Unforgettable Lessons from Sanjiv Mehta
In this heartfelt write-up, the author, Nazim Farhan Choudhury, Serial Entrepreneur, Managing Director, Adcomm Limited, reminisces about their experience working with Sanjiv Mehta, the former Commercial Director of Unilever Bangladesh. From an unexpected encounter during a presentation setup to the profound impact on the advertising agency, Nazim Farha reflects on Mr. Mehta’s hands-on approach and his unwavering dedication to brand stewardship. The article highlights the importance of leaders actively engaging in brand maintenance and the lasting legacy Mr. Mehta has left behind.
The main write up is given as follows:
I was still a young account executive working on the Unilever Bangladesh account. We had a major presentation one morning. While I was setting up projector in their conference room, a young boyish looking person walked in. I assumed he was one of the new management trainees who was sent to help me with the connections. He was quite helpful and didn’t bat an eyelid to follow my often confusing instructions in an attempts to get the system to work. Including, if I remember correctly, going under the table to plug my laptop. Imagine my horror when the presentation started and I was introduced to the young MT helper of mine as Sanjiv Mehta, then the recently appointed Commercial Director of my biggest client.
That showed the stature of the man. He never during his stint as CD and then Chairman MD of Unilever Bangladesh hesitate rolling up his sleeves and getting into the thick of things to get the job done. His advice and guidance proved incredibly valuable and has played an unparalleled influence on what our advertising agency, Adcomm is today.
These days I see new “leaders” across Bangladesh Inc, being confined their ivory towers. Only tangentially involved in, at least the advertising communication process. The most important asset that a company owns are their brands and goodwill. One cannot delegate its custody to junior brand executives. As much as we need to look after our factory and machinery, we need to keep constant upkeep and maintenance of our brands. Mr Mehta understood this better than any. During his time Unilever never shyed away from investing behind their brands – be it constant research or brand building innovations. This is why brands such as Lux, Lifebuoy, Surf, Wheel, Pepesodent and their stable mates, weathered, sometimes existential challenges, to still remain the top brands of the country. His legacy is that he has made sure that rigor is still strong more than a decade and half since he has left.
Thank you Mr Mehta. And the best on your new adventures. Can’t wait to find out what it is.
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