Parind Prabhudesai, Managing Director, Andreas STIHL India Pvt. Ltd, Global leaders in Outdoor Power Tools – Used in Agriculture, forestry, landscaping, gardens and construction.
Selected as India’s Transformational Leader 2023, Parind Prabhudesai of Andreas Stihl India is a dynamic and versatile leader, who is transforming the industry with his best practices.
What makes a reliable and trustworthy business leader?
A leader is one who not necessarily always stands in the front, but rather inspires people to pull together in the right direction towards something great by showing them the bigger picture. When people can connect and align their mutual interests and goals with this individual, it speaks volumes about reliability and trustworthiness.
A trustworthy leader will always invest in relationships, stand character and hold strong for his clan even in face of adversities. In short, someone whom the team trusts when chips are down.
How have you re-strategized and adapted to the digital transformations globally?
At STIHL group there is big focus on digital transformation and it is adapted in STIHL India. STIHL knows that digital products and services enhance the customer experience and offer valuable features for our products. In line to this, we in South Asia have channelized our digitization efforts in terms of B2B, online dealer and end customer product query and warranty management system, MIS and new age customer connect initiatives on online platforms. Digital technology is the way forward not only to be relevant but also to continue to grow.
Every organization plans for its growth and the future landscape depends on how well your resources have aligned to your business plans.
What are the clear changes that you have made to your journey in the last decade?
Recognizing and reacting to changing business conditions, Covid-19 period was a real testing time for all leaders.
Building the infrastructure necessary to remain agile and resilient
Building motivated teams who live company value
Fostering agility
Developing and launching products aligned to local market needs
Driving an agenda of transformation – within and around
What is the current vision and mission at your current role?
Group Vision- Making it easier to work with nature and in natural surroundings.
Mission- To be the most valued and trusted business partner of dealers and customers by offering exceptional service and support…building on the STIHL tradition of excellence.
How do you draw a balance between target orientation and empathetic and compassionate leadership?
I believe that competition can copy your products, processes but what differentiates an organization is its people and culture. STIHL being a family owned business, empathy is embedded in our culture.
While empathy becomes constructive it channels compassion and it becomes important that the leader connects with people yet sets the correct boundaries to empathize yet set the path for collective growth.
I feel being in the moment while dealing with humanity and still being focused keeping the greater good of the organization and all the employees in mind, is what strikes the balance.
What has been your greatest strength and weakness in context of leadership?
Leading from front, setting example, empowerment, creating more leaders, Empathetic approach
What has been your driving force or philosophy in life?
Do it with passion or not at all
How do you plan to drive your business at a global level at your current role?
I am responsible for South Asia, where we have achieved good growth in the last 6-7 years taking subsidies from small to mid-size. We aim to continue this growth and in the process bring much needed positive transformation in the life of all stakeholders especially employees, channel partners and our end customers farmers.
Your top leadership goals during tough times?
Goal is to keep the morale of the team high and show them a path. While doing this it’s important to be Patient, show resilience, listen to the market and adapt your path accordingly.
Your greatest success mantras?
Lead from front
Be your real self
Strategic planning- From vision to reality
Empowering the team
Focus on Change, which in turn will give results
Building relationships, not only business
How actively have you been personally involved with corporate social responsibilities? What have you felt driving societal responsibilities?
Corporate Social responsibility is extremely important to us as a group and also personally for me. As part of our corporate structure and my personal inclination, I have been part of this through various initiatives like –
Initiating and driving project on improving working conditions for sanitation workers
Supporting & donating to charitable causes including night school
Focused to reducing carbon footprint
Diversity & inclusion in workplace
Committed to sustainability in environment conservation
I am always inspired and feel humbled from driving these responsibilities. We are after all obliged to people and nature.
What’s your vision for the industry and the Indian economy?
Our Industry – Drive mechanization and bring much needed positive transformation in the life of marginal farmers.
With strong fundamentals, the Indian economy is likely to grow at a good pace, with increased focus and budget allocations for agriculture, its share in the economy will increase over the next few years. This decade belongs to India and we should make the best of it by contributing in our own way.
