Over the years, Anand Mahindra has taken his group company to many territories uncharted by him; and his wishlist doesn’t seem to end. Is he treading on too risky a ground? B&E traverses inside his group and interviews the head honcho along with other group heads
It was celebration time at IIT Bombay. From students to teachers, all were gearing up for that big event – their Golden Jubilee Foundation Day. However, events didn’t unfold as smoothly as were anticipated and wished for, for the Indian Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh, the Chief Guest for the occasion, didn’t turn up. What followed was obvious disappointment at having missed the company of India’s top political leader. And then walked in Anand Mahindra, Managing Director & Vice Chairman of Mahindra & Mahindra (M&M) Group, inarguably one of India’s top corporate honchos. Singularly, with a brilliant speech that loquaciously and masterfully expounded various leadership aspects – from John F Kennedy to Jawaharlal Nehru – Mahindra was impressive not only in delivery, but also in the implicit arguments and pressing intent brimming explosively under his words. What stood out in that particular speech was Mahindra’s narration of incidents from The Mahabharata, drawing metaphors time and again to real life, enforcing upon the students the need to look into and rediscover their ‘dharma’ and to ever continuously strive for excellence without compromising with quality. Not many would have realised this, but what Mahindra spoke that day, was a summary of his most important lessons from life, and of the questions on growth and progress that he still is striving hard to answer; questions, that perchance are the very issues that his group is facing today, and at the most critical crossroads.
When Anand Mahindra started his journey with the Mahindra Group in 1981 as an Executive Assistant to the Finance Director at Mahindra Ugine Steel Company Ltd, industry watchers labelled his arrival as ‘yet another’ attempt by ‘yet another’ business family to strengthen its hold on ‘yet another’ business. But as the years rolled past, this young Harvard Alumnus proved his mettle, with his unparalleled understanding of both the consumer market and employees alike, and by 1997, had been elevated to the post of MD of the group. Quick climb up the ladder, but the real tale began right at that point when he assumed powers to make strategic decisions for the entire group! Over time, he not only effected a metamorphic transformation of the group into a more professionally-run organisation, but also expanded the group’s footprint beyond its core automotive and farm equipment businesses, thereby diversifying into sectors like IT, Hospitality and Financial Services, all of which have helped the group scale creditable heights. And his sweet tooth for the leadership slot has always compelled him to strive harder. Even experts believe that such big ‘diversified’ ambitions will continue to remain the driving force behind this group’s growth in the coming years.
It was celebration time at IIT Bombay. From students to teachers, all were gearing up for that big event – their Golden Jubilee Foundation Day. However, events didn’t unfold as smoothly as were anticipated and wished for, for the Indian Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh, the Chief Guest for the occasion, didn’t turn up. What followed was obvious disappointment at having missed the company of India’s top political leader. And then walked in Anand Mahindra, Managing Director & Vice Chairman of Mahindra & Mahindra (M&M) Group, inarguably one of India’s top corporate honchos. Singularly, with a brilliant speech that loquaciously and masterfully expounded various leadership aspects – from John F Kennedy to Jawaharlal Nehru – Mahindra was impressive not only in delivery, but also in the implicit arguments and pressing intent brimming explosively under his words. What stood out in that particular speech was Mahindra’s narration of incidents from The Mahabharata, drawing metaphors time and again to real life, enforcing upon the students the need to look into and rediscover their ‘dharma’ and to ever continuously strive for excellence without compromising with quality. Not many would have realised this, but what Mahindra spoke that day, was a summary of his most important lessons from life, and of the questions on growth and progress that he still is striving hard to answer; questions, that perchance are the very issues that his group is facing today, and at the most critical crossroads.
When Anand Mahindra started his journey with the Mahindra Group in 1981 as an Executive Assistant to the Finance Director at Mahindra Ugine Steel Company Ltd, industry watchers labelled his arrival as ‘yet another’ attempt by ‘yet another’ business family to strengthen its hold on ‘yet another’ business. But as the years rolled past, this young Harvard Alumnus proved his mettle, with his unparalleled understanding of both the consumer market and employees alike, and by 1997, had been elevated to the post of MD of the group. Quick climb up the ladder, but the real tale began right at that point when he assumed powers to make strategic decisions for the entire group! Over time, he not only effected a metamorphic transformation of the group into a more professionally-run organisation, but also expanded the group’s footprint beyond its core automotive and farm equipment businesses, thereby diversifying into sectors like IT, Hospitality and Financial Services, all of which have helped the group scale creditable heights. And his sweet tooth for the leadership slot has always compelled him to strive harder. Even experts believe that such big ‘diversified’ ambitions will continue to remain the driving force behind this group’s growth in the coming years.
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