“WELL-RECOGNIZED BUSINESS STRATEGIST AND THOUGHT LEADER, RECENTLY AWARDED WITH CEO OF THE YEAR.”
AN INTRODUCTION OF MR. SHAUNAK J DAVE
With a rich blend of engineering prowess and business acumen, Shaunak J. Dave stands as a beacon of innovation and leadership in the global business arena. He is well recognised as a Business Strategist and Thought Leader in the Industry he serves.
With over 25 years of experience in serving diverse sectors including Engineering, Life Science, Automobile, Defence & Aerospace, Gems and Jewellery etc., he has been instrumental in building technology-driven organisations form scratch and driving business with speed, scale, and sustainability.
Graduated in Mechanical Engineering followed by a post-graduation in Business Management , Shaunak embarked on a journey marked by remarkable achievements. Throughout his career, he has showcased an exceptional ability to build the business from ground zero and/or transform business operations, from turning around struggling ventures to scale organisations for high-speed growth.
His expertise extends across a spectrum of functions including Business Development, Sales & Marketing, Engineering & Operation Management along with the sound knowledge of HR & OD, Finance and Legal. Shaunak’s strategic acumen coupled with a global perspective has enabled him to navigate through the complexities of the ever-evolving global business landscape with finesse.
Shaunak’s reputation as a thought leader is well-deserved. His visionary insights on laser technology, digitalization, serialisation, traceability, supply chain 4.0, and disruptive technologies have earned him recognition across the industry. He is a sought-after speaker at conferences, where he shares his profound vision and expertise, inspiring audiences worldwide.
Currently, serving as MD & CEO of Antares Vision India Pvt Ltd (A subsidiary of Antares Vision S.p.A, Italy ) along with responsibility as Director for other two group companies. He spearheads AV Group‘s INDIA operation, building a strong and sustainable organisation which is on the trajectory of high growth in the sectors of Life Science and FMCG ( Beverages & Food ) Sectors.
He is a multi-talented personality, having a keen interest in Yoga & Meditation, Indian Classical Music (singing & playing the Tabla – An Indian Percussion Instrument, Upantya -Visharada in Tabla from Gandharva Mahavidyalaya), Martial Arts (certified Official Instructor of Karate). He believes in lifelong learning and acts according to the law of the universe “Give what you want “Thus, he shares his knowledge & real-life experiences on strategy, leadership, management, self-improvement, and technology on a regular basis on social media.
A long walk across the beach and Shinrin-Yoku (forest bathing) are his favourite leisure time activities. Simplicity and Humility are his life philosophy as continuously practising the Japanese Concept of Minimalism “ Ma”
Driven by a passion for facing challenges head-on, Shaunak thrives in dynamic environments. His keen interest in strategy, leadership, and sustainability underscores his commitment to making a positive impact on both business and society.
Shaunak’s mission extends beyond corporate success. He aspires to promote sustainability and nurture young leadership, paving the way for a better world. His dedication to building a legacy of responsible leadership underscores his commitment to leaving a lasting impact on future generations.
Shaunak envisions a world where sustainability is not just a buzzword but a guiding principle for future generations and believes in our Hon. Prime Minister’s Vision for the world “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam” and he has committed himself to contributing to making our country India, a developed country by 2047.
In Shaunak, we see not just a business leader, but a visionary who is driving positive change in individuals to attain their own IKIGAI (purpose of life ) and inspire them to contribute to a happy, healthy and harmonious world.
For more information, please visit his LinkedIn Profile : www.linkedin.com/in/shaun24
LEADERSHIP & STRATEGY,
Q. How would you describe your leadership style and how it helps to navigate the organisation towards success?
Western management has identified many styles of leadership, however, my leadership style is inspired by the Chinese “Yin-Yang “philosophy, which is described as an opposite but interconnected, self-perpetuating cycle. It is a coherent fabric of nature and mind, exhibited in all existence. It is a continuous process of harmonizing ensuring a constant, dynamic balance of all the things. Also, if I co-relate to our Santatan Dharma, the manifestation of Lord Shiva and Maa Parvathi ( Shakti ) as “ Ardha Narishwara “ also signifies the same thing i.e. inseparability and interdependence of masculine and feminine energies for the well-being of the universe.
How do I translate these philosophies into my leadership style?
The following are the six attributes of my leadership style:
- Use Intellect & Intuition (Vision, Mission, and Goal Setting)
- Be Compassionate & Tough (In Action and Execution)
- Do Trust People but Set Control (Process & Culture)
- Be Optimist yet Realistic (Forecasting, Project Execution and Management)
- Delegate Accountability, and facilitate Resources.
- Give Credit of Success to Others but Be Responsible for Failure
Actually, I follow my meaning of the name, Shaunak: A person who thinks and acts without any preference and prejudice and takes any decision based on justice, harmony, and the overall well-being of everyone. That’s what I try to follow.
Leadership style is not constant as it all depends upon the person, time, place, and situation you deal with. If any leader understands the same, I will name it “Wisdom Leadership or Conscious Leadership“.
Q. What made you a successful CEO? Could you please enlighten us what are the key strategies to build, grow, and sustain organisations?
Veni, vidi, vici ( I came, I saw and I conquered ) – The phrase is popularly attributed to Julius Caesar who used the phrase in a letter to the Roman Senate around 47 BC after he had achieved a quick victory in his short war against Pharnaces II of Pontus at the Battle of Zela.
If we are addressing any problems, adversities, or challenges, at first, we need to have the self-belief that we can do it. The second step is to assess the situation. You can’t address the situation sitting in a cabin or conference room, but you must be there on the ground to understand the situation, that’s called Veni. After we are there, we must understand the situation in totality. This is Vidi. Then, we build our strategy (where you are and where you want to go, how you shall go, and what are your backup plans). Just planning a strategy is only 20 % of accomplishment but the real focus must be on “execution and how swiftly you address your challenges during execution “That’s Vici.
During my PGDBM class (1997-99), the well-known professor in this field, Dr. D.M. Pestonjee said in his OD (Organisation Development Class) “Technical / industry knowledge contributes only 15% to your success, the rest 85 % is your interpersonal skills ( relationship and people management ) .
At that time, I was just learning as I believed him but later during my 25 years of professional career, I realized it thoroughly.
To lead an organization, “lead yourself first “.
One must continuously evaluate himself whether he has the right attitude, knowledge, and skills to lead the organization and work on it on a daily basis. The second step to have the right people around you. Build, nurture, and grow your first line of leadership team on continuously. Align their passion and professional goals with organizational growth and facilitate them to provide a culture, environment, and opportunities where they enjoy working and are able to contribute wholeheartedly.
To ensure the people around have the “right attitude “.
I always believe that knowledge can be gained, and skills can be developed but it’s very challenging to have the “right attitude “. It takes a long time to build and internalize the right attitude.
Now, the big question is: what is the right attitude? Allow me to name a few that I value.
- Fearless & Passionate, Hungry for Growth.
- Integrity & Trustworthiness
- Positive Mindset
- Go Getters (Initiative, accountability, ownership & problem solving)
- Self – Discipline & Perseverance
- Collaborators
- Continuous Learners
- Effective Communicators
- Ability to Influence Others
- Empathetic (compassionate and sensitive towards all the stakeholders)
- Resilient (never give up & always bounce back with double force)
- In a nutshell, a leader’s role is to:
- Set Directions (vision, mission, high-level objectives, values, and ethics )
- Define the right strategy, structure, systems, and culture.
- Communicate them effectively across the organization.
- Build & Develop a great team (the right people at the right place with the right attitude)
- Facilitate them with resources (help to accomplish their goals)
- Ensure “effective execution of strategy “
- Be Open for Change, and always ready to navigate the organisation with flexibility.
- Reward generously.
Q. What is the organization culture at AV Group, INDIA, and how to do foster a positive work environment?
For the last three years, consecutively our employee happiness index is above 90 % and that is the key factor of our rapid growth in INDIA for the past few years.
I always believe the famous quote of Management Guru Peter Drucker “Culture eats strategy for breakfast”.
It reflects the importance of human factors in any company. No matter how detailed and solid your strategy is, if the culture of the organization is not conducive and appropriate, the project will certainly fail. Additionally, it helps to ignite the spirit of “resilience “ to respond to any unexpected challenges that strategy has not taken into consideration.
Culture isn’t about happy hours at an organization or relaxing environment or team building activities It is more about how you foster a positive environment, offer continuous learning and development opportunities, and take care of them so that every individual feels “Safe “, “valued “ and “being happy “ at work as well as in personal life.
Q. Could you please give a brief about your present organization and future in the context of India Operation?
Antares Vision Group (HQ: Brescia, Italy) is a technology-driven organization that, operational for the past two decades, having a presence across the world, offers three core functional technology spectrum: Inspection, Track and Trace & Supply Chain Transparency Solutions across three major verticals: Life Science, FMCG ( largely Food and Beverages ) and Cosmetics. The growth story of Antares Vision Group is very inspiring as it is one of the fastest-growing organizations in the technology segment we serve. We are proud to help the industry to deliver quality products ( with our inspection technology ) and also assist the industry in providing safe and original products through track and trace systems to combat counterfeiting to save the lives of people.
Our future vision is very clear about the promising market of INDIA. We aspire to be Industry leaders in the segment we serve and to be recognized as trendsetters.
We have laid out a long-term strategic blueprint for this market from 2020 and continuously working on that road map. Allow me to state that we have been successful in terms of attaining rapid growth and establishing our strong presence in the Life Science (Pharma) and FMCG market with our product and solutions, that’s what our phase-I strategy.
Now the phase – II strategy is leveraging the power of the “engineering and manufacturing capabilities of India” to deliver the “right product for the right market at the right value “. For that, our global leadership team has approved our Phase – II and we have established a new entity (engineering &manufacturing unit ) in Gujarat which is going to be operational soon.
BACKGROUND AND EXPERIENCE
Q. CAN YOU PLEASE ENLIGHTEN ABOUT HOW YOU HAVE CHOSEN YOUR CAREER PATH
“Son, you are very good in your engineering drawings. Keep it up. I am confident that you shall become a good engineer one day. But to be the best, you must anticipate future technology trends and equip yourself today. To begin with, start exploring computer-based designing tools like Auto CAD, although it’s not part of our present syllabus. “
While studying in 9th grade in 1989 , my teacher of Technical Subjects (Engineering Drawings & Basics of Electrical/Mechanical Engineering) appreciated my orthographic/isometric drawings. Thus, the first passion for engineering and technology was ignited. I would consider the first turning point of my life as far as my career path was concerned.
The Maiden milestone of my career was achieved in 1992 when I got admission in Bachelor Programme in Mechanical Engineering. In the fifth semester, I came across an Industrial Engineering Subject (which was more about Operation Management). I discovered my passion for Management in 1994. And the real dilemma began, what to do next after graduation! Job or to go for higher education and if higher education, then which subject? engineering or management?
During my semester of engineering, I had an internship/project at AEC Power Plant, Sabarmati, Ahmedabad (now, its Torrent Power Ltd. ). I came across the real organization and exposure of working in an engineering company for a few months. Looking at the prospects, it was decided that PG is essential as graduation was not sufficient, I realized.
My HOD called me once during the final exams of Engineering and asked me what my future. I told him, not yet decided. I am appearing for a campus/job interview but that’s not what I wanted ( to get a job immediately ).
I told him about my exposure during the internship and my new passion about management. He asked me during my internship, whether I had studied organizational hierarchy. I nodded positively. He further asked me” how many years it would take me to become a manager and I replied approximately 12-15 years minimum “. He asked me ” Would you be interested if I showed you the way to become a manager within 2/3 years? “
Certainly, I exclaimed and he advised me to pursue an MBA / PGDBM. He told me that I could excel if I had engineering and business management knowledge. This was my second turning point of my life, and I followed his advice. His inclination for PG was in the USA but I knew if I would go there, I wouldn’t come back. The family values helped me to take a clear decision that I would study in INDIA and serve INDIA. I studied in Government Engineering College where fees were really negligible at that time, but I was told by one professor that to make one engineer in INDIA, the Government spends INR 700,000 in 4 years in Gujarat.
Got admission in MBA / PGDBM with almost zero preparation, I was lucky enough, and right from the first class of general management till I completed the course, I learned every subject with utmost passion as I really enjoyed learning and its practical implications.
The third turning point came in my life when there was a choice after my PG whether to join the lucrative financial services sector or the engineering/technology sector. The salary was 3 times higher in the financial services sector than in technology, but I have chosen the hard path and opted to work for a small but highly sophisticated technology company in the field of CNC Machines & the upcoming Laser Technology for Industrial Applications as I pursued my passion and learnings rather earnings.
These are three turning points at the early stage of my career that set the direction of my professional life. I am eternally indebted to my teachers/ professors who encouraged me, identified my talents, and mentored me for the right career path.
Q. TELL US ABOUT YOUR TRANSFORMATION JOURNEY FROM A YOUNG MANAGEMENT PROFESSIONAL TO THE MD & CEO OF AN INTERNATIONAL ORGANISATION.
When I began my career, my career objective was to hone my sales, business development, and marketing knowledge and skill sets in a technology company, having exposure to the global business environment and from the first job I had taken as a techno-commercial Co-Ordinator “ I started working on the same. I envisage my next 5 years to become a good professional manager to lead the department (especially Sales & Marketing).
During the first 10 years of my life, I extensively worked on 5 aspects, which I would call it as “The Pentagon of Preparation “
- Continuous Learning & Development of my Functional Skills (i.e. Sales, business development and Marketing) and later Managerial Skills (managing myself and also the team )
- Cross-Functional Leanings: Understanding other departmental functioning right from Manufacturing, HR & Admin, Finance, and Accounting.
- Global Business Exposure: Travelling to multiple countries to get exposure of the global business environment.
- Business Experience in Diverse Sectors: Working across various sectors like Engineering, Pharma, Automobile, Defense & Aerospace, Gems, and Jewellery that gave me tremendous exposure.
- Contribute More than Expected and Seize the Opportunity: Contributing more than expected and taking initiative and ownership where there was a problem (i.e. opportunity ).
I have selected my initial jobs and also worked abroad to prepare myself, keeping all the above points.
While working with one organization in 2008 /2009 as General Manager (Marketing, Techno-commercial, and Services), I received a call from an Industry friend from Singapore and informed me of one opportunity, although I was reluctant as I was happy with my present job, he insisted me to meet the board members at Germany as they were really keen to explore the India market for Laser Technology and I could make out that my few articles published in international magazines might have induced them to meet me in person to understand the market and build future strategy. The time was short and they did not give any clarity of the job profile, I still went to Germany & met the Chairman of the big Company, along with three managing directors of other divisions.
It was a great experience. One thought-provoking question, the chairman asked me “how do you see yourself in the next 5 years “and I replied spontaneously that I would like to see myself as CEO of an MNC in INDIA“
Later, while seeing off, the chairman opened the door as a courteous gesture and asked a question with a smile “what do you want to achieve in the next 5 years, the role is open for you now, are you ready?
I could not respond for a few seconds but then I responded to him being brutally honest, “Thank you Sir for your trust but I really don’t think that I am ready to take that role now “
This unique experience inspired me with a dream to work towards my career milestone: To become a CEO (not only by designation but to develop my leadership and strategic skills and knowledge to lead the organization in a true sense).
I worked on myself relentlessly for the next 7 years and in 2016/17, my ex-organisation gave me the designation of MD & CEO based on my proven performance and potential, which I strongly believe I deserve it.
Q. WHAT MOTIVATED YOU TO TAKE ON THE ROLE OF MD & CEO AT ANTARES VISION INDIA PVT. LTD.?
Antares Vision Group, Italy is a global organization and demonstrated proven records of the fastest growing technology company in the segment with three major technology offerings: 1. Inspection Systems and Machines to ensure product quality and reliability, 2. Traceability Solution to meet global compliance to eliminate counterfeit and enhance patient safety and 3. Digitalization and Disruptive Technologies of Industry 4.0, across various sectors like Life Science, FMCG ( Food and Beverages ), and Cosmetics.
We offer comprehensive technology and product portfolio across the globe and after gaining leadership in Europe and North America, now the priority has shifted towards emerging markets like Asia, especially China & India.
The culture of the organization, technological innovation, and supersonic growth in the past 15 years transformed it from a small company to a global MNC.
I joined Antares Vision Group in the year 2020 as an Advisor (Global Business Strategy).
I worked for almost one year during the challenging times of Covid.
We have realized that India is the market which is fastest growing, and it will become 3rd largest economy of the world soon. So now, India is undoubtably our choice as a strategic market to channelise our efforts and energy for significant growth. The global leadership team put trust on my capability and offered me the role of MD & CEO in July 2021.
What made me induced to take this role, that it presented significant challenges in terms of the present organization’s transition from JV to its own subsidiary, ever-changing market dynamics, and complexities of doing multi-sector business with limited resources to begin with. It was a tough challenge like to navigate the ship in the rough sea. I found that this is intellectually stimulating and challenging my limits and of course, I already had prior experience of building an organization in INDIA from the ground zero, however now the playing field was different.
This new challenge was a complete orbital shift and demanded out of a box strategy as the challenges were quite significant: One product segment is in the red ocean ( mature, price pressure ) where our made-in-Italy products were not competitive enough to gain major market share in INDIA. Another product segment is of very high value & long lead time in nature and at the beginning stage where lots of education to customers on technology and compliance is required. The third product segment is of automatic inspection in Food and Beverages is gaining momentum in INDIA but gradually.
The core challenge for me was to transform the existing company and deliver a high level of growth i.e. clear the ground and lay the foundation stone to build to a multimillion-dollar business in a very short time.
Furthermore, the prospect of spearheading Antares Vision’s expansion efforts in India, leveraging my expertise in the local market and my track record of successful leadership in similar roles, presented an exciting opportunity to drive strategic growth and maximize the company’s potential in this region. In summary, my motivation to take on the role of MD & CEO at Antares Vision India Pvt. Ltd. stems from a combination of admiration for the company’s achievements, alignment with its values and goals, and the opportunity to make an impactful contribution.
