Dillep Singh Tomaar

Architecting Global Business Growth

Dillep Singh Tomaar

Business Head (India / Srilanka / Middle East Operations) and Global Delivery,

ProV International

Not all leaders can exemplify the fusion of wisdom and experience as vividly as Dillep Singh Tomaar, the business head overseeing India, Sri Lanka, and Middle East operations at ProV International. Dillep’s journey towards leadership was not merely forged through professional accomplishments but was honed by pivotal moments that ingrained profound philosophies, shaping his remarkable leadership style. Dillep’s leadership journey finds its roots in Tallibuddin, his school principal, whose relentless pursuit of excellence ignited a transformation in his approach. What began as an overlooked principle blossomed into a wellspring of inspiration, guiding Dillep away from mediocrity towards an unwavering commitment to excellence. This ethos, grounded in the achievable pursuit of excellence through concerted effort, became the cornerstone of his leadership style. Moreover, Hinduism’s Karma Yoga, imparted by his father, significantly shapes Dillep’s leadership philosophy. This principle, centred on dedicated action without fixation on outcomes, became the bedrock of his approach—anchoring actions with integrity and an unyielding dedication to doing what’s right. These intertwined teachings form the core of Dillep’s leadership narrative, emphasising continuous improvement, integrity, and the relentless pursuit of excellence. Steering a global consultancy like ProV necessitates unique leadership strengths. For Dillep, it’s about decisive actions, empowering team members, fostering clear communication, and setting an example through practical guidance. Here, Dillep epitomises a fusion of profound philosophies and pragmatic leadership. His balanced approach merges the relentless pursuit of excellence with principled action, enriching not only his professional endeavours but also the lives of those he leads. In an exclusive interview with TradeFlock, Dillep delves deeper into his journey and shares insights into his experiences.

Tell us about your entrepreneurial challenges and how you overcame them.

In my entrepreneurial journey, adaptability has been paramount. Each quarter brought new opportunities and connections, aligning with our broader roadmap. One of the important examples of this is when serendipitously, we began representing three innovative software companies, garnering a tremendous market response. Openmindedness enabled our business model to evolve naturally, fostering collaborations with industry experts. We showcased adaptability when our solution portfolio transitioned to include agency / sales representation during a digital marketing discussion, highlighting our flexibility. Challenges arose during seeking a collaboration with global Design Thinking experts in leading universities like Stanford and MIT, but a networking connection led to a partnership with another highly respected innovation thought leader, highlighting the value of reaching out persistently and confidently. Steve Jobs’ philosophy reinforced the value of seeking support, exemplified by a LinkedIn connection providing timely guidance. In a phase of limited work and circular discussions, patience and self-belief paved the way for a successful outcome. This journey underscored the significance of continuous alignment with market signals, emphasising the power of agile evolution in fostering sustained success.

Can you summarise your consulting industry background and highlight key projects you've worked on?

I bring over 25 years of extensive consulting expertise gained from roles at PwC, IBM, and Ernst & Young. My focus has primarily been on strategic and operational performance improvement within the manufacturing sector (FMCG & Industrial goods), supplemented by experience in telecom/mobility and BFSI. Digital transformation has been a pivotal aspect of my projects, facilitating welcome and enduring change. Key projects include sales IT transformation for a leading FMCG company diversifying into multiple categories, e-commerce model implementation for traditional medicines, and crafting industry roadmaps for sectors like jute, natural rubber, and sponge iron. I’ve conducted strategy and diversification assessments for prominent pharmaceutical, metals, and mining companies and led operational enhancements in logistics, customer service, and supply chain for various industries. My academic background includes a PGDM from IIM, Ahmedabad, and a B.Tech. (Hons.) in Manufacturing Sc. & Engg. from IIT-Delhi, laying the foundation for my successful consulting career.

How do you solve complex business problems for clients? Can you share a successful solution you've implemented as an example?

I approach complex business problems innovatively, prioritising on-site research and interactions. I blend industry-leading practices with simplification, ensuring solutions are straightforward and easily adopted. Piloting and refining solutions based on real-world insights is crucial to promoting user adoption. Flexibility is key; if a different problem arises, I adapt collaboratively with clients. Clients appreciate the sincerity and effort invested in addressing challenges, even when some approaches require reorientation. In Destacto, our approach also has been to bring the best of consulting and industry expertise. For this, we have partnered with several industry leaders who bring the handson operational experience which blends very well with the consulting rigour and process orientation. Our clients have loved this combination, giving us a lot of encouragement.

How do you invest in your growth as a leader and professional? What specific areas are you currently prioritising for personal development?

I prioritise continuous technical learning, having completed a formal Design Thinking course at MIT. This not only provided exposure to the methodology but also a philosophy I deeply believe in. Additionally, I’m investing time in understanding startups from an investor’s perspective, enhancing my knowledge in this area through a dedicated course on investing in startups. Moreover, my focus extends to organisational change, building high-performance teams, and developing individuals. Addressing the shortage of the right skillsets in client organisations is crucial. I am committed to nurturing existing teams, complemented by strategic augmentation, to ensure sustained performance delivery. Continuous learning and strategic investments remain my core principles for personal and professional growth.

Describe your leadership approach and the principles that guide it.

I lead with an enabling, collaborative, and participative style. I invest additional hours to engage and align individuals, prioritising collaboration over coercion. I empower selfstarters by avoiding micromanagement and providing full support when they take risks. Mutual trust forms the foundation of my approach, eliminating the need for personal risk management activities. I fully support my team, covering them if challenges arise. My leadership principles were reinforced by positive experiences working with bosses who shared the same ethos of mutual trust and support.