Winning Stroke: Interview With Sunil Raina, Business Head, Xolo
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Sunil Raina brings with him a strong business leadership & marketing background and has an experience of over 18 years with some of the leading national and international brands. He has held several leadership roles through his tenure at the company, and has successfully lead XOLO's growth journey. He started his career in 1998 with Hughes Telecom Limited, joining the company’s sales department and later moving to the marketing division. In 2002, he joined Tata Teleservices Limited and played a key role in the launch of the company’s operations in Maharashtra. He joined Bharti Airtel as a product manager in 2004 and went on to become the marketing head of the company. Before joining Lava International in 2010, he also held leadership positions in Uninor & Reliance Communications.
If not in the current profession, you would be?
When I was a child, I wanted to be a singer. That wish stayed with me for a long time. So yes, if I wasn’t doing what I do now, I would perhaps be doing something related to music.
One tune you always hum.
The choice usually depends on the mood I am in. But I like the song ‘Ye hausla kaise jhuke, ye aarzoo kaise ruke’
One book to read when you want to motivate yourselves.
When in doubt, read Bhagwat Gita. That’s one book that solves all your confusions in life and keeps you going.
One dialogue of a movie that motivates you or you like the most.
Ben Kingsley’s dialogue from the movie ‘The Confession’ is my favourite: “It’s not hard to do the right thing, it’s hard to know what the right thing is. Once you know what is right, it’s hard not to do it.”
The place you never been to and always want to go.
Grand Canyon tops the list.
An animal that signifies you & why?
Leopard - fast moving and agile
A movie character you most resemble or resonate with.
Farhan Akhtar from Bhag Milkha Bhag.
Choose one from each below:
Marvel or DC - Marvel
Batman or Superman – Batman
Tom or Jerry - Jerry
Chacha Chaudhary or Super Commando Dhruv – Chacha Chaudhary
If your life was to be turned into a movie who would you like to play your part?
Aamir Khan in 3 Idiots.
Luck or Hard Work, What do you think weighs more in defining a successful person?
My mantra about that is: ‘Luck comes to those who work hard’
One best decision you ever made.
At Lava International, I got an opportunity to explore my entrepreneurial side. So joining this company would definitely be the best decision I ever took in my professional career. I don’t think any other place would have let me do that.
A strategy that you always use to take your decisions in Personal or Professional life?
No half measures. Go the full distance.
Whose advise you seek when in dilemma?
Mostly, my elder brother.
What has been your biggest achievement?
I feel really proud and inspired about leading the effort of building a strong Indian brand.
One thing that you want to change in yourself.
I would want to give more time to my family.
A line said by your closed one that you never forget.
You don’t become rich by taking, you become rich by giving!
