Mahesh Thampi, regional head of Tata Teleservices Limited’s (TTSL) East India operations, considers successfully building the operator’s network in challenging geographies a major career milestone. “Building a sustainable business in tough geographical conditions, particularly in the eastern part of the country, has been a satisfying experience, one that I look back to with great professional pride,” says Thampi.

However, the challenges don’t end there. Thampi is also responsible for ensuring sustainable business success in all the circles that fall under his purview in the eastern region. “To achieve this, we have chalked out various strategies and processes, many of which pertain to the geographical conditions of the area. I am glad that the results of our efforts are beginning to show with many of the circles I oversee showing significant growth, both in terms of subscriber numbers and revenues,” he says.

Thampi has experience of over a decade in the telecom space in various facets across different geographies. Prior to entering the telecom space, he worked in Xerox and 3M.

He believes in an open-door style of management. “At TATA DOCOMO, we follow an open-door and transparent philosophy, both with our customers and our teams. I see my primary role as empowering our teams, providing guidance wherever necessary and facilitating their success,” he says. That apart, he believes that clarity of thought is important to inspire and motivate his team to perform well.

Thampi is clearly very satisfied with the way his career has shaped up. “It has always been my dream to work with ethical and responsible corporates, and I am fortunate to have been associated with some of the best companies in India,” he says.

When asked about the likely future trends in the telecom space, Thampi says: “Over time, we will see a move towards greater data usage by customers, as telecom begins to impact their lifestyles. This will be both in terms of pure internet consumption and a greater adoption of innovative services and solutions not only by individual users but also enterprises. Hence, to tap the potential that such growth may entail, we are offering tailor-made services and products for the Indian consumer.”