Mansingh Jaswal, Founder, GeNex Logistics got quoted in this newsletter which captures the experiences of entrepreneurs in Supply Chain & Logistics industry in India, who left their cushy jobs to realize their dream.

1. Vol.1 No.19 / March 2012
Supply Chain India
Resigned!
Ramesh Kumar, Publisher & Editor-At-Large

2. Arvind Ambo, Senior Vice President, Credence Logisitics, is in a interaction with the end-users in India. And succeeded
murderous mood. So also someone at Gati Ltd. Over the past few immensely. Until their arrival on the Indian horizon, logistics
weeks, I was inundated with authentic inputs that senior meant just transportation and it was not a ‘respectable’ industry.
executives who were once touted as the backbone of these
organizations and who would help achieve the scripted big No doubt, the likes of DHL, FedEx, UPS, Panalpina, Schenker,
dream goals have quietly put in their papers and moved out or in Kuhne + Nagel were present for long. But they were in different
the process of moving. When you track the industry such as league with thrust on freight forwarding for outside India. Not
logistics, still in its infancy that is yet to get the respect it within. The likes of Gati, Credence and several others when came
deserves, it pains a lot to know the gem of talent that you have about gave a lot of hope. Naturally, the news about seniors
interacted with over the past two years have deserted for greener leaving these companies, I strongly felt, would affect their plans
pastures. What’s happening? under implementation.
Coming back to Arvind, a respected new breed of logistical That brought me back to the issue of “Executive Exodus”. While
industry professionals in less than five years, he was fretting and the rationale of “leaving for greener pastures” was
fuming when I tweeted last week that Harsh Saksena, a veteran in understandable and acceptable, it helped me rewind my dialogue
surface transport, who was part of Credence Logistics, left to join with owners on professionalizing their organizations. “How
DHL Le Muir. Well, he was not the only one to bid good bye to dependable these professionals are, tell me?” demanded a
Credence. Other topnotch seniors who scooted out include chairman of most respected logistics company in his spacious
Suryanarayan Singh, rail logistics specialist, and Hitesh Gossain, chambers. “Show them a Rs.1,000 jump in their monthly
the senior most and No.2 to CEO Pradeep Tewari,when I did a paycheck and I guarantee that they would jump,” he argued.
cover story for Logistics Times (co-founded with two colleagues) There is no loyalty to the organization where they work. Forget
in January 2011. Second tier executives – hands and operational about life long loyalty. Not even time bound, goal-oriented
heads such as Ram Vihari also quit to join APL Maersk. commitment.
More than Arvind, I was perplexed. Why so much desertion?
Everyone of them whom I have called up to cross check their exit
confirmed and explained that they decided to move out for
‘better career prospects’. Understandable. Arvind felt my
tweeting may cause damage to the reputation of his company
and gave vent to his feeling in a strong email. As luck would have
it, the very next day happened to be Pradeep Tewari’s (March 3)
birthday, I called up him to wish and clarify that my intention
through tweets was not to damage Credence’s image but to
capture happenings in the industry. The soft spoken Credence
CEO, who would have been a professor but for the quirk of fate
that drew him to logistics, explained that he never stopped
anyone who wished to leave “for better prospects” and elaborated
on what his company is upto. Yes, there are challenges to be
confronted and he was hopeful of surmounting them all. There
was no remorse in his voice. Not accusatory in tone. Thanks,
Pradeep!
In a similar way got to know that Sameer Khatri, Gati’s
international operations head, has put in his papers. Sameer,
confirmed his proposed exit. Once again, he was someone whom
I had met among several other the crème-de la-crème of Gati for
a cover story mid-2010. So I know this company seniors inside
out. Big plans approved by founder and managing director
There are two sets of deserters. One lot goes to work for better
Mahendra Agarwal have to be executed by these blue-eyed men
paymasters. Another lot wants to test their own business
of highest talent. But … there again, executive exodus.
instincts as entrepreneurs. Fortyish Mansingh Jaswal, founder-
owner of GenEx Logistics, is a prime example. “The urge is
Right hand man, Harry Lagad, left to join Toll Logistics of
always there to start your own. Career path planning certainly
Australia with Singapore as base to enlarge business scope in
kicks in. After that, what? After that, what? … Beyond a point,
South Asia, including India. Globally renowned cold chain
your growth is stunted. That’s when you look around, examine
expert Pawanexh Kohli, heading Gati’s cold chain, left for
your business potential, your capacity, your risk-taking ability
Arshiya International a few months ago. (Pawanexh, moved out
and take a plunge,” explains the bespectacled MDI (Gurgaon)
from Arshiya also recently!). Howard-Scott James, the Brit who
alumni while sipping lemon tea at Radisson coffee shop on a
had served the British Army as Logistics head, before touching
Saturday evening. I listen in rapt attention as GenEx supremo
down India and work with Gati as Chief Supply Chain Officer
unspools over two and a half hour exposition on where he is
also left to start his own consultancy.
heading. I feel happy for him. What if, he were to fail? I ask him.
He is ready to face failure, pat comes reply. I salute that spirit.
Two respected companies, whom I was tracking, losing out the
Unless you experiment, how will you gain experience? he asks
top notch team and naturally I was concerned. …. Concerned is
rhetorically. It is his own money. Gutsy guy.
too strong word. But, on second thoughts, that is the right word
because these bunch of experts were trying to pump in
respectability into logistics industry with their exposition and

3. Mansingh has entered and exited the portals of Expeditors, DHL because - there is a huge shortage of talent at every level.
(India and Singapore), BLR Logistics over a span of 15 years and However, these young talent is greedy and aspire to rise in the
last November floated his own GenEx Logistics with a clear focus shortest possible time. This certainly would create hiccups for
on freight forwarding, contract logistics, warehousing & companies. So, executive exodus will become a permanent
distribution in the retail space. Six crore Rupees turnover in the feature. It has to be factored in while bluepencilling growth
first financial year is what he is assured of this year. I can see the strategy.
spark in his eyes. Hunger for growth. “I could have remained
working for someone, but decided to explore my potential,” adds Plans may go haywire. That’s where the shrewd planners –
he. owners and their band of loyalists(!) – have to factor in this
short-termism of the young talent. Exciting times are ahead.
Howard Scott James, ex-Gati, runs his own consultancy and finds Projects are galore. Businesses are willing to outsource more jobs
his hands full with opportunities. Honestly, he does not have to 3PLs. Super execution plans are drafted with hypothetical
time for a cuppa with me for over five months. How, when are managerial strength. It’s a risk. But rewards are mouth-watering.
we meeting? A tight rope walk, indeed.
But there are companies where senior executives have stayed put The final, authentic, word came from a professional CEO, not
for more than a decade, despite the owner-driven culture. A owner: “Men may come, men may go. But business will continue.
senior most executive, next only to owners, says that his stay is Yes, there will a minor turbulence. What’s life without such
fine with the organization, because “I enjoy 100% freedom to challenges? Perhaps this exit will usher in better talent. Who
decide”. No over the shoulder or micro-managing by the foreign- knows?”
educated owners. By the way, this suave CEO has been delivering
consistently in his sphere of operation. In another logistics Yes, who knows?
company, seniors have been there for much longer than a decade,
micromanaged by the chairman. “I am comfortable. I have no
career ambitions and at the same time, my interests are fully Send your feedback to ramesh@konsultramesh.com
taken care of by the organization. Why should I worry?” asks a
No.2 in this company. Understandable.
The logistics industry is definitely growing. It is attracting talent
in small doses. In the days to come, it will draw a lot more
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