Interview with our General Manager Nilesh Bishesar
Published on: Author: Michel Groenveld Category: NewsNilesh joined Qualogy in June 2010. The Qualogy Caribbean branch had expanded considerably during the preceding years, so Qualogy looked for a dedicated manager to direct all commercial activities. “I was working as an independent marketing and sales consultant when I was approached for the job. After the interview I was completely sold over: responsible for sales and marketing in a very professional and flat organization with many talented people.”
Nilesh grew up in The Netherlands where he studied Aerospace Technology in Delft. “It may seem like a strange study for a commercial manager, but I soon discovered that an aerospace engineer only works on just a tiny part of a plane. I found the commercial side of the business, with extremely small profit margins, much more challenging. It’s like walking a tightrope between two skyscrapers. That’s why I did a major in Business Marketing and a post graduate program on Technical Marketing.”
Flying high
After two years in The Netherlands as an account manager he became Business Development Officer at the State Oil Company in Suriname, and spread his wings internationally. “I was responsible for new market development, market analysis and profit optimization, and took several oil-related commercial courses in Trinidad, France, Paramaribo, Oxford and New York. After that I worked as a sales manager for Digicel Suriname, which also took me to El Salvador, Guyana and Trinidad for market launches, and to Aruba and Miami for training.”
Landing at Qualogy
Why did Nilesh decide to land at Qualogy Caribbean? “I like working with people, and that’s exactly what’s important in Suriname. People buy people first, you have to gain trust and establish a relationship before offering your services. The working atmosphere at Qualogy suits me, colleagues are important, but structure and deadlines too. In the next few years I want Qualogy to become market leader in Suriname.”
Hunting and fishing
His grandfather, Laltapersad Bishesar, is his big example. “He had 15 children and worked very hard. He started out as a milkman, and 40 years later he was one of the biggest entrepreneurs of the Nickerie district. In 1975 he received a Royal Decoration. I always say I’d rather regret the things I did than the things I didn’t do.”
That sounds ambitious! Does he follow his grandfather’s example in every way? “Well, not the children part. I have a lovely wife, Romila, and a very bright daughter India (2008).” What about hobbies and sports? “Whenever I get the chance I go hunting or fishing in the inland of Suriname, I like adventurous sports. My biggest hobby is reading; the last book I read was The power of a positive “NO” by William Ury.”
