Pawan Goenka nearly missed the job at M&M ⁠— today he is the MD & CEO

(Source: BCCL)

After spending 90 minutes with a young Anand Mahindra who wanted to build the world’s best products in India, he made his decision – though he was also offered a job by Eicher Motors. One of the things that Goenka and Mahindra argued about was the car that he would be offered as he would become the managing director at their Nashik plant. While he was offered an Ambassador, Goenka wanted a Contessa. They had settled for a NE118.

(Source: BCCL)

Mahindra gave a blank cheque to Goenka for R&D and after five years, a prototype of Scorpio was born. Not only did it make a jubilant Mahindra hug everyone around, even Ford, their partner then, was shocked by Mahindra’s ability to make an automobile on a shoestring budget.

Scorpio went on to be one of the company’s best sellers.

(Source: BCCL)

Not just a technical wizard, a master in partnershipsSoon, Goenka moved to become the COO of auto business as the many joint ventures ⁠— including the ones with Ford, Renault, and Reva⁠— the company forged helped it grow into the auto major that it now is.

(Source: BCCL)

Yet, like many great men he made sacrifices. His 16 hour work days, leave him with less or no time for family. In fact his wife says that his wife watches his back all weekends as he works through it. As he believes that every minute he left belongs to his family, he does not indulge in what many corporate leaders do – like golfing or partying.