ADT, a division of Tyco International, is a legendary American firm fast spreading its tentacles in India, by riding the electronic security wave. Its managing director in India, Ramesh Jayaraman, appears to be equally quick at his job and manner of conduct. It?s clear, even within the first 5 minutes of our conversation, that he means business.
Popularly called RJ in his office, Ramesh cuts out all frills. A quick hello, and without much ado, the floor opens up for business talk.
But before we get down to the brass tacks, it may be good to get a peep into the historic value of the company. In 1874, 57 district telegraph delivery companies in the US fused themselves under one umbrella and became American District Telegraph or ADT. With telephone becoming a popular device in the late 1800s, ADT?s messenger business slipped. In 1901, it got incorporated into Western Union and eight years later both the companies were brought under AT&T. Between 1910 and 1930, ADT began selling fire alarms and burglar alarms, and in 1960 it became a public firm.
ADT Security Services is today the world?s largest provider of electronic security services, feeding more than seven million commercial, industrial, government and residential customers worldwide. ADT?s total security solutions include intrusion, fire protection, closed circuit television, access control, critical condition monitoring, electronic article surveillance, RFID and integrated systems.
Cut to the present. Ramesh, who looks a bit like former tennis ace Vijay Amritraj in his heydays, is a self-confessed family man. ?My wife is the best thing to have happened to me,? he says. ?My weekends are devoted to them. My wife and I take a three day vacation after every 45 days. I feel it?s important for us partners to reconnect often, as one tends to get consumed by work otherwise. ADT is a great place to work for any family man and we realise the importance of personal lives.?
Ramesh?s philosophy in life is simple?Inch wide and mile deep. His principle is to open a small vertical and then dig deep into it and explore all possibilities, instead of spreading too thin. ?This has worked to my advantage always,? he says.
His brief in India is to build on the success of ADT, with a focus on both global and nationally strategic customer relationships. ADT?s contract to provide access control and video surveillance security systems to the new Terminal 3 in Delhi?s Indira Gandhi international airport is a good example of how the company has been able to make inroads into the Indian market. ?It also confirms how ADT?s electronic security services and expertise can meet India?s rising security concerns in all segments?infrastructure, retail, commercial and residential,? says Ramesh.
In his previous position, he was directing the Commercial and National Accounts Business in ADT North America. In that capacity, he focused on the development and execution of commercial and vertical market strategies. During his time there, he was a three-time award winner for performance excellence.
?There is no substitute for dedication. It?s also important to focus and not get swayed by every opportunity that comes your way. Even today, I am in office at 7.30 am and work well into the night,? says Ramesh.
His rise to the role of managing director was on account of his proven ADT track record and strong leadership which yielded good success for the company?s vertical markets. Since India is a critical emerging market for ADT and Tyco, Ramesh was a natural choice for the position.
Ramesh, who did his undergraduate degree in Mechanical Engineering from the Delhi College of Engineering, then moved to the US (no surprises there) where he earned his Masters in Business Administration from the University of Illinois. ?I grew up in a very class family, where the accent was on gaining education. ?This background is helping me today in India. I am happy to say that we will be adding 33% more employees to our workforce in India soon.?
Today while being at the top of the ADT tree in India, he says his biggest joy is to see others succeed. ?Your team is very important. The leader is only as good as his team. And I am prepared to extend all support to my colleague, as long as I know he is giving his best. At ADT, welfare of the employee is given the highest priority.?