Bharti Enterprises founder Sunil Bharti Mittal recently shared insights into three critical periods that pushed telecom giant Bharti Airtel to the brink of collapse. Speaking at a Goldman Sachs event in New Delhi, Mittal referred to these challenging times in 2002, 2009, and 2016 as "Bharti's Mahabharatas," emphasizing the severe existential threats the company faced.
Navigating Near-Death Crises
Mittal candidly described these episodes as "near-death experiences" for his business, noting that the question during these times was not if the company would collapse, but when. He highlighted the immense pressure and uncertainty that characterized these years, stressing that resilience and decisive leadership were paramount.
The 2016-2018 period, in particular, saw significant disruption across the Indian telecom sector with the entry of new players offering free services. While many competitors folded under the intense pressure, Bharti Airtel not only survived but managed to grow. Mittal attributes this remarkable feat primarily to his dedicated and inspired workforce.
"To my mind, if you have to really pick up one real reason for our success, it is the inspired workforce and the people that we have," Mittal stated, underscoring that the company's strength wasn't merely in its balance sheet or technology, which was accessible to all.
From Bicycle Parts to Telecom Leadership
Mittal also reflected on his entrepreneurial journey, which began far removed from the high-stakes world of mobile telecommunications. Growing up in Ludhiana, a hub for manufacturing, he started his first venture forging bicycle crankshafts. With limited capital, he chose to focus on small components, supplying larger manufacturers.
Recognizing early on that continued involvement in bicycle manufacturing would not lead to the scale of success he envisioned, Mittal made the strategic decision to pivot into new areas. This foundational experience in manufacturing, coupled with a willingness to adapt and innovate, laid the groundwork for the eventual rise of Bharti Airtel as a dominant force in the global telecom industry.