Under Forty: Faheem Agboatwala (Hi-Tech Printing Services)

When did you decide to join the business?
I didn’t decide, I was thrown in after my schooling.

Where do you learn the tricks of the trade? In an executive education programme or on the job?
Completely hands on - there’s nothing like learning the practical way.

What is your greatest print / business achievement to date?
Having my clients treat me as a partner and not a vendor and the fact that we have been servicing them since decades.

What technology has made a difference to your business?
It has been computer-to-plate (CTP) which has increased our efficiency and decreased our lead times. 

The most frequently used mantra in your organisation? Your motto in life?
Beat Deadlines. Don’t accept what you can’t achieve.

If you won Rs 25 crores what would you invest in? Why?
There is a lot of suffering around us. With this kind of a windfall I would give this away to the less privileged and invest in the after life.

For a working lunch if you met the PM of India, what would you talk to him about?
How India needs to solve its basic issues first and then focus on Mars and other planets.

When you see a great piece of print created by your competitor, what is your reaction?
I feel proud of him as a fellow Indian and show the work to my team members as an inspiration for us.

Biggest luxury on your shopfloor
No luxuries in business - all investments are made with due diligence.

Your gym regime
Yoga, three times a week.

If you were NOT in this industry, you would have ...
Been in the automobile business.