Interviews

Tell us something about WinWinD and its business offerings.

WinwinD Power Energy Private Limited was incorporated to leverage the vast potential of wind power. Manufacturing 1 MW wind turbines, the company is quite well-known for it turnkey energy solutions. An Indian subsidiary of a decade-old Finnish energy solutions company, WinWinD has grown exponentially since it was incepted in India by the Siva Group close to 3 years ago

Where are your factories located in India and are there any plans for expansions?

Our turbines and blades are manufactured in Vengal, which is located on the Chennai-Calcutta highway. We're prominently present in Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Maharashtra. Very soon we will be branching out even further towards Rajasthan, Gujarat and Andhra Pradesh.

How do you think WinWinD creates value for its customers?

It is only 3 years since WinWinD went commercial. Yes there is great competition; we're not really the pioneers in India; however the Siva Group in general has a history of creating great value for its customers, shareholders and employees. Other than the energy saving solutions that we offer customers, by helping them leverage power captive energy sources, WinWinD also facilitates companies to tap the investment angle that green energy sources now afford.

Green energy and investments how does that work?

Well, captive energy sources are the future. By allowing customers to get a return on investment in wind power and wind farms, we provide the opportunity to tap green energy resources from an investment angle, similar to diverse other investments portfolios that are available today. Typically 20-25% is the growth that investments in green energy resources accrue.

How is the competition? And do you think green energy is the future?

Competition is huge; however the commendable part is that the growing competition in this sector is proof of fact that green energy is the future. Though our parent company was started over a decade ago, we are a relatively new entrant here. But that hasn't stopped us from creating a formidable niche in the market. Although results have not been on par with expectations, we've picked up reasonably well and are on the verge of closing further in on our competition.

How long have you been with the Siva Group?

13 years

That's quite a long time. What made you stay so long?

Well, it has been 13 long years, but my responsibilities have never been the same here. And that has provided me with the impetus to grow and stay challenged everyday. Moreover this is one organisation that allows people to take responsibilities that would have never come their way until at a later stage in their career. The Group gives prominence to learning and to people who are willing to stretch to their limits, and they make sure to recognise accomplishments and potential when they see it. And this has been one big factor that has kept my measuring scales tilted in favour of my present employer.

Though a 4 Billion dollar Group the company is known to consciously avoid publicity, so what do you think makes it unique as an employer?

Like I'd already stated, the growth here is disproportionate to age or experience. If somebody is willing to go the extra mile, their hard work and effort is immediately recognised. There is a lot of nurturing that happens constantly in the system, that you are constantly bombarded to evolve and grow. Employee empowerment is a fundamental function here, and everyone is given enough responsibility to find their niche.

But isn't it a fact that being constantly stretched can be irksome?

Not necessarily. Yes, this organisation still predominantly follows the proprietorship business model, and that can make things a tad bit stretchy but it also helps people hone their skills further. There are last minute travels and unforeseen extra load of work that crops up regularly. It can be frustrating not to know beforehand, but the adrenaline rush of finishing it well, cannot be matched anytime. Moreover I do not believe in the strict adherence to designated work hours. When I started off it was impossible to even imagine leaving early. We were stretched and that I believe is the only true way to grow and succeed. I cannot really understand this generation's refusal to believe in extending work time. Times sure have changed but the trail to success still remains hard work and that should be paid attention to.

How many employees does your division have?

About 550 totally

Tell us about your hiring model.

We do not go behind the IIMs or the IITs for our supply of dedicated human resource. They have a sizable chunk of organisations chasing them every year. What we do is look at B-schools and lesser known institutions to get hold of people with the genuine thirst to succeed.

Why does the Group feel that way about B-school pass-outs?

Well, it is a well-acknowledged fact that people graduating from top schools already carry the brand of the prestigious institution they pass out from, making it obvious that they do not have to try too hard to impress their capabilities on their employers. It is accepted that they are good; they do not have to prove it again to anyone. However pass-outs from lesser known institutions have to go the extra mile to really make an impression, which in turn ensures that they stay on their toes, all the time, making them highly productive, comparatively.

And is there anything different that you do to assess performance?

Well, other than the standard indicators the Group on the whole constantly keeps a check on performance through its persistent stress tests. Employees of the Siva Group are never allowed to slacken. Everyone is given responsibilities 1-2 levels above their position, making it necessary to push boundaries every time, everyday.

As an employer what makes the Siva Group different?

Completely transparent and a responsible employer. Stability combined with responsibility is what the Group exemplifies. Focused towards achieving its intrinsic organisational goals, the Group at the same time provides its employees unlimited avenues to branch out and diversify their skills, which in turn improves performance. More challenges keeps people more focused and interested and what can boost performance better than that?

What keeps you motivated?

Challenges, of course. And that is predominantly the reason why I've been part of this organisation for more than a decade. After completing my MBA I was part of the Hinduja Group for sometime, when the opportunity to join my present employer came up. After that there was no looking back. Providing me with unrestricted freedom to conquer challenging horizons on my own, I would say I was lucky to have been given the right to shoulder some of the most crucial operations very early on in my career. I was heading a part of the Telecom division of the group when the chance to take care of their green energy-driven Windmill division came by. It has been one exhilarating roll-a-coaster ride and I'm still completely glued for more invigorating outings and with more than a decade long history with this company, I can quite confidently state that the best is yet to come...