Suresh Narayanan, chairman and managing director of Nestle India, honoured Digital Women Awards 2019 with his presence as a designated speaker for the event. His powerful speech about his journey and his vital advice to budding entrepreneurs has received applause and praise.
In his 30 years of rich experience of working in the FMCG industry, he has transformed the face of Nestle around Asia. He believes that sometimes the best way out of a hurdle is through it, and not around it. And he has incorporated this in his life facing struggles from being stationed in Cairo, in charge of Nestlé’s operations in Egypt, Libya and Sudan, when the Arab Spring revolution spread to these countries, crippling normal life to resurrecting the company after the Maggi imbroglio, and putting it on a new growth path.
Read Also: Some Powerful Quotes From Women Entrepreneurs At DWA 2019
“Live a purposeful, meaningful and impactful life. There is no point going so far that no one is able to reach you,” Mr Narayanan said about achieving ones goals.
The 5 A's
He dived into what makes a person tick in the business world and what holds most important is ones values. Mr Narayanan articulated this by expressing the idea of how we are our own worst enemies and if we win that battle, we can achieve greatness. His 5 A's simplified the concept of developing the right attitude, being ambitious, realising one's ability, expressing and articulating ones views and facing any given adversity. If you have these qualities in you, you are definitely going to win.
He expressed how important it is to surround yourself with people who help you grow as he said, “Your team's success is your success. Invest in that.”
“Ego is the biggest destroyer of corporations. Everything revolves around values and purpose.” Says Suresh Narayanan, Chairman & MD of @Nestle #India #SHRMIAC19 pic.twitter.com/j1NW7351E2
— Abhijit Bhaduri (@AbhijitBhaduri) October 10, 2019
Advice for women entrepreneurs
His advice to women entrepreneurs was rather simple but impactful. He asked them to be confident in what they are doing and trust their instincts. He used Kabir's verses to explain why it is of utmost importance to be a woman in this world and not a woman in a man's world.
One of the best pieces of advice I heard on Saturday at #DigitalWomenAwards 2019 for #women #entrepreneurs came from this man - Suresh Narayanan, CMD, Chairman & MD at @NestleIndia #gem👌 https://t.co/8SNak77QQT
— Indu Nanayakkara (@InduNan) November 25, 2019
Find your Ikigai
“Be good only at what you truly love. Find your Ikigai - reason to be in the world,” his words resonated with the audience at large as his emphasised on the importance of finding one's Ikigai. Ikigai (生き甲斐) is a Japanese concept that means “a reason for being.” The word “ikigai” is usually used to indicate the source of value in one's life or the things that make one's life worthwhile. He further went on to ask the audience and introspect deeply if they liked what they were doing. “I am only good at the stuff I love doing”, he reiterated.
Enlighting session with Suresh Narayanan at #DigitalWomenAwards by @SheThePeople , who recited Kabir's Dohas which are still relevant in today's contemporary era.
— Kriti Sharma (@Kritisharma26) November 23, 2019
What defines us is "our purpose" and "winning is not an absolute" is what we learnt today from him !! pic.twitter.com/ORcw0DWwLc
The audience was left with a lot to introspect and reflect upon. His words of wisdom enlightened the whole room. “Live a purposeful, meaningful and impactful life. There is no point going so far that no one is able to reach you,” Mr Narayanan said about achieving ones goals. He highlighted how ambition is important but it should come with a cause. It must marry your credibility.
The Twitterati had a positive and empowering response to his speech at DWA. From users emphasising his key points to some users finding the advice to be relevant and relatable to their work.
Accept the reality...it's bitter but true-Suresh Narayanan #DigitalWomenAwards at @SheThePeople pic.twitter.com/GgCkfqxfkM
— Kanwalpreet Kaur (@kanwalpreet_k) November 23, 2019
Suresh Narayanan of Nestle India moots this model at #DigitalWomenAwards #SheThePeople ...it evolves further. pic.twitter.com/fbgwePObiO
— meetasengupta (@Meetasengupta) November 23, 2019
Find your Ikigai. Hone it.
— Shinjini: Artist-in-residence 🎨 (@Modern_Gypsy) November 23, 2019
Accept failing to succeed as the route to succeeding to succeed.
Constant learning is the way to grow.
Don’t take yourself too seriously.
Key points from Suresh Narayanan, CMD, Nestle at @SheThePeople’s #DigitalWomenAwards
His 5 A's simplified the concept of developing the right attitude, being ambitious, realising one's ability, expressing and articulating ones views and facing any given adversity.
His words, “Life is like a thali full of different experiences and tastes,” gave us metaphorical wisdom as to live life to the fullest, enjoying each and every experience.
Read Also: Fifth Digital Women Awards: Celebration, Conversations And Kung Fu Nuns!
Saumya Rastogi is an intern with SheThePeople.TV