Life Beyond Numbers had the exclusive opportunity to sit down with Amitabh Srivastava, the owner of I Media International and the Co-founder of Voyage Ahead Solutions LLP, for an enlightening conversation about his remarkable journey from a steward at the Taj Mahal Hotel to a trailblazing entrepreneur of two companies. His story is a testament to resilience, determination, and an unwavering commitment to lifelong learning.
Amitabh Srivastava’s journey began with a bold move – starting as a steward at the prestigious Taj Mahal Hotel in Delhi, despite having no financial constraints at home. His father, the renowned journalist Krishna Kant of PTI fame, saw beyond societal norms and encouraged his son to learn from the ground up.
Amitabh’s zeal for learning led him to enroll in a correspondence course at Delhi University, studying French and effective communication in the tourism industry. Three years later, armed with knowledge, he was ready for new challenges.
“My father never felt low that my son is working as a steward. He knew my dreams were big, so the kind of learning which I got from working as a steward was immaculate and would help me achieve my bigger dream. No work is small, according to me,” shared Amitabh.
A Steady Climb: From Front Office to Media Industry
Upon completing his graduation, Amitabh transitioned to the front office within the hospitality sector. However, his passion for media beckoned, leading him to join The Times of India as a coordinator. This marked the beginning of his journey in the media industry.
Subsequently, Amitabh’s career took a significant turn as he joined BBC Worldwide, where he served as the Regional Manager for North and East and swiftly climbed the ranks, earning a promotion to National Manager of South East Asia within three months.
“I moved to BBC Worldwide as a Regional Manager for North and East, and within three months, I got promoted as the National Manager of South East Asia taking care of the Branding, Marketing and Distribution of the network ,” Amitabh reflected on the pivotal moments that shaped his career trajectory.
A Vision Realized: Aajtak’s 24-Hour Channel Transformation
Amitabh’s journey reached a pivotal juncture when he joined Aajtak News channel during its transition from a half-hour bulletin on DD News to a 24-hour channel. In just one year post-launch, Aajtak’s ratings and profits soared.
“There were days when I didn’t know where I was holding a meeting – three different cities at times in a day…I remember being in Mumbai for 15 days and I had no more clothes left with me so a concierge would collect my clothes from Delhi give it to the aircraft pilot and upon landing the hotel concierge would then collect it from him.” recalled Amitabh, emphasizing the intensity of his schedule during Aajtak’s transformative phase.
Lessons from a Father’s Wisdom: No Work is Small
Amitabh attributes much of his success to the lessons instilled by his father. Despite starting as a steward, his father recognized the importance of learning from every experience, believing that no work is small.
“My father used to preach that never use your father’s name except in a form where the father’s name is required. He wanted me to make my own identity,” shared Amitabh, underscoring the importance of creating one’s path.
A Journey Beyond Expectations: Guest Lectures at IIMs and IITs
Amitabh Srivastava, who doesn’t hold an MBA degree, has achieved significant recognition in the academic sphere. Despite not having a formal business education, his enriching experiences have allowed him to give guest lectures at prestigious institutions such as IIMs and IITs.
“Today, my experience has made me humble. I am not an MBA, but still I give guest lectures at IIMs and IITs. It has all come around because of my enriching experience, which I am able to share now,” highlighted Amitabh, emphasizing the value of hands-on experience in shaping his unique perspective.
Words of Wisdom: Innovation and Differentiation
Conventional metrics do not define Amitabh Srivastava’s success. He believes that success lies in making those around him happy. “Success has its own definition, for some it’s money, for some it’s power, for some, its stability and happiness. But for me, if I am able to make people who are associated with me happy, then I feel that I am successful,” shared Amitabh.
He also imparted a powerful message for the current generation of young entrepreneurs: “Innovation and differentiation are the keys that distinguish you from the crowd, so work on it.” This succinct piece of advice encapsulates the essence of his journey – a relentless pursuit of uniqueness and continuous improvement.
The Road to Success is Always Under Construction
Amitabh Srivastava shared his current ventures, successfully running I Media International and serving as the Co-founder of Voyage Ahead Solutions LLP. The latter focuses on Training, Learning, and Development, helping educational institutions go beyond curriculum studies and corporate industry behavior management post-graduation. The organization also caters to corporate houses, providing training on soft skills, time management, conflict management, and utilizing new-age learning tools such as AI and Chat GPT.
Amitabh Srivastava concludes with a profound insight that encapsulates the essence of his journey and the broader philosophy he lives by: “The road to success is always under construction.” This mantra reflects his belief in the dynamic and evolving nature of success, a journey that requires continuous effort, adaptability, and a commitment to learning.