Less than twenty questions with K. Sudarshan, Managing Partner, EMA Partners India.

Each month, we interview consultants from EMA Partners offices around the world.

Web Master (WM): Why did you decide to become an Executive Search Consultant?
K. Sudarshan: Well, it was by default than design. Back in 1995, I had walked into the office of then, a leading Indian recruiting firm to check out on a potential opportunity for myself. The firm ended up offering me a position in their recruiting business and as they say ‘rest is history’! The executive search business was still in its infancy in India, those days.

WM: What were you doing before becoming an Executive Search Consultant?
K. Sudarshan: I am an Engineer by qualification, having graduated out of the National Institute of Technology and I used to work in the Infrastructure and Power business with one of the leading business houses in South India.

WM: How many years experience do you have in the search business?
K. Sudarshan: I have spent around 14 years in the Executive Search business across national and international search firms and over the years have witnessed the acceptance and growth of the executive search business in India.

WM: It sounds as if you have quite a lot of international business experience….
K. Sudarshan: Well, I have never held a full time job outside of India, but over the years my search work has taken me to markets across the world from Japan to Latin America, Europe, Middle East and North America.

WM: When did you join EMA?
K. Sudarshan: I joined EMA Partners International in 2003 and co-founded the firm in India.

WM: What has EMA meant to you?
K. Sudarshan: With several Indian companies going global and the entry of multinational companies in to our market since the early 90s, I have always believed in the global character of the Executive Search business. To me, EMA has been the ideal platform to build and grow a large International Search practice. We are proud of what we have achieved in India over the past 5 years. Beyond business, the other key driver is the relationships one has built with my fellow Partners and colleagues around the world.

WM: Can you tell us about the business environment in India?
K. Sudarshan: India is an exciting place to be in at this time. One of the fastest growing global economies, we are seeing unprecedented levels of activity across industry and business. This is also the time where we are seeing Indian corporations expanding their footprint on a global basis and also several multinationals expanding or setting up their India presence. In this backdrop, our firm has been registering a 100% Y-O-Y growth for the past 4 years in India.

WM: Tell us a bit about your family and hobbies.
K. Sudarshan: I am married to Sangeetha and we have two children, my son is 8 yrs and daughter 4 years old. We live in Central Mumbai. I enjoy playing squash, cricket and badminton and of course I hate missing my morning workout at my gym.

WM: Can you tell us about the lifestyle in India?
K. Sudarshan:In Mumbai, like in any other large metropolitan city, life is on the fast lane during the week days with very little time outside your work and the commute. Weekends are typically relaxed and it is the time to unwind and catch up with family and friends. During major festivals like Diwali and Ganesha, it is common to see people dancing and celebrating on the streets with drumbeats and fire crackers. Since India is vast and diverse, there are multiple faiths and festivals which are celebrated across the country.

WM: What movies have had biggest impact on your life?
K. Sudarshan: Gandhi and Schindlers List.

WM: What book has influenced you most in your life?
K. Sudarshan: ”Straight from the Gut” by Jack Welch.

WM: What makes you the happiest?
K. Sudarshan: Well, nothing to beat the joy of completing a tough mission critical assignment for a client and winning repeat business.

WM: What annoys you the most?
K. Sudarshan: Lack of transparency, mercenary behavior and greed puts me off big time. We have seen these traits surfacing out in recent times with over ambitious executives.

WM: What are your goals for the future?
K. Sudarshan: To further build on our reputation, credibility and size in India and the rest of the world and leave behind an institution staffed by able leaders.

WM: Thanks for answering my questions!