Sanjay Thapar: The Journey From An Intraprenuer To An Entrepreneur
Sanjay Thapar
CEO & Executive Director
Below is an excerpt of Sanjay Thapar’s exclusive interaction with the CEO Insights magazine.
You possess more than three decades of experience in the automotive industry, how has your path to success been, and what is your success mantra?
I have been fortunate to work in organisations where I had the freedom to chart my own path. Never felt like an employee a single day of my life., always the owner. To me, taking ownership, is a key success trait.
It has been an exciting journey. All businesses go through ups and downs, navigating your way through tough times and staying the course, and having fun along the way builds
a strong sense of self belief in yourself and your team mates.
Setting BIG goals and following through with a dogged determination to achieve them is truly inspirational. Bringing the right attitude with you to work every morning is the success mantra.
How would you define SJS Enterprises as an organization and its position in the market?
When it comes to visually appealing designs, SJS is among the best brands in India and the world. Our goal was to build a company that works hand in hand, more like a partner for our customers in creating a whole range of creative options, from initial concept to final product for a wide variety of industries. The guiding principle of SJS Enterprises, however, has always been Creating Possibilities and cultivation of opportunities. Thus, we focused on generating possibilities by introducing new products, adding new customers, entering new countries, and providing new technology solutions. We established a unique and distinctive business model that delivers best-in-class performance that is rewarding for all its stakeholders. This puts SJS in a very special situation.
With time and effort, I believe we were able to establish a unique identity for the company that sets it apart from its competitors. Till date, we have not come across any such company in India or globally, that offers as many product categories as SJS. That being said, we take great pride in our accomplishments so far and are gearing ourselves for the next phase of growth at SJS.
Setting BIG goals and following through with a dogged determination to achieve them is truly inspirational. Bringing the right attitude with you to work every morning is the success mantra.
If you do what you have always done, you will get what you have always gotten
How would you define SJS Enterprises as an organization and its position in the market?
When it comes to visually appealing designs, SJS is among the best brands in India and the world. Our goal was to build a company that works hand in hand, more like a partner for our customers in creating a whole range of creative options, from initial concept to final product for a wide variety of industries. The guiding principle of SJS Enterprises, however, has always been Creating Possibilities and cultivation of opportunities. Thus, we focused on generating possibilities by introducing new products, adding new customers, entering new countries, and providing new technology solutions. We established a unique and distinctive business model that delivers best-in-class performance that is rewarding for all its stakeholders. This puts SJS in a very special situation.
With time and effort, I believe we were able to establish a unique identity for the company that sets it apart from its competitors. Till date, we have not come across any such company in India or globally, that offers as many product categories as SJS. That being said, we take great pride in our accomplishments so far and are gearing ourselves for the next phase of growth at SJS.
Could you describe the way you lead? What are the principles or approaches you use as a leader to guide your team?
Lead by example is the best way. People observe what you do rather than what you say. Choose the right team that takes pride in their work. Share and communicate a vision of a collective future. Set challenging goals that excite the team. Encourage initiative and provide support where necessary. Celebrate each accomplishment.
Sharing stories of my own experiences is also helpful at times, during tough situations. As a leader, one needs to nurture the younger pool of talent, guide them and build a strong team that is ready for the future.
In light of your strong experience within the industry, what advice would you give to budding industry leaders?
Understand your products and business well. Develop a wholistic view of the business. Get out of any functional mindset and acknowledge the contributions of other functions in your being successful. Do not overly focus on rewards as a reflection of your self worth. Keep doing a great job, recognition and rewards will follow.
Focus on being the best in whatever you do and take pride in your work. Be a people’s person, earn the trust of.
Sanjay Thapar, CEO & Executive Director, SJS Enterprises
Sanjay completed his BSc in Engineering from Delhi College of Engineering. In his professional journey so far, Sanjay has been part of various companies like Tata Engineering & Locomotive Co, MindaHulsbeck & Furst, MindaValeo Security Systems, Minda Management Services Limited, and Everstone Capital Advisors.
Lead by example is the best way. People observe what you do rather than what you say. Choose the right team that takes pride in their work. Share and communicate a vision of a collective future. Set challenging goals that excite the team. Encourage initiative and provide support where necessary. Celebrate each accomplishment.
Sharing stories of my own experiences is also helpful at times, during tough situations. As a leader, one needs to nurture the younger pool of talent, guide them and build a strong team that is ready for the future.
In light of your strong experience within the industry, what advice would you give to budding industry leaders?
Understand your products and business well. Develop a wholistic view of the business. Get out of any functional mindset and acknowledge the contributions of other functions in your being successful. Do not overly focus on rewards as a reflection of your self worth. Keep doing a great job, recognition and rewards will follow.
Focus on being the best in whatever you do and take pride in your work. Be a people’s person, earn the trust of.
Sanjay Thapar, CEO & Executive Director, SJS Enterprises
Sanjay completed his BSc in Engineering from Delhi College of Engineering. In his professional journey so far, Sanjay has been part of various companies like Tata Engineering & Locomotive Co, MindaHulsbeck & Furst, MindaValeo Security Systems, Minda Management Services Limited, and Everstone Capital Advisors.