India will see a V-shaped recovery: Manoj Kohli, SoftBank

SoftBank recently appointed Manoj Kohli as its India head. He is currently in charge of the government relations and public policy efforts. Earlier, he was the executive chairman of Softbank’s renewable energy arm, SB Energy, before being the MD and CEO of Bharti Airtel for 13 years.

Here, Manoj Kohli speaks about how India is facing Covid-19, and the way ahead. Excerpts:

DQ: How are you dealing with the Covid-19 situation? What plans have you put in place?

Manoj Kohli: India is currently fighting the situation owing to the Covid-19 very well. We would like to complement the Indian government. The impact of coronavirus may be one of the lowest in the world. India will see a V-shaped recovery. Next year, 2021, will turn out to be a normal growth year. Our portfolio of companies is also opening up well.

DQ: Are you giving employees more control over their schedules?

Manoj Kohli: The employees are now saying that their productivity is much higher. There is also a digital dexterity that is being displayed across the group, and the globe.

DQ: How are you assessing on learning the from enforced experiments around WFH?

Manoj Kohli: The post vaccine era, as and when it will come, will bring about a big change. Companies will have to reset and develop new strategies and new business models. The digital businesses will also grow faster.

DQ: This is a challenging time for managers. What advice would you give them?

Manoj Kohli: The managers have a very special role to play in all of this. They have to display empathy, hope and optimism towards their co-workers.

DQ: How is the work/life balance now?

Manoj Kohli: The work and life balance are currently going on well, if not, better. Earlier, people used to fly for a 2-hour meeting in London. Such travel will be replaced by online meetings. Also, the families themselves are happy. Travel will now be impacted because of the changes in the digital business behaviours.

DQ: Are there any policy responses that you would give to the MSMEs and SMEs?

Manoj Kohli: All of these SME and MSME companies may have some trouble in the short term. However, they are agile and flexible. They are bound to bounce back, stronger.

DQ: How are the latest technologies going to redefine workplace?

Manoj Kohli: The technology sector will now move much faster! Healthcare and the education sectors, especially, will gather speed. Even verticals, such as solar, EV, etc., will grow much faster.

DQ: How do you plan for a future of ‘decent digiwork’?

Manoj Kohli: Now, things are changing quickly. Leading companies like TCS are already shaping the change. Peoples' lives will also change. We will be moving towards digital.