Vivek Rana - Develop Your Appetite for Challenges, Keep Upgrading Yourself, Learn to Forgive (Head - Partnerships & Engagement)

In today’s digital world the branding efforts have become swifter and making the globalization of brands easy, but at the same time, there are higher risks as well. The prospective consumer/customer has higher expectations, they follow trends & want to experiment, and building brand loyalty is not easy. Branding is more competitive now and requires dedicated efforts

1. Tell us about your upbringing, background & journey.

I grew up in Agra, where we shifted after my father passed away while I was 5 years old. My mother who is also my role model raised me and laid the foundation of what I am today. Those were very challenging times both financially and emotionally but they taught me how to handle challenges and perform under pressure. 

I completed my graduation and moved to Jaipur to complete post-graduation in Business management. I was also very active in extracurricular activities such as sketching, cultural activities, and swimming since childhood and won several accolades for my school and college. 

I attribute a lot of my skills and learning to these activities,. I started my professional journey in 2004 in the Insurance sector and moved to the Social sector in 2009        

2. How did you choose this field & what led you to rise to the highest echelons?

Doing something different always intrigued me, whether getting into Insurance (it was an upcoming sector at that point in time especially in Tier 2&3 cities) or the social sector 

The social sector was hardly a choice for most of the young lads like me at that point in time especially due to lack of knowledge and not the intent but for me, it was not only a chance to do something different but also be a direct participant in helping those likeminded people who want to give back something to the society and bring a sustainable change 

I attribute my success to two things 

• Clarity on professional goals 
• Ensuring a continuous learning process 

3. What advice do you have for people who want to rise in a corporate environment?

I have 3 pointer advice for everybody 

• Develop your appetite for challenges: Challenges are a part of life but they are more like “ training sessions” to make you a better individual for e.g how can a manager help his/her team if they themselves have not faced and tacked the professional challenges. It is fine to take a break, reassemble your strength and get back on track. 
  
  
• Keep upgrading yourself: Keep learning something new and upgrading yourself. It also acts as an “energy booster”.
   
• Learn to Forgive: It is not as easy as written, it requires a lot of practice but once adopted it helps you relax, focus on priorities and develop self-control. 

4. How has branding changed over the years?

The perception for branding has changed from being a tool for selling products to a channel of creating value & belief. The contents are more interactive, creative, and versatile. 

In today’s digital world the branding efforts have become swifter and making the globalization of brands easy, but at the same time, there are higher risks as well. 

The prospective consumer/customer has higher expectations, they follow trends & want to experiment, and building brand loyalty is not easy. Branding is more competitive now and requires dedicated efforts

5. How should one approach a new partnership for success?

Understand yourself and the prospective partner i.e. key strengths, requirements, past associations & need for this partnership 

• Ensure you have a well-designed strategy and plan in the first meeting itself, if required take professional help 
• Focus on building a long term relationship with the partner 
• Stick to your commitments made & maintain transparency 

6. What are your future plans?

Apart from being in my current line of work, I am planning to open a community-based platform that will help aspiring artists in India of all age groups especially from rural & semi-rural areas to showcase their skills and work.

7. Which is your favorite book and why?

I would say I have 2 favorite books i.e.

• The Gita & the Management by Swami Bodhananda: One can learn a lot from it both as an Individual as well as a professional. It helps an individual to deep dive into oneself and finds their leadership skills and how to well align them with others. I suggest reading Shrimad Bhagwat Gita post reading this book to expand your perceptions 
  
  
• The one-minute manager by Ken Blanchard: A must for anyone in a managerial role irrespective of the level. The methods are easily applicable and the book focuses on small principles which are often overlooked but are the crux  

Vivek Rana | Head - Partnerships & Engagement

Interviewed By: Nishad Kinhikar