Ar. Prabhat Tyagi

VP Business Operations

Stori Designs

Prabhat Tyagi, Vice President of Business Operations at Stori Designs, boasts a distinguished career marked by strategic vision and impactful achievements. Diverging from a military family tradition, Prabhat’s educational journey took him through hotel management, engineering, and ultimately architecture. This diverse background provided a unique foundation for his professional success. A significant milestone in Prabhat’s career was his tenure at Asian Paints, where he effectively merged architectural knowledge with business strategies. This integration shaped his approach to management and operations, demonstrating his ability to enhance productivity and build key business relationships. At NoBroker.com, as Head of Operations Pan India, Prabhat honed his expertise in procurement, data processing, and team management. His previous roles at Square Yards, Asian Paints, Blocher and Blocher Partners, and Boeing International Corporation India further developed his skills in cost control and market expansion. Prabhat credits his success to the unwavering support of his family, including his wife, mother, and father, whose belief in him has been a constant source of motivation. His career reflects a blend of strategic insight, technical proficiency, and people-centric leadership, making him a transformative leader at Stori Designs. He elaborates on his journey and future plans with TradeFlock.

Can you describe your early days and what influenced your career path?

My journey has been unconventional. Born into a disciplined military family, I was driven to explore diverse fields—beginning with hotel management, then engineering, and finally architecture. Each path enriched my perspective, blending creativity with analytical thinking, which has been pivotal in my career. These experiences layered my understanding of the world, ultimately shaping my strategic approach to business operations, where I apply this unique combination of skills to drive success.

What were the key challenges at NoBroker, and how did you address them?

NoBroker.com presented challenges on a large scale, particularly in procurement and team management. Managing resources effectively while controlling costs and ensuring quality was complex, as was maintaining cohesion across a nationwide team. Steering through these challenges was like navigating a vast ship through unpredictable waters. I developed strategies that addressed these issues, turning them into opportunities for growth and innovation, ultimately enhancing our operational efficiency.

What are the key lessons you’ve learnt in your career?

I’ve learnt that human capital is crucial—people drive success more than technology ever could. This belief has become central to my leadership philosophy, emphasising the importance of valuing and nurturing talent. Additionally, I’ve realised that procrastination only causes inefficiencies and missed opportunities. Tackling challenges head-on has become a key principle in my approach to both work and life. These insights, gained through experience, have profoundly shaped my approach to leadership and operations.

What challenges have you faced at Stori Designs with architects and their standards?

Engaging with architects, who have specific and detailed requirements, has been a major challenge. Their high standards of finish demand extensive knowledge of materials, carpentry, and manufacturing. To meet these expectations, we’ve heavily invested in R&D to elevate ‘Made in India’ to match the quality of ‘Made in Germany.’ This ongoing journey of improvement and innovation drives us to continually push boundaries and achieve the rigorous standards set by our clients.

How did your role at Asian Paints shape your leadership style?

My time at Asian Paints was transformative, merging architectural expertise with business operations to create a synergy that enhanced efficiency. I wasn’t just managing daily tasks; I was reimagining operations to align with strategic goals. Like a chef perfecting a recipe, I blended creativity with precision to deliver exceptional results, realising the power of integrating diverse knowledge to drive innovation and success.

How have mentors influenced your career?

I’ve been fortunate to have mentors who guided me at key moments in my career. At NoBroker, CEO Amit Kumar Agarwal was crucial to my growth, teaching me to scale while preserving core values. Early on, Hartmut Wurster from Blocher Partners provided essential architectural insights that helped me navigate the corporate world. At Stori Designs, founders Deepesh Shah and Ashish Charla have shown tremendous trust, empowering me to lead confidently. Each mentor has been a lighthouse, guiding me through the complexities of business. And lastly, I am indebted to Lord Hanuman ji for his blessings.

At Stori Designs, how do you nurture talent and approach leadership?

I view my leadership style as that of a gardener. Just as a gardener nurtures each plant based on its needs, I focus on developing the unique strengths of each team member. By avoiding micromanagement, I foster creativity and growth, providing the tools, authority,and environment necessary for success. This includes offering full sponsorship for higher education and promoting knowledge sharing. My aim is to cultivate a supportive ecosystem where innovation and collaboration drive our achievements.

How do you balance instinct and data in your decisionmaking process?

Trusting my instincts, a principle I learnt from Amit Kumar Agarwal, has guided me throughout my career. Yet, I also value the critical role of data in business. My approach blends intuition with rigorous data analysis, ensuring decisions are well-informed and aligned with strategic goals. This balance allows me to take calculated risks confidently, embracing a zeroregret mindset. It’s like mixing the perfect recipe for success, where both instinct and data are essential.