Consultancy major PricewaterhouseCoopers India (PWC),
it seems, is an adept Shatranj Ka Khiladi. And even as it conducts Operation
Shatranj to build up mighty intramural teams, it has gobbled up competitor A.F. Ferguson's
(till-recently-) partner and Director Arvind Mahajan, 42, who's now
Executive Director, PwC, and will head its Strategic Change Practice division. Says
Arvind: "Strategic change is of crucial importance now. Companies must restructure,
enhance competencies, compete with global players" But what made Arvind end his
17-year saga at Ferguson? Maybe Ashvin Parekh--yes, he who left KPMG to join PwC about 2
months ago--will want to analyse that
He's made Amway his way. Ashok Minawala,
43, the grandson of famed Mumbai jeweller, Danabhai, has embraced the $7-billion US-based
group's multi-level-marketing method and crafted a first in the Indian jewellery mart. He
is now peddling--through agents--a range of diamond-studded, 18-carat gold jewellery under
the brandname Dianet. Says Ashok: "The network route helps me use the middle and
upper-middle class segments who want to do something in life and earn money
alongside." Since August, 1998, Minawala has gathered around 100 sales agents who are
now hawking for him--and, of course, themselves. Being an agent is simple. Make purchases
worth around Rs 50,000, and you become an associate of the company with selling rights.
Tempted? After all, diamonds, as they say, are forever
Here's another notch in the gun of the Global Indian
CEO. By being named CEO of the $189-billion Hongkong & Shanghai Banking Corp. (HSBC), Aman
Mehta, 52, has joined the exclusive club of Indians who head global corporations.
An economics graduate from Delhi University, Aman began his career with Mercantile Bank, a
wholly-owned subsidiary of HSBC, 3 decades ago. He takes to the helm at a time when the
Asian turmoil is yet to recede. The true-blue banker that he is, Aman is determined to
cash in, not back out. "I'll be looking at acquisitions in Asian markets to
grow." We wish you the best, Aman
He is ringing in the new for Telstra, the Australian
telecom giant, in India. A confirmed gastronome, Ashok Barat, 41, has
just taken over as the Regional Director (India) of Telstra International, and is already
reprioritising the transnational's India strategies. Says Ashok of his vision:
"Besides consolidating our existing business-lines, Telstra will now look at new
opportunities." Incidentally, Ashok--who belongs to the growing tribe of former
Hindustan Lever Ltd (HLL) and PepsiCo India managers who've hit the chief executive
rank--is a keen quizzer and an original member of Argus, the HLL Quiz Club in Calcutta.
Calcutta? Yes, that's where he was cfo, Modi-Telstra, till he relocated to the Capital.
Shifting fortunes?
Like the proverbial Phoenix, she's risen from the
ashes (of the oven). Bina Modi, 54, was devastated when her Italian-foods
restaurant in Delhi's New Friends Colony, Ego, got gutted in a freak fire in June, 1998.
But the indomitable better half of K.K. Modi, the ceo of the Rs 885.68-crore (1996-97)
Godfrey Phillips India, would not give up easily. It was barely 6 weeks after she had
obtained the insurance money that all was restored. Now she sports a new Ego--with new
interiors and decor. But where on earth did Bina, who never cooks herself, get the Italian
idea from? Says she: "I chose Italian as that was the only way to get money out of my
husband; he loves Italian food." Now, Bina is cooking up a restaurant in
Mumbai--right next to the Gateway of India. Mama mia!
Consultancy major PricewaterhouseCoopers India (PWC),
it seems, is an adept Shatranj Ka Khiladi. And even as it conducts Operation
Shatranj to build up mighty intramural teams, it has gobbled up competitor A.F. Ferguson's
(till-recently-) partner and Director Arvind Mahajan, 42, who's now
Executive Director, PwC, and will head its Strategic Change Practice division. Says
Arvind: "Strategic change is of crucial importance now. Companies must restructure,
enhance competencies, compete with global players" But what made Arvind end his
17-year saga at Ferguson? Maybe Ashvin Parekh--yes, he who left KPMG to join PwC about 2
months ago--will want to analyse that 
He's made Amway his way. Ashok Minawala,
43, the grandson of famed Mumbai jeweller, Danabhai, has embraced the $7-billion US-based
group's multi-level-marketing method and crafted a first in the Indian jewellery mart. He
is now peddling--through agents--a range of diamond-studded, 18-carat gold jewellery under
the brandname Dianet. Says Ashok: "The network route helps me use the middle and
upper-middle class segments who want to do something in life and earn money
alongside." Since August, 1998, Minawala has gathered around 100 sales agents who are
now hawking for him--and, of course, themselves. Being an agent is simple. Make purchases
worth around Rs 50,000, and you become an associate of the company with selling rights.
Tempted? After all, diamonds, as they say, are forever 
Here's another notch in the gun of the Global Indian
CEO. By being named CEO of the $189-billion Hongkong & Shanghai Banking Corp. (HSBC), Aman
Mehta, 52, has joined the exclusive club of Indians who head global corporations.
An economics graduate from Delhi University, Aman began his career with Mercantile Bank, a
wholly-owned subsidiary of HSBC, 3 decades ago. He takes to the helm at a time when the
Asian turmoil is yet to recede. The true-blue banker that he is, Aman is determined to
cash in, not back out. "I'll be looking at acquisitions in Asian markets to
grow." We wish you the best, Aman 
He is ringing in the new for Telstra, the Australian
telecom giant, in India. A confirmed gastronome, Ashok Barat, 41, has
just taken over as the Regional Director (India) of Telstra International, and is already
reprioritising the transnational's India strategies. Says Ashok of his vision:
"Besides consolidating our existing business-lines, Telstra will now look at new
opportunities." Incidentally, Ashok--who belongs to the growing tribe of former
Hindustan Lever Ltd (HLL) and PepsiCo India managers who've hit the chief executive
rank--is a keen quizzer and an original member of Argus, the HLL Quiz Club in Calcutta.
Calcutta? Yes, that's where he was cfo, Modi-Telstra, till he relocated to the Capital.
Shifting fortunes? 
Like the proverbial Phoenix, she's risen from the
ashes (of the oven). Bina Modi, 54, was devastated when her Italian-foods
restaurant in Delhi's New Friends Colony, Ego, got gutted in a freak fire in June, 1998.
But the indomitable better half of K.K. Modi, the ceo of the Rs 885.68-crore (1996-97)
Godfrey Phillips India, would not give up easily. It was barely 6 weeks after she had
obtained the insurance money that all was restored. Now she sports a new Ego--with new
interiors and decor. But where on earth did Bina, who never cooks herself, get the Italian
idea from? Says she: "I chose Italian as that was the only way to get money out of my
husband; he loves Italian food." Now, Bina is cooking up a restaurant in
Mumbai--right next to the Gateway of India. Mama mia!