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First job: Junior Sales Executive at Indian Communications Network Limited
Enduring memory from early career days: Selling 90-plus English typewrites worth Rs 50,000 each in a challenging and Hindi-dominated state. I achieved the highest zonal sales. This means that irrespective of the market conditions, if you have the right mind set and the will to do it – you can!
If not a retailer, what would you be: I am a retailer by choice; else I would have been in the food & beverages business
Favorite business icon: Howard Schultz, the CEO of Starbucks
Favorite business philosophy: Success lies in the detail
The company you admire the most: Starbucks
Your most significant career achievement so far: My considerable achievements are turning around Ebony Gautier, building India’s first chain of art and crafts called Hobby Ideas and relaunching ‘Ceat Shoppe’ which was a 15-year-old brand at a time when organised retail was not prevalent in India
Key learning in your career: Sell what you would buy for yourself and treat your consumer the way you would like to be treated
If you were granted one wish for your industry, what would it be: Industry status
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Zodiac sign: Aquarius
What do you like to do the most in your spare time: I am a fitness enthusiast. I enjoy fusion cooking and travelling. I am also a connoisseur of and single malt whisky
Favourite book: Thoughts become things
Favorite websites: Wikipedia
Favourite movie: The Godfather
Favourite song: Que Sera Sera
Favourite movie icons: Marlon Brando
Favourite shopping destination: USA
Favourite holiday destination: New Zealand
Favourite religious / political icon from history: Kabir
Favourite food: Chinese
Favourite season: Winters
What do you like most in people: Honesty
What do you dislike most in people: Lack of commitment
Top three things you want to do at some point in life: Social work for the girl child; open an old-age home; and start a restaurant
Your vision for the nation: A robust economy driven by 100 percent literacy rate
Your idea of a life well lived: Happy and healthy life and doing good to others
The thing you value most in life: A clean conscience
What makes you smile: My daughter
What makes you feel great about yourself: The ability to build successful and consistent businesses
If you had to teach something, what would you teach: There is no shortcut to success
