Anil Ambani faces test of loyalty
Around 25-30 key executives of ADAG controlled NIS Sparta are learnt to have quit to join Bharti Comtel.
By Bhanu Pande and Javed Sayed, TNN |
NEW DELHI: Another exodus and this time it involves two of India’s most high -profile business groups — Reliance-ADAG and Sunil Mittal’s Bharti group. Led by Sanjiv Duggal, till recently the CEO of ADAG-controlled training outfit NIS Sparta, around 25-30 key executives of NIS Sparta are learnt to have quit or are in the process of doing so to join Bharti Comtel, which is being positioned as a training and manpower sourcing company.
| Led by Sanjiv Duggal, till recently the CEO of ADAG-controlled training outfit NIS Sparta, around 25-30 key executives of NIS Sparta are learnt to have quit or are in the process of doing so to join Bharti Comtel, which is being positioned as a training and manpower sourcing company. The Rs 100-crore NIS Sparta is the largest training firm in India |
In addition to senior managers, including heads of business divisions, other NIS Sparta employees, too, could be poached. The Rs 100-crore NIS Sparta is the largest training firm in India. When contacted by ET, NIS President & COO, Muralidhar Rao, said, “A few key people have left but the number of 30 is exaggerated. We have a depth of talent in our organisation and have made alternative arrangements to keep our functioning smooth.”
He, however, declined to give a precise number about the departures. An e-mail query to Bharti elicited the following response, “In our pursuit of building a world-class organisation we recruit the best of talent at all levels. People who have worked with various leading organisations are part of our growing team.”
The large-scale migration from NIS Sparta to Bharti Comtel does not augur well for the relationship between the two groups. The two are fierce competitors in the wireless market with Bharti Airtel being the largest private operator and Reliance Communication Ventures being the second largest in the country. In the past, the two have clashed on the regulatory front, particularly on the CDMA-GSM issue.
Insiders say the Mittals’ plan to consolidate their training and manpower competencies under Bharti Comtel. It would cater to the group’s manpower and training requirements, as well as offer services to external clients. “We get this sense from the fact that Mr Duggal has also pulled many NIS people who may not be relevant to Bharti’s core businesses,” a source told ET.
With the group entering new businesses such as financial services and retail as well as following a strategy of converting its temporary employees into permanent staff, its training and manpower needs are likely to rise. So far, Bharti Comtel has been selling hardware for the internet and satellite business apart from services including annual maintenance contracts. It is learnt the command of NIS Sparta has shifted from its Delhi to Mumbai with Mr Rao taking charge till the time the management finds a new CEO.
ADVERTISEMENT
Narasimha Rao, chief learning officer, Reliance Infocomm is believed to be the frontrunner for the post. NIS Sparta was acquired in ’04 by the undivided Reliance from NIIT. The move came after the pre-split Reliance identified synergy with NIS Sparta in view of its involvement in manpower intensive sectors like telecom and petroleum and other sectors. Post-acquisition, the Reliance-NIS Academy was launched with dedicated staff to address the training needs for Reliance.
Download
The Economic Times Business News App for the Latest News in Business, Sensex, Stock Market Updates & More.
The Economic Times Business News App for the Latest News in Business, Sensex, Stock Market Updates & More.
Download
The Economic Times News App for Quarterly Results, Latest News in ITR, Business, Share Market, Live Sensex News & More.
The Economic Times News App for Quarterly Results, Latest News in ITR, Business, Share Market, Live Sensex News & More.
ADVERTISEMENT
