People Create Value: Tushar Kumar, CEO, Silver Arrows
The dealer for Mercedes-Benz passenger vehicles in Delhi/ NCR, Silver Arrows, shares more than just the brand’s legend. Like the radical, high-performing, lightning fast Formula One cars the company is named after, Silver Arrows is the driving force to give its customers an unrivalled luxury car sales and service experience. Its team comprises top talent from the automotive industry. For long, Mercedes- Benz has been associated with luxury, opulence, craftsmanship and innovation. And it is this legacy that Silver Arrows Automobile, intends to continue by forging ahead as an unmatched Mercedes-Benz dealer.
On the importance of people and profits
I believe that people are the core of every organisation. We follow what we term as P3 or the three Ps that lay the foundation of everything we do: People, Planning and Profits. We identify the right people and plan the right career and development plans for them and that ensures profit in the long tail. So, it is all about the people. People create value for all stakeholders in the business and we don’t just value our people out of altruism, but because it is good business. Value is number, hence profits.
On what makes silver arrows a great place to work
Most successful companies have a thriving workplace culture and that culture grouped with a strong vision, is usually, what makes a great place to work. We put in the right people with the right plan, and work towards our vision of becoming the most preferred luxury auto retailer in India. This passion, to be the best in a fragmented franchised market, is the transformative purpose that pushes the whole organisation forward while being as much transparent and fair as possible.
On the company’s evolution
Starting with a small group of 20 people and reaching 300 now, we have grown manifold as an organisation, and our greatest asset continues to be our people. While continuing the face-to-face periodic interactions, our processes have evolved consistently over the years, embracing technology to provide one-touch interaction, and thereby empowering our workforce with a well-defined engagement system. We strongly feel that top-down communication and regular interaction, feedback loops via technology, as well as personal connect, is also one of our strategic advantages over the others in the market place.
Through a set design, we have come a long way in empowering managers to make relevant decisions and being responsible for respective outcomes. Leadership is also something we expect of all our employees, whether or not they have people-management responsibilities or direct reports.
On People philosophy
Best people produce best results! We provide unique and experiences to clients through the best people and innovation in the way cars are sold and serviced.
On the company’s road map
We have a long-term defined vision of becoming the most preferred luxury auto retailer in India. We would not stop anywhere before that not just because it is business but because with the right people and the right planning, we see just no reason why would not achieve it. In addition, we also want to be known for our mission that is to deliver exceptional customer experience through the best people, and constant innovation in operating processed. I am confident that we will be able to bring about a change in the way luxury cars are sold and serviced in India. We will continue on our aspiration to becoming the most preferred luxury auto retailer in India for customers, vendors, principals and our people.
