Development Company Limited and Luxmi Township Limited. Mr. Neotia serves as a Director of Bengal Ambuja Housing Development Limited. He serves as an Independent Non-Executive Director of Saregama India Ltd. He serves as a Director of Ambuja Cement Eastern Ltd. He has been a Director at National Aviation Company of India Limited since March 2010.

He serves as a Member of Board of Governors of Indian Institute of Management Calcutta. He served as Energy Development Co. Ltd. until July 25, 2011. Mr. Neotia served as Non-Executive Director of Ambuja Cements Limited from 1995 to January 2006. He earned B. Com. (Hons.) from St. Xaviers College, Kolkata and has completed the Owner President Management Program (OPM) from the Harvard Business School, USA.

His mission is to make a difference to the way people live. He was awarded the “Padmashree”, an award of the highest degree, for his “Outstanding Initiative in Social Housing” in 1999. Mr. Neotia has always found time to spend with his family, is actively involved with the community and is Honorary Consul of Israel in West Bengal.

This interaction happened when Mr. Neotia graced the occasion as Chief Guest for CEO Conclave organized by Bengal Institute of Business Studies (BIBS), Kolkata in association with The Times of India.

Role of CEO in an organization
There are times when companies become sick and according to me, then the role of the CEO is to infuse life blood in it.

Challenges & Struggles Faced
I traversed confidently into the world of real estate building many houses in Kolkata and Ffort Radisson in Raichak. But the real test came when I joined the cement industry. I had to run a factory that was shut for six months, was in a dilapidated condition with its best people out and the rest in low morale.

Solutions to the Problem
Initially, I felt I was the most unsuitable for this job. Perplexed I sought suggestions from my staff as I didn’t have the answers myself. I got them thinking and make them do what they were best at. And this emerged as the most profitable unit.

Qualities for Success
Passion, perseverance and integrity are the key to sustaining yourself in an increasingly competitive business environment.

Suggestions to Young Management Aspirants
The sharing of success stories by people in the Industry is not educative but also informative.