Priyavrata Mafatlal, Vice-Chairman, Arvind Mafatlal Group, believes hiccups can lead to intermittent disruptions in business operations, but the key is to have adequate controls and trigger points in place to change the course of action, should the need arise.
How has the organization embraced the changing dynamics of the business milieu over the years while keeping up with its core values?
The only way to survive in such an uncertain environment is to be resilient and remain focused on the long-term vision of the company. These hiccups can lead to intermittent disruptions in business operations, but the key is to have adequate controls and trigger points in place to change the course of action, should the need arise. We need to keep learning and keep ourselves updated in this constantly evolving environment and be prepared for any eventuality. Covid has taught us that nothing is permanent in our life and that not everything can be planned. There will be situations where we will need to react differently and think out of the box to survive.
Lastly, we believe a lot in our employees and that they deserve much more than just monetary entitlements. We hence invest a lot in their personal development to ensure that they don’t just succeed in corporate culture but also become better leaders and better human beings.
Alternative investments which have picked up pace in the last 10-12 years? How has it helped the group to diversify into new sectors?
Alternative Investment as an asset class has always formed a part of our core portfolio, albeit with limited exposure. Coming from an entrepreneurial background, we believe in taking measured risks and venturing into challenging territories.
Without open-mindedness and adaptability, individuals or organizations struggle to grow and thrive. Today, since Alternative Asset as an asset class allows us to work very closely with the founders/entrepreneurs, we end up getting a lot of exposure to new-age ideas and innovations.
Arvind Mafatlal Group has been around for more than a century because of our need for constant innovation and our wanting to push our abilities to constantly adapt to newer businesses/opportunities. While the term “Alternate Investments” has picked momentum in the past 10-12 years, the Group has always aggressively looked at diversification, often as first-movers, into areas that may or may not even be close to our core businesses.
Apart from its well-established textile and rubber chemical businesses, the Group has over the past few years forayed into Information Technology Services through Vrata Tech Solutions and Ed-Tech through Get Set Learn.
Vrata Tech Solutions aims to democratize technological solutions for its clients by offering solutions in the field of Artificial Intelligence, Data Analytics, Robotic Process Automation, SAP & ERP. It also offers traditional solutions like IT support, IT Infrastructure Services, Data Storage Services, and Cyber Security Solutions to its clients, which is one of the most crucial functions for any Company.
With Get Set Learn, AMG is looking to build the world’s largest hybrid curated marketplace for learning services, including courses such as STEM education, English learning, 21st-century skills, non-curricular activities, etc., from countries including India, Israel, Singapore, Australia, and the United States of America, among others.
