"The biggest challenge was to get the right team in place," he recalls. "It was also how well you raised resources and utilized resources." Data Quest magazine declared iSeva the best company to work for during 2004 and 2005.

In 2006, he merged iSeva with 'e4e.' As President of India Operations of 'e4e,' Tewari is a member of the 14-strong management team of the company that prides on being a global business services company. The company, with 3,500 employees, helps its clients to grow their businesses in the areas of financial, technology and healthcare services. It was established in 2000 by three entrepreneurs including Somshankar Das, who is the company's President and Chief Executive Officer. With headquarters in the US, the company has regional offices in Scotland, UK and India.

Partnering with clients

"We want to be business partners for our clients," Tewari says. "That is the single most important principle for us." He expects the company to record a 40 per cent growth this year, and double its size in a couple of years. Integrity is high up among the company's principles. Tewari points to the examples of TCS, Infosys, and Wipro, to back up his point that the value of integrity has significantly changed in India in the last 20 years. Of course, the global system has also helped.

Integrity, he says, means doing what you say. Integrity plays a significant role in building a good rapport with clients by not hiding the bad news from them.

On the responsibility of higher executives, he notes: "As people look up to you, you have to live up to a certain standard." Employees consider how well the head of an organization reflects the company's values. Small wonder, Data Quest magazine has rated e4e number 1 in terms of employee satisfaction this year.

Asked about promoting IT in other cities across India, he says Bangalore's success does not necessarily mean it could be repeated elsewhere. Instead, each city should build on its inherent strengths, like the textile industry in Ahmedabad and the diamond industry in Surat. "Innovation can be in any field, and not only in IT," he adds.

With the boom in opportunities in India, the ambitious no longer want to go to the US. In 1993, upto 70% students from his alumni IIT Kanpur went abroad for higher education, but in the current year only 5% students have. Tewari feels the current trend in globalization and its acceptance in India has helped the country to emerge not only as a key outsourcing market but also as a market for products.

India's BPO edge

Asked about the threats to India's share in the BPO market from various countries, he says he does not see a problem at all. He believes that India's edge in English education over others, and its early entry into the outsourcing market, will help the country to retain its dominance in the years ahead, even if its share comes down.

In fact India's general economic growth has put the country on track to becoming a super-power by 2020. Tewari says only people's lack of faith in themselves can slow down the achievement.

Having made Bangalore his home for the past seven years, Tewari says: "I have been to many cities. I believe Bangalore is one of the best cities to be in. Bangalore has the right balance in terms of pace." What particularly impresses him is the kind of energy Bangalore shows, something "unheard of anywhere in the world." People are industrious in their respective fields which is one of the reasons why Bangalore is so developed and has become the land of opportunities.

Back to work-life balance. Tewari says his company e4e takes employees out of their daily grind. "Working long hours does not necessarily mean working smart. If you enjoy whatever you are doing either in the work place or at home, then you will be a happier person."

As for himself, he is happy watching cricket and movies. He also loves reading. In any case, he enjoys playing with his little son for two hours every morning before leaving for the office.

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