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WORK PAD
Neatness is all
GEETA PADMANABHAN
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Subu D. Subramanian’s clutter-free space reflects his clear mind
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Photo: R. RAGU
Knowledge centre Subu D. Subramanian in his office
If you’re looking for a lucid discourse on modern business philosophy, don’t go further than the office of Subu D. Subramanian, Sr. Vice-President, Satyam Computer Services. Just make sure he’s in. You will be served — apart from snacks and tea — a concept speech distilled from the best in the business. Subu will then explain how the business gyaan works in his office — through visible spreadsheets and invisible technology integration.
It’s Subu’s books (‘Freakanomics’, ‘Who says elephants can’t dance?’) cramming the shelf that give this second floor commercial space with its mandatory L-shaped table and sofa set, its character. Office gossip is that he returns from overseas trips loaded with the latest business bestsellers and insists on the staff reading and discussing them.
His theories aren’t just hard copy. He provides the leadership, but says: “I give the workers a lot of bandwidth, they figure out solutions. The team is empowered, the leader is invisible.” His Sony Vaio powers this virtual world. “I download the mail and respond while waiting at airports or during flights. I avoid phone calls. I want my inbox empty when I go to bed.”
Still, he’s excited to walk into the office, he says. Team meetings provide a great environment to pick up themes, trade new ideas, connect and communicate. “My doors are open,” he says dramatically, but employees need to come in with a definite purpose. “Problem? Define it. Solution? Evaluate it.” That makes for a neat office with little clutter, so he’s able to focus on his pet project — the ICT Academy. The plans are big, but “I take pride in what we have achieved. Work is done on three concepts — training and skill building, promoting innovation in the industry, and adoption of IT in industry.”
The visitors would have noticed the rural Indian curios and Prashanth’s temple painting. “My wife makes suggestions,” Subu says. “She’s very involved in the office decor.” After 10 years here, he feels “fresh and young, excited about what we can do. This is a great opportunity — the competitiveness, the enthusiasm of the team, customers who believe in us.” He quotes: “Take my business, give me a team, I’ll acquire the customers and rebuild my business.” Why doesn’t the office have a book with his name on the spine?
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