Hrishikesh and Rohit Datar: The go-getter and the critical thinker

Also in this package. Selina Ved: Find a problem to solve and dream big Azhar Sajan: I want people to respect me for who I am Arjun Dhanak: Knowing people and respecting all is key to success Dimple and Heena Tahiliani: Carrying on a family legacy .Hrishikesh Dhananjay Datar, 26, Director Sales & Marketing; Rohit Dhananjay Datar, 24, Director Purchasing, Al Adil Group.Tell us a little about yourselves..Hrishikesh: (I have a) bachelor’s degree in business from Emirates Aviation University..Rohit: (I have a) bachelor’s degree in business from University of Wollongong..Extracurricular activities you enjoy..Hrishikesh: I used to enjoy chess and field hockey a lot when I was in school..Rohit: I had a keen interest in philosophy and film studies. I would like to analyse films and try to find what was the philosophical reasoning behind scenes and the plot of films. I also had keen interests in grand-strategy and other turn-based games while I was in university..Highlight of your college life..Hrishikesh: My first car and my first mobile phone..Rohit: Hanging out with friends and finally getting my driver’s licence. The freedom which I received during my four years of university was unparalleled and allowed me to find and appreciate what are my interests are and introduced me to my favourite subject, philosophy..What do you enjoy doing when not in in your business suit?.Hrishikesh: Going out for a drive and hanging out with friends..Rohit: Watching movies and TV shows from a critical point of view. My favorite directors include Martin Scorsese, Mike Flanagan, Chris Nolan, James Wan, and David Fincher. I also enjoyed meditating and appreciate the balance it brings to my life..What’s a regular day in your life like?.Hrishikesh: Wake up at around 5am, make my bed, hit the gym, meditate, by 8am I am present at work, finish work by 7pm and come home play a few video games, watch a movie unwind and fall asleep by 9.30pm..Rohit: My work entails a wide variety of responsibilities including but not limited to reading and finalising contracts, procurement of local and international goods in bulk as well as standardised packing, IT, handling and maintaining relations with high-value clienteles, managing employees and increasing productivity. In case there is a new store opening, I manage the legal documents required for the opening of the stores along with the procurement of the relevant goods, and manage these from end-to-end until the stores open. Most of my day is spent doing these activities in no particular order and is based on priority of the tasks instead..What do you think defines you as a person and as a business head?.Hrishikesh: Confidence, empathy, decisiveness and business acumen..Rohit: Patience, consistency and an interest to learn anything new. However, what I consider my greatest trait is sincerity and doing my work honestly with full dedication..While growing up, did your parents give you business responsibilities to handle?.Hrishikesh: I started working as a cashier for my dad for pocket money at the age of 13. Became a sales person by the age of 15 and started handling purchase by the age of 18..Rohit: I started working as a cashier for my dad for pocket money at the age of 13. This was work I got to do during my summer holidays from school where I learned the fundamentals in my company and gave me solid grasp on what makes Al Adil truly unique than any other supermarket and retail company in the UAE. This experience taught me a lot especially in regards to customer service, banking, sales and purchasing and a solid work ethic..Were your views sought during business discussions at the dinner table?.Hrishikesh: I was more of a listener so I never contributed much in the discussion..Rohit: Our family always tried to avoid talking business when we are at home, but the views and opinions of my brother and I were always given some consideration during particularly important discussions.Growing up were you interested in pursuing the business?.Hrishikesh: I believe it is in my blood to be honest and it takes a lot of commitment, dedication and knowledge to contribute in leading Al Adil due to its unique method of doing business..Rohit: I always knew that I would always have a role in the company and I knew which field I wanted to start out in. After my final exams, I immediately joined the company and started out in purchasing, which was always the plan for me once I finished my university. This slowly evolved and introduced me to various responsibilities across many departments, which strengthened the idea of what is expected of me and the various skills and abilities needed in their respective fields..What are the three important business-related lessons that you picked up from your father/mother.Hrishikesh: Go to the ground level to see how your decisions affect the business; customers are always right; and be the first one in the office and the last one out..Rohit: Be prepared for anything and everything, observation is key and in order to solve any issue completely and in order to truly make a change or make an impact, you need to be involved in the ground level and take control of the situation yourself..Two incidents/moments in your professional life when you felt you lived up to the expectations of your mentor?.Hrishikesh: The first time I got an order when I was a salesman and the second was the first day I officially started working for the company..Rohit: I implemented a new system that helped us improve our overall efficiency and the first time I was involved in opening the store where I was the one to manage from the beginning to end, managing the intricacies of scouting a location, negotiating and finalising every aspect of the store, getting governmental approvals, fit-out, as well as many other aspects crucial for the pre-opening as well as the post-opening of the outlet. This was an important project, which forced me to utilise many of the things I had learnt from my initial job as a cashier to my current role in the company..How would you like to be known – as a person and as a business head?.Hrishikesh: A go-getter as a person and a dedicated business head..Rohit: A critical thinker with a creative outlook..Tell us one difficult issue/problem you faced after assuming your role in the company and how you tackled it..Hrishikesh: I had a hard time transitioning from a boss’s son to a fellow employee for my colleagues and I tackled it by having lunch with them every now and then..Rohit: I had a hard time understanding how the business works because of the unique way we operate and my colleagues helped me tackle it by guiding me when required. One such issue was I had a hard time memorizing our costs in the beginning of my job. I overcame this by countless hours of studying and practice as well as the support which I was graciously given by all..What do you think is your strength?.Hrishikesh: Critical problem solving, relentlessness and being practical..Rohit: Patience, diligence and slow but steady continuous improvement in my performance. Another key aspect of my success is of course the never-ending support, motivation, diligence and experience that my parents have shared with me, which helped me to overcome and persevere through many challenges which I have faced along the way..And your weakness?.Hrishikesh: I could always work on my time management skills and organisational skills..Rohit: My lack of experience has been a weakness, but this also allowed me to come up with many out-of-the-box solutions, which is critical to any company..What keeps you awake at night?.Hrishikesh: The undying passion to make my parents proud and continue their legacy..What do you consider your greatest achievement to date?.Rohit: (When I managed) the opening of a new store from the beginning to end. This was an end-to-end endeavour that was completely managed by me - a difficult albeit important learning experience..What is the most important lesson life has taught you?.Hrishikesh: Time doesn’t wait for anyone..Rohit: Mistakes make the best teachers in life and in order to truly make a make a difference and learn, you need to be involved on the ground level, understand the ins and outs of any processes and be quick and decisive on your decisions..Inheriting a business comes with a baggage of expectations. How do you deal with that?.Hrishikesh: Meditate and maintaining a work/life balance..Rohit: Not getting work home and always have a me time. There is of course also the support of my parents, having a wide variety of interests, including but not limited to philosophy, Roman, European feudal, early Islamic conquests and Indian history, which not only distract me from my work and reduce my stress, but can also be applied in my work with the correct attitude and opportunity..In case you don’t know me (Hrishikesh).1. My 3am friend is… my brother Rohit..2. On my bedside you’ll find… a bottle of water..3. I can’t live without… Youtube videos, video games and family..4. After office, I love to… play video games..5. My idea of a dream holiday is… a place filled with nature..6. On a Friday morning I love to… not get out of my room..In case you don’t know me (Rohit).1. My 3am friend is… my brother Rishi..2. On my bedside you’ll find… a book..3. I can’t live without… music, internet and family..4. After office, I love to… watch episodes of Curb your enthusiasm on repeat..5. My idea of a dream holiday is… Universal Studios..6. On a Friday morning I love to… relax by taking a nap after a grueling but informative 60-hour work week..Read more. Harish Tahiliani: fledgling leader to global spice tycoon This Dubai businessman wants you to live stress-free Ashraf Thamarassery: serving the dead to help the living