Poornima Dore joined TAS in 2006, from XLRI, Jamshedpur. She talks
about what it means to be a TAS manager

I strongly believe that the corporate world can play a pivotal role in accelerating socio-economic development. I think that good business is important for overall economic prosperity and I aspire to be a key player and policy maker in this regard. I found this and more in the Tata Group which has the same underlying philosophy.

Gaining an edge
The Group is also unique in that it gives me the opportunity to develop cross-functional expertise in multiple sectors, while exploring various sectors to understand different businesses and its drivers.

In addition, the feedback and guidance from senior managers who play the role of mentors and reviewers is invaluable. Working with persons of such high calibre and experience is enriching in itself.

During the first year, we work on diverse projects and in multiple functions. We have to do three corporate assignments where the focus areas are sales and marketing, operations, strategy, HR, finance, business development, etc. One of these stints maybe an international assignment. The fourth assignment is a rural assignment where the focus is on corporate social responsibility.

What is special about TAS is that you are given positions of high responsibility early in your career and there are options to move across Group companies and functions over time. This widens one’s perspective, helps understand various aspects of business, and hence grooms the individual to be a better manager.

The working life
The three assignments have offered a unique perspective and their own set of challenges.

With Titan, for instance, I worked on the pre-launch activities for one of the licensed brands as part of the New Business Division and was based out of Bangalore. My role entailed market research, competitor analysis, dealer feedback, negotiation, product mix and margin structure determination, and interacting with the advertising agencies. It gave me an insight into the fashion watch segment, its potential and how best this can be tapped.

A completely different insight came my way with Tata Motors. I worked with the Auto Production Planning and Control team in Pune where I was involved in implementing a manufacturing execution system (IPMS). I was managing the project and integrating manufacturing requirements with the systems support provided by Tata Technologies. It was an experience in change management and timely execution.

I am currently working with VSNL with its Global Transmission Service (GTS) Team at New Jersey. My role is on the commercial side and involves liaison with the networks and finance team to build a cost model for the International Private Leased Circuits (IPLC).

Challenges and expectations
The key advantage of working with the Tata Group is its business diversity. But that also has its own set of challenges.

Every Tata company has an identity of its own, its unique set of underlying norms. One has to be aware of this and continuously modify one’s approach in order to get the envisaged results. However, the benefit is that one is able to notice such things and can identify and (hopefully) eliminate regressive norms.

The other challenge is keeping abreast of rising expectations. With an accelerated growth path, at every point you have to prove your mettle. A steep learning curve and regular interactions with senior Tata leaders
calls for sufficient self-study and groundwork.

A stint with TAS offers diversity and a depth of experience that few other companies can match. Today, the Group looks agile and proactive. While I know that I am a part of all of this, I also know that I am attempting to ensure that ‘what comes from the community goes back to them many times over’.

Uploaded on July 12, 2007