Deepak Babani has recently been named CEO of the Year 2011 as the head of Eros Group but it was pure chance that made him come to Dubai more than 30 years ago.
"On hindsight, it was quite funny the way it all happened," he says. "I was working in sales at Murphy India (a company dealing in sound systems) in Mumbai and had gone to meet a client. However, I was told that he was in another meeting and that it would take a while longer to meet me. While waiting in his office, I picked up a newspaper lying there and chanced upon an advert announcing there was a walk-in interview for a job in Dubai. The interview venue was very close, so on a whim I decided to go along.''
The interview went well and Deepak landed the job. "The next thing I knew, I was in Dubai as an Assistant Manager for the Jumbo Group."
After working with the electronics giants for three years, Deepak moved to Eros Group as its Marketing Manager in 1981. "I have been with the company ever since," he smiles.
Steadily rising through the ranks, Deepak took over as CEO in 2002 and has been credited with charting the Eros Group's journey of success. Here, the 61-year-old father of two tells Friday more about his work, leisure and plans after retirement:
Work
"Business, I suppose, is in my blood as my forefathers were all businessmen. My family had a picture frame manufacturing unit in India but I wasn't too keen on joining the business as I'd always had a fascination for electronics. My father and my teachers were sure I would grow up to be an engineer. But, like many students my age, I spent more time playing games than with my books. Then I got the jolt of my life when I was in grade 8 and the final term results were announced: I had failed and had to repeat the class. It was a turning point in my life. It was truly humiliating to repeat the year and I vowed to take my studies more seriously. It helped, because that year I came second overall in class and was top in mathematics. I started doing well academically and went on to earn a degree in Electronics and Telecommunications Engineering.
Even though my father offered to set up an electronics business for me I decided that it was too early in life for me to do that. I wanted to learn the nitty-gritty of the trade first.
Fortunately, an uncle of mine had a friend who knew the owner of Bush, an electronics giant at the time, in India and he helped me get a two-month internship programme with them. I learnt so much and was able to become a trainee for another major electronics company, Murphy India Limited. There I garnered knowledge from the marketing team, the engineers and often from the workers on the factory floor. I left three years later after spotting that newspaper ad, and went to Jumbo and then Eros - and have been learning ever since.
I firmly believe we are never too old to learn or improve ourselves and, even at 61, I am ready to learn from anyone.
One thing I appreciate at work is loyalty and one thing I detest is office politics. A company free of politics is sure to succeed. Today the world may be fast-paced, but loyalty and sincerity towards an organisation still pays.
Also, a company must never depend on one person totally and should have a proper succession plan in place. Today's generation is very quick on the uptake, full of energy, well-informed and has bold and innovative ideas. It would work to a company's advantage if the older and the younger generation join hands to take the organisation forward. This blend of experience with youthful energy, innovation, quick thinking and adapting skills will help a company become a success.
Play
I enjoy my work and make it a point to reach the office before 9am and leave for home at around 7pm. Most evenings I spend socialising with industry and business associates and often retire for the night only at around 1am. I spend about half an hour each morning doing yoga, after which I enjoy relaxing with a cup of tea and the newspaper.
Over the years I've learnt to switch off my ‘work' mode as soon as I leave the office. But this wasn't always the case. During my first ten to 15 years at Eros I was extremely hands-on about the business. Apart from my work at the office in Dubai, I used to visit offices around the country and the region on the weekends. Even during my vacations I was constantly in touch with the various managers on the phone helping them take decisions. Now I have a very capable team in place so when I go on vacation, I can relax without worrying too much.
I love travelling so I make sure that I take two weeks off each year and travel to different parts of the world. The Far East is my favourite and I keep visiting Bali, Jakarta, Macau, and Phuket in Thailand as they have so much to offer.
I love river rafting, canoeing, bungee jumping, quad bike riding and other adventure sports. I also enjoy watching football, baseball, golf and cricket.
Friday mornings are usually spent doing my personal accounts and the evenings are dedicated to my wife Jaishree and son Avinash, 31, and daughter, Karishma, 28.
Dream
I have a lot of dreams for my children and for my own businesses. I would like to see them well settled in life. I also want to diversify my personal businesses. I am a venture capitalist and I have an opticals and auto-parts business of my own in India. I would like to pay more attention to them and diversify after I retire.
Also, after I hang up my boots I would like to dedicate my time to doing charity work. Right now my only contribution to charity organisations is monetary; I would like to give my time working for charitable organisations in the future. I want to teach business and marketing free of cost to poor children in India. I also have some dreams for Eros. I want it to diversify and be a multiple product line company. I would like to see it enter other sectors such as LED lighting, Solar energy, Facilities Management, medical equipment, and fine dining. I want it to be one of the top companies of the UAE. Hopefully, I will be able to see that dream fulfilled during my tenure.
Deepak's tips for a politics-free office
Lead by example: Do not play or encourage politics yourself. Do not hesitate to bring two warring parties together and seek clarification.
Have an open-door policy: All staff members should be able to approach you and discuss the issues that are bothering them in office.
Full involvement: Get fully involved in company functions such as staff picnics and get-togethers.
Interaction: Interact with staff during your visits to showrooms, branches and other departments.
