Ratan Tata, Chairman, Tata Group

A shy, reclusive 54-year old, with little to show on his business report card, took charge of India's largest business house in 1991. Nineteen years on, Ratan Naval Tata has built a proud legacy.

BY: ABHISEKH RANJAN B I J U K . VA RU G H E SE BRAJESH KUMAR GYAN PRAKASH PRANAY VERMA

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RATAN TATA A touch of quality

The impact is worldwide. Today the Tata marque is one of the most respected in the world. Premier Tata companies have established a global footprint and share a table with the biggest players in their respective segments. Consider these facts:

Tata Chemicals is the worlds second-largest producer of soda ash. Tata Motors is the worlds fifth-largest manufacturer of commercial vehicles. Tata Steel is the worlds sixth-largest producer of steel. Titan is the worlds fifth-largest watch manufacturer. Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) is Asias No 1 information services company.

Strategies for communicating change

Clearly portrayed the impending changes, and took firm decisions- On taking over

in 1991, Ratan Tata dusted off the 1983 plan of Tata Sons and updated it, taking the newly-opened economy into account
Commanding and logical style for communicating the change to his employees Envisioned the direction of economy and policies and motivated his employees-

He motivated the senior management to consolidate the business accordingly, and embrace change to leap ahead.
Gave great importance to Human Relations- Maintained that Human Relations brings

great personal rewards and is essential for the success of his organization
Redefined Success for Tata Employees- Put forward the principle that Success is

worthless unless it serves the Needs or interests of the country and its people and is achieved by fair and honest means - Led to successful projects like TATA NANO and TATA Swach.

Skills for communicating change

Ratan Tata is a 'terrific combination' of the four necessary leadership

characteristics: Character, commitment, competence and courage. never postpone anything.

Led by example, Tata is an amazing indefatigable individual: Would

Persistance and Constant Motivator: Immense persistence in always

moving closer to his goal, even if this goal keeps shifting, constant motivator. he would go all out to achieve his objective, be it Corus or Nano from his competitors and motivated his team accordingly.

A very discerning person: Once he made up his mind, along with his team,

A deep thinker and extremely strategic: He stayed always 2-3 steps ahead

Consolidating change
Criticism and internecine battles: Ratan Tata didn't let the criticism and

internecine battles deflect him from his chosen path.

Technology and Global Competitiveness: Ratan Tata believed the thrust is

equally on technology-driven leadership, global competitiveness and being among the top three domestically, regardless of the line of business. three group companies, manufacturing cement; five were involved in pharmaceuticals, while nine companies operated in the IT space. One of Tatas first acts was to sell Tomco; swift exits from pharma and textiles and, later, cement, followed. brought on board to help with the re-organisation. The Tata Group is still a diversified, salt-to-software group, but now there is a method to the business expansion.

Reorganising the group companies: When Ratan Tata took over, there were

Getting the best in class services: Management consultancy McKinsey was

Consolidating change
Consolidated Tata Sons: By 1998, there was a single group logo and the Tata brand

belonged to Tata Sons. Now, companies needed to sign brand equity and business promotion agreements with Tata Sons before they got use of the brand name.
Inculcated a Group Culture within the Tata Group: The group-culture Ratan Tata has

created will stay on as his legacy As per the law firm AZB & Partners, which has advised the Tatas on acquisitions like Corus and Jaguar Land Rover.
Design and Strategy to revive companies: Tata put 'design' into the group -- in mergers

and acquisitions, engineering or cars or anything else. It is a very forward-looking strategy, putting new competency in very old companies
Institutionalised processes: The reputation of the group and its guiding principles are

uppermost in his mind while taking decisions

References:
Economic Times http://www.tata.com/pdf/tata_review_apr_09/book_review_models

_and_milestones.pdf Rediff.com Ratan Naval Tata Wikipedia http://www.tatasteel100.com/

Thank you