Bringing about a change

Rita Menon believes in leading by example. The chairman and managing director of India Trade Promotion Organisation [ITPO] has already managed to bring about a change in the work culture at the organisation’s headquarters at Pragati Maidan since taking charge in January this year.

Menon’s aim is not just to make additions, but upgrade and improve existing facilities. ‘I want to create an environment that is enriching for the clients,’ she says. Nothing escapes her notice, and so, by spending long hours in office, being efficient in her work and communicating with people in a certain way, she is trying to encourage others at the organisation to do the same. The idea is that anyone who approaches ITPO for information or business should feel satisfied. ‘There has been a change in the way work is done in ITPO since Menon joined. She is extremely dynamic and inspires others to work. She has also introduced a fair distribution of work so that everyone is active,’ says an ITPO employee who has been working for the organisation for over 20 years.

‘I want to make clients feel that we are there for them. We have some great state-of-the-art convention and exhibition centres at Pragati Maidan. I want clients to be able to make the best use of them,’ says Menon. While she ensures that existing facilities at Pragati Maidan are periodically checked and upgraded, she has also made additions to the list of exhibition halls, convention centres and theatres at the Pragati Maidan complex. The International Business Lounge was opened after she joined. The dedicated air-conditioned conference room for about 32 delegates has four connecting rooms for smaller, private discussions, a modern AV system and business centre. Menon has also rebranded the Shakuntalam theatre as the Shakuntalam Convention Centre for maximum utilisation of facilities. A row of unused structures near the warehouses have been renovated to turn them into a set of air-conditioned business lounges. Other changes are also underway.

While developing and upgrading the infrastructure at Pragati Maidan, Menon is also engaged in talks with domestic and foreign clients for the organisation. ‘There is a lot of interest and enthusiasm in foreign countries about doing trade with India. Recently we have signed a MoU with the Ministry of Science and Technology to coordinate and facilitate the science fair for Inspire Award for schoolchildren. Other things are also in the pipeline,’ says Menon.

The India International Trade Fair is to be held in November. ‘Approximately 15 to 20 lakh people are expected to come to the fair. There will be 7,000 stalls. Various nations from across the world will be participating. Our partner this time is South Africa and we are focussing on Belarus. The theme for the fair is Skilling India,’ says Menon.