Winning Stroke: The Right Attitude Can Very Often Substitute For Talent: Manish Dureja, Managing Director JetPrivilege

An industry expert with over 20 years of experience, Manish Dureja joined Jet Airways as the Head of Frequent Flyer Programme & Relationship Marketing in 1999. Mr. Manish Dureja, Managing Director of JetPrivilege, has been at the helm of affairs, spearheading initiatives ever since the company’s carve out from Jet Airways. 

In an informal interview with BW Businessworld, Manish Dureja, Managing Director JetPrivilege opens up about his personal preferences, life and much more.

If not in the current profession, you would be?
I would either be in Human Resource or be running my own consultancy firm.

One tune you always hum.
“jab koi baat
bigad
jaaye, jab koi mushkil pad jaye” is one of my favorites.

One Book to read when you want to motivate yourself.
The 12 Powers of a Marketing Leader by Thomas Barta and Patrick Barwise, for its valuable and practical insights.

One dialogue of a movie that motivates you or you like the most.
“You got a dream. You gotta protect it. People can't do somethin' themselves, they wanna tell you - you can't do it. If you want somethin', go get it. Period.” – The Pursuit of Happyness

A Place you’ve never been to and always want to go.
New Zealand and Antartica

An animal that signifies you & why?
Beavers - because they build, the world could use more beavers.

A Movie Character you most resemble or resonate with.
Katniss Everdeen from the Hunger Games, she has spirit, perseverance and exhibits a perfect balance of strength and kindness.

Choose one from each below :
Marvel or DC - Marvel
Batman or Superman - Batman
Tom or Jerry - Jerry
Chacha Chaudhary or Super Commando Dhruv - Neither, really.

If your life was to be turned into a movie who would you like to play your part?
R. Madhavan. I think he will resonate well with my character, and the fact that he is a versatile actor is a huge plus!

Luck or Hard Work, what do you think weighs more in defining a successful Person?
Of course a bit of luck is always welcome, but there is absolutely no substitute for hard work.

One best decision you ever made.
I do not judge my decisions by a metric. Most decisions are an outcome of a series of thoughts and every decision has a consequence - some immediate, some not.

A strategy that you always use to take your decisions in Personal or Professional life?
I strongly believe that great ideas stem from noble intents and strong convictions. Conviction is necessary to precipitate the outcome.

Whose advice do you seek when in dilemma?
I believe in ‘suno
sabki, karo
apni’. I am very solution oriented and approach situations with an open mind, I consult and listen to a lot of people across various disciplines. However, it boils down to my gut instinct.

What has been your biggest achievement?
I have been fortunate enough to have had the opportunity to transform and build an independent identity for JetPrivilege, making it emerge as a strong loyalty and rewards brand.  

One thing that you want to change in yourself.
Nobody’s perfect, much less myself – I have a long list of things I would like to change! But if I had to start somewhere, I tend to be a little reserved when I meet someone for the first time.

A line said by your close one that you never forget.
“You do not always need talent to be successful. The right attitude can very often substitute for talent.” These are words I live by.