Kumar Mangalam Birla

 

 

“Born with a silver spoon” is a common expression to describe a person who has had it big even when he was born. I have always felt that this euphemism belittles the capabilities of that individual who was lucky or unlucky to be born into a wealthy family. True, the business acumen and financial clout of the family would have molded the prodigy in his formative years. He would have also acquired coveted qualifications and experience beyond the reach of a commoner. But one should not forget the fact that a number of second generation business men in this country have written their names into the corporate history on their own merits than on the basis of their inheritance. There is one name in their midst that shines like the “Sun”- yes, I am referring to Kumar Mangalam (Aditya) Birla, the strikingly young head of the Aditya Birla Group.

In a recent interview, Kumar Mangalam has made, perhaps, the strongest statement ever made by a Corporate Honcho. He said, “I think I am an Entrepreneur.” This statement itself should reveal the fire within the fast emerging, yet-so-young business giant. This 40-year old, suave looking, soft spoken, non-controversial Kumar Mangalam, has catapulted his group into the top five groups in this country, not by chance but by perseverance. Destined to take over the group at a painfully young age, when his father the late Aditya Birla tragically passed away, Kumar Mangalam has taken every step, be it the spinning off of divisions, merging of entities, take over of companies or even giving a new logo to his group, in a calculated manner, more like an Entrepreneur than like the head of a business group. He has never displayed the impatience of a youth nor the arrogance of inheritance. The way he has positioned his group today, I feel he is the business man to be watched in the next decade.

He has already given his warning shot that he is not only satisfied with his superior presence in Aluminium and Alumina sector but he wants to get into the premier position, globally. He leap-frogged his technology by acquiring “Novelis” at a mind-boggling figure of $6 billion.

He also proved that he can be as tough as it gets, when it comes to business negotiations and interests, by literally crossing swords with the mighty Tata Empire. He stood up to look eye-to-eye with Ratan Tata, nearly double his age and experience. But he also proved how such battles can be held in the board rooms and not played on the streets. It is to his credit that he and Ratan Tata are still the best of friends.

It is not just its presence in different geographies that makes it a global conglomerate but it is the variety of fields it has its fingers in. The group has major presence in Light Metals, Carbon Black, Cement, Textiles, BPO, Insurance, Financial Intermediation, Retail etc. In 11 years, Kumar Mangalam has turned his father’s dream into a reality- creating a Global Conglomerate from the Birla stable.

Just a look at those sharp, bright yet determined eyes will tell you-here’s a man to be watched for he is going , not only to take on the other business groups in this country, but also make his own presence the world over. Let’s wish him luck in his determination

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