Never too late to adapt
His diverse experience has enabled this MD to navigate different workplaces effectively. He tells us how
Anshu Bagai (47) Managing Director, AMC Cookware India
In 20 years of experience, Anshu Bagai has worked in businesses as diverse as jewellery, food coupons and cookware. The current managing director of AMC Cookware India has worked as Chief Marketing Officer ofTupperware , managed the Marketing & Affiliations for Sodexho and has been the brand manger of start-up team at De Beers which launched Nakshatra . “I always wanted to gain as much experience as possible in every area. After all, that’s what life is about,” he says.
Because he reports to a head in Switzerland with whom he doesn’t really interact on a daily basis, he has to motivate himself. Bagai says after a point, more than money or growth, making a difference in an employee’s life is what matters. He shares the learnings he has picked up over the years.
MANAGE PEOPLE: No climb up the corporate ladder is possible without effective communication with employees. A good leader not only needs to understand each member of the team, but also motivate them. “As you grow in experience, you have to work with people more closely,” he says. Leadership comes from there -- especially in the sales and retail sector, where you have to manage both intermediaries and customers. Experience has taught him that different customers need to be dealt with differently. For instance, while working with housewives who are the intermediaries in Tupperware, he found that international trips were an incentive, while at De Beers, jewellers (the intermediaries) were mostly well travelled, and appreciated ideas on improving marketing skills and advice on advertising.
BE HUMBLE: As often as it has been said, Bagai says that being level-headed takes one far. Staying humble has to be the most important learning. “I’ve seen success get the better of people. And it’s not long that they fall as quickly as they rose up,” Bagai says.
In 20 years of experience, Anshu Bagai has worked in businesses as diverse as jewellery, food coupons and cookware. The current managing director of AMC Cookware India has worked as Chief Marketing Officer of
Because he reports to a head in Switzerland with whom he doesn’t really interact on a daily basis, he has to motivate himself. Bagai says after a point, more than money or growth, making a difference in an employee’s life is what matters. He shares the learnings he has picked up over the years.
BE ADAPTABLE: Each company he has worked for has followed a different work culture. AMC Cookware is German, Tupperware was American, Sodexo was French and De Beers was South African, headquartered in London. The American culture, he says, is fast-paced, with people always thinking of the here and now. “They don’t have much patience. This is in contrast to Europe, which I wouldn’t call slow, but is slower. And they have a long term vision,” Bagai says. Being adaptable, therefore, is a sign of a true professional, he feels.
MANAGE PEOPLE: No climb up the corporate ladder is possible without effective communication with employees. A good leader not only needs to understand each member of the team, but also motivate them. “As you grow in experience, you have to work with people more closely,” he says. Leadership comes from there -- especially in the sales and retail sector, where you have to manage both intermediaries and customers. Experience has taught him that different customers need to be dealt with differently. For instance, while working with housewives who are the intermediaries in Tupperware, he found that international trips were an incentive, while at De Beers, jewellers (the intermediaries) were mostly well travelled, and appreciated ideas on improving marketing skills and advice on advertising.
BE HUMBLE: As often as it has been said, Bagai says that being level-headed takes one far. Staying humble has to be the most important learning. “I’ve seen success get the better of people. And it’s not long that they fall as quickly as they rose up,” Bagai says.
