Today, as people prefer tasty, on-the-go, and convenient food options, the Food and Beverage (F&B) industry stands at the cusp of exponential growth. Especially in India, the speed is picking up with the increase in rural consumers for packaged products, rise in disposable income, growth in e-commerce, and surge in fancy supermarkets in malls. Think about it, currently, we can easily find people buying bottled water instead of carrying it from home, and picking up a packet of ready-made mix instead of grinding masalas from scratch at home. That's the kind of change that proves the prosperous future of the FMCG sector.
As a result, established players and startups alike are investing heavily in the F&B segment. While the industry presents you with so many options, it is crucial to pick products from a trusted company like Bauli Group. Under the Leadership of Abhinandan Dhoke, Managing Director (Asia Business), the brands from Bauli Group strive day and night to bring the best quality products to you.
Abhinandan’s educational stint pursuing an Advanced Management Program at the IIMB changed him from a tactical leader to a strategic leader. The practical learning exposure cultivated a pragmatic and innovative mindset within him. Through case studies and collaborative learning, he developed a keen ability to anticipate and address unforeseen challenges, a skill that helps him even today to navigate complex and evolving business landscapes. Drawing from his experiences, Abhinandan shares a key strategy to succeed in this market. He explains, “Understanding your customers is crucial. How we do this is through communication.
Earlier, we would just put ads on TV or hoardings and that’s done. We would not know what customers feel about the product. But today, communication is two-way. Customers’ comments online and product reviews help us to understand their preferences and dislikes.
This feedback from dynamic interactions helps to develop better products and explore the untapped areas of innovation”.
The Visionary Guide for Successful Leadership
His journey, from getting his hands dirty on the factory floor to the boardroom brings a unique perspective to his leadership today. He humbly refuses to call himself an expert, emphasizing that he is still a learner and will continue to be. He remarks that learning never ends, and without practical knowledge of what’s happening on the ground, one will never understand the root of business.
Abhinandan’s leadership style focuses on nurturing talent with a culture of continuous learning. He believes in leading by example and situational proactiveness to achieve the best outcomes. He shares, “It is important for a leader to adopt an approach that fits the needs and the circumstances, which we call situational leadership in business terms. Moreover, a leader should be a facilitator and motivator rather than just a boss".
He believes that to succeed in business, it's paramount to have a clear vision of where one is heading. To him, vision is not just a dream, it is a goal with a meticulous strategy that has to be effectively communicated to the team. The core of his philosophy is to foster a culture where people are aligned with the vision, they leverage technology, and follow robust processes to take the organization to the zenith of growth.
Challenges are everywhere, in every role, but remember that along with those hurdles, opportunities abound
Taking Action to Achieve
Bauli Group operates with the goal of bringing joy and taste to consumers around the globe through its delicious portfolio, inspired by quality and century-old tradition of Italian excellence. Abhinandan understands that this vision should be communicated well to the team, and they should be on the same page in achieving it with complete commitment. His mantra of 'putting vision into action' is the key to building capabilities at Bauli Group. Abhinandan pointed out that agility is the basis of Bauli Group's continued success. The team always focuses on formulating or adjusting strategies according to market demands, consumer preferences, and technological advancements. This adaptability has allowed Bauli Group to tap into the rapidly growing youth market in India, which is highly connected to the digital medium and is constantly looking for innovation.
He says “There's no single formula or one-size-fits-all approach for success. No strategy is right or wrong but the crux lies in being really committed to your brand vision and building strategies around it to achieve. This vision along with action to achieving goals and adapting to new opportunities, can lead to long-term success.” Further to his leadership philosophies, he advises aspiring entrepreneurs to believe in themselves, find work that brings joy, and never stop learning. Abhinandan concludes, “In a rapidly changing world, embracing change and staying curious is what sets successful people apart”.
Abhinandan Dhoke, Managing Director (Asia Business), Bauli Group
Abhinandan leads with a focus on team empowerment, strategic agility, and clear vision for success.
