{"id":6549,"date":"2018-03-03T10:19:37","date_gmt":"2018-03-03T10:19:37","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/pulseonline.co\/?page_id=6549"},"modified":"2018-03-03T10:19:37","modified_gmt":"2018-03-03T10:19:37","slug":"building-bridges-across-the-business-cfo-brijesh-modi","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/pulseonline.co\/index.php\/building-bridges-across-the-business-cfo-brijesh-modi\/","title":{"rendered":"Building Bridges across the Business — CFO Brijesh Modi"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/a> Many years ago, around 2007-2008, I remember a neat and soberly dressed young man working diligently and quietly at his desk in an inconspicuous corner on the 3rd<\/sup> floor of the D.N. Road Office, Mumbai.\u00a0 He was then General Manager- Finance.<\/span><\/p>\n

Today he sits in an airy well-lit cabin in the upper echelons of Marathon Futurex along with the other Execom members of the company, as the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) of Thomas Cook India. \u00a0\u00a0He has come a long way, literally, to reach the top!<\/span><\/p>\n

He is Brijesh Modi.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Brijesh re-joined Thomas Cook (India) Limited in June 2017 as Chief Financial Officer which means he is responsible for the financial, accounting and commercial functions of the Company.<\/span><\/p>\n

A Chartered Accountant, who has completed a General Management Programme at IIM-Calcutta, Brijesh was earlier with SOTC Travel Services (formerly Kuoni India) as CFO, leading its Finance, Administration, Secretarial and compliance \u00a0functions. He was responsible for the strategic business and commercial planning, and was instrumental in establishing and monitoring corporate financial policies, procedures and controls. Prior to that, Brijesh had worked with Thomas Cook (India) Limited, and Tata Motors.<\/span><\/p>\n

In his career spanning 19 years, Brijesh, has worked across industries like automobile, travel and financial services, which has given him valuable experience\u00a0 in diverse functions, including strategy, commercial, controlling, risk management, governance, business planning and accounting functions.<\/span><\/p>\n

He strongly believes in team work and displays exceptional skills in executing complex tasks, involving people from across functions.<\/span><\/p>\n

We cornered him for an Interview to tell us a bit more about him.<\/span><\/p>\n

We give you Brijesh!<\/span><\/p>\n

How would you define your role as Chief Financial Officer — Thomas Cook India Limited? What are your responsibilities, and what positive contribution do you think you can make to the organisation in your new position?<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/strong>I have a role to play in the growth of this company. This includes business partnering, strategy, ensuring liquidity, stewardship, risk management, catalyst and creating a highly engaged finance team. Enabling faster decisions, bringing insights and customer-centricity are some of the areas where a lot can also be contributed.<\/span><\/p>\n

You have been with Thomas Cook India for several years now. Can you remember any significant milestones in your career with the company?<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/strong>This is my second stint in Thomas Cook India. \u00a0In my total 13 years career with the organisation, I have worked in 5 different roles including the current one. I also completed a company sponsored General Management Programme from IIM Calcutta, which changed my perspective towards my role. I had an opportunity to work with various shareholders having different cultures which enriched my knowledge.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0What do you feel are the significant changes the Company has gone through after the acquisitions in recent times? How do you think the Thomas Cook Group is going to adapt to, and cope with, these changes?<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Change is good. That\u2019s the one thing we should anticipate at all times. With all these acquisitions, we have people from different cultures, and we have a lot of opportunities to grow together. With these acquisitions, Thomas Cook has become very significant in the travel sector and with a presence in 21 countries. I believe that CEC formula – Collaboration, Empathy & Communication — will be the key to navigate through these changes. Governance mechanism and technology are vital to these changes. We need to be open to absorb good practices from this process.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0What would you consider the best thing about your job with this organisation?<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/strong>Well, there are several things. This job gives a helicopter view of the company\u00a0 and its operations, and in turn,\u00a0 it helps one to\u00a0 become effective.\u00a0 This job can influence a lot of things for a larger good, and last but not the least, it revolves around people and their behaviour, which is most interesting to deal with!<\/span><\/p>\n

And the worst?!<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

It can be overwhelming sometimes!<\/span><\/p>\n

Can you mention one or two influences in your life that have shaped your career and guided some of the major decisions you have taken?<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/strong>My Class 7\u00a0 teacher, Mrs. Dalal, encouraged me to become a Chartered Accountant when I was only 12 years old. Moreover, the aptitude test which I took the same year clearly highlighted that I could do better in the accounting field. By the time I was in Class 10, I was determined to be a CA. \u00a0During my college days, I had made up my mind to become a CFO someday. Consequently, all my decisions were driven towards that, the change of companies, change of roles, doing the management programme etc.\u00a0 \u00a0They were all part of this journey.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0 How did you earn your first pay check, and what did you do with the money?<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0My first pay check was received when I started working in a CA firm post my standard 12. I hardly spent this money for anyone —\u00a0 it went straight into the investment pool !<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0Now on a personal level and in lighter vein!<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0Your family comprises of \u00ad\u00ad\u00ad\u00ad\u00ad\u00ad\u00ad\u00ad\u00ad\u00ad\u00ad\u00ad\u00ad\u00ad\u00ad\u00ad\u00ad\u00ad\u00ad\u00ad\u00ad\u00ad\u00ad\u00ad\u00ad\u00ad—-<\/strong>My parents \u2013Krishnaben and Sureshchandra, my wife Hemali, son Aadit, and a daughter Maitri. These individuals have shaped me and they still influence me greatly. A lot of my steps revolve around them.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0You kick-start your day with\u00a0 \u2014\u00a0 <\/strong>Checking mails and WhatsApp messages, but I am hoping to change that!<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0When you are not thinking of Thomas Cook you chill out by — <\/strong>listening to Bollywood music, reading newspapers, facebook surfing.<\/span><\/p>\n

On your bedside table one would find \u00a0<\/strong>— \u00a0\u00a0my phone!<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0What do you consider the most overrated virtue? \u00a0— <\/strong>Honesty. This should come naturally and be innate in one\u2019s self. It cannot be flaunted as something extraordinary.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0What is the trait you deplore most in yourself? \u00a0— <\/strong>Hemali says I need to express my emotions more !<\/span><\/p>\n

And in others<\/strong>? \u00a0\u00a0Lack of respect for one another.
\n<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0Which words or phrases do you most overuse?<\/strong> \u2013 \u201cEventually\u201d; \u00a0\u201cAt the end of the day\u201d; \u201c life..\u201d!<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0Your idea of an ideal holiday?\u00a0 <\/strong>Mountains, a river, a cup of tea and talking about life with my wife!<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0Your work mantra?\u00a0\u00a0 <\/strong>Do the right things; truth will prevail.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\r\nHome<\/a>\r\n<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

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 <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Many years ago, around 2007-2008, I remember a neat and soberly dressed young man working diligently and quietly at his desk in an inconspicuous corner on the 3rd floor of the D.N. Road Office, Mumbai.\u00a0 He was then General Manager- Finance. Today he sits in an airy well-lit cabin in the upper echelons of Marathon… <\/p>\n

Read More<\/a><\/div>\n","protected":false},"author":9,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/pulseonline.co\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/6549"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/pulseonline.co\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/pulseonline.co\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pulseonline.co\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/9"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pulseonline.co\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=6549"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/pulseonline.co\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/6549\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":6554,"href":"https:\/\/pulseonline.co\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/6549\/revisions\/6554"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/pulseonline.co\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=6549"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}