Ratan Naval Tata

(India's coolest Business Tycoon)

There are very few people in the world and more so in India who inspire with decency, with
a robust set of values, who believe in what they say, who are torchbearers of a legacy, and
are deeply passionate about India. Even fewer are from the world of business. Sir Ratan Tata
is not just a colossus but an inspiration to people across ages. Age doesn't define him; his
work does. He continues this tirelessly as someone who always believes in what he does and
does what he believes in. He is a businessman, a philanthropist, and an investor.

He is a great strategist; in his tenure, revenue went up manifolds, and the overlapping
operations in the company's group were streamlined. He acquired and partnered with many
companies worldwide, taking the Tata group to a global level.

Born December 28, 1937 (age 84)

Alma Mater Cornell University, Harvard Business School
Occupation Businessman, Investor, Philanthropist
Title Chairman Emeritus – Tata Sons
Chairman – Tata Trusts
Awards Padma Vibhushan (2008)
Padma Bhushan (2000)
Predecessors Sir J.R.D Tata
Successor Cyrus Mistry (2012)

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 Natrajan Chandrashekhar (2017)

Life History

Sir Ratan Tata, born on December 28, 1937, an 84-year-old male, is a prominent Indian
industrialist and the former Chairman of the Tata Group of Companies, India's largest
conglomerate. He is currently Chairman Emeritus of Tata Sons, the holding company of the
Tata Group, which owns Tata Steel, Tata Motors, Tata Power, Tata Consultancy Services,
Indian Hotels, and Tata Teleservices, among other vital enterprises. Sir Ratan Tata received
India's two highest civilian awards, Padma Bhushan (2000) and Padma Vibhushan (2008). He
is an alumnus of the Cornell University College of Architecture and Harvard Business School
and successor of J.R.D. Tata.
He began his career with Tata Steel in 1962, shoveling stones and working with furnaces
with blue-collar workers. It was a demanding job, but it taught him a lot about his family's
business and made him respect it more.
He was named Director-in-Charge of the National Radio & Electronics Company Limited
(NELCO) in 1971 to repair the company's ailing finances. He worked hard to improve the
company's consumer electronics segment, but the recession and labor strikes hampered his
progress.
In 1977, he was sent to Empress Mills, a Tata Group textile plant failing. He offered a mill
design, but the other Tata executives rejected it, and the mill was shut down. He was later
transferred to Tata Industries.
J.R.D. Tata named him the new Chairman of the Tata Group of Companies in 1991.
Following concerns from other corporate officials, this choice was questioned, and questions
were raised about his competence to govern the organization.
However, under his direction, he improved the financial success of the industries and
expanded the organization's growth. He changed the division's management and leadership,
increasing dividends by a significant amount.
He was also appointed to the Prime Minister's Trade and Industry Council. He is a member
of the RAND Center for Asia Pacific Policy's advisory board and is involved in India's AIDS
initiative program.
He is also a member of the Mitsubishi Cooperation, the American Worldwide Group, JP
Morgan Chase, and Booze Allen Hamilton's international advisory boards.
He resigned as Chairman of Tata Group on his 75th birthday, December 28, 2012, and was
succeeded by Cyrus Mistry, managing director of Shapoorji Pallonji Group. Even after
retirement, he continues to be an active businessman, investing in new and potential
business ideas.

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 Key Contributions

He was able to earn international prominence and distinction for the Tata Group as
Chairman. The Tata Group's phenomenal financial performance landed it on the New York
Stock Exchange. Under his leadership, the firm grew into a global brand by acquiring Tetley,
Jaguar Land Rover, and Corus.
He was a crucial figure in the design and development of the Tata Nano and Tata Indica
automobiles.
He is also a well-known philanthropist, with almost 66 percent of his holdings in charitable
trusts. One of his life's primary goals has been to improve the quality of life of Indians while
also advancing human progress.
On March 26, 2008, Tata purchased Land Rover and Jaguar from American Motors for US$
2.3 billion (9,200 crores), making it the most significant purchase ever in the Indian vehicle
sector. Tata purchased the two brands and their manufacturing facilities and intellectual
property rights and renamed it "Jaguar Land Rover." The acquisition of two renowned and
premium global vehicle brands, which aided Tata Motors in becoming one of the world's
leading automakers, was the deal's most significant benefit.
In 1998, Tata Indica was launched, India's first fully indigenous car. The car became the No.
1 brand in its segment within two years.
In 2000, Tata tea acquired UK-based Tetley tea, the world's second-largest distributor and
manufacturer of tea.
In the same year, Tata group ventured with American International Group Inc. (A.I.G.).
Earlier, Dorabji Tata founded the New India Assurance Company in 1919, later nationalized.
In 2002, Tata group acquired a controlling stake in Videsh Sanchar Nigam Ltd. VSNL, the first
Indian P.S.U. to be listed on the New York Stock Exchange.
In 2004, Tata group acquired South Korea-based Daewoo motors for its heavy vehicles
segment of Tata motors. The company also got listed on New York Stock exchange in the
same year.
In 2005 and 2007, Tata group acquired Singapore-based Natsteel and UK-based Corus group
making Tata Steel a global partner.
In 2006, Tata Group acquired a controlling stake in Brunner Mond Group which became
Tata's Europe face for Tata chemicals. In the same year, it launched Tata Sky.
In 2007, Tata group set up Tata Capital.
In 2008, Tata group acquired General chemical industrial products Inc. which is now known
as Tata Chemicals North America. In the same year, it acquired Jaguar and Land Rover from
Ford Motors, the most high-profile acquisition. It also launched the Nano, the country's
cheapest passenger car.

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In 2010, Tata group acquired a 100% stake in British Salt, known as Tata Salt. The Tata group
launched TATA SWACHH, a nanotechnology-based R.O. water purifier that runs without fuel
or electricity in the same year. I-Shakti dals, India's first national brand of pulses, is now
known as Tata Sampann.
In 2011, the Tata group set up Tata Medical center in Kolkata that focuses on cancer care
and treatment.
In 2012, it partnered with Starbucks and took Starbucks to India.
In 2014, it partnered with Air Asia and Singapore Airlines launching low-cost carriers and
full-service airlines, VISTARA, respectively.

Concepts and Perspectives given

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 Life Learnings

1. Develop yourself as a well-rounded individual.

There is a famous quote by Fran Lebowitz, "Think before you speak. Read before you think."
The most crucial part of any decision-making is to be updated with everything going on
around the world and the background of your matter. The same goes with this learning from
Sir Ratan Tata as well. One of the characteristics of a great leader is his ability to read. Sir
Ratan Tata is noted for his love of technology and ability to keep up with current events
worldwide. Developing yourself as a well-rounded individual is a crucial part of personal
branding.
 
2. Never give up on values.
People run an organization, and an organization is defined by the values given to its
employees and customers. Indeed, employees and customers are two sections of an
organization of utmost importance, and they are needed to be treated with proper care and
diligence. The Tata group has a long history of maintaining these principles. When Sir Ratan
Tata came over, he reintroduced such values into the company's culture.
It could also be seen that J.R.D. Tata cared greatly for his workers. He was the one who
made 8 hours a day policy, provision for provident fund, medical leave policy, and accident
compensation scheme way before they became laws. Due to all these deeds, he was the
only industrialist to be awarded Bharat Ratan.
It could be seen that in the COVID Pandemic, Tata Steel declared that it would continue
to pay the monthly salary, medical benefits, and residential facilities to the family of all
employees who died due to COVID-19. Tata group, to date, has spent more than 2500 Cr for
COVID relief.
Empathy First
There is also one saying from Sir Ratan Tata "I admire very successful people. But if that
success has been achieved through too much ruthlessness, then I may admire that person,
but I can't respect him." This statement shows that he keeps empathy over success.

3. Being soft-spoken is the key.

We can observe that Mr. Sir Ratan Tata is calm and considerate. Being one of the world's
most influential people is no easy undertaking. However, with his gentle spoken tone and
systematic approach, he has managed to win over his staff, colleagues, peers, and the
media. He rarely shows signs of rage; instead, he approaches circumstances and opposing
viewpoints with an open mind and a relaxed demeanor.

4. Friends, Foes, and Visionary

There are many people whom you encounter in your life who will not all be pleasant
enough. Some of them will criticize you, some will demotivate you, and even some will pull
your leg trying to bring you down. There is nothing you can do for these sorts of people but
ignore them and move on. You don't have to explain your path to them, and you don't have
to let them rule your dreams. This is your life. You have paved your way; you are the one
who has borne all the pain and happiness; do anything you want with it and not let people
rule over.

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This can be related to when Sir Ratan Tata had joined the business; the Tata group didn't do
much business outside of India at that time. Even though many individuals and
circumstances tried to stop him and pull him down, he insisted that the company had to go
global; he was clear with his idea. Half of Tata's revenue comes from outside the country in
today's world. Tetley, Jaguar, Jaguar Land Rover, Starbucks, and Taj Boston were among the
many brands bought by Tata under his tenure. Acquisitions majorly marked the Sir Ratan
Tata era.

(84th Birthday picture of Sir Ratan Tata)

The picture above clearly depicts his simplicity and how he takes his life with ease. The way
he is celebrating his 84th birthday with just one cupcake and a boy tells that he is the coolest
business tycoon. Indeed, Sir Ratan Tata has proved himself as India's real "Ratan."

Famous Quotes

"I don't believe in taking the right decisions. I take decisions and then
make them right."

 "There are many things that, if I have to relive, maybe I will do it another
way. But I would not like to look back and think what I have not been able
to do."

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 "Take the stones people throw at you. And use them to build a
monument."

"If you want to walk fast, walk alone. But if you want to walk far, walk
together."

"Ups and downs in life are very important to keep us going because a
straight line even in an E.C.G. means we are not alive."

"None can destroy iron, but its own rust can. Likewise, none can destroy a
person, but his own mindset can."

"Wo insaan jo dusaro ki nakal karta hai thode time ke liye safal ho sakta
hai but jiwan me bahut aage nahi badh sakta"
(Source: https://www.timesnownews.com/business-economy/companies/article/7-ratan-tata-
quotes-that-will-inspire-you-to-become-successful/460310)

Today, the Tata group comprises 30 companies across 10 verticals and has a presence in
over 100+ countries. Tata motors supply vehicles for the Indian army and tie-up with
airspace companies such as Boeing and Sikorsky. Tata trust is also helping set up the
national cancer grid. It has also collaborated with Google to develop an internet Saathi
platform for increasing digital literacy among rural Indian women. The revenue of Tata
group for the financial year 2020-21 is $ 103 billion. The current C.E.O. of the Tata group is
N. Chandrashekhar.

BIBLIOGRAPHY

 THE TATA STORY 150 years: 1868-2018 (Amar Chitra Katha)

 Ratan Tata Biography: https://www.thefamouspeople.com/profiles/ratan-tata-
5516.php
 Official Website of TATA: https://www.tata.com/
 Success Story of Ratan Tata: https://innovativezoneindia.com/success-story-of-
ratan-tata/
 Ratan Tata: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ratan_Tata