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Success Mantra My Struggle My Life<br />
Customer first policy helps<br />
»»<br />
Rahul Bajaj<br />
Known as the ‘ scooter man’ for<br />
iconic Bajaj scooters, Rahul Bajaj<br />
can well be credited for the way<br />
the average Indian travel. From<br />
the bulky scooters during the licenced raj<br />
to the peppy motorcycles, Bajaj has ruled<br />
Indian markets. At 75, Rahul Bajaj, chairman<br />
of Bajaj Group is still overseeing the<br />
growth of his company and its developments.<br />
Though his diverse business is being<br />
managed by his two sons and brothers,<br />
he still keeps a tab on all crucial matters<br />
relating to the company. Bajaj has been<br />
a constant feature on Forbes India Rich<br />
List. In 2013, he was ranked 20th and his<br />
total wealth is estimated at $3.1 billion.<br />
The Bajaj Group has 40 companies<br />
across businesses such as two- and threewheelers,<br />
insurance and steel; and it<br />
employs more than 33,000 people. Now,<br />
you can’t really argue with this kind of<br />
success. Or that level of confidence.<br />
He is recognized as one of the most<br />
successful business leaders of India. He<br />
holds an honours degree in Economics<br />
from Delhi University, a degree in Law<br />
from Bombay University and an MBA<br />
from Harvard Business School. Bajaj has<br />
received many prestigious awards and<br />
recognitions, notable being the award<br />
of ‘Padma Bhushan’ by the Government<br />
of India in 2001, Alumni Achievement<br />
Award by the Harvard Business School<br />
and Life Time Achievement Awards<br />
from Economic Times, Ernst & Young<br />
and CNBC TV18. Mr. Bajaj was<br />
appointed Knight in the Order of the<br />
Legion of Honour by the President of the<br />
French Republic. He has been conferred<br />
Honorary Doctorates by 7 Universities<br />
including IIT Roorkee.<br />
He has seen ups and downs in his<br />
business including separation of group<br />
with his brother and so called differences<br />
with his son, but that only made him<br />
stronger. In an interview to a magazine<br />
Parekh is the only lawyer in private<br />
practice recognized by the Forbes list,<br />
which also included U.S. Olympic gold<br />
medalist Gabrielle Douglas, Pittsburgh<br />
Penguins center Sidney Crosby,<br />
Washington Redskins quarterback<br />
Robert Griffin III and Miami Heat<br />
forward LeBron James.<br />
Rahul Babaj had dispelled the theory<br />
that was not getting along with his son<br />
and said that his son was brilliant and<br />
exceptional and want to do business in<br />
the modern way whereas he still prefer<br />
the traditional route. So there is bound to<br />
be a difference of opinion but that does<br />
not mean that I interfere in his work<br />
and stop him from doing what he wants.<br />
“When I was young I did business the<br />
way I felt a nd the same goes for my sons<br />
as well.”<br />
The success of Bajaj as a group is not<br />
just because of our efforts in diversifying<br />
but for me it is because our motto has<br />
been ‘customer first’. In no product<br />
of ours have we ignored customer<br />
feedback or have not been able to match<br />
their satisfaction. “ For me retaining<br />
my customer is more important than<br />
venturing out in a new area, he says”.<br />
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