By Rahul Kishore
The one thing that strikes you about Mahesh Kanchan, Director – Marketing at Carlsberg is his approachability and warmth. He thinks before he answers and pretty much sizes every googly you might throw at him. In his office in Gurugram , I began by asking him:
What’s your biggest strength?
Turning around ailing brands into powerful ones and ensuring that I kick the backside of the Number 1 brand.  Take on a Number 3 brand and propel it to Number 1.  Hershey’s took on Cadbury, Calsberg took on Kingfisher… stuff like that!
Biggest weakness?
I just cannot deal with failure. I never change for the sake of changing. If it ain’t broke don’t fix it.
Hardwork or luck?
99% perspiration.  Your bosses are good to you if you work hard. In Unilever most people stay for a two-year tenure, so it’s easy to have a boss who’s good to you.
Favourite CEO?
Ratan Tata, he has a large conglomerate in India and he was the first CEO to acquire marquee companies globally like a JLR.
How would you like to live your life again?
No regrets I would want to do exactly what I did this time around.
If a movie was to be made about your life who would you want to play you?
He instantly replies Irrfan Khan. I ask why? No façade. He doesn’t play irrfan… he gets into the character. What you see is what you get. There is no Irrfan Khan style like all the other Khans, he moulds himself into the character.
On a scale of 1-10, how weird are you?
Five-ish, I’m normal. I could be weird around my friends and family though
What didn’t you get a chance to include in your CV?
Heading a company at a young age and global exposure.
Describe yourself in four words?
Approachable, risk-taking, action… no debate, team player.
What’s your superpower?
Being calm in the most high pressure situations.
How often do you destress?
Every weekend with my kids aged 6 and 10. With them and their friends as well. The kids drive the agenda, IÂ follow. He plays with them, watches movies and ofcourse there is always a chilled glass of Carlsberg at hand, he says with a smile.
Something that has never worked for you?
Entrepreneurship. I think about it, but haven’t attempted it as yet!
Dream job?
Unilever CEO in India
Rate me as an interviewer
Well, 8, since you managed to get so much out of me in such a short time.