SIS Group is India’s largest private security and facility company, where Dhiraj Singh is the CEO. He spoke to The Business Guardian. Excerpts:
Q: As the CEO of SIS Group Enterprises, what do you consider the most significant achievements during your tenure?
A: First and foremost, the focus at SIS has never been on individual accomplishments. As a collective team, we take immense pride in establishing India’s largest FM company and e-surveillance company from the ground up, all within the past decade. Our efficient management of the vaccination program, benefiting over 2 lakh people in record time, stands as a testament to our dedication and capabilities. While we cherish our achievements over the years, we are equally, if not more, enthusiastic about the promising opportunities that lie ahead in the coming decade.
Q: As CEO how do you see leadership in a company that operates in the security, facility management, and cash logistics sectors?
A: Our businesses revolve around people. They are our greatest asset, capital, our raw material, and end product. Every P&L leader within our organization embodies the responsibilities of a CHRO.
Q: How do you structure your strategy when seeking out new business or clients for SIS Group Enterprises?
A: We have a clearly outlined collective strategy for our five-year vision and annual business plans. It is one of the “secret sauces” of our success recipe!
Q: In the rapidly changing landscape of technology, how do SIS Group Enterprises stay ahead and adapt to new trends?
A: Our management leadership team is exceptionally skilled and proactive. We continually assess the market dynamics, emerging trends, and client needs. We are willing to “cannibalize” our own current business by creating businesses of the future. We are actively working (including investing) with technology partners. A large part of our technology tools will have AI components and tools to enhance productivity.
Q: What strategies have you found most effective in the initial stages of business development?
A: Hiring a great team! Empowering them, trusting them, coaching them, motivating them. Hustling together for new business together. Being flexible to pivot and have a change in strategy. Persistence and patience!
Q: How do you approach team management and building a strong, cohesive work culture?
A: Being fair, polite, transparent and honest always helps. I like to be a professional at work but a friend outside of it. I love to take teams out for walks, treks, games – the mind opens far quicker then! We have strong value systems at SIS developed by the founding family and we keep reinforcing those core values and culture through mentoring, training programs, leading by example etc.
Q: How do you navigate challenges and setbacks in the business world?
Ups and downs will always happen—one just has to rebound quickly. I try and follow this. My years of meditation practice have helped me too in controlling my emotions and thoughts.
Ashutosh Kumar Thakur is a Bengaluru-based management professional, literary critic, and curator.