Capt. Anil MidhaManaging Director of Talk Pro Walkie Talkies Published On: Tuesday, May 24, 2016 Views 7135

"Win the heart, not the head. Money will follow."

Capt. Midha, started his entrepreneurial career in 1988, with the establishment of Iconet Communication Pvt Ltd. From 1992-1994, Captain Midha worked with Sam Pitroda, erstwhile Telecom Advisor to the Government of India, on relicensing of radio equipment.

Today, Talk PRO and Iconet Wireless are leaders in India. Talk PRO provides walkie-talkie and radio solutions for multiple industries, including Construction, Event Management, Hospitality, Security, Airports, Plants and the Government.

Please provide a brief overview of your product/ service.

Talkpro walkie talkies are used practically in every business- be it a restaurant, a hotel, a construction site, a factory, a housing society or a hospital. It finds application in the airlines, railways, defense and shipping. Today, walkie talkies have become an integral part of all businesses just like the cell phone for an individual.

Iconet, a Chennai-based company, which owns the Talkpro brand is in the radio communication business since 1988. It has a market share of 20%. The company offers detailed feasibility study and consultancy services to the Government and private enterprises for designing, installing large radio communication systems. One project was done for M/s Cairn India- an oil major covers more than 300 km in Barmer aerial distance. and all their offices in India have been wirelessly connected as the secondary backbone. Iconet has 42 employees with a turnover of Rs. 32 crores.

What inspired you to build the above product/ service?

A huge untapped market for walkie talkies at a price which an average Indian can afford.

What is your life mantra?

Win the heart, not the head. The money will follow.

What was the most challenging part of your journey till now?

Producing a game changing product (walkie talkies) was technically satisfying. It also had a market acceptability at a regional level. But selling the walkie talkies at a Pan India level was a different ball game. I tried becoming a professional salesman and failed. Finally, I left the marketing and sales to the professionals, who did a far superior job.

How did you overcome those challenges?

Funds were never a challenge.

Share some details about the investments that you have been able to fetch for the business till now.

Started the business with own savings of Rs. 1 lac in 1988. Never took a loan till date. The company was always cash positive.

How do you protect yourself from the problem of Brain Drain?

Make the deserving employees partner in the business. Working with your company, if the deserving employee can take home more than what he can make on his own, there is no reason for him to quit.

According to you, what are the three qualities an individual must have to achieve success?

1) Speak less, listen more

2) Always invest in the best lawyer, the best doctor, and the best education

3) Stay physically and mentally fit- an unfit lion cannot hunt for its food.

Which online tools/ services/ apps do you use the most and would like to recommend as well?

True caller, Google Ads, and Moneycontrol

Share any one habit which you think makes you more productive.

Taking important decisions early in the morning, when the mind is fresh, clutter free and there are no distractions.

Share any one habit which you wish to change in yourself.

Kicking the cigarette butt

Answer in less than 50 words

One tip to success

Invest in relationships: be it your customer, friend, family or your staff. And never ask for returns. It will come automatically.

One mistake you believe every individual must avoid

Heart should not be allowed to rule the head

One most important lesson that you have learnt till now

Learn fishing early in life. No one will catch the fish for you.

What are your plans for next 3 years?

Increase the market share in the radio communication industry from the current 8% to 25%. On the personal front- improve fitness levels by another 25 % over the next 3 years.

If you get a chance to start your career again what would you do differently this time?

Become a banker. They change the course and the destiny of all businesses.

What are your top three getaway destinations?

Valley of Flowers- Ghangaria, Uttaranchal Pradesh. Great Lakes and the Niagra Falls – USA and Lake Toba, Sumatra Island- Indonesia.

Share a quote that inspires you the most.

Promise what can be delivered and then deliver more than promised

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