Business
S. “Venky” Venkatesh is a seasoned business and HR leader, former Group CHRO of RPG Enterprises, board member, and advisor to CXOs. Over a career spanning more several decades, he has worked across professionally managed multinational companies and some of India’s leading promoter- and family-led organizations, including RPG Group, Arvind Lifestyle Brands, and Vedanta. Today, through his advisory work, he helps senior leaders navigate complex career and organizational transitions.
In the 50th episode of Culture Matters, Venky joins Subbu to explore what changes when leaders move from multinational corporations into founder- and family-led businesses—and what it takes to succeed in both worlds.
We explore:
- Venky’s journey from multinational corporations to promoter-led businesses—and what drew him to make the shift
- Why working directly with an entrepreneur demands a different language, mindset, and leadership style
- What MNC leaders must unlearn when they enter a founder- or family-led organization
- Why leaders should resist repeatedly referring to the practices and successes of their previous companies
- The importance of understanding the informal influencers and long-standing relationships surrounding a founder
- Why business knowledge, commercial thinking, speed, and return on investment matter deeply in promoter-led organizations
- The CHRO’s role as a conscience keeper—and as a buffer protecting the organization’s cultural fabric
- What CXOs and independent directors must understand when serving on the boards of family-owned companies
- Why young professionals should choose good organizations rather than thinking only in terms of MNCs, startups, or family businesses
- Venky’s career playbook: learn culture, governance, and ethics in a strong MNC—and then apply them in a founder-led enterprise