As part of our relentless efforts to identify and share some of the meaningful stories from India and around the world, this week we invited Seasoned Entrepreneur Suunil Arora for an interview with us. Suunil is a Certified Career Analyst, Consultant, Coach and Mentor. He is the Founder of Righhtboat Careers Counselling Services. Let’s read more about his inspiring journey so far and his advice for our growing community!
Excerpts from our exclusive interview with Suunil:
Talk us through your background and your journey as an entrepreneur, please;
I was born and brought up in a business family in Delhi. Completed Senior Schooling through C.B.S.E. with Science subjects. Mathematics and Physics were my favourite subjects. Pursued Engineering in the field of Mechanical. Then I did a technician engineers certification, through distance learning, from abroad. List of supporting certifications is endless. My parents and my family have always been my strength.
I joined my first job in 1983. The job scenario, during those times, was not in sync with my ambitions. With entrepreneurship in the DNA, I wasted no time in evolving myself from an Employee to an Employer. I started my own venture at the age of 25. It was a purely technical, small industry, which was altogether different from what my elders, in the family, were involved in.”
Eventually, I stepped into higher-level business ventures. I worked very aggressively in the field of commercial vehicles. I represented various large manufacturers of commercial vehicles, namely Ashok Leyland, Eicher Motors and Swaraj Mazda, at different points of time, for almost two decades.
After surfing through a fulfilling and rewarding career and with the feeling of satisfaction in the sphere of family responsibilities, I started consolidating my empire and initiated winding up from the hectic activities of the business. I just wanted to follow my passion for working as a consultant and roaming around the world. With the lifetime rich experience at my command, I started guiding young students for their career planning.
I am now a CCA (Certified Career Analyst) and feel pleasure in guiding young minds. I founded a Consulting Agency called ‘Righhtboat Careers’. The business model that I developed was completely On-line. My only intention is to invest my expertise in the future building of my great nation. This way I relish the feeling of contentment and happiness.”
What attracts you towards entrepreneurship instead of a corporate career?
This question is invariably asked from me on various platforms. This time I’d like to answer it by heart.
During my engineering studies, the topic that fascinated me most was ‘I.C. Engines for Automobiles’. To run an automobile unit with such an engine there is a well-synchronized arrangement of various parts and assemblies. There is always a ‘Driver-Shaft’ and a ‘Driven- Shaft’.
On a lighter note, I’d like to say that an audience with technical background can understand the supremacy of the Driver-Shaft and the compulsions of the Driven-Shaft.
I always like to be the Driver-Shaft of any ecosystem of which I am a part of. I hope this explains the point.”
‘RIGHHTBOAT CAREERS Counselling Services’ is such a unique name; talk us through more about it, please. Our audience would also love to know what kind of problem you are solving?
The word BOAT was widely used in the scriptures of various cultures, across the globe. According to these, a Boat represents the means of transport that can carry one to the safe destination through troubled waters. Noah’s Ark is another such example. I believe that our consulting agency is just the right type of boat that will help you sail through the ocean of uncertain career options towards the career path that is most suitable for you.
That’s why we named it as ‘Righhtboat’. An extra ‘H’ in the title is just a numerological correction. I strongly believe in numerology. My own name has an extra ‘U’. if you noticed.
Righhtboat Careers is run by a team of certified career experts. We have value-based solutions for Students. Graduates and Professionals. We specialize in the following services.
1) Psychometric mapping of students which can help their parents in precisely choosing the most suitable career path for their children.
2) Guiding junior students in the selection of appropriate subjects that help them pursue their suitable career path in future.
3) Guiding Senior students in Engineering or medical stream selection, to help them achieve the highest level of success.
4) Guiding professionals to help them enhance their career or switch to a more suitable profession.
5) Providing a complete career roadmap which is executable in the framework of circumstantial parameters of the candidate.
All this is done in a most scientific manner after a detailed analysis of psychometric traits and the family conditions of the candidate. And to the candidates of economically weaker sections, we provide our services at zero cost.
During this COVID-19 crisis, what are the measures you have undertaken to continue your business without disruption?
The business model that I formulated, perfectly fit into the changed business conditions and new world order. Every aspect of our business is online and tech-enabled.
We take the best advantage of available technologies. Virtual meetings, Communications through social media platforms, Team Webinars etc., are part of our work culture. No extra measure was needed to be incorporated in the system due to the pandemic. The occasional change in working hours is done when I am in a different time zone.
Our overhead expenses are minimum. We provide world-class services at very low prices. The standard bottom-line of focusing on profits in the business has diminished at this juncture of life. Our organization is more or less a social service type of venture that keeps me busy, happy and afloat.
How do you manage to keep going despite the challenges? What drives you?
My philosophy of life is different. I consider life as a batting position on a cricket pitch.”
If you intend to perform better and to remain active on the crease for long, you have to carefully observe every ball that is thrown towards you with the intention to take your wicket, before it reaches close to your bat and play the stroke in a manner that is appropriate for that particular ball, at that moment.
I love the challenges of life because challenges give me the opportunity to show my abilities. I attribute this quality of mine to my parents and my teachers. Soaring high is my nature and this attitude acts as the driving force for me.
Who do you believe has been the biggest source of motivation in your daily life?
My motivators have been three different personalities at different stages of life.
During childhood, my elder brother Subhash Arora was my biggest motivator. I learned from him, to live a disciplined life with style and I always try to live in that manner.
Later on, when I got married, my wife Meenakshi Arora had a great motivational influence on me. Her inherent personality traits motivated me to live a balanced and focused life. During the peak professional period, I was deeply motivated by India’s iconic great Industrialist, Sh. Ratan Tata. I always try to follow his ethical style of business. He is the utmost honest and patriot and I resonate with these values.
What are the business mantras you have embraced as you sought to establish your success story?
– Be sensitive to the business environment around you so that you are able to formulate a winning strategy.
– Never run the business in a stereotypical fashion. Keep innovating frequently to have an edge above the competitors.
– Be pre-emptive and not reactive towards the upcoming changes.
– Never compromise with honesty and develop trust in the market as well in the hearts of employees.
What are some of the strategies that you believe have helped you grow as a person?
There are a few:
(a) To foresee the upcoming opportunities.
(b) To swiftly adopt the favourable changes.
(c) Always be open to new technologies which are relevant to your business.
Please share with us – what has worked well for you so far?
Keeping the entire team together and always trusting the employees, has worked wonders for me in my professional journey.
What are the three most important lessons you have learned building your startup?
(i) Taking informed decisions always helps.
(ii) Developing brand value needs the highest level of dedication, integrity and honesty.
(iii) Hire only quality talent and pay them more than you think is appropriate.
In your opinion, what are the keys to success?
With my lifetime experience, I would highlight the following points as the key to success:
> Career planning at the right time.
> Constant self-upgradation.
> Keeping pace with the fast-changing world.
>Developing an honest work culture.
> Keep an eagle eye on the business environment.
What advice would you give students and young professionals who want to have a successful career?
~ Identify your most suitable career before entering the phase of subjects’ selection during schooling.
~ Take education seriously and along with the academics get yourself involved in some extra activities which enhance your knowledge towards achieving your dream career.
~ Participating in sports activities make you a better human being.
~ Lay down policies and principles for life and adhere to them.
~ Always take informed decisions. Never follow others blindly.
~ Never seek advice from many people, otherwise, you will end up landing yourself in a state of utter confusion.
~ Learn H.R. Skills before learning any other management skill. This will make you a true leader.
BrilliantRead is committed to bringing stories from the startup ecosystem, stories that reshape our perspective, add value to our community and be a constant source of motivation not just for our community but also for the whole ecosystem of entrepreneurs and aspiring individuals.
Note: If you have a similar story to share with our audience and would like to be featured on our online magazine, then please write to us at [email protected], we will review your story and extend an invitation to feature if it is worth publishing.
