From Tradition to Innovation! In the automotive and industrial sectors, the importance of engine oils cannot be overstated. These specialized lubricants serve as the lifeblood of engines, ensuring smooth operation, reducing friction, dissipating heat, and preventing wear and tear. From powering vehicles on highways to driving machinery in industrial settings, the need for reliable engine oils tailored to specific requirements is primary. They not only optimize performance but also extend the lifespan of engines, making them crucial assets in diverse applications and sectors. In industrial applications, innovations in automotive lubricants are playing a critical role in customer satisfaction. A notable figure in this field, Arijit Basu, brings a wealth of experience and expertise to the forefront. His journey from academia to a leadership role embodies a commitment to learning and navigating changing environments. With a background in Chemistry and Management, Arijit’s leadership philosophy centers on aiding growth and agility. As the Managing Director of Tide Water Oil Company (I) Ltd, his strategic vision emphasizes profitable growth while prioritizing customer-centricity and operational efficiency. His approach underscores the importance of aligning purpose with action, ensuring the organization remains resilient amid challenges. Under Arijit’s guidance, Veedol is not merely a manufacturer but a driver of innovation and industry excellence. Through strategic partnerships and a dedication to customer-centric solutions, the company continues to redefine standards in lubricant technology. As Veedol expands its product offerings and market reach, his leadership remains pivotal in leading the company towards sustained growth and industry leadership. Let’s explore Arijit’s leadership journey in the automotive and industrial sectors: A Journey of Transformation Arijit’s journey began in the late nineties as a young Chemistry graduate, brimming with enthusiasm for learning and an aspiration to explore new places and people. The world back then was on the cusp of the millennium, with a generation poised to experience a revolution in information technology transformations. His innate ability to learn quickly in a new environment and willingness to tread uncharted paths led him to dive into the world of work as a “Sales Trainee” with a Swiss Multinational company in Specialty Construction Chemicals. This openness to learning kept him going, with every new challenge turning into yet another opportunity. Eventually, his interest in exploring and understanding people provided him with a strong foundation in several functions of general management. The journey from a sales trainee to managing director has been a thrilling one filled with transformative learning and experiences. His passion for learning, traveling to new places, meeting new people, exploring new cultures, and taking on new challenges has always provided him with the adrenaline rush to keep moving and adapting to the dynamic ecosystem. Inspired by Innovation With an educational background in Chemistry and Management, Arijit has always had a keen interest in the specialty chemical industry. This interest further led him to diversify into automotive and industrial lubricants. One of his key inspirations is to explore the new-age mobility needs and solutions, which are evolving at a rapid pace. The Guiding Principle of Leadership As the Managing Director of Tide Water Oil Company (I) Ltd., the manufacturer of the Veedol brand of automotive and industrial lubricants and greases, Arijit’s main responsibilities and duties on a day-to-day basis are: Firstly, he ensures ‘profitable growth’ for the organization despite the challenging business scenarios it faces. To overcome these challenges, he focuses on identifying and leveraging ‘growth drivers’ as well as driving ‘operational efficiency’ across the business. Secondly, he keeps a keen eye on evolving customer preferences, which have shifted more towards ‘convenience’ beyond just products and services. In response, he strives to make the organization more ‘agile’ and ‘customer-centric’ to better serve their customers. Importantly, he firmly believes that ‘purpose over profit’ should be the guiding principle. This underpins his leadership style, which he describes as ‘Listen – Learn – Act – Adopt – Deliver’. He strongly believes in sticking to the ‘basics’ as the key to success. This has helped them navigate the uncertainties of the pandemic period effectively, ensuring the safety of their employees while maintaining strong relationships with their vendors, business partners, and customers. Looking ahead, he is focused on expanding Veedol’s international footprint while also capturing growth opportunities in the domestic market across different vehicle segments and the B2B/OEM business. Their readiness with e-fluids for the emerging electric vehicle segment also underscores their future-ready stance. In summary, his day-to-day responsibilities revolve around steering the organization towards profitable and sustainable growth while fostering a culture of agility, customer-centricity, and purpose-driven leadership. Strategic Planning for Profitable Growth Arijit approaches preparing and leading the organization to the next level of profitable growth in a business-ready, future-ready, and people-ready manner: People-Ready: Recognizing that their people are the backbone of their success, Arijit places a strong emphasis on talent management and organizational development. He fosters a culture of continuous learning, empowerment, and collaboration, where team members are encouraged to take on new challenges, share their ideas, and contribute to the company’s growth. He also prioritizes employee well-being, work-life balance, and professional development to attract, retain, and nurture top talent. To bring these elements together, he relies on a strategic planning process that aligns the organization’s vision, mission, and goals. He involves cross-functional teams in this process, ensuring that diverse perspectives are considered and that there is a shared understanding of the organization’s priorities and the roadmap to achieve them. Ultimately, his approach is guided by the principle of “purpose over profit,” where he strives to create long-term, sustainable value for their customers, employees, and stakeholders. By maintaining this focus and continuously adapting to the evolving business landscape, he is confident that Veedol will be well-positioned to reach new heights of profitable growth and industry leadership. The Key to Overcoming Challenges and Driving Success One of the major challenges that Arijit has encountered in his role is ensuring ‘profitable growth’ for the organization, especially during challenging business scenarios. To overcome this, he has found that the best approach is to focus intently on identifying and