McKinsey Sr. Partner, CEO of India's Largest Employer|Suraj Moraje on Geopolitics, India & Business

Join us on The BarberShop for a captivating conversation with Suraj Moraje, a trailblazing figure in the business world. As the First McKinsey Senior Partner from India elected in Europe and former CEO of Quess Corp Limited, India's largest corporate employer, Suraj brings a wealth of expertise and knowledge to the table.
In this episode, we uncover Suraj's incredible journey, from his prestigious corporate career to his current role as a philanthropist and founder of the Eka program. Delve deep into discussions about the ever-evolving global political landscape, the dynamics of economic growth, and the future of work.
Prepare to be enlightened as Suraj shares his unique insights and perspectives, offering valuable takeaways not just for entrepreneurs & industry professionals, but anyone eager to understand the forces shaping our world today. Don't miss this thought-provoking episode on The BarberShop podcast. Tune in now! 🎙
Introduction: 00:00 - 12:34
The Eka Program: 12:35 - 21:16
The World As We Know It & How It Is Changing: 21:16 - 33:34
Labour, Productivity, Management: 33:35 - 39:33
How Can We Get The India Story Right?: 39:34 - 48:25
Jobless Growth & The Future of Work 48:26 - 55:36
The Rules are Changing, the World Economy, Geopolitics: 55:36 - 1:02:00
Post 2050, Aspiration & Wealth in India, Diversity 1:02:01 - 1:15:07
Community and Urban Democracy 1:15:08 - 1:22:47
Working at McKinsey, Quess 1:22:48 - 1:38:38
Valuation & The Public Markets: 1:38:39 - 1:50:18
Suraj’s current work & plans for the future & feeling lucky: 1:50:19 - 1:56:59
Suraj’s Concluding Advice 1:57:00 - 2:00:59

[@AcksonKondwaniMwenda]

I am Zambian proud to see a brother 👍doing Great things in India

[@TheKirand17]

Deshpande are revenue collectors, were Jagirdars. Kulkarni’s were accountants.

[@amoghgirgaonkar9512]

Hey hi Shantanu's dad

[@georgegurdjieff37]

haha this is endearing

[@nik9643]

Deshpande are not jagirdar... Deshmukh are... Kulkarni assist Patil to rule village and Deshapande assist Deshmukh to rule Desh( 50-60 villages or many more some Maratha deshmukh have 360 villages e.g Shitole deshmukh)

[@minecraftsaurus5765]

Amazing session. India in next 50 years will be a much better place if we get some things right. )1 Cleanliness of cities and better urban infrastructure )2 Improved agriculture practices )3 Health improvement programs i.e. preventive healthcare rather than cure )4 Dignity and respect for craftsmanship. The best carpenter should get as much respect in society as the best in any other field.

[@AnkurJyotiSharma]

yaa , thats about changing everything that hardly has changed in the last 75 yrs . Think about the work that needs to be put up

[@minecraftsaurus5765]

@@AnkurJyotiSharma I am hopeful because now we have lots of educated people who have self respect in India. Earlier number was low. Now easily over 1 million change makers are there. Change will happen very fast now.

[@niveshkumar476]

Rightly said by Suraj “u make every person that you’re talking to look good “ 🙇‍♂️

[@reyanshkapus5043]

Watched this episode twice. Suraj has very succinct view and placid personality. I wish to have this level of intellectual and insights. Thank you shantanu

[@AnkurJyotiSharma]

this is such an amazing video . The portion when Suraj spoke about democratizing urban population and that treating a city only as a tourist , it hit me hard . Thinking about me staying in Bangalore for past 7+ yrs , engaging with the community is something I have done the least . Thank you Shantanu for doing this and many other podcasts which has inspired everyone like me :)

[@bhatia.design9563]

@shantanu what you said about absorbing the financial hit as a person who came from a 40 LPA household to even a person 8-10 LPA was a huge hit in my lifestyle. I now am 24 and cofounding my 3rd agency after struggling for 2 years in learning the business of design and the agency model by being a freelance designer/consultant. I love your podcast and aspire to build something in the field of design, and listening to the stories, information and insights shared by your esteemed guests is so mind expanding. I totally feel like this is a dinner table conversation with the uncles.

[@karthiksubramaniam6951]

01:43:20 That was Scott McNealy, Co-founder of Sun Microsystems, not Sam Altman. The quote is "At 10 times revenues, to give you a 10-year payback, I have to pay you 100% of revenues for 10 straight years in dividends. That assumes I can get that by my shareholders. That assumes I have zero cost of goods sold, which is very hard for a computer company. That assumes zero expenses, which is really hard with 39,000 employees. That assumes I pay no taxes, which is very hard. And that assumes you pay no taxes on your dividends, which is kind of illegal. And that assumes with zero R&D for the next 10 years, I can maintain the current revenue run rate. Now, having done that, would any of you like to buy my stock at $64? Do you realize how ridiculous those basic assumptions are? You don’t need any transparency. You don’t need any footnotes. What were you thinking?"

[@ravilifecoach]

Congruent people are very rare. The moment it broke, he Changed fundamentally again. That is the most difficult thing to do, and his former and current suraj are too different people. That is the most understated piece of this conversation

[@divyanshnanda3523]

That Insight at 1:04:00 !!! I am 24, and totally agree with that point. I see me and my friends having similar conversations on the same point. Its mind blowing how you got that insight so well. If i have to put it in simpler terms. "COOL-QUOTIENT" is a real deal for our generation. A very very real deal.

[@rejophilipjose7763]

Didnt knowvabout eka before. Its an amazing initiative , hope more people hear about it and utilise this opertunities

[@nthratechnologies7640]

very good podcast you both talking about Ashoka, Buddha and Aryabhatta as few people who are remembered for the life time and you both being very simple and down to earth - thank you guys for motivating us immensely

[@ankitgupta1313]

Every conversation with every guest is so valuable and insightful.. Thank you sir for this series. Lots of respect and love.

[@shyamsatish5386]

Suraj's quest in finding purpose after his many accomplishments is inspiring.. Enjoyed the conversation.

[@suhass2974]

Love these podcasts. Really helps youngsters gain perspective of veterans. Would love if you could distill these podcasts down to 20 mins or so.

[@rohanjoshi8578]

Suraj reminds me of Naval Ravikant, incredibly intelligent, clarity.

[@aishwaryajadhav3934]

Suraj is such an interesting and inspiring person! I am always intrigued by Mck former partners and senior partners who come in the show. They always bring different and balanced perspectives to the table.

[@gaurikarve8474]

Felt like it was a very intellectually intimate conversation! You know what i mean? Thanks TBSC and The BarberShop for bringing such good guests in your podcasts!!

[@anshumankirty7235]

This conversation is just soo wholesome!! ❤

[@vasumanchanda6979]

One of the finest podcasts!

[@manoharsharma6783]

Eka foundation is an excellent step for betterment of Indian society

[@anshullfc]

Another Great podcast with a great leader!

[@RahulRoy-om4do]

Hey Shantanu, Love listening to your Podcast...but what stands out to me is your infectious laugh...it's real and hearty. Keep doing the good work, my friend!!

[@gobhee]

Fabulous insightful knowledgeable. You’ve come a long way Suraj:)))

[@navikasharma1]

Too good!

[@Jesline-db4ju]

Mate, could you post more episodes of Raiser's Edge? It's more gripping than these podcasts.

[@sumanabhattacharya2657]

So much work gone into making Indore rank 1st always in swatchh Bharat sarvekshan!!

[@krishnabajaj5331]

Would love to See Gautam Kumra (Mckinsey & Co.) on your podcast.

[@satyapalsahrawat7557]

Excellent

[@criticalthinker93]

Shantanu, your choice of guests (except one) has been just perfect. Not sure if you planned it that way but it feels like every nee guest is building on insights the previous guest left us with! Been into underprivileged category I completely agree with 14:08 to 15:45. You’re doing superb work with Eka Suraj. Thanks!

[@ron_ron9024]

who was the bad guest?

[@dungeonmaster3437]

Anna?

[@raamcaash]

HDFC is one of the most aggressive and bordering on being close to “payday” loan companies in US

[@vikramrao5520]

Thanks Shantanu & BSC for such wonderful access to these people. I have been following your podcasts and looking up th eprofiles of people that you interview for some time now. I just wonder that while it is one indicator of a person's success, is being from a non IIM, IIT or McKinsey etc. background, a sign of mediocrity or low calibre? because most of your guests are from those backgrounds (probably because they are part of your immediate network from these institutions)? In any case thanks again :)

[@pranabsaha1807]

Shantanu sir, I have a question for you. My name is Pranab Saha and I am studying in 10th grade. The question is: What should I do now which will ensure that I am successful in the future and give returns that are disproportionate to the effort I put in ?

[@Aditya_Prabhune]

Please work on getting skills and work on them for next 7-10 years. It will help you achieve what you want!

[@nothingness3]

Focus on your 12 th

[@amoghgirgaonkar9512]

@@nothingness3 damn, hehe

[@vikate2748]

Be urself.. The society values you continuously only when your true to yourself.. What you build should reflect who you are..

[@shantanudeshpande]

I wish I had the maturity to ask this q in your age :) - find awesome mentors - put in everything in in whatever you choose - be patient. good things take time - have tonnes of fun :)

[@rahulbanerjee8986]

Cool Calm Creative

[@peringandurjayaraman2780]

Colour TV was introduced in 1982 , for Asian Games.

[@rl1900]

Its High time that Bombay shaving company or the barbershop should have a Reddit community. It might he a small community but with strong affiliation to the brand esp in GenZ.

[@easywinds]

So much mention of Indore 😊

[@user-wm6uo7mr7h]

Conversation somewhere seems disconnected.. many topics were left incomplete

[@manoharsharma6783]

How about Chanakya,Adi Shankaracharya n Vivekananda

[@hindutva8840]

Podcast name Barber shop and shantanu had no hair😅😅

[@wakaspatel8405]

Barbers shop raiser edge next episode release karo sir.

[@siddharththakkar5902]

Guinness should work out a partnership

[@LostMonk679]

1:00:00 1:29:25

[@rohan3r4k]

We are seeing often FMCG or Finance and Retail stories would u call any Automotive person too as we became 3rd largest market in India. Anyone like Bajaj Auto, Tata,Mahindra or even Suzuki branding team

[@ksaha6387]

This guy is a clear eternal optimist, the stuff he was saying started to sound straight from an issac Asimov Novel ! 🤣 It's on the brink of delusion almost, people starting to work at 32 and working till 90?! 😂 Still 🤞

[@jatinshilen]

Those 60 hour work weeks are getting to him

[@aayushkukreja8657]

McKinsey haircuts @ Barbershop

[@skskskskskso]

Please short the question Give nore time to guests

[@shantanudeshpande]

It's a conversation, not an interview.

[@BangaloreIT]

The more money you earn, the more of a man you're. Well no one is complaining that you're a bad man. Wasn't his dad correct? No one understands the feeling when people around them complain that you're less of a man.

[@dreamkiller1775]

a human really hate such types of ...

[@abhijitselukar]

Luxury Beliefs… India edition

[@kashishkumar]

India needs more capitalism rather than socialism. Reduction of absolute poverty should be the goal rather than reduction in inequality.

[@madhurmalkan3863]

Honestly aapke podcasts top level h par Channel name ekdum bakkwasss...koi link hi nai baith tha h channel name and podcast ka...i guess isiliye algorithm catch nai kar pa raha h ...warna views jyada milne chahiye definitely..think about it.

[@jijodasgupta]

Cuttack, down south!?

[@shantanudeshpande]

To Gauda. Well done on picking up the most irrelevant 2 words in a 121 minute conversation. What skill.

[@Suraj.Moraje]

Hey, you caught it! I was wondering who would.... It's one of 3 faux pas' I've picked up in the interview... I wonder who will find the rest!

[@rl1900]

​@@shantanudeshpandeSassy Deshpande 😁

[@badhombre8439]

@@shantanudeshpande don't have to be an asshole about it

[@klawtawar]

Coming after LLA

[@ab-bi7qq]

i stopped watching the show when he said we havent had a major riot since 2001 godhra, ask the people of muzaffarnagar, ask delhi 2019, the people who loose everything. Infact manipur is the biggest riot happening as of now in india. Just bcoz no muslims involved, is that not a riot. Educated ones are the most harmful ones. Thats why i left india. I felt most peaceful while travelling in a general class rather than an ac class when i was in india, their were human beings in general class, and ac had ego maniacs and bullish devils .

[@msdadsfsx]

where r u now

[@prasadatre7452]

Even India is going to one child family

[@rajatkhajuria8759]

The best part was we have hardware but there is a big problem with the software and i think this wont change in India.

[@sameertawde5]

instead people buying razor they woupd prefer to invest Rs 100 for 15 years which may turn to Rs 10k

[@balramsharan]

1:02:00 how can jobless growth and inequality coming down can exist together? and isn't jobless growth with all the automation and ai facilitating accumulation of wealth? i think we need different model for the world to grow sustainably and get rid of this form of capitalism. at least for india. I dont think for india at least for the next few years its going to be easy despite all the growth, as we are not able to, or atleast will not be able to (after hitting the ceiling) create enough jobs for big chunk of our population. i guess every educated person from non IIT/iim with good enough skills and desire must have faced this issue of not getting a good job that they might have gotten if we had less population or more jobs. automation, artificial intelligence, technology and increase in life expectancy is just going to fuck things up even further. and the cycle will continue until we see significant decline in population. as with all this tech we will need less humans in the world, who knows, our technology will lead us to our own extinction. the population decline as a threat was also mentioned by elon.

[@sandeepdalavi1561]

This was really a different discussion & nice than other once..but I can see at 1:15..even you both struggle to recall indians made impact in 2000yrs..and that shows how bad the history and culture is taught in india..we are left with feeling of only last 150yrs or 500yrs of slavery

[@nothingness3]

Shantanu were you having vodka ?

[@shantanudeshpande]

Water

[@nothingness3]

@@shantanudeshpande 😂... okay.. you were taking sips so...but great stuff thanks man !

[@beautifulmusicforgoodmood]

Boring.. no real insights and depth as such...conversation went all over

[@mishasinghal9016]

Sitting in blore/mumbai Glass rooms having such conversations are pointless...Get Real more than intellectual is my only learning from here! Many of the statements from not giving enough to their support staff, why agriculture/labour is not automated displays blatant ignorance & myopic views! To change India - get real, get the pulse of rural India esp North, East (which are much more deprived due to social, historic, political reason) better!

[@warhammer40king]

anyone discussing the next 60 years should write a book & not do a podcast. just saying

[@sahilgupta3564]

I have been following your podcast for a while. Great conversations! Would like to connect over LinkedIn with you. Great service to society, I say! :)