With more than thirty-five years of service, Kuldeep Goyal, CMD, BSNL, is
a doyen of the Indian telecom industry. A virtuoso in various fields; planning,
installation, operation, and maintenance of wireline and wireless services, data
services, computerization of various activities in the telecom network and
provision of value added services, Goyal holds the credit for implementing the
much-needed organizational restructuring process at the PSU. Goyal took up the
responsibilities of the chair in 2007.
A critical 97% erosion in net profit of the operator has set the alarm
blaring, kicking the telecom minister to action and reviewing the company's
performance. The government's final verdict on BSNL's plan is still awaited, the
company's CMD has been vocal about some of the urgent needs of the company that
will pump energy back into the fatigued operator that has been struggling to
match the network expansion pace of its private rivals. Also, several
controversies, litigations, and delays of mobile equipment tenders have plagued
the operator. Above all, the service provider has the herculean task of
connecting rural India.
The industry identifies him as a composed, friendly veteran in the telecom
space. In an exclusive interview, the CMD takes VOICE&DATA through his life
outside BSNL boardrooms and press conferences. Excerpts:
What do you think are your key strengths?
I believe that I am a sincere and hardworking man. About sixteen hours of my
day are devoted exclusively to BSNL. My day begins at six o'clock in the
morning. I try and utilize maximum time for work. I take calls even when I am
traveling. My commitment to my job keeps me going. I don't give in to
difficulties.
What has been your contribution to BSNL?
I think I have played an important role in giving a new face to BSNL.
Earlier the company had been working on a set routine. There was to a monotony
in the way employees worked. I wanted to make the company more
consumer-oriented, and this is what I have attempted to do. We are trying to
increase focus on IT and ERP implementation. We have started setting targets for
the employees and offering them performance-based incentives. This has helped us
change the employees' attitude towards their job. I am a very open person. I
like to listen to the concerns of my subordinates. In a day, I spend about one
to two hours talking to group 'A' officials. They are allowed to bring out their
concerns, and I try to do whatever I can, in my capacity, to help them overcome
the hurdles that they face.
What is your mantra for striking a balance between your professional and
personal life? How do you beat stress?
One has to be a good manager to be able to do so. It is important for an
individual to be smart enough to be able to set his priorities right. According
to me, the key to a healthy, stress-free life is not to let stress take over
you. Avoid getting tensed in tough situations, enjoy your work and get a good
sleep at night.
Your schedule on weekdays is usually very tight. Are the weekends also as
busy?
On weekends, I relax. I listen to music and read books, but I don't like to
watch TV. Traveling is one thing I always like to do in my leisure time. I enjoy
playing with my grand children, and that I think is the most relaxed way of
spending a weekend.
What is your vision for the country?
When I travel abroad, I often get both amazed and saddened. During my visits
to places like Thailand and China, I am forced to ask myself why our neighbors
have developed much faster than we have and what is stopping us? We are
witnessing an amazing growth in the telecom space, and are faring pretty well as
compared to many other countries, but there is a huge difference in our
standards of living and theirs. Other countries have been able to exploit their
technologies faster and better to translate the benefits to raise their standard
of living. I only hope that our country is able to realize the true potential of
its technological and human resources, which will help us lead better lives.
What were your dreams when you were fresh out of the college and preparing
for a new life. Did you at that time aspire to reach where you are seated today?
Those days were quite different. I was an engineering graduate from IIT
Roorkee. I wanted to serve the country in whatever small way I could, and joined
the Indian Telecommunication Service in 1972. I aspired to climb up the ladder.
I am grateful to God that he has supported me all through my life and also for
taking me where I am today.
Have there been offers by private telcos? Any plans of looking at those
opportunities?
Not that I have never been approached, but as of now, I have no plans of
moving out. I want to be here and see the company grow as I have always wantedto.
What is your message to your employees?
Wherever I have worked, I have worked with integrity. The only word I have
for my employees is to be passionate about your job and enjoy it. Also, we
should remember that we are working in the services sector, thus consumers are
assets for us. Our work should be dedicated to the consumers. The customers'
happiness will translate into benefits for us, and in turn we will be able to
keep our families contented.
You have been selling a variety of value added services to your
subscribers. What services have you subscribed to?
I love music. I have set one of my favourite songs as my ringback tone. I
also like to switch to mobile TV while I am traveling.
Is there any dream you are still waiting to be realized, that bothers you?
I am a very simple and contented man. I am a vegetarian and prefer to eat
food cooked at home. My job demands me to travel to places, but I don't feel
fascinated by luxurious living and elaborate menus.
Do you have a spiritual teacher?
No. All this is not the effect of a spiritual guide. I have been brought up
with these values. I have learnt from my father to lead a simple life with high
thinking.
Heena Jhingan & Baburajan K
heenaj@cybermedia.co.in