Opening Doorz

By Martin D’Souza | Opening Doorz Editorial | January 26, 2024

Vaibhav Maloo, Managing Director of Enso Group, is a calm individual. A meeting with him is never hurried. That’s the hallmark of a good leader. Another trait of his that comes out strong is that he does not come across as ‘entitled’. Even though he may have been born with the proverbial golden spoon in his mouth, there’s no arrogance in his approach. And that, according to me, is a huge plus for any individual. Apart from building a positive vibe, it also helps in Opening Doors for healthy relationships—both business and personal.

Vaibhav Maloo: A Leader’s Approach to Relationships and Life!

Always wanting to get more out of life, Vaibhav Maloo is a seeker, both in business and in life. That is what got him to author his first book: The Business of Life: Answers to 101 Tough Questions. Published by Pan Macmillan India and released last month, the book serves as a compass for those navigating the intricate intersections of personal and professional spheres. It addresses a spectrum of tough questions that every individual may face at some point in his or her life.

Although Ratan Tata and Bill Gates have been his biggest inspirations, his father, Vinay Maloo, Chairman of Enso Group, remains his biggest role model. “I just want to add that the two business role models I have selected cannot beat my father’s influence on me which is super inspiring. His sheer grit and determination amaze me,” reveals Vaibhav Maloo.

Excerpts:

Can you tell us a bit about yourself and your journey to becoming the Managing Director of Enso Group?

I always knew I would be joining my father’s business and therefore, studied business as the subject of my choice in various colleges. It was exciting to travel and work for Enso Group, and since its inception in 2005, we have had good and bad years, but the joy of working with the team has been the same. 

Through thick and thin, we have had the fortune of having support from various corners of the globe, showing us how pro-growth like-minded individuals are. I was made the MD of our family business upon graduation from CMU in 2009, given my high level of interest and participation, but I strongly feel that the youth should take their time to get to this position, learning the nuances first, unless they are up for the responsibility. 

I have succumbed to pressure taken a backseat and downgraded myself in rank once when I could not take the pressure. As and when duty called, I came back at the helm.

What motivated you to write ‘The Business of Life: Answers to 101 Tough Questions’?

The Business of Life has been a college dream of writing a book coming true. This book has evolved from a collection of 101 essays to a collection of questions and answers. My experiences in life have taught me a few things and helped me crack a few answers which I have shared in this book.

In your book, you delve into the business of life: how do you manage to strike a balance between your personal and professional life?

I make sure to rest on weekends and being unmarried makes it easier to commit more to work than personal life and I am happy with that. I take up music to relax and take short vacations every now and then.

What are some of the most significant challenges you’ve faced in your career, and how did you overcome them?

As in any business, we have faced a dearth of funds, and cutting corners can be unpleasant and embarrassing. You want to see your company or group grow and going in reverse gear makes you rethink your targets and plan things in a risk-aversive manner for the future. We have had debt which has been tough to pay back or service. All this teaches you that despite challenges, business remains a powerful institution to stay autonomous and apply critical thinking to value creation for stakeholders. 

As a leader in the business world, what leadership principles do you consider essential for success?

Today’s generation wants fair play and a level playing field. That is all they need to believe that they too can be the next Bill Gates or Mark Zuckerberg. One has to focus on real revenue and profit growth. An angle of sustainability or ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance factors) helps one stay ahead of the curve in terms of business practices and leadership in business. The simpler the things, the better it is according to me.

Enso Group is involved in various philanthropic activities. How important is it for businesses to engage in social responsibility, and what impact do you hope to achieve through such initiatives?

The business gain in any philanthropic activity is soft power and a sense of fulfillment from your corporate duty towards society at large. Global trends indicate that soft power can be the single largest factor in making your brand stronger and more appealing. Aside from that, associating with people-friendly activities and taking up agendas for the greater good gives a company the right appeal to market its products and services. There is no harm in showcasing your work to society to inspire others to follow suit. 

Who or what has been your greatest source of inspiration throughout your career?

Ratan Tata and Bill Gates have been my biggest inspirations and creating solid growth has been a strong objective for me as I have seen stories fail due to overshooting and lack of planning. I have seen that a lot of world leaders think ten steps ahead and resort to scenario planning in their heads. 

I just want to add that the two business role models I have selected cannot beat my father’s influence on me which is super inspiring. His sheer grit and determination amaze me. The one thing to do is to immerse yourself in your work. Andrew Carnegie said the same thing once and I am sure he too, practiced it. Reading has helped me stay inspired as well.

What advice would you give young entrepreneurs who are struggling to get their businesses started?

I would say just one thing—make your product or service so good that word of mouth becomes your marketing tool. If that is not possible and you have competition at your level or higher, offer the best price. Don’t try to fool the crowd—they look for value for money.

To end from where I began (of Vaibhav Maloo being a calm individual with no arrogance), I got my answer in chapter 8: Why should you try to be credible?

“The quality of staying true to your words is what ensures credibility… The road less traveled is bountiful, both in terms of the journey and the destination… People running a business must closely watch their dealings as their conduct reflects on the entire company’s credibility.”

Vaibhav Maloo is true to his word: he practices what he preaches and that is what defines an individual; a person who can lead his flock. 

Also Read: “Forgiving and praying can turn all our enemies into good friends.”

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