Power Leader

"I am myself a dreamer and I want people who are true to their dreams to work with me.”

Dream Big
Words of wisdom from a man who has redefined leadership. For only when there is a summit, can it be conquered. In business too, there must be a dream first, and therefore its pursuit. Kunwer captures the very essence of "Dreaming Big", and that is what makes him a true leader. "Success in the cable TV accessories business gave me the confidence to think bigger.”

Change the Rules of the Game
But his leadership philosophy is not just about big dreams. It is based on solid grounding, and a game-changing philosophy. He says, “I want to drive the market- I don’t want to be driven by it. In every case people who become leaders never thought of changing and when change came from outside, they were stuck. My guiding principle is: change the market before it changes you.”  

Don’t be Bothered about Failures
He shuns the very notion of failure. “What is failure? When you were learning to ride a cycle how many times did you fail, but you didn't stop learning. For a scooter you didn’t stop learning if you had an accident or even when your parents told you not to ride it. When it came to a car, if your age was not right, did you stop there? If your parents told you not to talk to a girl you didn’t stop. But why is that? Why doesn’t one think of failure at that time? When desire is strong one doesn’t bother about failures.”

360 Degree Knowledge is Essential
As Kunwer talks to a growing number of young people across business schools and various other forums, he proudly expounds on his leadership thoughts, “As a complete & effective leader, you should try and learn about everything and know about the functioning of every dept. 

There was a time when my company ran into some legal problems, I used that as an opportunity to read up on laws so that I could not be intimidated by anyone on any matter. One can not function on superficial knowledge. It’s all in the details.”

Keep Learning
Kunwer sites his own example of a non-business school background, “We don't know management, we learn it as we go along. I had no idea what management was about. Organizing a festival in college days gave me my most valuable management & leadership learnings. Lessons that I have used throughout my business life after college.” 

Decentralise Management
From his modest beginnings in a middle class family, through his humble Cable Services start-up in 1992, to now Su-Kam that has emerged a shining beacon of the Power Electronics sector; it is apparent that Kunwer Sachdev dreams big, and leads his big dreams. His brand of leadership, of decentralized management, of giving people a chance to prove themselves; all of this has paid rich dividends.

Empower the Team
Also essential to being a Power Leader, is the ability to inspire & carry a team along. To not only make them share a common vision, but to also make people part of it. Leading by nurturing is thus Kunwer's leadership style. “I believe in giving the requisite independence to people to take decisions in their respective spheres and grow professionally. “You have to be a role model for people. You have to start from yourself. Today, any top management person you meet from the Inverter Industry, I can bet you that person has worked with me and we have trained him.” Enviable words coming from the top-boss. But such is Kunwer's 'leading ideology'. Empower people with a common vision and then give them the authority and freedom to go out there and realize a shared dream. A mark of a true and selfless leader. 

Under his able leadership, his business has gained a stellar reputation. Reliance India Power Fund, a joint venture sponsored by R-ADAG (Reliance Anil Dhirubhai Ambani group) and Temasek Holdings, headquartered in Singapore has also invested generously in Su-Kam. A trust reposed in Su-Kam as much as in Kunwer, by two of the most powerful business groups in the world, speaks volumes of his stature.

A Complete Leader
At the core of Kunwer's leadership though, is his humble, of-the-people & for-the-people manner. Always approachable despite his stature. Always affable, despite his high standing. Always and forever available like a family member, to his Su-Kam family.

His unpretentious lifestyle & unostentatious possessions believe his affluence & power; and that is what makes him the most endearing leader. A leader who is naturally comfortable in his own proud hindi-speaking skin. A leader who is not defined by his wealth but known for the wealth he creates in business and society. A complete leader … 

Power Entrepreneur

“For me there is no risk at all. It's my way of life.”

Identifying an Opportunity
Spotting the right opportunity. Identifying a dire need. Singling out a supply void. Kunwer Sachdev champions this rare opportunity-spotting power. “Towards the end of the 1990s, locally assembled inverters had appeared on the scene,” he says.“In fact, I had purchased one for my home for which I needed the services of a local mechanic almost on a daily basis.” Kunwer had spotted his golden opportunity, and the rest as they say, is a glorious history. A history made only because Kunwer had the foresight to identify an alarming need for quality inverters.

Risk Taking Ability
“Go with your gut. It is the gut of the entrepreneur that tells him he is ready to take on bigger risks.” Kunwer has stayed true to his own virtuous words. An innate risk-taker, Kunwer believes that without guts, there can be no glory. Without pain, there can be no gain. “Courage and conviction are the key players in making that significant difference to your business. Businesses have their ups and downs. What matters is your creativity, your passion to succeed, and your hard work.” Leaving his family business, he started his Cable Services business with almost no money, only his conviction.  A conviction that has made him grow by leaps & bounds. A risk-taking ability all his own, the mark of a power entrepreneur.

Embodying all the attributes of a true-blue entrepreneur, Kunwer nonchalantly states, “For me there is no risk at all. It's my way of life. When you say calculated risk, that’s not risk at all. I don’t understand that language!” A belief he clearly held strongly even when he began his business, putting many traditional priorities aside for the sake of getting the business right. On having bought a spectrum analyzer over a home for instance, he says, “Buying the spectrum analyzer is just one example of the way we entrepreneurs think. To put whatever little money we have, into business rather than on things we would use it for ordinarily”.

It is the same entrepreneurial obsession that made him do completely mad things. He recounts, “I ended up blowing ten air-conditioners in my house, because I could not rest in peace until the inverter I was testing, functioned properly.” He jokingly adds, “the world's opinion of me might have changed now after all this time, but my wife still thinks of me as the stubborn entrepreneur Ive always been.”

It is the same entrepreneurial obsession that made him do completely mad things. He recounts, “I ended up blowing ten air-conditioners in my house, because I could not rest in peace until the inverter I was testing, functioned properly.” He jokingly adds, “the world's opinion of me might have changed now after all this time, but my wife still thinks of me as the stubborn entrepreneur Ive always been.”

Decision-Making Power
Another enviable facet in Kunwer's entrepreneurial arsenal is his uncanny ability of quick decision-making. “Right or wrong, the decision is taken the moment a matter is brought to me. It is better to take a wrong decision than keep a matter pending for months.” The proof is both glaring, and ample. Starting a business with a seed capital of mere thousands.

Investing all his savings in a start-up business venture. Telling evidence, not only of a power entrepreneur's conviction, but of his guts and quick decision making. Nothing would deter this power entrepreneur as he chalked out corporate history. 

For all of Kunwer's entrepreneurial hunger, his brand of business is rare and clean. He says, “I work for my passion. It is never linked with money. Revenues are a part of life. One should do something that makes you memorable.” Inspiring wisdom from a truly successful entrepreneur. He openly admits his own restlessness, “I never rest on my laurels. I’m always looking for the next big thing. I never get satisfied in life. I always perform better when i am given challenges. I get bored if there is no challenge in my life.” 

Restless Hunger
That he has built his business from a modest 65-people company in 1997 to the flourishing 1200 strong cross-continental giant that it is today, that too in such a short period of time, is no coincidence. It is the living manifestation of a complete entrepreneur's perseverance. In true entrepreneurial fashion, his restlessness persists, as he hunts for the next big idea; and hence Su-bake, his latest bread-baking venture. He says, “I don't like the bread being made in India. It doesn't taste as good as the bread one gets abroad. Even those who are making decent bread are doing it on a small scale and even then they are trying to copy and not innovate their own flavors.”  


Learn, Learn, Learn – Work, Work, Work
But perhaps the biggest lesson to draw from this remarkable entrepreneur is a belief he goes by, best described in his own words. “Whenever I began a new venture, I knew absolutely nothing about it. I learned with my team on the job, and through sheer commitment & dedication, we came through. There was no other choice.”  For an entrepreneur, there can be no excuses, there can be no obstacle. Only the hunger, the drive and the singular focus the task at hand demands. The essential ingredients that are all part of the Kunwer DNA!

Power Innovator

“I'm a person of experiments, and I allow people to experiment.”

Su-Kam – Built on Innovation
'Powered By Innovation' – This 'spirit of innovation' is the philosophy at Su-Kam. More importantly, it is a vital part of Kunwer Sachdev's own DNA. And it is this 'innovation' that has marked the meteoric rise of Kunwer from his early days. A degree of innovation that has formed the very bedrock of his stupendous success.

Technical Ingenuity
The Power Back-Up sector, which was utterly fragmented and unorganized until the late 90's, was completely revolutionized, thanks to Kunwer's unique brand of innovation.

At a time when inverters were being made by locals in home-made sheds; it was Kunwer who put into place, a strategic business model that thrived on new manufacturing techniques, and completely original & segment-first marketing methods. He replaced the conventional network of battery-dealers with a dedicated line of stand-alone dealers for his inverters. He possessed the wisdom & foresight to invest in Research & Development. "When I started making inverters in 1997, we experimented with new technologies. We didn't have any idea what we were doing and we kept borrowing components from different products.” By investing in R & D, he built capabilities to produce technologically advanced & reliable power back-up solutions. 

He felt compelled to make a difference and this made him seek out creative solutions for a host of problems, even outside the immediate realm of business. He recounts, “There were a lot of negatives in the beginning. I remember going to a bank for a loan of Rs 5,000, and they took so much time that I said forget it. From that day I didn't go to banks, I have raised funds in my own way.” The paucity of funds saw other unusual, unorthodox and ingenious methods put to use. To advertise, Kunwer got dhabas & tea shops to display banners of Su-kam, with the dhaba name right alongside! Similarly, when print ad space was unaffordable, Sachdev would take up half a page in the Classifieds section and fill it with Su-Kam ads. Equal impact, at a fraction of the cost!

An unabashed patriot, Kunwer even combined ingenuity with sheer guts. He reveals joyously, “In foreign exhibitions we were often asked what country we were from. So we starting wrapping the stall with the Indian flag. A lawyer sent a notice saying we can't do that and I said let these lawyers do whatever they want, we'll continue doing what we have to.” 

Investing in Technology
Product innovation continued strongly through the growing years of Kunwer's business. Never one to rest on his laurels, he constantly strove to up the ante. To demonstrate to the sector that he wasn't just building a brand, he was ushering a revolution. With never-before seen initiatives such as 'Power On Wheels' (which is a mobile power generation source consisting of a Heavy Duty Pure Sine Wave 100 KVA inverter mounted on a vehicle along with the SMF batteries); Kunwer stunned naysayers and skeptics. Not only was he leading a technological blitzkrieg, he was doing it using products & solutions that were clean, green, and high on performance.

Investing in People 
Kunwer's social awareness and corporate responsibility, despite no relevant academic background, was also exemplary. He understood that in order to build a great business, he had to build an even better work environment. And hence followed countless innovations in this sphere too. World-class office canteens, shuttle transport services for his employees, employee bonding events, including entertainment functions, festival celebrations and children’s day for the employees children; all steps that had not been seen before in corporate India & certainly not in the Power Solutions industry. Kunwer put all these and more innovative practices in place and affected an atmosphere for all to work hard & prosper. He proudly admits, “I’m a person of experiments, and I allow people to experiment.” Clearly an aspect of his personality that everyone including his top management loves; as a senior employee instinctively says, “He’s so passionate about innovation that even people in conservative professions like mine are forced to think innovatively!”

Innovation then, is the one trait that is deeply rooted in Kunwer's person. Even his Human Resource philosophy follows a rather unconventional & fresh approach. He proudly shares, “ I made my technical head Venkat the CEO and my secretary Chetna now works in the marketing department. I encouraged them to think beyond what they have always done and trained them.” A philosophy that doesn't just look at on-paper qualifications; instead encourages people to max out their potential.

Innovating Across Borders
From that struggling period in the late 90's to the present day, the scenario has changed dramatically, but Kunwer's spirit of innovation is greater than ever. He now boldly proclaims, “We have started three pilot projects in solar-powered LED lighting—in Nepal, Nigeria and Malaysia.” Blazing a technological trail, all the while conscious of both the environment, and of his end customer.

As a friend of his says, "Sachdev's ingenuity lies in identifying a need and then developing a low cost, reliable product which can be mass marketed.”

Kunwer's intentions, both noble and clean, are stated most aptly in his own words - "Feature for feature, you can not get a cheaper system than Su-Kam.”   Kunwer's relentless innovations have borne fruit today. Achievements that are tall testimony to his out-of-the-box thinking and actions.

With an enviable client-list that includes the likes of Star Criuse, Infosys, Pizza Hut & Britannia; exports to over 40 countries across continents, and fresh initiatives in new markets like the US (where Kunwer has recognized the need for Power Back-Up as a result of natural disasters); his business is reaching newer frontiers. His innovations have been widely acknowledged & rewarded through countless awards & organizations such as the 2006 National Award from the Government of India for manufacturing inverters of outstanding quality, and the prestigious Innovation for India 2008 award from Marico Innovation Foundation. With 30 design and technology registrations and several others in the pipeline, the entire world has become Kunwer's playing ground. The latest proof of Kunwer's commitment to innovation; a technology patent in the US for a unique, state-of-the-art, web-based monitoring system.  

Kunwer has steered his business to the very zenith of excellence. A near 150 products portfolio, state-of-the-art manufacturing facilities across the country, the highest quality & systems certifications; and he remains restless despite all these accolades. An innovator, restless, hungry, and truly empowered! 

Power Philanthropist

“I have trained a lot of people and I give opportunities to people.”

Uniquely Philanthropic
Awareness & sensitivity, for one and all, are intrinsic to Kunwer Sachdev. An entrepreneur who has truly empowered millions, both in business, and by effect of his products, maintains an acutely conscious philanthropy. And it is this unique brand of 'do-good' that makes Kunwer's, an enviable kind of philanthropy.

Holistic Development
To Kunwer Sachdev, being a Good Samaritan is not just about making donations to worthy causes. His philosophy of 'giving back' is much deeper, much more holistic.

A very vocal advocate of alternate energy, Kunwer can be heard at numerous summits & seminars propagating clean bio fuels and other forms of alternative energy. What's more remarkable & rare, espousing a cause through action, not just through words. Action that Kunwer follows up with, at the core of his business. Investing huge amounts of time, money and effort in Research & Development of greener & cleaner products. He sure puts his money where his heart is. Solar-Based Back-Up Systems, green and lean LED lighting; these are the kinds of technologies that he is betting his money on.

Modest Lifestyle  
His own austere & frugal lifestyle also reflect a person who is working not for the self, but for the greater good. Wealth generation, but for a nation and a world to partake off. Despite a modest education, Kunwer champions many mentoring programs. Inspiring, motivating, propelling the youth of a burgeoning nation, the real engine of our future's growth. “All companies in the industry hire people who have been trained under me and have worked for me. I have trained a lot of people and I give opportunities to people.” His social concerns run deeply for the future generations of this country.

Discovered by management guru CK Prahlad, Kunwer is now a regular speaker at the most sought after academic and business summits. Here, he espouses his beliefs and concerns. “Stop thinking about getting quick-rich. Focus instead on straightforward because that's the only thing that'll get you ahead in life. And ensure that your commitment levels are very high, so you always deliver what you commit.” 

Kunwer's passion for instilling the right values now sees him as Co-Chairman of ESC’s (Electronics & Computer Software Export Promotion Council, sponsored by Govt. of India) State Committee for Haryana State, and he can be found sharing his thoughts and experiences at a variety of prestigious institutes including IIM Ahmedabad, MDI Gurgaon, BITS Palani,  British School.
 
Kunwer Sachdev, a corporate citizen par excellence, and an Environment Samaritan like no other. A complete philanthropist. 

Self-Empowered Pursuits

“I love to whistle!”

All Rounder
All work and no play can make anybody dull. From Kunwer's lifestyle, his range of interests & passions, and his non-business pursuits; it is clear that 'all work' is not something he can be accused of. Incredibly self-motivated, Kunwer indulges regularly in a host of activities he is passionate about. Be that a great game of squash, perhaps the secret to his youthful and vitality-filled appearance. Be that an invigorating piano lesson, serenading one and all. Be that a trip down memory lane reading up on history, perhaps drawing inspiration for his next bold move. Or be that simply longing around the house, whistling in restful abandon.

Kunwer is like a one man army, and possesses an entire arsenal of talents. His bashful demeanor belies his exuberance; but speak to anyone who knows him closely, and they will vouch for his child-like sparkle and zest to learn. 

Pursuing Every Dream
This penchant for constant reinvention is played out for one and all to see. As his loving wife says, “He gets these crazy ideas and he drives us crazy sometimes but we end up doing very well.” Perhaps it is no surprise then, that even his latest venture Su-bake, which is a far cry from electronics products, is almost an overnight success. His endless zeal to do well, and unimaginable reserves of motivation are probably the culprits! As Mrs. Sachdev confirms once again, “The best part about working with Kunwer Sachdev is that he is passionate about whatever he does.”  

From Kunwer's love for history, the 2nd world war, Mao Stalin, to doing 80 swimming laps in the pool, and to training his beloved dogs, that too without a leash; he is a completely self-taught, self-motivated and self-made man. Truly self-empowered.

Empowered Friend

An empowered and empowering friend. In his unaffected manner, Kunwer touches the most unlikely people, in the most unexpected ways, and once they have come into contact with the refreshingly honest person that Kunwer is, friendships for lifetime emerge.

A giving, generous, and shockingly candid Kunwer places top priority to friendships, as do his friends, unto him.