Rajiv Gupta : Empowering Multi-Generational Enterprises Towards Economic Enrichment
Rajiv Gupta
Founder & CEO
During a candid interview, he discussed his personal life journey and provided valuable industry insights.
Can you provide a brief overview of your educational background and experiences?
I graduated from BITS Pilani in 1991 with a dual degree in Master of Science in Biological Sciences and a B.E. (Hons) in Electrical and Electronics Engineering. My professional journey began the same year when I got selected in the prestigious Management Trainee Scheme of Siel, which was earlier the part of un-divided DCM Group, a well-known large Indian conglomerate, headquartered in New Delhi. Following this, I had two stints totalling eleven years at Honda Cars where I was VP Sales & Marketing. I also worked at Reliance Industries for 9 years in the Petroluem Retail Business where I was VP & National Head of Retail Channel Management.
After this, I served as the CEO of an education startup for five years. For the past three years, I had been the CEO of a 60-year-old, fourth generation family enterprise called Tricolite Electrical Industries, which grew almost 2.5 to 3 times under my leadership, and broke the SME tag by breaching the Rs.250 crores topline. Additionally, I hold an MBA from the Faculty of Management Studies, University of Delhi, and completed a five-month comprehensive leadership program, the General Management Program
(GMP), at Harvard Business School in 2008. This encapsulates my educational back ground and my 33-year professional journey.
Can you discuss the key milestones in your professional journey and how the various growth factors over the years have contributed to your current success?
I've been fortunate to play pivotal roles in the growth of three companies from inception to significant scales. At Honda Cars, I contributed to establishing the brand, implementing operational standards, and setting up the first set of 3S Dealerships, that revolutionized the automobile industry in India. 3S means Sales, Service, Spare Parts under one roof, a concept that did not exist in India back in 1998. During my tenure at Reliance Industries, I was instrumental in implementing a nationwide network of petrol pumps, a project that resulted in 1,300 operational outlets within a few years.
Transitioning to the education sector, I led a startup to remarkable success, achieving substantial revenue of $1 mn and annual student enrollment of over a 1000 nos, within a short span of 3 years. Finally, at Tricolite Electrical Industries, I spearheaded a turnaround strategy, propelling the company's growth from stagnancy to a notable increase in top-line and bottom-line figures. Throughout these endeavors, maintaining Quality, Customer Satisfaction, and Employee well-being have remained my paramount concerns and focus areas.
What motivated you to create Reverentia Family Business Advisors, and what continues to fuel your passion and drive today?
I am deeply convinced that a country's progress is primarily driven by economic growth. Family Businesses contribute 79 percent to our GDP. Yet only a fraction survive beyond the third generation. What a colossal loss this is to our economy. Imagine their contribution and impact if they had continued to flourish across generations. If India has to achieve the the $10 trillion economy goal set by our Prime Minister and the vision of Viksit Bharat, then unlocking the true potential of family businesses holds the key. By leveraging my learnings in scaling businesses and fostering strong governance, values, and care for all stakeholders, I aim to empower family businesses through
Can you discuss the key milestones in your professional journey and how the various growth factors over the years have contributed to your current success?
I've been fortunate to play pivotal roles in the growth of three companies from inception to significant scales. At Honda Cars, I contributed to establishing the brand, implementing operational standards, and setting up the first set of 3S Dealerships, that revolutionized the automobile industry in India. 3S means Sales, Service, Spare Parts under one roof, a concept that did not exist in India back in 1998. During my tenure at Reliance Industries, I was instrumental in implementing a nationwide network of petrol pumps, a project that resulted in 1,300 operational outlets within a few years.
Transitioning to the education sector, I led a startup to remarkable success, achieving substantial revenue of $1 mn and annual student enrollment of over a 1000 nos, within a short span of 3 years. Finally, at Tricolite Electrical Industries, I spearheaded a turnaround strategy, propelling the company's growth from stagnancy to a notable increase in top-line and bottom-line figures. Throughout these endeavors, maintaining Quality, Customer Satisfaction, and Employee well-being have remained my paramount concerns and focus areas.
I prioritize compassion & accountability, suppor-ting my team fully, while also expecting them to fulfil their commit- ments
What motivated you to create Reverentia Family Business Advisors, and what continues to fuel your passion and drive today?
I am deeply convinced that a country's progress is primarily driven by economic growth. Family Businesses contribute 79 percent to our GDP. Yet only a fraction survive beyond the third generation. What a colossal loss this is to our economy. Imagine their contribution and impact if they had continued to flourish across generations. If India has to achieve the the $10 trillion economy goal set by our Prime Minister and the vision of Viksit Bharat, then unlocking the true potential of family businesses holds the key. By leveraging my learnings in scaling businesses and fostering strong governance, values, and care for all stakeholders, I aim to empower family businesses through
Reverentia Family Business Advisors. This would be my small contribution towards India's economic growth by ensuring the longevity and success of these businesses across generations.
We offer management development programs in partnership with leading business schools, and tailored consulting and advisory services. Our leadership team comprises alumni from IIM-A and Harvard Business School who have been CEOs/CXOs with Indian and Multinational companies. We believe in sharing our knowledge and expertise with family businesses to help them scale up. Smaller family enterprises with topline less than Rs.500 crores often struggle to attract top talent or afford strategy consultants like MBB (McKinsey, Bain and BCG) or Big 4 Professional Services firms. We aim to bridge this gap by providing customised and practical guidance at a fraction of the cost with the required rigour that they can easily implement for growth. Our goal is to contribute to the growth of these businesses and, in turn, contribute to the overall economic development of our country.
Share your leadership style and the principles or strategies you adhere to as a leader.
My leadership approach revolves around several key principles. Firstly, it's crucial to have clarity on goals and communicate them clearly to the team both verbally and in writing. These goals should be regularly monitored and reinforced. Secondly, roles, responsibilities, and empowerment levels within the team should be clearly defined to avoid unnecessary hierarchial or approval bottlenecks and thus ensure efficient and speedy decision-making. Thirdly, adherence to top governance principles, including ethical conduct and zero tolerance for unethical behaviour, is non-negotiable for me. I firmly believe that the customer should always be the focus and that their satisfaction drives our success. Lastly, besides focusing on processes and policies, I prioritize people and their well-being. If an employee feels respected, listened to and realizes that his views matter, it gives an unimaginable motivation fuel. They deliver the best results with full ownership, without the need of being micro-managed.
Rajiv Gupta, Founder & CEO, Reverentia Family Business Advisors
Rajiv is a committed leader who assists family enterprises by offering Management Education, Advisory, and Consultancy services, bridging the gap between their current status and their targeted dream. He is dedicated to helping organizations navigate challenges, develop strategies, achieve their goals and ensure multi-generational sustained growth, through his and his team’s expertise and guidance.
We offer management development programs in partnership with leading business schools, and tailored consulting and advisory services. Our leadership team comprises alumni from IIM-A and Harvard Business School who have been CEOs/CXOs with Indian and Multinational companies. We believe in sharing our knowledge and expertise with family businesses to help them scale up. Smaller family enterprises with topline less than Rs.500 crores often struggle to attract top talent or afford strategy consultants like MBB (McKinsey, Bain and BCG) or Big 4 Professional Services firms. We aim to bridge this gap by providing customised and practical guidance at a fraction of the cost with the required rigour that they can easily implement for growth. Our goal is to contribute to the growth of these businesses and, in turn, contribute to the overall economic development of our country.
Share your leadership style and the principles or strategies you adhere to as a leader.
My leadership approach revolves around several key principles. Firstly, it's crucial to have clarity on goals and communicate them clearly to the team both verbally and in writing. These goals should be regularly monitored and reinforced. Secondly, roles, responsibilities, and empowerment levels within the team should be clearly defined to avoid unnecessary hierarchial or approval bottlenecks and thus ensure efficient and speedy decision-making. Thirdly, adherence to top governance principles, including ethical conduct and zero tolerance for unethical behaviour, is non-negotiable for me. I firmly believe that the customer should always be the focus and that their satisfaction drives our success. Lastly, besides focusing on processes and policies, I prioritize people and their well-being. If an employee feels respected, listened to and realizes that his views matter, it gives an unimaginable motivation fuel. They deliver the best results with full ownership, without the need of being micro-managed.
Rajiv Gupta, Founder & CEO, Reverentia Family Business Advisors
Rajiv is a committed leader who assists family enterprises by offering Management Education, Advisory, and Consultancy services, bridging the gap between their current status and their targeted dream. He is dedicated to helping organizations navigate challenges, develop strategies, achieve their goals and ensure multi-generational sustained growth, through his and his team’s expertise and guidance.