Unlocking the Godrej Persona

There’s more to Adi B Godrej, chairman, The Godrej Group, than business. Reema Sisodia finds out that the man has travelled to over 70 countries and is an adventure sports enthusiast

His secretary for the past 33 years describes him as a man who respects punctuality, who is impeccably organised with a table that is never clustered, who is clear in thought, prompt in decision making — “someone who is constantly open to feedback”.

Plus, it must be added, Adi Godrej, doyen of the Godrej group, never stops learning. Consider this: Godrej has a pedigree which boasts of Pirojsha Godrej (the man who built the Godrej empire), Burjor Godrej (his father plus prime inspiration) and Naval Godrej (his business guru), but the man himself is finding new truths even from children, especially his grandsons. Also, it was his two daughters who helped him recognise the importance of new-age fundamentals like team bonding and managing emotions. Says Godrej, “You can learn so much from the present generation and from your juniors. I must admit that it was my grandson who actually instilled the attribute of patience in me, which has helped me significantly to perform better at work. He has taught me things in management that no business school or management book can ever teach.”

The interior of the office reflects the man. The ambience is staid and white, sans any garishness, the decor simple yet modern symbolising the makeover of the group post-liberalisation. Godrej swears by change, technology and growth in the global economy. He says, “The challenge of the future is to use our brand image and success, while simultaneously creating a modern, efficient, young and consumer-centric organisation which can create a momentum of growth in the future.” But his motto - ‘sales is vanity, profit is sanity and cash is reality’ - remains unchanged.

With wife Parmeshwar Godrej

Godrej believes that every organisation needs to benchmark itself with global players. The company already receives 10 per cent of its revenue from operations outside India and aims to increase it to around 25 per cent over a 10-year period.

On people who have impressed him, he rates former United Kingdom prime minister Margaret Thatcher, GE CEO Jack Welch and industrialists JRD Tata and Dhirubhai Ambani. The writings of Welch have greatly appealed to Godrej. “I was lucky to meet the man and see the manner in which he managed GE. Apart from him, Margaret Thatcher awed me by the way she changed the face of Britain. On the Indian scene, JRD Tata was an institution in himself who I admired tremendously, while Dhirubhai Ambani, who was also my neighbour, left a lasting impression on me.”

To add another facet to a multi-faceted personality, Godrej is also a sports enthusiast, albeit with a difference. He avoids group sports like cricket or football and is mostly into adventure sports. Water sports, wind surfing, water skiing with the family, especially in the Mumbai shores, is for him a much-needed break. If not that, it would be bridge. Another all time high for him is paragliding.

Adi Godrej with his grandsons Aryaan and Azaar

Though “there is no place like home”, with operations spread over 50 countries worldwide and representative offices in Malaysia, Singapore, Vietnam, Oman, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, etc travel naturally plays a major role in Godrej’s life. He travels most often to Europe, America and Far East. If time permits, he enjoys exploring surrounding regions and cities and intriguingly, likes to do it on foot.

“If I am on business and have a weekend free, I just walk around new destinations. It is something I enjoy doing. My passion for travel has taken me to around 70 odd countries. I have made friends in various nations, understood many new cultures and experimented with numerous cuisines.”

He prefers his vacations to be quality recreation. For instance, a recent trip to Tibet and Mansarovar with a group of friends. “I think of that trip as a memorable one. Walking around Mount Kailash, roughing it out in the mountainous terrain, was quite an experience,” he says.

But the biggest thrill is still in the office in Mumbai. “I look forward to the challenge of yet another Monday morning at work. I enjoy every day spent here,” says Godrej.