Hello CWS-2 Readers,

I am happy to introduce you all to Mr. Sunil Robert – Head of Analyst Relations & Public Relations at Tata Consulting Services and author of the book “I will Survive”.

Here is the profile of Mr. Sunil Robert

Mr. Sunil Robert works for TCS Financial Solutions, where he runs the global Analyst Relations and Public Relations program. Sunil has also been the front end of the Marketing arm for i-flex in North & Latin America. Sunil holds a Master’s degree in Business Administration and another Master’s degree in Communications & Journalism that helps him to bridge the gap between pure communicators who often miss the business landscape or Business strategists who have the know – why but dont often have the know-how.

Mr. Sunil Robert was the recipient of the 2006 Stevie award for Best Corporate Communicator, which is the Oscars award equivalent in the world of Business.

Coffee With Sunil Robert – Author, “I will survive” & Head of AR & PR, TCS
Me: Sundar Rajan G S
SR: Sunil Robert

Me: Hello Sir, Welcome to this show on Coffee with Sundar – Season 2. It’s an honour to host you.
SR: Pleasure to be here! You have got a nice community out here!

Me: Sir, Can you talk about your childhood days, your background etc. You have mentioned about the difficulties you faced when you were in 7th standard when you were not able to pay the fees for examination. (http://sunilrobert.com/bookexcerpts.htm). You also wanted to become a CA, but you ended up taking up a job as a sales person because of your family commitments. Can you talk about how you reacted to your tough times?

SR: I had a normal childhood. It was around late 1980s. My family had moved from a village (Nalagunda) to Hyderabad city. Both my parents were working. My family faced a crisis when my father had lost his job. I didn’t know how to react. I was feeling humiliated in schools. There was negative energy all around me. It was a difficult phase when we couldn’t even pay the fees. After my 10th, I had to join a polytechnic. As I grew older, my response to the situation was different. Instead of just feeling helpless, I was feeling more energetic. Unfortunately my energies were negative energies. I got into wrong company of friends & gangs. It was against all odds and such situation that I have been able to survive & succeed.

My life is an example of second chance. It’s an example of faith, hope & belief that I can overcome. This is what is covered in the book.

I had relationship with primary school teachers. I had a few great friends. I met outstanding people who helped me over come my problems. I stood up and faced the reality. I decided to take up responsibility at home. I had a choice of either blaming what was happening around me or to accept the reality and chance what I don’t like. I did the latter. That’s how I am where I am today.

Me: From government polytechnic to head of PR at TCS? Can you talk about your journey?
SR: During my polytechnic days, I was never good at diode or technical stuff that I was studying there. I was more interested in Shakespeare or arts or Lincoln. I enjoyed these much more than the studies in classes.

I got a government job after my studies. But I decided not to take the regular jobs. Instead I joined Eureka Forbes as a sales person.
The training that I received in Eureka Forbes was probably the magic potion which I badly needed. There were lessons on how to bounce back after failure, how not to lose confidence when the doors are slammed on you etc. The training helped me to walk with confidence, speak by looking into the eyes of the people, shake hands confidently. I really enjoyed it. Even if nothing was going my way, I was still confident. Suddenly, this “dark completion”-ed small scraggy fellow in me started to see things differently. I was battling the situation with confidence.

I discovered that I had communication skills. I loved public speaking & debating. Even when I was getting trashed, I loved taking part in conversations & discussions. This helped me to get a job as a radio jockey. I liked this as well, the whole new space to talk to young people & build relationships with people whom you don’t know. I used to get letters from the listeners etc. That was really a exciting phase. I also did a bit of sports commentary. I was grabbing whatever opportunities that came my way. I slowly realized that there was a method in the madness that was happening all around me.

Me: You decided not to take up a government job, when you were facing so many difficulties. How easy was it? What did people think about you?
SR: Yes! People called me a crazy guy!! Everyone told me that I have “lost it” in life.
As Voltaire said, “Most men live lives of quiet desperation”. I looked around me and realized that the “intelligent” are actually stuck with a government job for life. I asked myself – “would you be stuck in a single job? Or will you do an interesting job?”
I chose the latter. In fact, one wrong career choice of my father ruined the whole family. People were actually wondering if it was genetic when I chose to leave that job. But when I started doing well and started getting good sales, they were reassured that I am not all that crazy.
Then I jumped many jobs after that before finally heading the PR & AR of TCS.

Readers, hope you enjoyed this part 1 of the interview with Mr. Sunil Robert.

The interview will be continued in part 2 where Mr. Sunil talks about his learnings, his book, role models and the changing face of India.

So stay tuned!

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