Vikash is a member of the 2004 batch of the Indian Police Service, Karnataka Cadre. After starting his career in the Indian Police Service as Assistant Superintendent of Police at Bhatkal, he served as Superintendent of Police in Bangalore Rural and the districts of Haveri and Chikmagalur in Karnataka. In addition, he served as Deputy Commissioner of Police in Bangalore City Police and Superintendent of Police in State Intelligence & Internal Security. Following his promotion as Deputy Inspector General of Police, Vikash served as Commander for Anti Naxal Operations, Director of the Centre for Counter-Terrorism, Executive Director in the Police Housing Corporation, and Commissioner of Police for Mangalore City. Furthermore, he has served in government departments outside the Police Department as Director of Youth Empowerment and Sports Department and the Commissioner of Social Welfare.
Presently, he holds the post of Managing Director for Mysore Sales International Ltd. (MSIL), on deputation to the Commerce and Industry Department of the Government of Karnataka. MSIL was founded in 1966 to address Karnataka’s marketing needs. It offers a diverse range of products and services through ground-breaking marketing tactics. The organization operates numerous divisions throughout the state of Karnataka, ranging from beverages, pharmaceuticals, and paper to chit funds and solar energy.
Since taking on the role of MSIL’s Managing Director, Vikash, with his business acumen, has maintained the company’s authenticity and brand value with utmost perfection. Despite COVID-19’s significant impact on business expansion, MSIL managed a 35% increase in profit growth margins with respect to the previous financial year. Additionally, the company has also built its portfolio under his stellar leadership.
Vikash’s first act at MSIL was to take stock of the situation. During the first month of his assignment, he collected adequate data to learn more about the company, its history, and how it can be structured for the future. His efforts led him to focus on a few specific areas where he could really contribute to MSIL’s growth, and he succeeded in doing so. His solid analysis skills have helped him introduce fundamental changes to help the company thrive in all domains.
A DISCIPLINED INDIVIDUAL
A former Mangalore Police Commissioner, Vikash is well-qualified to lead large scale initiatives. He has been able to introduce new services and usher in revolutionary transformations only because of discipline. He says, “To run an organization well and maintain tangible growth and increased influence, you must be a disciplined leader.” He adds, “It is equally important to create a system that percolates automatically instead of being forced on people, whether it is an organizational discipline or self discipline within the organization.”
Additionally, Vikash can bring out the best in others. He works relentlessly to encourage his teammates to do their best. He finds and assesses his team members’ strengths and provides adequate opportunities for them to capitalize on those strengths. Likewise, his mantra for success is to maximize the strengths of the organization he runs. Chit funds and liquor have become the most significant revenue models for MSIL, and Vikash has doubled its potential to reach the far end of Karnataka. Chit funds at MSIL are run exclusively in-house due to the nature of microfinance. Additionally, as mandated by the state government, KSBCL provides the company with liquor. Also, the company maintains very close ties with other divisions’ key suppliers like solar and paper.
LEADING BY EXAMPLE
The values-driven leader also believes in leading by example. As a practical individual, he ensures the company complies with all regulations. He takes every possible measure to mitigate risks and prevent misconduct by having a robust, coordinated compliance strategy in place.
The entire organization is committed to the compliance strategy. He emphasizes the importance of regulatory compliance in business, saying, “We have an obligation as a government entity to adhere to 100% regulation because we are an example to others.”
A GOAL-DRIVEN LEADER
Vikash is a goal-focused individual who strives to ensure the achievement of deadlines. He believes in sustaining high performance levels, and his primary focus is on the productivity and performance of the department and team he leads. He has devised some sure-fire expansion strategies for MSIL in the current fiscal year, which are projected to yield even better and sustainable outcomes in the coming years.
Under his leadership, MSIL has thrived under harmonious partnerships. The leader seeks to collaborate with private suppliers in order to use each other’s capabilities and rapidly scale businesses.
According to him, private suppliers are outstanding in terms of quality and compliance. He says, “If they are falling short of reaching the level needed to take them forward, they have the option to join us. We strive to find a win-win solution.”
REMARKABLE ACHIEVEMENTS
Under his supervision, MSIL’s Chit Funds Division grew by about 15% in the last fiscal year and has been doing quite well as a social tool as well as a financial instrument to assist small businesses and the unorganized sector of society. Moreover, because of his winning strategies, MSIL Chit Fund received the SKOCH-2022 award for its financial & social commitment and contributions.
As soon as Vikash took over as MD of MSIL, the company achieved a profit of close to 32 crores [A$5.8 million] in 2020. The company had a profit of a whopping 54 crores [A$9.8 million] in 2021. In 2022, the astute leader implemented some stringent revisions and took a conservative approach to a few issues. As a result, he achieved a profit of around 91.1 crores [A$16.85 million], which could rise to 200 crores [A$36.3 million] this fiscal year.
