The primary responsibility of a leader lies in making sound decisions, alongside other essential qualities like discipline, competence, hard work, honesty, and professional ethics. These attributes are crucial for fostering team cohesion, which is the cornerstone of any organization’s success. Contrary to popular belief, leaders don’t operate alone; instead, they identify and recruit individuals who are well-suited for the organization and its projects. These team members play a pivotal role in shaping both the leader and the organization itself. Moreover, a leader believes in the potential of every individual to contribute to societal development, regardless of their background or available resources. This belief is fueled by willpower, passion, and intent.
Varun Bagla (Managing Director of Saltee Group) is committed to serving society and the country through innovative developments, ensuring efficient utilization of talent, and giving it proper recognition. This conviction motivates him to lead Saltee through all situations. Despite the reputation of real estate being marred as dirty , Saltee Group has maintained integrity for 28 years, earning distinctive respect for its authenticity and positive impact. The company’s ability to make a difference is what motivates Varun Bagla to persist, regardless of challenges.
Charting New Horizons
Varun Bagla, a leader who eschews the conventional image of dominance, opts instead for transparency and honesty. His upbringing in a Hindu joint family instilled core values, while experiences in diverse environments broadened his perspective. Accompanying his father to work sparked his interest in real estate, leading him to specialize in property valuation and development in Australia. There, he gained invaluable industry exposure and mentorship.
Working for renowned firms like Lendlease and Mirvac, and under Julio de Lafitte at JDL Strategies, exposed him to global corporate culture. Now, returning to India to lead Saltee, Varun aims to leverage his experiences to drive development and elevate the company’s success. His leadership style focuses on inspiring rather than instructing, fueled by passion and a commitment to always give his best.
Desire to Enhance India’s Development
Sri Surya Prakash Bagla, Varun Bagla’s late father founded Saltee Group in 1995, just months before his birth. Recognizing limited prospects in the joint-family timber trading venture, Sri Surya Prakash seized an opportunity to construct a family bungalow in Salt Lake, thus initiating Saltee’s journey. Investing heavily in the area’s development, he transformed Salt Lake into a premier bungalow community. Additionally, he spearheaded projects in Sector V, establishing it as a commercial and IT hub.
Saltee’s inception aimed not only to construct buildings but also to nurture communities, foster environmental sustainability, and contribute to the growth of the city, state, and nation. Rooted in a desire to enhance India’s development and citizens’ quality of life, Saltee’s foundational principle reflects a commitment to holistic progress.
Providing Homes for All
Varun Bagla and his team at Saltee prioritize maintaining high standards of quality and efficiency while contributing to the development of New India. Their mission includes providing homes for all, fostering businesses, and uplifting the community through various initiatives. They value innovation, professionalism, and ethical practices, aiming to build lasting relationships with stakeholders. Saltee emphasizes the importance of energy and dedication, supported by a skilled team dedicated to driving growth and redefining the company’s success.
Every day brings diverse challenges, difficult to gauge objectively. Varun Bagla faces them confidently, nurturing a mindset of letting go of what isn’t meant to be. Importing ice from Canada under budget and maintaining uninterrupted refrigeration amidst power fluctuations showcased his problem-solving prowess. Returning to Bengal, he tackled a lax work culture by implementing structured systems and incentives for performance. Addressing a divisive political atmosphere among employees, Varun emphasized meritocracy to foster unity. As passion-driven developers, they confront market challenges with extensive research and innovative design.
Dealing with bureaucratic hurdles, legal disputes, and age-related biases, Varun relies on his knowledge, hard work, and diplomatic skills. Despite personal setbacks like his father’s demise amidst the pandemic, he remains resilient, starting work immediately after completing rituals. Varun’s approach to challenges reflects his determination and resilience in navigating diverse obstacles.
Architects of Change
Saltee Group started in 1995, building around 370-400 bungalows in Salt Lake City over 10-15 years. They expanded into Sector-V, constructing 15 million sq. ft. between 2004-2019. Notable projects include hotels, IT hubs, commercial and residential spaces, banquets, and more. Recent developments include luxury senior living, mixed-use projects, and upcoming ventures in Kolkata and surrounding areas. Saltee has received accolades like Asia’s 100 Greatest Brands in 2018 and recognition for innovative projects by the Times of India in 2023. Their restaurant, Haveli, won the Times Food Award in the Best Vegetarian Restaurant category for six consecutive years.
The Saltee Group embodies values at its core, distinguishing itself from competitors in real estate and hospitality. The company ventures into uncharted territories, embracing discomfort to foster genuine growth. Their projects stand as landmarks, showcasing expertise in the real estate and hospitality sectors. Saltee’s brand isn’t a status symbol but a reflection of wise decisions, prioritizing clients’ identities and quality of life over superficial prestige. With three decades of experience, it exudes confidence in land selection, design, and construction quality. Saltee takes accountability for mistakes, rectifying them regardless of cost. It persistently refines its projects until fully satisfied, safeguarding the value of real estate, especially in densely populated areas like West Bengal.
Nurturing Culture and Community
Saltee Group actively engages in Corporate Social Responsibility, focusing on preserving society and culture through awareness events and tree plantation drives in West Bengal. Since 2016, all their projects have been green-rated by IGBC. Recognizing the significance of Durga Puja in Bengal’s cultural heritage, the Saltee Group initiated Saradiya Samman to honor and preserve the best Puja Pandals in Bidhannagar. This program, conducted with West Bengal Police, ensures safety and design excellence, elevating the festival’s standards. Additionally, Saltee organizes social initiatives like the Children’s Book Fair and runs various community services through Bidhannagar Bikash Manch Trust, including Covid-care facilities during the pandemic, demonstrating their commitment to social welfare.
Creating a Healthy Work Environment
Varun Bagla believes that effective leadership involves making quality decisions and embodying virtues like discipline, competence, and honesty. He understands that a leader’s success relies on building a strong team and fostering mutual respect. Varun prioritizes creating an environment where everyone’s efforts are acknowledged and wrongdoing is addressed. He ensures that all members feel represented and heard, fostering a healthy organizational culture. Varun emphasizes patience and confidence in overcoming obstacles, avoiding the trap of seeking praise. He maintains his physical and mental well-being through a healthy lifestyle, enabling him to fulfill his obligations efficiently. Varun’s strategic planning ensures he meets the demands of his organization and team.
Driven by a deep passion for what he does, Varun Bagla views his work as integral to his life. Unlike the common notion of strict time segmentation, he believes in life’s natural flow, resisting the urge to control every aspect. Varun finds balance through meditation, aligning his mind with body and nature, and seeks continuous mental stimulation through reading. He prioritizes open expression of emotions, avoids emotional baggage, and stays physically active with yoga, swimming, and tennis. Valuing new experiences over comfort, Varun embraces life’s spontaneity and growth opportunities.
Advice for Success
Varun Bagla advises entrepreneurs to channel their energy towards initiatives that create positive impacts within their organization, society, city, state, and even globally. He suggests making work operations enjoyable and straightforward through tried and tested SOPs. Varun emphasizes addressing fundamental human needs, climate change, and societal evolution to ensure alignment with one’s work. Lastly, he cautions against letting work consume one’s entire identity, advocating for a balanced approach to life that values experiences beyond fame, wealth, and power.
Building a Better World
Saltee Group emphasizes the conscious and ethical utilization of resources to drive positive and ambitious developments. The legacy they aim to leave behind is an unwavering commitment to these values, adapting to market conditions while upholding their principles. In an industry evolving with technologies like 3D printing and AI, Saltee envisions leadership in innovative construction solutions that address cost, time, and quality concerns. Despite technological advancements, they remain dedicated to maintaining a personal connection with the community. Saltee intends to continue proactive engagement in CSR and social development initiatives, including public-private partnerships, to contribute to sustainable and green development efforts, particularly in combating climate change.
