Ravi Kapoor
Director of Business Analytics, Rockwell Collins
Education: MBA, APJ School of Management, India BE Aeronautics, School of Aviation Science and Technology
What I’m Reading: The Social Organization, by Anthony J. Bradley and Mark P. McDonald
My Philosophy: Do not go where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path and leave a trail
Interests: Golf, Travel, Reading, etc.
Company Headquarters: Cedar Rapids, Iowa
Website: www.rockwellcollins.com
Primary Business: Aerospace and Defense
Annual Revenues: $4.8 billion
How do you think Asian Americans have evolved in terms of industry/field diversity?
Asian Americans have come a long way in the last 2 decades, when you would only see Asian doctors and cab drivers in the US. Now Asian Americans have truly come into mainstream America and entered various industries and fields. Asians have still a long way to go and a lot of things to learn. The art of management, leadership and innovation that is found in America is unparalleled.
“I actively establish informal mentoring relationships with people who are accessible and inspire me. I go to individuals rather than groups; building relationships and learning from people who have already been there has helped me tremendously.”
What do you think is the greatest issue or dilemma facing the Asian/Pacific-American community today?
Depends on whether you are first generation or second generation. The biggest dilemma for people who came here in the last 10 years is the economy here, Asian countries like India and China have booming economies and high growth rates, whereas that is not the case here. A lot of them still have roots there and ride in two boats at the same time; they keep on acquiring assets here while thinking of going back.
What advice would you give the next generation of Asian/Pacific-American business leaders? What are some tips for other Asian/Pacific Americans beginning their careers?
My advice to next generation of Asian/Pacific-American business leaders is to establish the right mentoring relationships and build their network. Building network is key ingredient to success that most of us ignore.
For people beginning their careers, it is important to understand that their biggest competition is going to come from outside US (world is truly flat). Places where people are still hungry for growth and are willing to go the extra mile. Number of engineers being produced in India every year is 3 times that of US and Europe combined, Asian countries have a huge advantage in terms of skilled workers.
Integration can to be taken care when we start thinking in the direction “WE GROW” towards one GOAL