Offbeat: Prasenjit Roy – embodiment of Parampara, Pratishtha, Anushasan

Adgully’s special feature section – ‘Offbeat’ – seeks to give a peek into the lesser known facets of our very well-known industry leaders. We present, in the industry leaders’ own words, an interesting read on areas that are not usually highlighted in regular media coverage – be it about their childhood days, secret skills that they possess, how they unwind from their hectic schedules, and much more. 

Prasenjit Roy, Senior Vice President - Marketing, NTT Com Netmagic, has around two and a half decades of corporate experience on the business side – spanning across several multinationals on the IT/Technology services side. An accomplished and dynamic strategic marketing and business professional, Roy is the evangelist of Integrated Strategic Marketing covering a wide spectrum of industry sectors, including financial, telecom, information technology and other verticals. His relevant sales experience in different geographies helps to churn out high efficacy marketing strategy across multi-locations, multi-state and global environments. 

He is the winner of the “Most Iconic Marketing Professional” award and is a regular speaker at international symposiums, leading B-Schools and industry associations like NASSCOM. 

A precious childhood trait that you still possess?
As far back as I can recall, I was a confident toddler, which persisted throughout my adolescence and beyond. I was not someone to be deterred by any challenges. In fact, I used to wait for challenging opportunities to test myself. My ‘never-give-up’ attitude has stayed with me all these years and has, over time, become my mantra to keep pursuing my goals till the end. 

Ever wished you had superhero powers?
We do not need any super powers. Mental endurance, focus, and adrenaline can do wondrous things that are indeed superhero-like. It all comes down to making a positive influence on another individual’s life. For instance, a child considers his/ her mother or father to be a superhero; not because they have super powers, but because they are self-sufficient and influential in the eyes of the child. Similarly, I focus on being the best version of myself to be as influential as I can be, and create a positive impact on those around me. That’s what a superhero represents, and that potential lies within each individual. 

What is your biggest fear and how do you face it?
A fear only develops when you keep mulling over it and fail to act upon it. Former President of the United States, Franklin D. Roosevelt, had famously said during his first inaugural address: “The only thing we have to fear is fear itself – nameless, unreasonable, unjustified terror which paralyses need efforts to convert retreat into advance”. I abide by this very belief in being inattentive to fears, and instead focusing all physical and mental energy in doing the right thing, that is, advancing. 

A secret that you have which no one knows about?
I am not sure if it can be called a secret, but I am someone who does not give up until I accomplish something. I make sure I achieve what I set out to do. I always have this innate desire to surpass all my previous benchmarks and to challenge myself to achieve something. Hence, I am my own worst critic and motivator at the same time, which pushes me to better myself day in, day out. 

What would one find in your playlist?
One would find my playlist filled with The Eagles’ albums, with ‘Hotel California’ being the most played song. 

Your go-to activity to relax?
Reading a book or the occasional golf session always calms my nerves. 

What is the greatest lesson that you have learnt from life so far?
We are all capable of achieving success in life through a smart mix of hard-work and luck. They both go hand-in-hand. I have also learnt that once an individual finds his/her passion and true calling, they must give it their all to turn their dreams into reality; that is what sets leaders apart from the rest. 

A social cause that you are most passionate about?
I am most passionate about organ donation. I belong to the school of thought that regardless of the advancements in society and technology, human compassion must stand the test of time. Organ donation after an individual’s death acts as the biggest form of compassion by saving the lives of up to eight people by donating the liver, lungs, heart, kidneys, pancreas, and small intestine. In addition, tissues can also be donated, which can help several ill people improve the quality of their lives. 

If not in your current designation, what would you have been?
If I wasn’t the Senior Vice President or Chief Marketing Officer of NTT Com Netmagic, I would have perhaps been a marketer, because advertising and consumerism interests me even today. I have never contemplated any other alternative. 

What are the three apps on your mobile that you couldn’t live without?
WhatsApp, LinkedIn, and Twitter. These three apps have seamlessly crept into my daily life and have become an integral part of it. 

Any content/ film or book you saw or read recently and why?
The book ‘Jonathan Livingston Seagull’ by Richard Bach. I think the story is inspirational in many ways. One particular quote resonated with me, “Don’t believe what your eyes are telling you. All they show is limitation. Look at your understanding. Find out what you already know and you will see the way to fly”. 

Two things about this industry that you don’t like or don’t understand?
I think it would be building the equity of a leader. After all, this is what sets apart the men from the boys. 

Which two organisations outside your own do you know the most people at and why?
I know the most people at the Tata Group. I would give credit for the strong relationships I have maintained with them to Tata itself. I say this because they focus on the vital communication skills of their leaders, including cognitive and intuitive emotional intelligence. 

At the end of the day, each organisation is a social institution which is driven by interpersonal relationships. Mere hard skills and intelligence does not lead to excellence. It is rather the connection formed with people using emotional competencies like empathy and awareness, which stand the test of time. 

If you could live anywhere in the world, where would you live?
I would irrefutably choose India, because of the natural love I have for my mother land. There are numerous business heads who strive to live overseas, which is up to them really, but I wouldn’t want to follow suit. India as diverse as it is, is a burst of immense culture and ethnicity, which I look forward to witnessing first-hand throughout my life.

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