An accomplished professional with extensive experience in specialised architectural and engineering services, including BIM (Building Information Modelling) as well as project & construction management, he has successfully completed numerous Indian and international projects. He appreciates the fact that India has acquired a position of prominence in the post Covid-19 world under the quintessential leadership of PM Modi. He reposes faith in the immense potential of the country and its people and is looking forward to not only expanding India operations but also making it an Engineering Consultancy Back-office of the world by attracting, recruiting, retaining and utilising millennial talent from the industry. He also intends to collaborate with the big players in India through mergers / acquisitions / Joint Ventures / Consortium and bid for mega projects not only in India but worldwide.
BUILDING THE BRAND
It is a widely acknowledged fact that determination is the key to successful leadership. Without determination, nothing comes to fruition. Mr. Damodar is one such determined leader who believes in carving his own path to success. As he puts it, “There was always fire in the belly to set up a business of my own. Early in my career, I learnt the skills to handle the 3Cs (major players in any construction industry) Client, Consultant & Contractors. Coming to Oman in 2005, I left my job in 2010 and started off with my own firm – Design Group Engineering Consultants LLC (DGEC) in Muscat, Oman with two employees. Within 10 years the company has offices in Oman, UAE, Uganda & India with over 150 employees.”
Owing to his exemplary leadership, “Several stalled projects in Education & Hospitality sectors were re-engineered and delivered by DGEC in Oman.” He adds, “The recent financial situation in the Middle East did not deter us but encouraged us to diversify into Roads & Highway design services. Converting a challenge into an opportunity has always been my forte.”
He takes pride in the fact that “Today DGEC is one of the fastest growing engineering consulting firms in the region with an unparalleled reputation for professionalism. Strategic alliances with several leading consultants worldwide enable us to offer specialized Architectural and Engineering services, including BIM (Building Information Modelling), and Project Management Consultancy Services. We also offer solutions in various sectors and on variety of projects, including iconic buildings, healthcare and educational buildings. DGEC is also active in logistics warehousing, industrial, roads and infrastructures, multi-level car parking and project management.”
MOTIVATING EMPLOYEES
A true leader knows how to bring out the best in others. He is an exemplary leader who motivates his team to put their best foot forward every time. He feels “Leadership qualities may be inborn to some extent. But these can be developed by accepting challenges & responsibilities.” Sharing his leadership mantra, he says, “I encourage my team to take responsibilities and motivate them to take the lead. Although, I take the responsibility initially, I hand over the baton to others to lead and work towards achieving the collective goals and progress.”
He further elaborates, “At DGEC – if someone has the capabilities, credentials, and the right attitude, we give them the right environment, encouragement, mentoring, support to grow professionally, and of course the right emoluments. There’s hardly anything worse for company morale than leaders who practice the ‘Do as I say, not as I do’ philosophy. When this happens, there is loss of enthusiasm and goodwill among the staff. It’s like watching the air go out of a balloon – and cynicism and disappointment usually take its place. Being in a leadership position, my team look up to me for inspiration. That’s part of what being a leader is. And a big part of my responsibility is to lead them with my own actions. Employees are given deadlines but are free to decide their own priorities. Rarely, if ever, I have seen a project milestone getting delayed.”
MAKING THE WORLD A BETTER PLACE
According to Mr. Damodar, “Corporate Social Responsibility, or CSR, is an important factor in establishing company’s public image and reputation and is a great way to give back to society.”
Sharing his philanthropic vision, he elaborates, “We believe in our potential to make an impact on society; we also have the ability to bring ideas to life that are beneficial for everyone. We understand our social responsibility towards our clients and the projects we handle. We have a responsibility to the communities our work touches – from the way a building looks to the social impact it makes. Environmentally, we have an enormous role to play as guardians of the future, because the things we build today will have a lasting impact tomorrow.”
GAINING GLORY
For his outstanding contribution to business and society, Mr. Damodar was recognised as CEO of the Year at Dossier Construction Infrastructure Awards & Summit, Muscat in December 2020. He was recognised as one of the 100 Most Influential CEOs in Oman by Oman Economic Review Magazine in August 2019. Owing to his dedicated efforts, DGEC was awarded the Best Engineering Consultant at Dossier Construction Infrastructure Awards & Summit, Muscat for 2 consecutive years – 2019 and 2020. DGEC was awarded the Brand Leadership Awards – Oman by CMO Asia in July 2019. The event was endorsed by World Sustainability, World CSR and World Federation of Marketing. DGEC was also awarded “Excellence in Engineering Services” at the International Business Awards 2019, Dubai, UAE by Observer Dawn in September 2019. “
I humbly dedicate my achievements to my parents and family who have always been a source of inspiration and unfailing support. I am greatful to my teachers and the Almighty without whose blessings this would not have been possible. My thanks also goes to all the thousand others who are a part of what I do – the clients, consultants, suppliers, end-users, media and of course my colleagues without whose vision, dedication and efforts par excellence, this success would not have been possible,” he concludes.
