In an exclusive interview with CXO Lanes, Rohit Arora, Chief Growth Officer(SUS) at Compass Group India, delves into his journey in the facility management industry and shares his vision for driving growth, innovation, and operational excellence at Compass Group India. Drawing from extensive experience in technology and customer-centric strategies, Rohit sheds light on his plans to enhance service delivery through advanced digital solutions and build strong partnerships that redefine excellence in the support services sector.
Could you share some of the key milestones in your previous roles that helped shape your approach to growth and leadership?
Rohit Arora: My journey began in technology and telecom organizations, where I sharpened my sales skills by navigating a highly competitive landscape. This experience allowed me to grasp the importance of blending technical knowledge with customer-centric strategies, which ultimately led to exceeding targets and driving consistent revenue growth. It also instilled a deep understanding of how technology can be leveraged to address evolving business needs, which I still carry forward in my leadership style today.
A pivotal chapter in my career was leading national teams across different organizations. This responsibility challenged me to develop a growth-orientated mindset, not just for myself but for my teams as well. My focus on leadership development was crucial in fostering an environment where talent could thrive.
People management has always been at the core of my leadership philosophy. I believe in empowering our workforce through continuous training and development, ensuring they are motivated and skilled. I believe that aligning personal and organizational goals is key to driving performance. Through clear communication, continuous feedback, and a focus on both individual and collective achievements, my teams are not only motivated to meet targets but are also driven by a shared sense of purpose. This ‘big picture’ thinking enables us to work towards long-term goals, creating a culture of high performance and shared success.
What attracted you to Compass Group India, and how do you plan to contribute to its support services growth strategy?
Rohit Arora: Compass Group India’s industry leadership and vision for the future were key factors that attracted me to the organization. The company’s track record of consistently setting benchmarks in the industry, combined with its forward-thinking approach, presents an immense opportunity. The facility management services business has huge potential as it will significantly contribute to the country’s socioeconomic development. As India continues its upward trajectory across sectors, the demand for innovative, efficient, and sustainable facility management services will only expand, and Compass Group India is uniquely positioned to capitalize on this trend.
The company’s dedication to people-friendly practices is what makes it stand out. Compass Group India clearly recognizes the importance of a motivated and engaged team in achieving success. This aligns with my own conviction in the power of people management, creating settings in which individuals are driven to fulfil organizational goals and to realize personal aspirations.
In my interactions with leadership, there has been a clear focus on growth, which resonates strongly with my own vision. I plan to bring my experience in driving national teams and fostering leadership development to support Compass Group India’s growth strategy. By focusing on innovation, leveraging technology, and improving sustainability initiatives, we can create smarter operations that lay the groundwork for long-term success, all while forming strong partnerships that allow us to exceed client expectations and redefine what excellence in our industry means.
How will your past experiences help in fostering innovation and improving operational efficiency in your new role?
Rohit Arora: Compass Group India is a dynamic workplace due to its commitment to innovation and operational excellence. Over the years, the facility management industry’s growth pillars—technology, sustainability, and subject expertise—have assisted me in driving operational excellence and developing a framework for delivering bespoke solutions to meet evolving client requirements.
My comprehensive understanding of how technology, including Artificial Intelligence (AI), will be crucial in streamlining operations at Compass Group India. Building Management Systems (BMS) and other AI-driven platforms and technologies have the ability to improve service delivery by enhancing efficiency, optimizing energy consumption, and ensuring predictive maintenance.
Additionally, leveraging my extensive connections within the technology industry with proficiency in modern sales techniques, such as social selling and thought leadership, I aspire to strengthen Compass Group’s position as an industry leader. Collaboratively, we can drive innovation, optimize operational efficiency, and expand our market footprint while fostering deeper connections with clients and stakeholders.
What challenges do you anticipate in your role, and what strategies do you plan to implement to overcome them?
Rohit Arora: The facility management sector is currently navigating stiff competition from local players, especially in a market with declined margins. To overcome this, Compass Group India has implemented several technology-driven initiatives which is evident through its use of digitalization and app-based data collection. This helps in collating real-time insights that personalize our services and make them more effective. Additionally, our focus on automation, technology driven solutions and artificial intelligence underscores our dedication to maintain high service standards while optimizing resources. Such initiatives are crucial in addressing the current challenges faced by the sector.
Compass Group India is at the forefront of transforming workspaces, leveraging its proprietary Saarthi FX facility management platform to integrate with building management systems, resulting in streamlined operations, increased efficiency, and smarter workspace solutions.
What are your long-term goals for Compass Group India, and how do you envision achieving them in your capacity as Chief Growth Officer?
Rohit Arora: My vision for Compass Group India aligns closely with the leadership, i.e., to double our growth every three years. Our multi-faceted approach focuses on enhancing our organizational culture, fostering innovation, and strengthening our client partnerships.
Through targeted talent development and a steadfast commitment to teamwork, we create a vibrant ‘Happy Place to Work’ environment that fuels innovation, productivity, and achievement, ultimately propelling us toward our aggressive growth objectives. At the same time, strengthening strategic partnerships with our clients is crucial. By understanding their unique needs and collaborating closely, we can deliver tailored solutions that drive operational excellence. This integrated approach will position Compass Group India for sustainable success in the support services sector while helping us achieve our long-term growth objectives.
