Ramesh Moochikal : A Pioneering Visionary Committed To Elevating Lives & Achieving Pinnacle Business Excellence | CEOInsights Vendor
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Ramesh Moochikal : A Pioneering Visionary Committed To Elevating Lives & Achieving Pinnacle Business Excellence

Ramesh Moochikal : A Pioneering Visionary Committed To Elevating Lives & Achieving Pinnacle Business Excellence

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Ramesh Moochikal , CEO

Ramesh Moochikal

CEO

Food manufacturing industries are vital to the global economy and society, as they ensure the mass production and distribution of safe, nutritious, and affordable food. Leaders in food manufacturing drive operational efficiency and uphold quality standards while fostering innovation. Their strategic vision ensures sustainable growth and adaptation to market changes. Effective leadership also inspires teams, improving productivity and company culture. Ramesh Moochikal, CEO of Africa Improved Foods, stands out for his exceptional talent and impactful leadership. His dedication to enhancing the lives of partners, employees, and farmers reflects his belief in mutual growth and long-term success. His commitment to improving lives makes him one of the industry's most intelligent and influential figures.

During a candid interview, Ramesh shared insights into his professional journey, leadership strategies, and future vision. Let’s read on.

Give a brief account of your professional background and experience. What is the motivation that fuels your daily routines?

I graduated from XLRI in 1989 and began my career with the HCL Group, specifically a company called Network, which was part of HCL. Later, I moved to another company and worked for almost two and a half years. It was in the year 1992, that I took a chance on a startup called Olam International in Nigeria and joined as one of its earliest employees. During my 28-year tenure, I witnessed Olam International transform from a $4-5 million startup into a $35 billion global food leader, listed on the Singapore Stock Exchange and operating in over 70 countries. During this period, I had the opportunity to live and work in six countries, set up and manage businesses, and lead teams, all under the guidance of a highly inspiring CEO. In 2020, I resigned from Olam to help turn around a friend's food processing business in West
Africa, building effective teams and making it profitable within three years. I later joined a social impact organisation focused on combating malnutrition across Africa. My current role involves expanding this initiative beyond its initial country, and I have been deeply engaged in this mission for the past year.

My mantra is to empower each person to reach their full potential & see their role in our shared vision


You possess over three decades of experience. So could you tell me about your journey's major milestones and your success mantra?

The milestones in my career began with setting up Olam as a startup, building businesses from scratch across multiple countries. This experience allowed me to see the profound impact we made on local economies, people, and governments in developing countries. We worked with over 4 million farmers, teaching them valuable skills and creating shared value through our "mutual value creation" principle. This approach helped them increase crop yields and improve their livelihoods while also growing our business. Our private sector approach focused on creating profit for both the farmers and ourselves, leading to a markedly different and more impactful outcome. Throughout the journey, I learned many valuable leadership lessons and gained invaluable experience. My guiding mantra is that true success is measured by the lives we impact and improve not just financial gain. And I always strive to make a meaningful difference in the lives of those I mentor, coach, and lead.

Could you tell us about the unique experiences XLRI Jamshedpur offers and what you learned from the campus beyond academics?

I have always believed that MBA schools are less about education and more about exposure, cohorts, and the networks you build. I also say this from my collective experience in teaching at the University of Cape Town's business school for nine years. My experience in XLRI was invaluable, I was surrounded by immense talent and capability. I was among my peers with exceptional intelligence and skills. It takes courage and resilience not to feel inferior in an environment where many are more accomplished. XLRI taught
me to manage pressure, adapt to diverse social settings, and appreciate India’s varied cultures. It built my confidence and helped me thrive among exceptional talent, profoundly shaping who I became in the corporate world.

Tell us about your leadership approach. What are the guidelines or methodologies you follow as a leader?

I believe in surrounding myself with people who are better than me, as their success leads to the team's success and ultimately mine as a leader. My role is to bring together diverse talents, like a conductor guiding an orchestra, and create an environment where each person can excel and contribute to a shared vision. By inspiring and empowering my team to realize their potential, I ensure they feel part of something bigger. When they see themselves achieving beyond their expectations, their commitment deepens, driving us all toward our goals. My mantra is to empower each person to reach their full potential and see their role in our shared vision.

So what future roadmap you have envisioned for yourself for the next five years?

I am currently in an executive role, but I also advise several companies outside of my primary job. My objective is to support small and medium enterprises, young entrepreneurs, and startups by offering them the value of my experience. I have a significant network and can connect young businesses with investors, crucial resources, skilled talent, and market knowledge. I am also open and happy to collaborate with family-owned businesses that aim to professionalize. By bringing in experienced professionals, the capacity for growth and transformation increases significantly, as I saw during my time helping a family business after leaving Olam. This experience was immensely rewarding, and I aim to continue making a meaningful impact in this way.

Ramesh Moochikal, CEO, Africa Improved Foods

Ramesh Moochikal is an XLRI alumnus with more than three decades of experience and a visionary leader is known for guiding his team with exceptional strategies. He strongly believes in changing lives rather than solely focusing on profit.

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