Inspiring Leaders - Suresh BawaSuresh has been a good friend of mine since our teenage years. I have seen him go through a number of twists and turns on his journey as a business leader (including a senior role at our local newspaper in Wolverhampton – The Express and Star) to reach high levels of success over recent years.

Suresh is now an entrepreneur, investor and leading marketer off shore and onshore. Having developed start-ups, de-mergers and new products in the UK across the financial sectors, The Bubble Factory now specialises in marketing database management and sales lead generation for large blue chip companies.

In this latest blog in the “Inspiring Leaders” series, Suresh provides his very unique take on leadership.

What are your driving values as a leader?

I feel that accessibility and openness to all of your customers is important, both internal and external, with clear communication at all levels. Taking a positive and confident approach with a sense of humour enables a good leader to inspire others. Honesty with colleagues and clear goals and objectives in delegation is also key.

How do you think your style differs from other leaders you observe?

I try and take a very much collaborative approach with everyone. Mediation and involving all people in the decision making process has always put me in good stead. Making ownership personal gives the ability for individuals to take accountability and deliver to the targets set. Having always worked in a sales and marketing environment means creativity has always been vital.

A leader needs to lead by example and show grit, determination and be a role model and mentor. I try and adopt a friendly and “two ears-one mouth” approach, as listening is key to any successful partnership.

Who are leaders who have proven inspirational to you?

  • Mahatma Gandhi
  • Martin Luther King
  • Jeff Bezos CEO Amazon
  • Steve jobs – Apple
  • Richard Branson – Virgin

Define your company culture and what is important in this for you?

Over the years, we have developed many new start-ups, including a recruitment business that was in the Virgin fast track fastest growing businesses for four consecutive years. Going from four branches to over thirty. This success was built on a few simple principles:

  • Fun environment
  • Professional
  • Ownership
  • Open, transparent, fair
  • Trust
  • Training and support
  • Patience
  • Transparency
  • Let people talk and have an opinion

What are your ambitions for the future?

Happiness and making the right decisions for future protection of my family. Some diversity in my portfolio of investments.

What advice would you give to aspiring business leaders?

Be true to yourself. Realise that taking risks will be part of your daily routine. You won’t be liked all the time but it’s not a popularity contest. Have fun along the way.

To see the other articles in the Inspiring Leaders series, click here.