Vineet is with “Rustomjee” since Feb’19 leading a cluster of Projects.
He had a long tenure in FMCG, wherein over 13 yrs were in leadership roles of leading
regions (North, Central & Western India) for “Eveready” and then as National Sales Head with DS Group (Catch/Salt & Spices).
He is an outdoor person – has travelled almost the full country (including interiors). Action & activities inspires him.
Q. How has been your journey from IIFM so far?
A. An enriching journey with many “friends for life” made all through in last 31 years since graduating from IIFM in 1992.
I have worked across four different sectors in my journey so far.
Various sectors’ approach to contributing towards society – it is largely the same.
NGOs (4 yrs)
Infra Structure (2.5 yrs)
FMCG (21 yrs)
Real Estate (4.5 yrs & going)
FMCG was the longest in my career between Eveready & DS Group. The National Sales head role of DS Group enabled me to lead the team in General Trade, Modern Trade, eCommerce, CSD, Police Canteens, Institutions & Hotels. Profile of Products were wide and large covering high market Share, large market size but low in market share,
Emerging categories & Innovative products.
They have enabled me to drive distribution in Metro – deep rural.
Can happily claim to have a friendly connect within every 10km of human settlement in the country.
My current Profile with Rustomjee leading a cluster of Projects is very enriching.
Real Estate gives one, the privilege to serve 1 of the 3 basic needs of life “makaan”.
It also gives a sense of satisfaction by enabling huge employment generation for all types of workforce: unskilled, highly skilled & allied services.
As a Project Group Head (CEO), in Real Estate Industry, the role is to bind all functions towards a common goal. You own & drive the “Critical Path”,
while driving the Top Line & sustained positive cash-flows.
It is a set of critical functions which are interlinked across Legal, Land, Govt Approvals, Architects & Designers, Civil & MEP, Sales-Marketing, HR & Admin, CRM, Banking,Contracts & Purchase, Finance & Accounts, Facility Management, Vendor Management, Site Hygiene & Compliances.
Anyone with lots of passion & involvement, would enjoy this!!
Q. What were some of the key milestones/learning in this journey that you would like to share with us?
A. Being able to contribute to the growth of respective Organisations in the journey is the best part.
I also developed strong bonds with team members right from the 1st Organisation (1992) and continued everywhere and we thankfully we stay connected till date in life.
I have worked with Promoters of the organisation since the 1st assignment : and, we stay connected till date.
Unfortunately, Almighty had an alternate plan for one of my cherished promoter.
Q. What is the most satisfying part in your career?
A. The belief to keep going, & that I can see myself “contributing till …….”
Getting into the skin of various sectors with which have been associated in my career.
Learnt to meditate : am sure many of us do meditate.
Q. Has your learning at IIFM helped in shaping how you approach your professional roles?
A. IIFM has been an experience which brought in the life moto-
“Everything is possible ….. so long the self keeps going”
Q. Who (or what) are the biggest influences or drivers in your careers? What would be your advice to freshers and IIFM graduates who are looking to choose similar sectors/roles.
A. Drivers – Motivators have been:
Amazing team members (peers, seniors, juniors, cross functional)
&
The Belief that the organisations have had in providing different assignments.
Taking care of physical self : Cheers to Ravi Kandpal (batchmate) who is my mentor.
Some of us have picked up long distance running, cycling etc & it is good!!
Sharing with youngsters:
Enjoy what one does
Contribution is the proof of learning : there has to be a physical mode of transfer & progress –
try to replace “planning” with “preparation”.
Q. What are your favorite memories during your IIFM days?
A. The manner in which almost everyone from 1992 batch came together for the recently organized fund drive-Emergency Support Fund- by IIFM Alumni Association:
we continue to live the moments till today.
I believe, if there is something I cherish, then I must keep recreating it.
Why live in nostalgia!!
Q. In hindsight, what was the biggest contribution (courses, faculty, library, friends, alumni.. Anything else!!) or take away from IIFM that you think played a critical role in shaping you as an individual or professional?
A. IIFM days were magical….
- Assignment submission timelines (Prof Pethiya with his assignment box at hostel)
- Full night sessions followed by full enthu through the day: the whole batch (almost)
- Field Trips / Projects
- Canteen sessions / Annual Kalpataru Celebration
Q. The best budies / seniors /faculty at IIFM? Some memorable tidbits that you like to share?
A. The full batch + senior + junior batches + faculties + canteen personnel 🙂
We all rolled into “one”!
Q. As an alumni, what’s your advice to freshers or those are joining IIFM to get best out of the 2 years there?
A. If you know why you are here, good!!
If you don’t know the “why”: better!!!!!!
Discover & Enjoy!!
Q. What was your typical day at the work? And how does it look like while you are on a break?
A. “Work” :
mentally 24*7 everywhere // physically: be present where you are required the most!
“Break”:
Have a workout schedule for 5 days a week
Enjoy long drives (take a 1000 km drive once a year with family)
Holidays : go & stay put at a place – discover its interiors. I am not much of a spot / destination “tick marking” one!
Q. And how about weekends, hobbies, family and anything else you want to add?
A. Weekends : take a day-off as per need : not a fixed day as a week-off
Hobbies : outdoor – anything // read a few pages everyday
Family : Shalini & I have a daughter, Paridhi.
And, we have a Shih Tzu: “Luca”, who is the light.
Parents are based at Ranchi at our family place.
Q. Favorite Books, movies, authors?
A. Being a Literature graduate, have too many favourites :
from Indian, Greek, Russian,
Classical, Renaissance, Poetry, Plays, Fiction!
Autobiography & Experience sharing ones inspire the most.
Currently reading “Think Everest”
&
Read 3-4 random shlok from Shree Bhagwad Geeta every night.
Q. IIFM is driven by alumni’s passion and commitments towards its goal. How would you like to contribute to IIFM or IIFM alumni, students? Your engagement with IIFM Placement or OT/SI?
A. While have not been able to contribute much so far (barring a few occasions of team contribution), but do look forward to being part of much more.
Q. What do you think is different at IIFM now vs when you studied there?
A. That the campus is well maintained : augurs well!!
We need to make it a self-sustaining Programme / Institute.
Q. Any suggestions on who you want to get profiled/interviewed here?
A. From PFM 90-92 : all should get profiled: wouldn’t prefer to name “a few”.