses the hours and carries them in turn smoothly across the scale of minutes.
Price on request
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Pininfarina Segno
It’s no longer just a simple collaboration, but a real joint venture that links Pininfarina and Napkin Forever in a new course of innovation and creativity, dedicated to the writing and accessories world. Signature S.r.l. has been set up on the back of a fruitful, three-year- long partnership, which has led to the creation of innovative writing instruments, of unique design and technology, acclaimed worldwide. The joint venture is a milestone in the strategic plan to enhance and establish the Pininfarina brand in the premium sector, with the aim of developing the promising stationery sector. Signature acts as a Cave de Paille Saison I laboratory for the development of excellence, bringing The limited edition Saison 1 is inspired by the growing tobacco leaf, harvested at the perfect moment: green, rich and full of together under the Pininfarina Segno project objects life. It’s the season where the tobacco is bathed in sunlight, full of energy and strength. It’s the season when the tobacco leaf designed by Pininfarina and a selection of Italian is ready to be cut and harvested. The designer, Lison de Caunes, starts by tinting the batch of straw herself to obtain a unique design brands, such as Forever, which have stood out green/bronze shade. Then, when Lison herself thinks it is ready, each batch of straw is applied in a linear way on a flat surface. for their innovation, creativity and visions consistent She then cuts it using a metal shape like that of half a leaf. Remaking the full leaves, she positions them on the humidor before with Pininfarina’s values and deserving of visibility applying them. It makes each piece unique, like a new plant growing. and dissemination. The Pininfarina Segno project represents an approach unique of its kind that aims to Price on request create original, new writing experiences and scenarios in terms of technologies, materials and methods of use. A new chapter in a story that began in 1930.
Price on request
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`5525 onwards
Guerlain L’Homme Ideal Sport
Boasting a luxurious, broad and streamlined look, the bottle adopts its predecessors’ codes. With strong shoulders and a solid guilloché cap, its athletic physique is underscored by a deep blue lacquer, like an invitation to an aquatic getaway. The
label’s red trim evokes a smart casual sports shirt, which the Ideal Man likes to slip on to physically give his best. To reveal approximate. are All prices the eau de toilette’s sporting potential, Thierry Wasser, Guerlain’s Master Perfumer, and Delphine Jelk, Guerlain Perfumer, have given the almond note a boost of vitality, energising it with fresh spices and a wave of aquatic notes. Neroli essence delicately enfolds it. Last but not least, the winning trio of coumarin, vetiver and patchouli brings strength, vigour and sensuality to this “active water”.
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An old penny pincher had no friends. Just before he died he asked his doctor, lawyer, and pastor to gather around him at his bedside. “I have always heard that you can’t take it with you. But I want to disprove that theory,” he said. “I have $90,000 under my mattress, and when I die, just before they throw the dirt on me at my burial, I want you each to toss in an envelope with $30,000 within.” The three attended the funeral and each threw his envelope in the grave. On the way back from the cemetery, the pastor said, “I must confess. I needed $10,000 for my new church, so I only threw in $20,000.” The doctor then said, “I must confess too. I needed $20,000 for a new hospital I was opening up, so I only threw in $10,000.” The lawyer looked at them both and shook his head. He then said, “Gentlemen, I’m surprised, shocked, and ashamed of you. I don’t see how you could dare to go against that man’s final wish. I mean, I threw in my personal cheque for the full amount.” Husband takes the wife to a disco. There’s a guy on the dance floor break dancing, moonwalking, doing back flips, the works. The wife turns to her husband and says, “See that guy? Twenty-five years ago he proposed to me and I turned him down.” Husband says, “Looks like he’s still celebrating!”
Little Kelvin’s darkest day was when he was asked by his mathematics teacher to solve a problem on the board. The question was asking for the answer to 2+3. He knew he couldn’t solve that so he glanced towards his bright friend for help. His friend willing to help but fearing to speak out loud, showed him his palm as a silent indication to the answer. So little Kelvin drew the palm.
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