|
|
|
Q & A with Ashwani Prakash, Executive Director, Paramount Group
|
|
“Quality assurance and customer satisfaction holds the key”
|
Ashwani Prakash, Executive Director of Paramount Group of Companies is a highly acclaimed professional in the real estate sector. He has held several senior executive positions with leading corporates. He pursued his Masters in Business Administration (MBA) at the Institute of Management Technology (IMT), Ghaziabad and thereafter joined Shriram Group in 1982, gaining in the process invaluable experience in the manufacturing sector. He has held several senior executive positions with Uttam Group, including heading the Group’s Commercial function—bringing in transformational change within Logistics, Purchase and Commercial functions through institutionalization of business processes. A result-oriented leader and a tough negotiator, as part of Uttam Group’s think tank, Mr. Prakash was responsible for Uttam Group’s business expansion and diversification.
After a highly successful career with the Manufacturing Industry spanning over two decades Mr. Prakash joined the then burgeoning real estate sector in 2004 as the General Manager, Commercial of the Paramount Group. A senior Executive with strategic growth responsibilities, Mr. Prakash architected several large scale residential development projects. His insight into the developments in the real estate market helped various Groups for making Strategic investments and implement highly successful projects. He had also been instrumental in undertaking new initiatives, introducing Operational and Cost- efficiency methodologies. A highly learned man, Mr. Prakash enjoys travelling and mentoring entrepreneurial talent. He shares Paramount Group’s vision and future plans in an exclusive interview with
Consulting Editor Yogesh Sood
|
|
|
Why has Paramount Group initiated golfforesté Project?
We wanted to give a landmark product to our customers as we at the Paramount believe in giving ‘Value for Money’ to our customers. We thought that we would come out with something unique. That’s why we came up with the idea of the villa concept surrounded by forest and the golf course by Surbana International—the company responsible for making Singapore what it is today. The landscape of golfforesté has been done by Sameer Mathur who has designed several pioneering projects in India and abroad including Palm Jumera in Dubai. He has also designed the Ananda Himalayan, one of the best spa resorts in the world according to Condé Nast magazine. Once again, it is the quest for best quality and customer satisfaction that has led Paramount to use the expertise of such global leaders as they endeavour to bring world class service to their patrons.
What is the concept behind golfforesté ?
The idea was to give our customers a better living, comfortable, calm and quality living. Coupled with this, international facilities within the township.
Tell us about the golfforesté township and when the project was launched?
The project is spread over an area of 100 acres. It was started in May 2011. Whatever development one sees on ground today, it is a result of over a year and ten months. We are constructing 2,000 villas and 500 suites and studio apartments. As one can see that the landscape is more than 80 per cent complete and we have done so keeping in mind that by the time the customers move into the villas and apartments, they would find green surroundings all over. We propose to give the possession of the villas and apartments in the beginning of 2013 or say in another 10 months from now.
 |
| L to R : Mr. Mukesh Agarwal, Mrs Meenakshi Agarwal, Mrs. Ashwani Prakash, Mr. Ashwani Prakash, Amanpreet Wahi, Meenakshi Sud Dutt, Krishna Somani & Donna Masih at the back |
What has been the response from the customers?
We had already sold 470 villas in just two days after the launch of the project. Now almost 70 per cent of the project has been sold out.
What are the other USPs of the golfforesté Project?
The Club House at golfforesté is world class. All the other facilities including the ocean-shaped swimming pool, spas, sauna, the stream bath are at par with international standards. We have also constructed a beautiful restaurant in the clubhouse which is operational. The squash court has already been completed.
Tell us something about the Clubhouse Retreat Carnival organized by Paramount Group?
The carnival has been organized recently to give our customers an assurance about the quality of the development. Also we wanted to provide entertainment facility. The basic idea behind organizing the carnival was to tell our customers about what we think, how we proceed and what we deliver them. The customers have turned up in great numbers and they were clicking photographs. We are heartened that they were relaxed, confident, comfortable and above all convinced.
What are the company’s future plans?
In future, we plan to diversify into the hospitality, entertainment and IT sectors. As far as real estate business is concerned, we are planning to start new projects, although as yet we have not identified the cities or states. I feel that we would like to move into tier II and tier III potential cities in the very near future.
|
|
|
|
March 2012
|
|
|
|
|
|
