IndiaRetailing brings you a series in which we highlight the brand icons in India’s thriving fashion and lifestyle industry. Today, the spotlight is on Ramprasad Sridharan
New Delhi: No business can survive for long without a vision; even if it does, it would be susceptible to every disruption and upheaval that generally comes in its business cycle. It needs a leader who has the capacity to translate, create that vision, or make it clearer and turn it into reality. The very essence of leadership is having a vision in the first place. Moreover, as you can’t blow an uncertain trumpet, it should be clearly articulated so that they can manage and lead people. A team led by a visionary leader with a clear direction knows what it can achieve and how far it can go.
In this special feature, IndiaRetailing highlights the brand icons in India’s thriving fashion and lifestyle industry. Today, the spotlight is on…
Ramprasad Sridharan
CEO and MD, United Colors Of Benetton
Education
PGDM – Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad
Career history and experience
Started in 1999 with Reebok India and spent over 7 years before moving to set up the LERROS brand in India. Moved to set up the Clarks India business in 2010 and worked across India, UK and Singapore before moving back to Benetton India in June, 2021.
Role and responsibilities
My current responsibilities include leading the Benetton brand in India. As managing director, I am responsible for the overall development and growth of the brand in India.
Strengths
Ability to learn, having an open mind, working with talented people.
Aspirations you want to fulfil
I would like to leave the business in a better place compared to what it was when I took over.
Game-changing retail technologies according to you
One technology I am really excited about is Augmented Reality and its applications in fashion.
Skills that helped you succeed in this industry
Perseverance, continuous learning and open to new ideas
Lessons learned over the years
Do not rush to conclusions, take your time to learn, invest in talented people.
Your take on the future of industry
The industry is constantly evolving. Over the past few years we have been in this offline versus online battle. However, both are important for the growth of the industry. Both are an important part of the consumer journey and brand experience. As consumers are looking for brands to become more sustainable, this will become more and more important for the brands to incorporate in their strategies and operations.
Any role model in the industry
I do not have a single role model. I have learnt a lot from different interactions with some great people across the industry
If you had to pen down your top 3 learnings from your career
- People are the key to successful organisations
- Every organisation has their own strengths. You can’t transport a culture from another organisation. As a leader, you need to find what makes an organisation tick.
- Keep learning continuously.
- Technologies keep evolving at rapid pace
Life mantra
Live life and follow your instinct. Work on the basis of trust rather than dis-trust.
This article first appeared in IMAGES Group’s Business of Fashion magazine March 2023 issue
