‘I was in good hands the 2 years I was at this school’

He has been associated with the airline, travel, and hospitality industry for a little over three decades.  His core competencies include: Channel Sales – B2B and corporate; marketing – branding, events, and promotions; web and social marketing; aligning strategies and systems, and facilitating change and innovation to name just a few. He has had the opportunity to work at a leadership level with some of the leading organisations in the travel and hospitality industry like Vistara, IndiGo Airlines, Galileo India, and Air Canada. Meet Vishesh Khanna, vice president of International Sales at IndiGo.

In a candid interview, this alumnus of Apeejay School, Panchsheel Park talks about his school days among other things.

Can you describe a typical workday in your current role?

My workdays are busy due to Indigo’s rapid international expansion. We travel extensively and work closely with the leadership team to develop and execute strategies, ensuring bottom-line growth for our business portfolio. I am at present, stationed at Gurugram. The airline is in a serious exponential expansion growth plan including internationally. I have to travel a lot; I work in close coordination with a large team across departments including the execution of plans. Tapping business is also within my gambit. So, the days are super busy.

What are some of the challenges you face when expanding internationally?

Brand awareness is a major challenge when it comes to the international market. Indigo is well-known in India but to make any route successful it has to be successful at both ends. For instance, if Indians are flying to Baku, the capital of Azerbaijan, people from there need to know about Indigo. Therefore, creating a market is always a challenge. Second, there is tough competition, managing seasonality, and maintaining high load factors at competitive price points are other issues that need to be looked at.

Could you share a bit about your school days?

I passed out in 1988 and joined the school in class XI and still, I call myself an Apeejayite. During that time, I was the vice-captain of the cricket team and not very focused on my studies. I was an average student and took up Commerce. I was a typical young person lost in his dream world, not sure of what he wanted to do in life. But in these two years, I was in good hands; I had good teachers. The foundation laid in those two years was crucial before I pursued hotel management and later an MBA.

Teachers who had a significant impact on you during your school days.

Yes, the school had some great teachers who had a significant impact on me. There was Sharma sir, who was our class teacher and taught us Commerce and Accounts; there was Ms Sunita Sharma, Ms Padmanabhan, and Mr Singh; all of them were really good. I continued to interact with them even after I passed out of the school.

Do you think school days were better than the present?

Yes, I believe school days were indeed the best. This is the time when your father is earning and you are enjoying it. They were filled with carefree moments and fewer responsibilities. Back then, I was not sure what I wanted to do. We were unsure about our future aspirations, unlike today’s more goal-oriented students. Students of classes VIII, IX, and X are so sorted; they know what they want to become. Back then, I became serious only after I passed out of school.

Can you share a core philosophy or advice that you live by in your career?

One of my core philosophies is ASK – Attitude, Skillset, and Knowledge. I believe in hiring people based on their attitude because skills and knowledge can be acquired. When assessing attitude during interviews, I look for eye contact, body language, and confidence. I appreciate candidates who display confidence and passion, as it shows their commitment to the job. Hunger for success and dedication are also essential attributes I seek in potential employees.

Any advice for individuals interested in working in your sector?

For those interested in working in this sector – aviation – my advice is to focus on developing the right attitude, showcasing confidence during interviews, and demonstrating genuine commitment to the job. Last year, I was invited as a chief guest, and talking to the students, I told them to be true to what their goal is. The competition is tough today and create a niche for yourself. This is something that the teachers can help you find. Just work and it will reflect.

How do you remain relevant in the face of youngsters who appear to know everything?

I learn from them. I hire people who are 28-30 or even younger. Gen Zs will teach you things that nobody else will. I listen to them when they speak since they are the future, especially when it comes to technology.