24-07-2020
Mr. Anand Pejawar, President – Operations, IT & International Business Organization, SBI Life Insurance Company Limited.
Insurance AlertssMr. Anand Pejawar, President – Operations, IT & International Business Organization, SBI Life Insurance Company Limited.
Mr Anand Pejawar has 37 yrs. of professional experience, ranging from in Life Insurance Corporation of India to the Top Management at SBI Life Insurance Company Ltd.
He was Conferred with “The 50 Top Brand Leaders of India” award on February 14, 2013 in Mumbai, “Industry Champion – Industry Personality of the year Award” in Life Insurance sector on June 21, 2013 in Mumbai by the India Insurance Awards 2013, “Top 100 Marketing Leaders League Award” at the World Marketing Congress held in Mumbai on November 2014 & 2016, “Most Talented Marketing Professional” Award in the entire BSFI Sector at the ABP News – BFSI Award ceremony held on February 14, 2015 in Mumbai, Marketing Mastermind “India’s Best Marketing Chief” by World Consulting & Research Corporation (WCRC) on December 21, 2016 in Mumbai. “Insurer Professional of the Year Award” at the Asia Banking, Financial Services & Insurance Sector Excellence Awards ceremony held on August 1, 2014 in Singapore
He was Instrumental in setting up of the most productive integrated model of Bancassurance & Micro-insurance in SBI Life Insurance Company Ltd., which is today considered as a trendsetter in the sector. Leading Life Insurance Company in the private sector in India since 2011 onwards in Private Sector. Banca channel contributing more than 68% of the total business.
He regularly writes articles in the IRDA Journal, published by the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India and The Journal.
He Conceived and successfully implemented the first ever mobile based customer service initiative “V – Care” (sms – SOLVE to 51516) in Indian Life Insurance industry (launched by the Chairman IRDA in Hyderabad), which has now received international recognition and appreciation. Innovation award conferred by BNP Paribas for Best Customer Service internationally among all its 42 Countries it operates in.
Q&A
When you started your career and in which company?
Started my career in the year 1983 with Life Insurance Company of India (LIC)
How you started your career?
My career started on a quite different note. I never thought of getting into Insurance or Financial Services. I was doing my B.Sc. and wanted to do my career in Endocrinology with research. In 1983, when I was in Second year B.Sc. (Micro & Zoology), I lost my father who was working with LIC and this made me to take up a job that LIC offered me on companionate basis. At that point, I had no option but to take up that job, as I had to complete my Education and also support the family. That is how, I started working with LIC.
What were your stepping stones in career?
Having joined LIC as an Undergraduate, I could complete my Graduation in B. Sc. (Zoology Major) in flying colours. My college professors were supportive and allowed me to skip the classes, as I had to attend office. In fact, just to suit me, they went ahead and changed the timings of the practical to early morning so that I could attend the same and then attend office.
Post my Graduation, I joined LLB with evening classes. This gave me a different perspective. I resigned LIC in just less than 2 yrs and joined the Banking industry. Also completed my PGD in Financial Management and then decided to make Banking my career.
Post this I was ion Banking industry moving from one Bank to another as career progressed, finally having a sting Overseas. This has Cooperative Bank to Foreign Banks in India and outside India. But as the saying goes Man proposes and God disposes…..Finally back in India in 2001 and then re-joined the life insurance industry, but this time in the private sector, which had just opened up.
Who influenced you the most in your career and why?
My late beloved father is the main source of my influence not just on my career but on all facets of my life. I was also very fortunate to have wonderful bosses throughout most of the part of my career. They looked my potential and gave me lot of freedom to do what I wanted in that sphere, including experiment, which helped me achieve what I am today.
My family, my mother, wife and son are also major influencers and conscience keepers for me. Without their support and sacrifice I would have definitely not achieved what I am today.
Your first day at work?
Oh what a day. I shall never forget that day in my life. I never knew what to do. Just landed up in Yogakshema and was looking out where to go and whom to meet. Met the receptionist on the ground floor and I was directed to go to the 4th floor East wing, which I did not knew from Adams. Once I entered the Central Office, Personnel Department, 4th floor where I was posted, everyone over 40 yrs of age and I was the only one at just completed 17 yrs. Baby of the team. Everyone were stunned when I said that I was reporting to the job there. All eye on me literally analysing me from top to bottom. But a lovely team. One of the best boss I had in my career.
When you wanted to quit?
Frankly, many times in my career of 37 years. Things looked very very difficult or like you have been pushed to the wall, for no fault of yours or you are a culprit of the corporate politics. But, I always followed one principle in my entire career – Always quit when people ask you WHY – rather then WHY NOT? Every decision to change my jobs was always based on this principle of mine. Never left or quit when the going was low or tough. Always left on very high note with grace of Lord Almighty.
Why you choose Insurance?
This is the most noblest of the noble profession, if you look at this carefully. Where the noble profession’s (Doctor’s) role ceases our role starts. May be I will explain this with an example –
In the early part of my career, I had helped one of the Home loan borrower to get his liability covered through Life Insurance policy. He was a Super HNI and was not ready to cover saying that he had enough to rake care. Then, I had a talk with him for almost 30 mins and he was convinced to get it covered. He use to stay in a company flat which was a 4 RK flat. He was on an expressway and their car tyre burst and he met with his end in that accident. He was the only breadwinner in his family. House was under construction, children were studying overseas and all the normal things which one has to take care off.
When we went to meet the wife (claimant) and hand over the claim cheque what she said has been etched in my heart - When we were taking the policy we thought we were doing a favour on you, but now it looks the other way round………. When all others turned off their face when we reached them to help us, you have come on your own to help us. This is something, which only a life insurance professional can get.
Your adult life inspiration?
Late Honourable President of India – Dr Abdul Kalam. Had an unique opportunity to meet him personally twice in my life time. In 2013 & 2015 when he came to Mumbai.
Your Best Movies?
Tare Zammen Par
Your Best Book?
I usually read English and Marathi.
“Beyond the Blue Mountains” – Mr. Lall (Biography of Mr. JRD Tata)
“Unfinished Innings” – Autobiography - Dr. Madhav Godbole
“Perform or Perish” – By Jack Weltch
“Railways Man” – Mr. Shreedharan
Marathi best, which I have read is – “Chloroform”
Your favourite food?
Indian food. Anything which is simple vegetarian and with less spicy and oil.
Your favourite pastime?
Reading books, listening to Indian music. Travelling, watching plays usually Marathi, Writing, working for and with less privileged.
Your passion?
Music – Any good music – preferably Hindustani
Dream that didn’t happen?
Right from childhood had a dream to join the Armed Forces and serve the nation.
Do you believe in retirement?
Yes and No.
Yes because one has to retire from formal corporate world. But in actual one can only retire from the world that is just once.
What’s life post retirement?
Post formal retirement - Helping youngsters achieve what they want to achieve in their life. Work for and with the less privileged. Along with this - Music and Drama. Also Write a book, if possible.
Your Career advice to youngsters?
Dream BIG. Do what your heart tells you to do BUT do it with full dedication and do it persistently. Think before you do / start something, plan properly but once having started ensure completion.
