Alumni Profile: Piyush Bhargava

MBA ’99
Director of Global Procurement & Operations Engineering
Dell Inc.

Piyush Bhargava’s career with technology powerhouse Dell, Inc. has taken him around the globe building relationships and leading successful teams. But when this Director of Global Procurement and Operations Engineering needs to recharge, he relies on a close-knit network of friends and colleagues including those he met while earning his MBA at the University of Michigan's Tauber Institute for Global Operations.

Essentially, his life is centered on establishing and maintaining healthy relationships, both in his personal life and in his work world. “We keep the focus on balance, making sure as we’ve moved through the different phases of life that we’ve kept the professional as well as the personal sides well looked after. That is important. That is the way I define success,” said Bhargava.

A 1999 Tauber graduate, Bhargava found that when he joined Dell there was a contingent of alumni already in place – a built-in support system with which to share ideas. “We spoke each other’s language. Our Tauber experience provided the common currency around which you build a conversation and a relationship,” he said.

Little did he know, but his experience at Tauber would help him establish an important network of friends in Michigan, Texas and beyond. In addition, he said his Tauber training gave him knowledge in disciplines outside his comfort zone. “Building on my background in engineering and operations, it was the grounding I got in finance and accounting that showed me other aspects of how a business is managed and the metrics around that. At Dell, and in any company really, the ability to translate business results in "finance speak" is not just a good thing but is almost a requirement,” he said.

New Strategy for New Economy

As the world’s economy has forced companies to slow down, most businesses are scaling back in response. At Dell, Bhargava said he keeps his teams focused on the tasks at hand and on things they can control.

“Something I can’t overstate is the importance of staying in touch with people and their motivations. As companies cut costs and deal with the aftermath of losing people, it can be damaging to morale of the team. Understand how they’re receiving the situation. Understand what’s motivating them and help them focus on things they can control. It comes down to open and honest communication and focusing on the things you can change to maintain a positive momentum,” he said.

By communicating effectively with executive-level international suppliers while managing complex and high-value strategic negotiations, Bhargava has had a positive impact on Dell’s procurement and supply chain functions. His leadership skills and excellent business acumen point to a consistent track record of achievement.

The Impact of Personal Relationships

Because Bhargava has managed large teams in three different countries in the last 10 years, he’s acutely aware of the cultural context in which he is managing. ”Managing diverse teams in the high velocity environment of a Fortune 50 company has its challenges, but when you get down to brass tacks, it’s about people and awareness of the culture and values within which you are managing that is critical,” he said.

Moving from country to country has required him to remember that customs can be vastly different, and management and communication styles must meet the needs of the region. “You run the risk of derailment if you don’t recognize the differences from region to region and recalibrate, even within a seemingly unchanging company context. Your ability to adjust and bring “relevant” skills to bear is important,” he said.

Before going to work for Dell, Bhargava held positions in manufacturing with Intel, engineering with General Motors and marketing with Siemens.

The Tauber Attraction

Bhargava came to the Tauber Institute with a strong technical background that included a Master's degree in manufacturing systems and experience working in the automotive industry. He felt that a degree in business was the next logical step. He explored programs that emphasized operations, including the MMM at Kellogg University, the LFM at Massachusetts Institute of Technology and what was then the TMI program at the University of Michigan.

“I had options but went with Michigan because of the flexibility of program and the freedom it allowed me to tailor the program on the path to doing what I ultimately wanted to do with my career,” he said.

“Today, my experiences with supply chain and operations are rich and diverse and that allows me credibility to accomplish things effectively. When you deliver consistently, it builds trust and a reputation of success. If you have education and experience to draw from, it helps you deliver. The third element is your network. Having the ability to reach broad and deep allows you to deliver results through the people,” he said.

Networking By Any Other Name

Bhargava said maintaining a supportive network is as significant as education itself. “I would tell today’s students not to underplay the importance of building the network while at school. Participate in Tauber social events and go out for a “cold beverage” with people in your program. Create some lasting memories and have fun,” he said.

Bhargava is married to his high school sweetheart, Soma, who chose to work at the Tauber Institute while Piyush was in the Tauber program. “It gave us a shared sense of purpose and experiences that were invaluable as a couple,” he said. Their daughters Saanya, 8, and Taarika, 5, keep them focused on family and the future. Though they have lived in Asia for five years with stints in Shanghai and Singapore, they maintain homes in India -- to give the children a sense of their heritage -- and Austin, Texas -- where they all have many friends.

“We look forward to hosting friends and family and having the kids play in our cul de sac in Austin each summer. It is the home base we come back to re-energize - to go out again and ‘conquer the world!’” he said.

###

Independent Writer:  Nancy Davis
Managing Editor: Paula A. Baker

 

View additional alumni profiles