Even today I feel an adrenalin rush when I recall my first stint with Tata Teleservices Limited (TTSL) as operations head for Haryana, Punjab and Himachal Pradesh. Backed by a young and enthusiastic team, we delivered and exceeded expectations in rolling out operations. Our region was the proud recipient of the President’s trophy for best rollout,” recalls Ashish Kirpal Pandit, currently chief operating officer, Haryana telecom circle, Tata Indicom.
Commenting on the sector, Pandit says he foresees the focus of telecom operators shifting towards customer care and the provision of better network quality - which are also his own professional targets for the Haryana region. He is also upbeat about the latest developments in the sector, like the 3G rollout, introduction of innovative data products and mergers and acquisitions.
A strongly focused person, Pandit follows what he calls the RIIA strategy - review, identify, improve and audit.
“This covers all steps required to complete a job successfully. Also, considering that ours is a people-centric business, I try to meet as many employees, channel partners, customers and vendors as possible. My main objectives are to ensure happy, delighted customers and healthier bottom lines,” he says.
Pandit has had a long innings in the Indian telecom sector. On coming back from the US in 1995 after his studies and an exciting stint at Toys “R” Us, he found India at the brink of the telecom revolution. He felt the time was ripe for him to enter the sector and be associated with the best brands, including Alcatel, Reliance and TTSL.
Pandit says his work has been strongly influenced by his family upbringing. “Being the only child of professional parents, I learnt the importance of time, money and hard work very early in life. My mother used to read the Bhagavad Gita, which inspired me with its tenets of karma. I try and practise these ideas at work,” he says. At the workplace, he finds inspiration in the vision of the company’s managing director, Anil Sardana, who lays stress on Tata’s values of doing business based on trust and ethics.
When not at work, Pandit relaxes with his sons Abhay and Akshat. His wife is a fashion designer. For now, he is trying to improve his Spanish language and golf skills. He enjoys the outdoors, meeting people and watching movies, particularly from the Yash Chopra banner. He is curious about and likes to read on spirituality. “I live by the dictum that people don’t remember you for what you do, but they always remember you for how you make them feel. My customers would vouch for that.”
