All work is accomplished by hard work and not by thinking. Just as animals like deer do not enter the mouth of a sleeping lion, but the lion himself has to hunt, in the same way, we should also work diligently to achieve the desired goal.
Venkat Changavalli began his tenure as the inaugural CEO of Dragoco India Limited on April 1, 1994, a joint venture with the Sanmar Group. Under his leadership, Dragoco India evolved into Symrise Private Ltd India, a transformation marked by the Germans' stake purchase in February 2004.
Key Achievements:
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Revenue Growth: Increased annual sales from Rs. 45 million to Rs. 1,300 million.
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Market Position: Elevated the company from second-rate to second place in fragrances and from marginal presence to fourth place in flavors.
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Global Exposure: Frequent trips to group companies in Singapore, Jakarta, Sydney, Holzminden, and New Jersey, enriching his leadership journey.
Venkat Changavalli credits Mr. Bernd Kirchhoff, head of the Asia Pacific region, as a mentor who emphasized openness, innovation, and positive engagement, shaping his leadership style.
Venkat Changavalli has served as a director on various boards, contributing to business growth and leadership development:
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Alert-We Care (2011-17)
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Butterfly Edufields (2011-20)
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Natco Trust (2014-22)
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Sankar Eye Foundation Hospital (2019-22)
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State Bank of Hyderabad (2011-17)
Venkat Changavalli advisory roles in esteemed organizations have allowed him to craft innovative strategies for business growth and leadership development:
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Apollo Home HealthCare (2014-17)
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Butterfly Edufields (2011-2020)
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Cavinkare (2012-13) McKinsey (2011-13)
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MSD (2011-13)
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Novo Nordisk (2011-14)
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Rubicon (2011-13)
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Sanofi (2011-13)
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Tata Trusts (2017-19)
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Trends in Vogue (2012-13)
These roles have enabled him to help organizations realize their visions and navigate their industries effectively.
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Venkat Changavalli views coaching as an individualized facilitation process to help coachees make significant behavioral changes for performance improvement.
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The coachee sets the agenda, and the relationship is structured.
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The process involves:
- Asking powerful, open-ended questions.
- Challenging fixed ideas through dialogue.
- Addressing self-limiting beliefs.
- Identifying and transforming negative forces into positive ones.
- Nudging the coachee to find their own solutions.
- Helping the coachee develop vision, values, goals, action plans, and learning agendas.
Venkat Changavalli defines a CEO as someone who is Customer-Centric, Employee-Focused, and Organization-Obsessed. A CEO must face Challenges, meet Expectations, and exploit profitable Opportunities.
Venkat Changavalli's leadership journey is a testament to his strategic thinking, dedication, and ability to drive growth and innovation across diverse industries. His contributions have consistently demonstrated his capability to lead organizations to new heights.
