Twinterview

Forbs Life

Harsh Mariwala

Chairman, Marico

From the country's favourite hair oil, Parachute, to cooking oil, Saffola, Harsh Mariwala's FMCG brand Marico has it all. Mariwala, who ranks 46 on the Forbes India Rich List 2014, has transformed Marico from a single-product startup to a Rs 5700 crore (as of FY 15) FMCG major. Marico's products are shipped to over 25 countries across Asia and Africa. One out of every three Indians uses products made by Marico.


An entrepreneur's journey to success
  • Forbes India : Welcome to #UnleashIndia #Twinterview, where the man behind Marico, @hcmariwala will soon be here on twitter to talk about entrepreneurship.
  • Forbes India : Catch the #Twinterview of @hcmariwala on Entrepreneurship by following us both or click here to watch the Twinterview http://t.co/gGMqVLecS6
  • Forbes India : Since we will be tweeting a lot, you can avoid the interview by muting #UnleashIndia. Don't forget to unmute though!
  • Forbes India : Marico chairman @hcmariwala is going to be on twitter any moment now, for a very exciting #Twinterview, so stay tuned on #UnleashIndia
  • Forbes India : It's time! @hcmariwala is here on twitter on #UnleashIndia, welcome to the #Twinterview !
  • Forbes India : @hcmariwala we would like to first thank you for accepting this request to join us for the #UnleashIndia #twinterview :)
  • Harsh Mariwala : Excited to be here as part of #UnleashIndia to discuss entrepreneurship. @forbes_india https://t.co/fFBshI0wZg
  • Forbes India : @hcmariwala we have received many questions from curious minds across India who want to hear from you. So let's get started & #UnleashIndia
  • Harsh Mariwala : @forbes_india Sure, let's begin #UnleashIndia.
  • Forbes India : @hcmariwala, Over the course of 28 years, how has Marico helped #UnleashIndia's potential and what has been the core strategy?
  • Harsh Mariwala : RT @aparna_jain: Good to know. https://t.co/0t2dHhkCjH
  • Harsh Mariwala : RT @teedubya: I've watched 100s of #TED Talks. I watch one daily. http://t.co/IZ8JAlNdd3 Here are the 10 that, I believe, every human being…
  • Harsh Mariwala : Our core offerings are 1. Create a value proposition & a right to win. 2. Innovation #UnleashIndia [1/2] https://t.co/5Kss9PjbdP
  • Harsh Mariwala : 3. Focus on beauty & wellness in emerging markets. 4. Strong execution focus #UnleashIndia [2/2] https://t.co/5Kss9PjbdP
  • Forbes India : That was an insightful reply @hcmariwala. Now we move on with our second question
  • Forbes India : @hcmariwala How do you think summits and think tanks like the Forbes India Entrepreneurship Summit, will help entrepreneurs #UnleashIndia?
  • Harsh Mariwala : The Summit is a great learning experience for hearing success & setback stories of entrepreneurs. #UnleashIndia https://t.co/owfQx08hpc
  • Forbes India : Catch the #Twinterview of @hcmariwala on Entrepreneurship by following us both or click here http://t.co/gGMqVLecS6
  • Forbes India : @hcmariwala The beauty and wellness market is dynamic. How can entrepreneurs pick newer opportunities in this space help to #UnleashIndia?
  • Harsh Mariwala : @forbes_india Amidst firce competition, entrepreneurs should give up a ‘me too' stance & explore areas in which they can win #UnleashIndia
  • Forbes India : @hcmariwala, what technological breakthroughs has Marico made in order to enhance the experience of purchasing a product? #UnleashIndia
  • Harsh Mariwala : @forbes_india Marico is building platforms with tech for better customer collaboration, for a more accurate demand fulfillment #UnleashIndia
  • Forbes India : Followers can tweet to us and ask questions by using #UnleashInida . We will take a couple of questions that @hcmariwala will answer.
  • Forbes India : @hcmariwala, tell us a bit about your Ascent Foundation and how it can help to #UnleashIndia?
  • Harsh Mariwala : @forbes_india ASCENT Foundation is a non-profit, peer-to-peer platform for ambitious entrepreneurs who have (1/3) https://t.co/hTtV0ysDT9
  • Harsh Mariwala : @forbes_india already embarked on their journey and are raring to go. The purpose is to enable entrepreneurs (2/3) https://t.co/hTtV0ysDT9
  • Harsh Mariwala : to achieve sustainable scaling-up of their enterprise by leveraging the power of the collective. #UnleashIndia (3/3) https://t.co/hTtV0ysDT9
  • Forbes India : Catch the #Twinterview of @hcmariwala on Entrepreneurship by following us both or click here: http://t.co/gGMqVLecS6
  • Forbes India : @hcmariwala, What is that one mistake that you think every entrepreneur should make early on? #UnleashIndia
  • Harsh Mariwala : Be experimental & do not fear failure. Fail early, learn from them. Apply learnings to your business #UnleashIndia https://t.co/Hu9BdTea52
  • Forbes India : @hcmariwala In 2014 Marico instituted a board to create young leaders. Are youth based corporate strategies essential to #UnleashIndia?
  • Harsh Mariwala : Today's youth can be clubbed as Generation C. C = connected. It is critical that we stay connected with them. (1/2) https://t.co/KowRvHlN4q
  • Harsh Mariwala : We should capture their lifestyles, aspirations & choices in order to create value propositions (2/2) #UnleashIndia https://t.co/KowRvHlN4q
  • Forbes India : @hcmariwala Coming up is a question that the world is trying to solve: How does one maintain Work-Life Balance?
  • Harsh Mariwala : Enjoy your work & the question won't arise. Focus, prioritize & delegate for better time management. #UnleashIndia https://t.co/MHGSLq9pId
  • Forbes India : @hcmariwala, any advice for the budding entrepreneurs that are set to #UnleashIndia?
  • Harsh Mariwala : Create a unique business proposition based on your strengths; and enjoy your journey #UnleashIndia https://t.co/xCdThY2IuS
  • Forbes India : What does @hcmariwala keep in mind when hiring key executives? #UnleashIndia
  • Harsh Mariwala : I look for 1. Strong desire to succeed 2.Cultural fit 3. Essential domain knowledge/experience #UnleashIndia https://t.co/cmdR55odyt
  • Forbes India : Our next Q is from @iZorba for @hcmariwala : Ever had those feelings of fear & indecision along the entrepreneurial journey? #UnleashIndia
  • Harsh Mariwala : Fear is a part of the entrepreneurial journey but that shouldn't deter you from taking risks #UnleashIndia https://t.co/4noanACw5L
  • Forbes India : @hcmariwala What advice would you give on dealing with competitors in a business landscape, after so much experience in FMCG? #UnleashIndia
  • Harsh Mariwala : Try to be consumer-centric than competition-centric. Offer more value to consumers through innovation #UnleashIndia https://t.co/rNqGh5LeHm
  • Forbes India : @hcmariwala What should be more important to a budding entrepreneur, Value Delivery or Sales?
  • Harsh Mariwala : It is important to create the right business model to deliver sustainable & profitable growth in time #UnleashIndia https://t.co/GRAhsR4jP9
  • Forbes India : @hcmariwala How does an entrepreneur ensure that his new products don't cannibalize his old ones? #UnleashIndia
  • Harsh Mariwala : Cannibalize before someone else does. Unique brand positioning will reduce cannibalism. #UnleashIndia https://t.co/vV733XN2B2
  • Forbes India : @hcmariwala What are the key traits that a budding entrepreneur should cultivate to become a successful leader? #UnleashIndia
  • Harsh Mariwala : Identify business plans based on strengths & innovate perpetually. Execution is as imp as strategy. #UnleashIndia https://t.co/TUu3jwun54
  • Forbes India : Catch the #Twinterview of @hcmariwala on Entrepreneurship by following us both or click here: http://t.co/gGMqVLecS6
  • Forbes India : Noted Mr. @hcmariwala. Moving on with our next question.
  • Forbes India : @hcmariwala Diluting equity is tricky. How should young entrepreneurs ensure they don't lose ownership of their company? #UnleashIndia
  • Harsh Mariwala : Only foolproof way is to have a shareholders agreement where a certain % is locked in and cannot be sold (1/2) https://t.co/MVK6SY3ZRG
  • Harsh Mariwala : for an ‘x' period of time. If shareholding falls below 50% then only dilution risk exists. #UnleashIndia (2/2) https://t.co/MVK6SY3ZRG
  • Forbes India : @hcmariwala Conservation is important. How would an entrepreneur maintain a growing business while remaining sustainable? #UnleashIndia
  • Harsh Mariwala : Sustainability leads to savings & efficacy. Invest in being sustainable. It benefits Society, Investors & Customers. https://t.co/iy7k9TnhvE
  • Forbes India : Q from @the_keshav : @hcmariwala Do you really think the #GreeceCrisis will not have any impact upon us at all? the INR vs euro evaluation?
  • Harsh Mariwala : Long as the crisis is confined to Greece & doesn't spread, India should remain insulated. #UnleashIndia https://t.co/rZRLLypvOc
  • Forbes India : Last Q @RehabWani : @hcmariwala #UnleashIndia how should one tap finances for entrepreneurship & what finances would be viable for the same?
  • Harsh Mariwala : Various options available. Best is to consult a finance professional for help. #UnleashIndia https://t.co/lBPksU4RkH
  • Forbes India : With this we wrap up this #Twinterview on #UnleashIndia & we are grateful to @hcmariwala for being kind to share your journey with us.
  • Harsh Mariwala : @forbes_india Thank you for inviting me. It was my pleasure! #UnleashIndia https://t.co/I0taNijfQs