Our most challenging assignment has been putting together a position paper for the Tata Group's vision and strategy in the telecom sector. We worked on it for almost 12 months, starting once the telecom policy on basic services was made clear.
We worked with Tata Teleservices on their basic and national long distance plans. This ultimately led us to the Videsh Sanchar Nigam (VSNL) evaluation. The resultant VSNL bid has materialised and Tata Teleservices has signed up licences in several circles in India.
Telecom is a challenging industry. It is one of the few business areas where every possible variable is constantly changing. Marketplace, regulations, competition, technology and consumer behaviour, all components of the telecom industry, are in a state of flux. Hence it is imperative that every proposal be constantly updated. The challenge is in assembling a strategy that’s robust enough for investment decision, yet flexible enough to keep evolving as shifts take place.
On the challenges before the Tata Group
The Tata Group has a major presence in mature industries.
Growth in these is relatively slow, since excess capacities
exist around the world. Today’s growth industries
are totally different. The challenge before the Tata
Group is to make that transition and go where the
growth is.
On surviving competition from foreign consulting
firms
Our solutions are in tune with the very complex 'Indian'
ground realities. This ensures that our solutions
can be implemented. We focus on select industries
and business solutions, building in-depth domain knowledge
and robust frameworks. This enables us to create an
impact in the client organisation and achieve a high
success rate. TSMG provides tangible value at competitive
prices.
Besides, we believe in a participative approach for developing solutions. By institutionalising the process, we help our clients develop competence and access benefits faster. This is how we have managed to differentiate ourselves from the competition. It is an approach that will go a long way in sustaining our growth momentum.
On attracting and retaining talent
TSMG exists because of its people. We have always
endeavoured to create an exciting and attractive place
for talented professionals to work in and realise
their dreams. This people-centric approach has stood
TSMG in good stead, providing us resilience even in
turbulent times.
Today’s young professionals look for stimulating work, a vibrant work environment and good compensation. We expose our people to multiple sectors and functions, and we stress the knowledge development and teamwork aspects.
The average age of TSMG’s employees is less than 30 and this makes for a vibrant and youthful atmosphere. The working environment is informal and there is a minimum of hierarchy; anyone can walk into my cabin at any time to discuss any official or personal issue.
The appraisal process at TSMG calls on employees to articulate long-term professional and personal goals. Performances are reviewed at the end of each project, which typically lasts two to four months. Last, but not the least, we benchmark our compensation with consulting industry practices.
Future goals
We will continue to address the top-of-mind strategic
issues of CEOs. We will create a reputation in strategy
and select areas of performance improvement. Our goal
is to be the strategy-consulting firm of choice for
our key clients.
Our client base is being broadened so that a very
significant proportion of our business comes from
outside the Tata Group. We will be servicing clients
in the Asia Pacific region through strategic alliances
with like-minded companies. And we aim to be a 100-strong
organisation.
