Get All Access for $5/mo

The Kickass Boss Abhishek Ganguly, Managing Director, Puma India & Southeast Asia

By Punita Sabharwal

You're reading Entrepreneur India, an international franchise of Entrepreneur Media.

Abhishek Ganguly, Managing Director, Puma India & Southeast Asia

Abhishek Ganguly's leadership style is a combination of long-term thinking, and vision setting, to being hands-on with the ground reality of today. It keeps him rooted and helps him take better long-term decisions. "My leadership style also includes being accessible. My job is to listen to the pulse of the organization, to clear the path, and give the team the resources to fuel the success of the business," states the MD of PUMA India & SEA.

He further goes on to say, "I firmly believe that leadership is not about catching people doing something wrong but catching them when they are doing something right and enabling them for further success. Again, as a leader one ought to take on the role of a provider and an enabler. For instance, when I do a market visit, I am not just looking at how well we are performing as a brand or what the latest consumer insights are. I am always keen to tackle the challenges faced by our teams, especially our store staff. They are at the front end of the business and must be steadily empowered with the right support, resources, and recognition from the Head Office in order to create a top-drawer consumer experience. In short, if I cannot ask, debottleneck, give resources, or ideate to better the business – I am not doing my job."

Being fast and nimble is the biggest protection against adversity.

In 2020, the six months starting in February had been the toughest phase of Ganguly's professional career. In February, he took over the additional responsibility of 12 markets in Southeast Asia. He was excited with the prospect of growing the business in the region while continuing to further build the Indian business of PUMA. At that time, his dad fell ill and was admitted to the hospital. And then, Covid-19 struck. Lockdown was imposed and suddenly the world seemed to have turned upside down. On the professional front, the business had come to a sudden halt. Within a month, everything changed. "It was a very difficult time for me personally as I eventually lost my father. I was simultaneously trying to fathom and encounter our company's business situation," shares Ganguly.

People are the center of an organization and also the biggest asset. One needs to protect and take care of them first during any challenging situation.

Managing the company's cash flow was the biggest challenge. Organizations were cutting costs, including retrenchment and salary cuts. "I was lucky to have a leadership which volunteered to take the salary cut," informs Ganguly. The message was clear that the PUMA leadership team would be the first to bear the brunt. Over a period of time, business revived with online and offline sales channels opening.

FACT FILE

Age: 44 years

Year of joining the organization: 2006

Total team size (PUMA India): 3000

Turnover: Rs 2,044 crore in FY-2021, ending December

Punita Sabharwal

Entrepreneur Staff

Managing Editor, Entrepreneur India

Business News

Homeowners in These 10 States Pay the Most in 'Hidden' Upkeep Costs

Hidden home costs pile on top of mortgage payments.

Science & Technology

Why We Shouldn't Fear AI in Education (and How to Use It Effectively)

Facing resistance to new technologies in the educational process is nothing new, and AI is no exception. Yet, this powerful tool is set to overcome these challenges and revolutionize education, preparing students and professionals for a future of unparalleled efficiency and personalized learning.

Business News

Elon Musk Threatens to Ban Employees from Using Apple Products, Says Will Lock Devices in 'Cages'

The Tesla founder sounded off on X following Apple's 2024 Worldwide Developer Conference on Monday.

Business News

Apple's AI Has a Catch — And It Could Help Boost Sales

Not every iPhone owner will get to use the new Apple Intelligence.

Business News

Y Combinator Helped Launch Reddit, Airbnb and Dropbox. Here's What I Learned From Its Free Startup School.

The famed startup accelerator offers a free course on building a business — and answers five pressing questions for founders.

Business News

New Southwest Airlines Major Investor Wants to Force Out CEO, Slams Company's 'Stubborn Unwillingness to Evolve'

Elliot Investment Management announced a $1.9 billion stake in the Dallas-based Southwest Airlines on Monday and is urging shareholders to vote for new leadership.