Photos: Jinson Abraham Location Courtesy: Le Meridian, Kochi & Renault Showroom, Kalamassery.
In a very short span of his professional career the man, K. Mahesh Kumar, Business Head and CEO, Renault-TVS, rose through the ranks from a position of sales trainee to where he is now. Renault never had to look back after hiring him. The company saw the steepest rise any European manufacturer has achieved in India. He is modest and don’t like to take any credit for his or the company’s achievements. The rise of the man on his field of work is par with any great success story. While I interviewed him, his simplicity made him shy away from any compliments and was hesitant to speak about his achievements. He kept on appreciating his very young team who had an average age of only 28. He is stylish and classy. He was humble when he spoke but yet solicitous and imaginative. I was impressed from the word go. I wanted to know him more personally than for what he was known for. Perhaps we all should.
How does it feel to be the Business Head and CEO, Renault-TVS?
It feels really great and admirable. It’s challenging at times. I thank the people who choose me. There is a lot of glitz and glamour to this role but it can be challenging at times.
Renault has gown a lot under you. What is that makes your management different from others?
My style of management is completely personal driven. I handpick the people I believe who can deliver to my expectations and of course of the customers. It’s all about coherence, mutual coexistence and trust. If you are able to tackle personal emotions and egos then I am sure you will be led to success. At this point of time I’m able to do that. Innovation is something that grows an organization. You need to be innovative or you are out of the game. Constant innovation is a welcoming sight for organizations. In fact we are going to have a special Innovation hub in our company that encourages our employees to come up with new innovations. This will give more angles on improving the technology of the cars we make and hopefully strategize new ways of marketing
I see that you have won so many awards for your company
We have consistently won the number one sales on the national basis. That is something which is really satisfying. We will further enhance our performance with the introduction of three more vehicles that is to follow soon. We have sold 4000 more than the runners up. That itself demonstrates our leadership in terms of sales. We will sustain this position. But next time it will be with a much bigger margin.
Are we witnessing the best of Mahesh Kumar, the leader?
No, no… this is just the beginning. I’m fortunate to be where I’m today. Thank god for that. But this is just the beginning. My caliber, talent, knowledge and wisdom keep reminding me that this is just the beginning. I’m to explore the international market
How big a destination is Kerala in terms of business?
Kerala is a crucial contributor to the success of our company. Kerala contributes 8% of India’s TIV(Total Industrial Volume). Kerala is a very big market
Any role models
I have grown from the bottom to where I stand today. I have had many role models in that journey. There have been people who have inspired me from different walks of life. To be where I’m today in a span of 15 years I feel that it has been a phenomenal journey and growth. I have had my share of failures and success. Failures taught me more in fact. Failure teaches you to move forward. My mom is my biggest inspiration. I have seen her fight against all odds with a smile on her face and then come out of all her challenges with flying colors. Some of the basic business strategies that have helped me more in the exponential world than all those theories that you get to learn is what I learned from her. It is a privilege to be her son. Truly an amazing woman.
Do you believe in God?
Very much. I’m a firm believer of god. I go to temple often. I am a huge follower of Chottanikkara Devi. I make sure I pay a visit every 15 days. It has been the case with the last four years. She is now my favorite god. My transactions with her are as simple and humble as right now the way we are talking (laughs). She has always been there in my difficult times.
Difficult times?
Well, there are times in business where you don’t know what to do. Recently we had a flood attack. 250 of our cars were caught under the deluge. When nature hits out there is not really much you can do other than pray. That is what I did. I believed in the Devi of Chottanikkara Temple and prayed. I will never forget that day. She saved me.I want to actively engage in philanthropy as it is very close to my heart. Unfortunately time is not a necessity I have that allows me to put as much as I wish to. However I have taken an oath to educate orphans in every way I can. I have been able to provide for the education of three underprivileged girls. Sometimes, at birthdays of my near and dear ones we arrange a full day meals to orphanages and old age homes. My heart goes out to the deprived and I wish I could do more.
What kind of a lifestyle you follow?
I’m very brand conscious. I have always been like that. The shirts that I wear I pick it up from London. I usually wear TM Lewin shirts. Price is not an issue. Quality matters. All my official wear is from that brand. I wear Tag Heuer watches. Basically my way of living is the classy way.
So how good a student were you?
There was this particular subject for which I did research on in London. I distinctively remember 80% of the population failed. I just wanted to pass because; I don’t want to wait another six months to rewrite it as I was on a sabbatical from my company to take the master degree and any impeding would significantly affect my career. That scenario was my strive force. SomehowI ended up with the first rank. So I guess I am quite okay.
Is London your favorite travel destination?
London is the only place I have not went for a holiday purpose. It’s a home away from home
Do you read books?
I have read a few recently. I’m a big fan of Chetan Bhagat. I read his Half Girlfriend also… done with the book on CEO of Apple Inc. , ‘Steve Jobs,’ written by Walter Isaacson and the Mark Zuckerberg book ‘The Boy Billionaire: Mark Zuckerberg In His Own Words’ by George Beahm, … and then of course the book of my mentor, Jagdish Khattar, ‘Driven,’ which was written by Mr. Khattar himself and Suveen Sinha.
A code that you live by on life
“ In the end everything is going to be fine and if it’s still not fine it’s still not the end”…..strongly believe in this statement. As I was winding up the interview, Mr. Kumar received a phone call. He was all smiles after attending it. With a dazzling smile he announced, “I have just won the Dealer of the Year Award. Kochi dealership is selected as the best among the 12,000 Renault delaership across the world.