My First Job: Madhur Taneja CEO Warid Telecom

Sep 19, 2010

MY first job was with Non-Banking Financial Corporation, Ranbaxy Group as the marketing manager after my Master of Business Administration. I completed my MBA in 1991 from Pune in India. I was earning $70 per month, a modest start I should say.

What was your first job? Where and when was it? How much did you earn?
My first job was with Non-Banking Financial Corporation, Ranbaxy Group as the marketing manager after my Master of Business Administration. I completed my MBA in 1991 from Pune in India. I was earning $70 per month, a modest start I should say. That was my stipend for six months and thereafter, it was increased to $160.

What is the most enduring memory of your first job?

The enduring memories of my first job are both positive and negative. My boss used to spent disproportionate time with me as a true mentor so that I could learn the financial services.

He would give me assignments to work on and review them on weekends. He would genuinely make attempts to add value to my learning process.

There was also a senior vice–president in one of the companies I worked for who used to shout at his team in public. I realised that public ridicule degrades employees. I have learnt to be discreet while giving feedback to my team.

What did you learn from it that makes you a better boss?

I coach my team in every assignment. It is genuinely to mentor them rather than just carrying out the job. Also, I try and treat the team with dignity, respect, and affection. I would be assertive and firm, but nice.

Did the first job change your career path or perspective of life?

My second job with Pepsi-Cola changed both my life and career. Pepsi-Cola has one of the best managers and I was especially lucky to have worked with the best of the best managers.

The organisation’s culture breeds professionalism, extreme passion and rewards the employees in befitting manner. It is an organisation par excellence.
CAREER DETAILS
  • Warid, CEO, 2010

  • Essar Telecom Infrastructure, CEO and director, 2009 to 2010

  • Bharti Airtel, chief operations officer, 2005 to 2007

  • Pepsi-Cola, general manager, 1994 to 2001



  • Interviewed by E. Anyoli

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