Having successfully led TCS from $1 billion to over $6 billion in annual revenue over 13 years, TCS vice-chairman S Ramadorai has done the next best thing. He has captured the success story of the global IT services company in great detail not only for the TCS family but as a success story worthy of being taught at b-schools. Excerpts from an interview with FE’s Rajiv Tikoo:
Did revisiting old times offer you any new insights?
The fundamental strengths of TCS in terms of its execution capability and focusing on creating value for the future came out very clearly again and again and we cant lose sight of that. The customer focus this organisation has is serving us well. When we undertook brand building, which was very necessary, questions were raised about its timing. Whether it could have done it a bit earlier than we did The commitment to the future in terms of technology adoption may be the last priority but its not the least. These were some of the insights that came to the fore.
What do you think is the take home for readers of your book?
The young professionals have a lot to learn from the book. The book is not only for the TCS family. Its meant for the IT industry as such. Its about how to build a company from scratch, the challenges you face, how to overcome the odds and how to manage the risks. How do you build excellence through collaboration How do you restructure the organisation as you go along. Nothing is static. You need to be dynamic in your response. With the competition intensifying, what are the lessons to be learnt There is a lot to be learnt by outsiders and from outsiders. And a lot to be shared.
Towards the end, going beyond greening of TCS, the book talks about IT for Green as the next frontier. Is it a serious business proposition for you?
We are looking at using IT to mitigate environmental impacts of industrialisation. It includes using technology to come up with products and services to enable reduction of energy consumption, carbon emissions, water usage, and wastage. This is an area we are certainly looking at.
The TCS Story leaves a lot unsaid about you as a person. For example, your passion for wildlife and photography is yet to be put in black and white. So, when do we get to read your story?
That may take a while. I am not ready for another book yet.
Source: The Financial Express
Published on 25 September 2011