Selected as World’s Emerging Best Leader 2021-2022 by WCRCLEADERS, Arun Kar of Xpertnest is an exceptional business leader, who is delivering innovative solutions to create a better world through strategic leadership and meaningful alliances.
In conversation with Arun Kar, Co Founder and Director, Xpertnest
What makes a strong leader? What are your key leadership strengths are make the strongest attributes of success.
Having a unique leadership style due to Military Background ( Ex – Indian Army Officer) and adheres to followings very meticulously.
- Adaptive
- Xpertnest has been built in such a way that the company is adaptive to any situation event to situations like COVID
- Improvisation
- When we plan to deliver there is always chance to alter the course due to change in circumstances – we improvise e.g. during COVID 19 Pandemic the company improvised and created opportunities not only for itself but for others too!
- Revolutionary
- We innovative and agile in our approach to developing any solution, always be ready to taking on new challenges
- Culture
- We have built a culture where our people can be their best
- Social
- We have developed innovative sustainable eco system of solutions that serve the development of community and businesses
- Technology
- We relentlessly focus on creating standout customer experiences, by connecting utility to technology
- Environmental
- We contribute towards environmental sustainability with the help of next generation technology e.g by creating Earthnest (Earthnest – now or never) so as to get rid of the plastic bag pollution.
- Also, used Cost Leadership, Differentiation & Focussed strategies for all the ventures
An accomplishment that you consider to be the most significant in your career? What challenges did you face to reach to the success.
The journey of the business tycoon Arun Kar starts (from a poor family in the state of Odisha) with Atlas Gold Line super bicycle to being the owner of multiple Tesla cars & high end premium cars in the United Kingdom.
WCRCLEADERS ASIA
Highest Point -Level 1
Joining Indian Army- Arun joined Indian Army ( as an officer) to become a ‘’Man from a Boy’’ because of the following Indian Army Officer Like qualities Effective Intelligence, Reasoning ability, Organising Ability, Power of Expression, Social Adaptability, Cooperation, Sense of responsibility, Courage, Stamina , etc,.
Highest Point – Level 2
Building Xpertnest – Its because of experience of Indian Army which gave tremendous potential, so as to build massive venture like Xpertnest & Nest group of Companies; and also because of the qualities that were absorbed from the Indian Army e.g. Determination, Self Confidence, Speed of Decision, Risk taking ability, Initiative, thinking out of Box during stress situations, People management & overall management skills.
Achèvements :
- In 2021, joined a global running event to raise money for the United Nation’s Children’s Fund (UNICEF) to fund polio vaccinations in developing countries.
- Successfully entered the Guinness World Records for completing the most virtual 5k runs within 24 hours.
- Xpertnest and Earthnest have won National awards in the United Kingdom
- Has been featured (along with Elon Musk) on Fortune’s cover page as one of the Top 40 “Unstoppable World’s Brightest Business Minds”.
- Has been named as a judge of the SME National Business Awards. Please see the link below. Arun Kar – SME National Business Awards. His appointment comes just months after Arun led his company to win two awards in last year’s event.
- Member of Forbes Business Councils
What is a role of leader in these challenging times. List 5 in order of priority.
During this unprecedented event of COVID -19 Pandemic ( which is still ongoing), Xpertnest improvised and adapted itself to implement a military strategy of defensive & offensive mode in sequential phases. In defensive strategy – Xpertnest made sure to safeguard the employees and their families. The company implemented all possible steps to make sure that employees can work from home (without any disruption to the business); secondly, in the offensive strategy – Xpertnest focussed on industries and clients which COVID fewer impacts e.g. Telecom, Utility, Public Sector, Central Government, etc.; based on this approach Xpertnest initiated building solutions which were ( are) need of the hour. E.g. Xpertnest innovated a crowd management solution during the thick of the pandemic for the Government of the United Kingdom, which was needed to reduce the spread of the infection.
What is your vision and how do you share that with your shareholders, employees and others?
- Vision 2026 – Bring technology solutions to some of the world’s most pressing problems
- Mission – Delivering innovative solutions to create a better world through dynamic partnership
- Strategy
- Focus not on Technology for Technology’s sake but on Technology to solve the needs of real people and their communities.
- Build partnership and reinforce open innovation as an opportunity for everyone and not a threat to anyone
- Harmonize different Industry strands & verticals into a cohesive unit
- Innovate solutions based on usefulness, not Technology
- Our business has a unique mix of personal which because of the ethos of the company work closely together in harmony. At one end we have young dynamic technicians who understand the latest technology trends and their suitability to solve business problems. At the other end we have seasoned senior professionals who have many years experience of working at a c-level within multinational companies. By harmonising these different strands into a cohesive unit – Xpertnest has an ability which stands out from its peers and this is how the Vision and Mission statements are in the DNA of each member of Xpertnest’s family.
How do you drive active business renovations and how does that impact your subordinates?
Business Innovation projects are critically dependent on the right infrastructure strategy to be successful. High Bandwidth, Low Latency solutions offer the potential to unlock significant benefits through innovation but only if there is clarity on what technology is to be deployed, where it is going to be deployed and when. From a development viewpoint it obviously is highly valuable to have his infrastructure in place before the start of the innovation project as this helps unearth technical challenges at the optimum point in the project lifecycle to minimise impact. Where solutions are developed in simulators there is always a significant risk of having to rework (at additional cost) at the tail end of projects when the solution meets the infrastructure. Although connectivity is a key component in any innovation project, increasingly time efficient and secure access to data is increasingly the “key to the kingdom” in driving innovation through technology. Data which can be used to assess the business proposition of any proposed innovation, data which can be used to ensure effective implementation cycles by allowing developers to work with real data extracts and of course the ultimate benefit of timely and secure access to data when solutions are deployed to live.
How do you integrate corporate philanthropy or corporate social responsibility as a part of your business strategies?
We have deeply invested time and efforts into corporate social responsibility by creating another sister company (Earthnest – Earthnest – now or never ) – which has the answer to the plastic bags pollution!! Earthnest is one organisation helping consumers achieve a more sustainable future. The company produces sustainable bags and sheeting made from starch and other natural products. These products are 100 per cent plastic-free, containing no polyolefin plastic at all. This means their carbon footprint is lowered. It also means that they do not pollute the environment in any way. Left in the soil, they degrade completely in a few months, leaving no poisonous residue.
And if an animal finds and eats one of these products before it has broken down, it won’t be harmed as the products are made of completely natural and non-toxic ingredients.
Earthnest sheeting and biobags are waterproof and oil-resistant. Importantly, they also provide an oxygen barrier. These properties make them perfect for packaging food such as meat and vegetables. And because biobags are stronger than conventional plastic bags, they are also perfect for carrying shopping. Recycling is easy too. The biobags can be dissolved in water at 80°C (which means, of course, that they won’t dissolve in a rain shower).
All in all, Earthnest’s biobags have all of the advantages of plastic without causing any of the damage to our planet. And as they cost no more than plastic bags to manufacture, there seems little reason for them not to revolutionise the packaging and retail industries.
Earthnest products (Bio Bags) are certified as Biodegradable by TÜV Rheinland (Germany) and UKAS (United Kingdom). They are also endorsed by CIPET, the Indian Institute of Plastics Engineering, and the Indian Institute of Packaging. Earthnest’s
Vision – Bringing disruptive Innovations to make Planet Earth a plastic bag free World
Mission – Save Planet Earth from plastic bags, there is no Planet B
What we do – Manufacturer, Supplier & Distributor of Bio Bags (100% plastic-free)
What has been your driving force or philosophy in life?
It is clear to us that at the heart of the differentials in general, is the understanding of the need to put place at the heart of the everything. This philosophy naturally flows through to infrastructure where we see both in connectivity and data, a focus not only on innovation and security but also looking to understand the needs of different areas and parts of the community and to develop solutions based out from that. So not technology for technology sake but technology to solve the needs of the community, people and businesses. Aligning with this approach helps Xpertnest develop solutions which are also orientated to the needs of people.
How do you plan to drive your business at a global level?
As a Global Leadership Cadre professional, the proficiency is engaging with C-level officers and decision-makers of Tier 1 companies in Europe, and the US. I am also fascinated by innovative ventures led by young entrepreneurs and enjoy collaborating with them. As a dynamic entrepreneur I have worked for numerous notable clients over the years, including the largest Telco in the UK, Big 4 consulting firms, Utility companies, Councils & Public sector authorities (at the National Level in the UK), world’s second largest CSP’, Global Banking & Financial markets clients, and smart city development projects. I am also relentless in his pursuit of exceptional customer experiences through the integration of utility and technology. I am an action-oriented individual who intends to bring the economy & society to a state of progress and prosperity. Have created numerous job opportunities in India, the UK, the Netherlands, Ireland, and Dubai.
How do you define success and how do you measure up to your own definition?
We considers corporate governance as the cornerstone of any successful business. When it comes to corporate governance, we go beyond to ensure the company runs smoothly. We believe that integrity underpins the principles of fair, transparent, ethical, & equitable business dealings. Good corporate governance is based on integrity, trust, honesty, & responsibility. “At Xpertnest, we take corporate governance seriously and are devoted to ethical practices that guarantee the best results and value for us as well as our customers”.
In your opinion what is the most significant aspect of leadership?
- Integrity
Be fair, honest, transparent and ethical in our conduct. Show consistent and uncompromising adherence to strong moral & ethical principles.
- Trust
We will trust and invest in our people and partners, and build caring and collaborative relationships based on trust and mutual respect
- Responsibility
Integrate social and environmental principles at work, ensuring that what comes from the people goes back to the people many times over
- Excellence
To be passionate about everything we do and give our best to achieve the highest possible standards of quality for us and our customer
Your perception of an empowered society. How far your industry has/can contribute for the same?
Our approach is one of open Innovation. As the pace of technology continues to accelerate, collaboration between the private sector, academic institutions, and the public sector has to become the norm if we’re going to develop the innovative solutions the world needs. This “cohort” approach enables us to always bring the best talents and the sharpest minds to the focus on the problems we choose to solve. It gives us an agility that is hard to find in a single large company alone. We see partnership and open innovation as an opportunity for everyone and not a threat to anyone. There are enough challenges to go round—and enough solutions waiting to be developed.
The softwares developed by us have helped people & communities during COVID. They also created software applications known as safer streets for citizens for law enforcement authorities. We also created software for the farmers to improve the crop yield and precision farming and the list goes on.
We played a pivotal role in establishing the first Hindu temple in the UK and Europe dedicated to Shree (or Lord) Jagannatha. The temple had come to fruition in Bath within a year, after almost 20 years of campaigning. Here is a link to coverage of the opening of the temple: LINK
Esprit de corps: How do bring fairies and equality to all?
- Always and every time construct and emphasis on a single and common vision. Keeping the group engaged on a goal makes each team player focused on how to achieve the goal and abstain from dwelling on inconsequential matters.
- Take the lead and set example.
- Stand up for each other and provide necessary support as and when required
- Maintain excellent and quality communication across the board.
