The knowledge ,the excellence , the brilliance, the preciseness, the passion can be made out within the first few words one exchanges with Mr. Shubho. He can be called as “honcho” in the sectors he has been associated with. One gets awestruck by the pervasive charisma and with the beauty of his words alongwith his terrific communication skills, he is able to create an aura around him. He possesses an excellent flair for writing. He is one of the best marketing guys who has a handful of experience across the world. People in the industry refer him as ‘ Shubo Da’ for the kind of relationship he shares with people at work. A great leader & a great mentor makes him one of the best choices to work with. Mr. Shubho is a very systematic, methodical professional with an eye for every minute detailing inspite of being in the top echelon of the corporate ladder. His “killer instinct” is truly infectious in the entire ecosystem surrounding him and hence it provides an exemplary training platform in the making of a professional of tomorrow. His great relationship skills emanating from a fair and ethical mindset, straight-forward attitude coupled with no-nonsense approach adds a feather on the cap. In our correspondence with him we could make out how approachable & helpful he is. He has done his schooling from Jamshedpur and Masters from IIPM in the year 1984 , where he developed love and passion for Managerial Economics-thanks to Dr. M K Chaudhuri and Dr. M. Adhikari.
His journey started from TVS Du pont Ltd. as a Product Manager, then joined TVS Interconnect Systems TVS Berg Limited as General Manager – Sales & Business Development. Business Head-Telecom & Strategic Solutions at Belden Australia/India happened to be his next role and then there was no looking back. He proved himself and worked beyond his imagination at Rosenberger as Director-Sales & Marketing. He was also the Vice President- Communications at Huber + Suhner Electronics Pvt. Ltd, a 100% subsidiary of Swiss MNC Huber Suhner. At present, he feels happy to have taken up a challenge with a tech savvy SME from Italy to build an organization / sales from ground ZERO at 51 in India, and also taking on the ‘biggies’ and playing a pivotal role in global large business opportunities now. Mr. Shubho has other talents also and if not here he would have probably been an English Literature teacher in a good university or maybe a class guitarist in a rock band. We at IIPM wish him a rocking life ahead and wish that he keeps on surprising us with the kind of work he puts in to surpass the boundaries of excellence.
Q. It is so good to know that you have worked with so many brands…what has been the most interesting part of the journey. If you could just start with the first venture onwards..
A. The most interesting part has been continous learning and evolving not only as a professional but also as a human being. The turning point was in 1989 and long and very close assciations with world class companies like Du Pont/ Berg Electronics(USA) evolved in a highly ‘Consultative Oriented’ technical go-to-market approach specialising in the vast, complex and interesting field of interconnection systems and cabling solutions/value added solutions which were only refined and further built on in my assigments with other Global brands like Belden, Rosenberger & HUBER + SUHNER .
Q. What are the current challenges that you are handling at CPE Italia S.P.A?
A. Current assignment with CPE Italia is resulting in extensive engagement with the Military & Aerospace industries. Instrumental in several success stories with team and customer support in different assignments and have won ‘Global Recognition’ awards and prizes for outstanding accomplishments in his career. He possesses a fiercely competitive and winning attitude ethical practices, standards and corporate governance.
CPE Italia is Italian-owned enterprises specialized in designing, manufacturing and selling HF, LF cable assemblies and industrial sophisticated sensors used in communication industry. It locates in the centre of Binhu District,nearby the beautiful Lake Tai as an excellent supplier for the first-class enterprises in communications industry, they have a full set of business functions such as product development, authentication, scale production, customer service and so on. They are developing the domestic busibusiness at the same time actively opening up the international market. Their Italian investor, CPE Italia S.P.A., maintains a leading position and a considerable impact in the industry. CPE Italia has many wholly-owned subsidiaries and affiliates in Europe, Asia and South America.
Setting up operations in India and building up the organisation to meet the demanding and complex requirements of Interconnect Systems and Cable AsAssemblies catering to Military, Aerospace, Oceanographic, Broadcast, Telecommunications, Photovoltaic and Nuclear/ Atomic Research Centers.
Q. How were your college days? Tell us the fun part along with the academics..
A. Good ,it was great fun to spend time with friends and get high on ‘world class rock/blues/jazz music’. Developed love and passion for Managerial Economicsthanks to Dr. M. K. Chaudhuri and Dr. M. Adhikari.
Q. How are classrooms different from workstations?
A. Worlds apart but one similarity – every one’s objectives are different.
REWARDS AND RECOGNITION PROGRAMS ACT AS A STIMULUS TO CONTINOUS PERFORMANCE.
Q. To what factors do you attribute your success?
A. No substitution for hard work, great enthusiasm and passion in my work/products and self created high measurement of performance benchmarks.
Q. What has been the most memorable moment in your career path?
A. The global sales prize by Berg Electronics(USA) as International Sales person for 1996
Q. Who has been one of the greatest inspiration in your life?
A. J R D Tata
Q. What according to you are the values which influence the leadership process?
A. I am a strong advocate of the ‘Situational Leadership’ theory and being on top of any situation provides the much needed leadership. Other values are the upbringing/ethics/mental strength/ objectivity which one inculcates as one evolves from childhood to school, college and eventually work life and social environments. Pulling ‘team together’ with complete involvement and naturally empowerment with accountability without losing sight on set objectives is a key driver. A leader must set examples which others would love to emulate. A good understanding of ‘human behaviour at work’ only ensures more effectiveness.
I believe in a fine mix of hands-on engagement and delegation of authority and obviously resulting accountability to team to derive the best performance and results besides giving colleagues much needed job satisfaction which is so vital in today’s competitive environments. Rewards and Recognition(R&R) programs act as huge stimulus to continuously improve performances. ‘Failure is mine and success is due to team’ is easier preached than practiced but can drive people to deliver 120% which makes a major differentiation in a competitive environment. This however does not mean that non performers have an umbrella cover to hide every time. For the upcoming leaders of the corporate world, I put it plainly that if you have a star performer or an outstanding talent in your team, nurture and develop his/ her competencies further to maximize organizational/social gains-in this process you will only be pushed up to handle larger responsibilities ahead. Sadly ‘fear and insecurity’ often engulf many leaders in the real corporate world. Lastly, I stick to the old proven adage-“criticize in private but praise in public” which works wonders for all.
Q. What are the opportunities and threats specific to your industry?
A. India with its 1.3 Billion people (mean age value as youngest nation) is an ocean of opportunity but in our specific industry, India is yet to emerge as a potential tiger in manufacturing activities when benchmarked with China and few other countries which is a clear threat. Recent scams in the country, complexities of business model in telecoms and red tapism are impediments and a lot still needs to be done in the Strategic Electronics/ Aerospace Domain. However, with appropriate corrections and with an increasing movement towards a border less global markets, the growth possibilities are explosive. Markets will also have to appreciate products and solutions/ services which offer ‘Value’ with NIL MTBF for our Industry/Country to emerge as ‘World Class’.
Q. Education has seen a major shift in terms of practical knowledge, case studies, role plays, presentations and today Global Exposure is also one of most important dimension in adjudging a candidate. Your views please.
A. Absolutely Correct and more so in a senior key assignment. We have made significant reforms since the 90’s and today it is not just a local game but a global field with jostling participants from across the world. A thorough global exposure brings about much needed understanding of different cultures/values/ possible tactical deployments & global opportunities and drefinement and a much needed broader ‘mind set’.
Increasingly defined boundaries are being dismantled and the market place is global- several successful case studies in Automotive Component large scale exports to West Europe/USA driving many Indian Companies to embrace Japan Quality Medal/TQM practices. Several other major corporate globalization success stories is known to all and it merits referring to India’s respected TATA house emerging as the largest manufacturing operations in UK currently. The growing prowess of Indian professionals in global companies by dint of better performances/value creation is shifting epi centres of strategic global procurement activities from India and a globally well exposed professional enjoys a cutting edge now. As global market dynamics continue to evolve with increasing competition and customer expectations, corporate nodal centres remain in flux continously to derive the best economics of scale / logistics/ regional demands and spurts in growth which all highlights the importance of Global Exposure.
Obviously, it can be implemented by identifying and nurturing the right talent for meeting global business challenges , empowering them with the right opportunities to maximize their potential, job rotation and relocation which are well known and practiced by good companies
Q. Organizations today use Customer Relationship Management as a tool to have a competitive edge over others? how does this fit into the marketing system of the orgainzation?
A. Customer Relationship Management is a key enabler in making that edge over others in business success today and obviously it builds up by close engagement with the customer (cycle time depends on products and usage patterns). Any customer has a customer and if one delivers value for customer’s customers, one is already a step ahead. One has to earn the right to advance in developing a relationship-honesty, adherence to commitments, build up of credibility and trust and my personal very strong belief and practice in ‘consultative go-to market’ approach are some key factors I believe in developing excellent CRM .
Q. Please share with us your Memorable Experiences.
A. With over twenty seven years of rich experience of having work with MNC’s and Corporate Groups in the Telecommunications and Electronics industries, I have achieved success with a lot of hard work and perseverance. During my tenure, I had an opportunity to undergo excellent technical and management training programs in India, Switzerland and Malaysia. I also got to work with Rosenberger India, a 100% subsidiary of Rosenberger Hochfrequenztechnik GmbH Germany, where I got an exposure of world class integrated manufacturing in RF interconnection products. The first hand experience that I got in setting up a company in India made me learn how to comply with the regulations. Another opportunity that came my way got me to unleashed the ‘Entrepreneur’ in me and unravel new areas or interconnection technologies in Military, Aerospace and Oceanographic industries.
My fundamental skills including communication, presentation, customer relationship management, leadership, multi tasking and team playing abilities were well developed and perfected over the years in working with well managed organisations and with my willingness to adapt to best practices. Having traveled across the globe extensively in pursuit of business and training programmes, I am well exposed to diverse global culture and practices. This has helped me learn about the business practices in various parts of the world and made me manage my work better.
I have networked with key people across the Telecom, Cellular, Electronics industries in India as well as Bangladesh and Sri Lanka and have earned the respect of customers by due to my long association, hard work and creation of excellent value for our customers. My Current assignment with CPE Italia is resulting in extensive engagement with the Military & Aerospace industries. Instrumental in several success stories with team and customer support in different assignments and have won Global Recognition and awards and prizes for outstanding accomplishments with the organisations that I have worked with.
EVOLVE AS A GOOD HUMAN BEING AND SIGNIFICANTLY CONTRIBUTE TO YOUR COMPANY & TEAM
Q. If not here, where would you have been?
A. Probably an English Literature teacher in a good university or maybe a class guitarist in a rock band.
Q. A word of advice for the young brigade of professionals?
A. Work Hard,Dig-in, be sincere and honest and be passionate about your work ,success is bound to come. Be a Team Player. Focus on the customer, understand his business road maps and learn to articulate/deliver value propositions which will get him ‘bonded’ to you and your business organisation. Lastly, always remember you need to evolve as a ‘good human being’ with significant contributions to your company and the entire eco system please remember the ‘Tomb Stone Test”. To aspirants in the functional area of HR, I urge them to play a more significant and engaging role as lot of improvements are still needed in the Corporate World today.
Q. When not working how do you spend time with family?
A. We go out sometimes and often undertake travel to known/unknown far flung destinations and I try to keep my wife happy to the best of my abilities quantum improvements needed at my end. Skype with only daughter now far away at University of Glasgow pursuing her MSc and listen to lots of music.
She wishes all of them the best of luck for the future!!
