CEO Insights Magazine

Business leaders, as architects of progress, steer organizations toward prosperity while adhering to principles of integrity and social responsibility. Their critical role extends beyond the boardroom, guiding businesses through uncertainty, motivating teams, and driving innovation. They establish responsible business conduct standards by focusing on ethical practices, sustainability, and corporate citizenship. Effective leaders create collaborative and empowering cultures in which individual and collective success are celebrated. In today's business landscape, exemplary leadership is defined by vision, integrity, and resilience.

Siva K Pichai is an experienced leader with a diverse background that includes marketing, telecommunications, security systems, automotive OEM, and sensing technologies. Siva has held notable positions at Panasonic, Robert Bosch, and Honeywell, where he has driven strategic growth and innovation. He is currently the Managing Director of BMI, where he oversees South East Asia and India roofing solutions, embodying adaptability and strategic vision.

In an exclusive interview with CEO Insights, Siva K Pichai enlightens us about his professional traits and leadership attributes.

Share some of the major milestones you have crossed and the lessons you have acquired over the years.

My professional journey has been a tapestry of diverse industries and roles, each with significant accomplishments and valuable lessons. After graduating from the University of Malaya in 1995, I worked at Panasonic Malaysia for 12 years honing my marketing skills, driving the growth of the B2B telecommunications sector, and increasing the market presence of the home appliances division. After joining Robert Bosch, I served as General Manager of Bosch Security Systems Malaysia, orchestrating strategic repositioning amidst challenges. In Thailand, I completed a remarkable business turnaround. Transitioning to the automotive OEM sector, I navigated the electric and self-driving vehicle landscapes, forming alliances with major automakers. Before embracing sensing technologies, I led a thriving small-medium business segment at Honeywell Building Technologies. Now, at BMI, I oversee Asia's roofing solutions, embodying adaptability, strategic acumen, and a relentless pursuit of excellence and sustainability.

Share with us your academic experience at the University of Malaya. What did you learn from the campus beyond academics?

My academic experience at the University of Malaya was transformative, both academically and personally. Coming from a rural background, admission to this prestigious institution was a significant achievement. Aside from the rigors of academia, the campus environment fostered a culture of independent thinking, teaching invaluable lessons in self-discipline and critical thinking. Networking with peers from various backgrounds broadened my perspectives and highlighted the importance of developing long-term relationships. Collaborative projects helped me improve my teamwork skills, which are essential for navigating professional challenges.

As the Managing Director, what are the factors you take into account when developing effective corporate growth strategies?

As Managing Director, developing effective corporate growth strategies necessitates a comprehensive approach. Firstly, market research is critical. Identifying growth opportunities requires an understanding of market trends and consumer needs. Operational optimization of current business functions ensures customer satisfaction and productivity. Second, fostering innovation entails investing in emerging opportunities that are consistent with our core competencies. Third, exploring uncharted territories necessitates a bold approach to entering untapped markets. Resource allocation is strategic, based on thorough market insights and customer needs. This three-pronged strategy—efficient operations, innovative investment, and pioneering ventures—ensures prudent resource allocation while capitalizing on market opportunities.

Under your leadership, how do you guide your team to deliver a seamless customer experience?

As the leader, prioritizing a seamless customer experience is critical, especially in our roofing industry where customer satisfaction is tangible. We start with identifying the type of customers we serve based on psychographics, demographics and geography. Some customers want affordability and others want the best in class. Both types of customers want quality products. Quality is paramount, ingrained in our shared vision, resulting in superior products at competitive prices. Our brand Monier is a household name stretching over 100 years. The roofing industry is very old and traditional, BMI has pioneered to bring modernity to this industry. Challenging conventional processes encourages innovation, critical thinking, and problem-solving has been the company's hallmark. I lead by example, emphasizing self-discipline and proactive communication while cultivating strong relationships with both our team and clients by staying very close to the pulse of the market. I spend a minimum 25 percent of each month on the field in front of customers, roofers, contractors, architects and developers. Teams from different functions must collaborate with customers in mind. This collaborative approach allows us to anticipate and address customer concerns proactively, reaffirming our commitment to providing exceptional service. We move away from product selling to offering solutions to the customers and the construction industry.

How do you maintain the financial health of the group?

Maintaining our group's financial health requires strategic foresight, particularly in the face of market fluctuations. During prosperous times, fiscal prudence prevails, resulting in prudent spending and strategic investments for future revenue streams. Building reserves during market upswings strengthens our resilience to downturns. It is critical to capitalize on opportunities during market downturns, such as acquisitions or expansion into untapped markets. This proactive approach optimizes our resources by capitalizing on market dynamics to improve our financial standing and position us for long-term success. We also diversify our clientele to commercial customers with membrane roofing so as not to rely on a residential portfolio alone.

What future have you envisioned for yourself as well as for the organization?

In terms of BMI's future trajectory, we see a transformative role that extends beyond traditional roofing. Recognizing the changing landscape, we intend to reimagine the roof as a multifunctional asset, maximizing its potential for renewable energy generation, water harvesting, and environmental sustainability. Embracing green technologies such as solar-integrated roofing and eco-friendly materials, BMI aims to pioneer innovative solutions for future urban settings. Personally, my goal is to guide BMI down this visionary path, catalyzing industry transformation through strategic foresight, ESG adoption, stakeholder engagement, and technological innovation. By expanding our current role, BMI hopes to emerge not only as a roofing supplier but also as a pioneering force in sustainable energy and environmental stewardship. We want to be at the forefront of the circular economy and meeting United Nations climate goals. We want to leave the world a better place for our future generations by adopting responsible and sustainable business practices.

Siva K Pichai, Managing Director, BMI

With extensive experience managing diverse businesses throughout Asia Pacific, Siva K Pichai consistently outperforms market growth, increases shareholder value, and prioritizes ubiquitous customer experiences. He emphasizes a customer-first culture and encourages commercial excellence to achieve maximum efficiency and results. Siva is trusted by both customers and colleagues, and he communicates effectively at all levels. His creativity and innovation fuel his desire to solve business challenges in a variety of fields.

• Hobbies: Meditating, Reading, Travel (particularly to the Himalayas)
• Favorite Cuisine: Multicultural Malaysian Cuisine
• Favorite Book: Biography of Steve Jobs