Meet Vikas Gupta

managing director, Wiley India, and president, Association of Publishers in India (API) Vikas Gupta is a veteran in the publishing industry and is particularly known for his significant contributions in professional skill development space. He is also a member of the CII Higher Education Taskforce, and Industry Chair of the Subcommittee on Globalization. In addition, he is a Promoter Member of the Education Promotion Society of India (EPSI). Vikas is an alumnus of the Executive MBA Program,Indian School of Business, Hyderabad, in collaboration with The Wharton Business School and Kellogg School of Management. He also holds a Post Graduate Diploma in Printing and Publishing Studies from London College of Printing and a Bachelor’s degree in Electronics Engineering. Get to know me

Who am I? A high-energy, results-oriented person with a keen entrepreneurial drive.

What motivates me? Innovation, technology and finding ways to make quality content available to the maximum number of people in the simplest and most engaging way possible.

How did I come into publishing? Publishing is a family business, but that was co-incidental, because it has always been my passion.

My quirks… Most people remember me as someone always dressed in black.

A day in my life

How I start my day. With a cup of tea followed by a morning jog/ gym. This helps me kickstart the day.

How I like to spend leisure time/ hours at home: With my family. We all have such hectic schedules – my wife is a successful fashion designer, and my kids are grown up, so I try to make it a point to get as much quality time with them as I can.

My day ends at: After the last work call! Which more often than not, gets quite late due to the time differences with various global offices.

My stress buster: My family and books. An hour at the gym also does the trick!

Life is to Live

Favourite sport: I am not much of a sports person but I am a great fitness enthusiast and the discipline that comes with it.

Favourite books: The Five Temptations of a CEO: A Leadership Fable by Patrick Lencioni

Favourite author: I have to say Patrick Lencioni, not because he is a Wiley author but because I always get new ideas when I read his work.

Favourite movies: The Pursuit of Happyness. It reinstates that perseverance and hard work always have their rewards.

Favourite actors: Aamir Khan, Deepika Padukone and Jennifer Lawrence

Favourite destination for Holidays: Phuket

Any Bucket list: I do not believe in bucket lists. Every time I get a new idea or thought, I ensure I get it done. If I am not able to achieve it, I move on.

Work is passion

Business leader who motivates you: Steve Jobs, for his passion towards innovation. I live by his quote “Being the richest man in the cemetery doesn’t matter to me. Going to bed at night saying we’ve done something wonderful, that’s what matters to me.”

WILEY in one liner: A company built on a vision of helping people and organizations develop the skills and knowledge they need to succeed.

My people Mantra: No two fingers on your hand are the same. Yet each has its value, and without even one, the hand cannot function optimally. Therefore it’s important that we value each and every person and help them bring out the best in themselves.

To be a leader is: To be a teacher and student at the same time.

An exciting point in a typical day’s work: When someone walks through my door full of excitement on a new idea they’ve come up with on how they can do their job better!

If you are born again what would you like to be? Myself – there’s a lot to learn and one lifetime isn’t enough!