This week for our ‘Chai Break’ segment, we caught up with Chandra Ramachandruni for a quick chat about what 2018 looks like for him.
1. What excites you right now in your personal or professional life?
Personal life: Being with my better half and two daughters (12 and 8 years old) as they encounter challenges while studying for exams, understanding themselves and becoming stronger, capable persons.
Professionally: Change of job. Understanding a new company, processes, and people. And yes, the challenge of delivering on the numbers and meeting new people. The changes in the publishing industry and the challenges that they pose are exciting.
2. What are you looking forward to this year in terms of career/personal growth?
Career: Given that it’s a new job after a sabbatical, I am looking forward to getting adjusted to the work environment. Further the prospect of meeting the publishing numbers. Further publishing industry is fast changing: learning outcomes of students and the medium of consumption of content is changing with technology through mobile phones, tabs, pads, laptops/ desktops and of course printed books. Publishers in trade/ consumer space are further challenged as the reading habits of the readers is changing. Given this fast-paced changes, it is exciting to publish content that is relevant for the readers.
Personal growth: Challenging my fears, growing stronger/ capable and creating value in all aspects of life.
3. What’s the best thing that’s happened to you in 2017?
The time-off from work gave me a lot of time/space to reflect on my strengths and weaknesses. I was able to understand my motivations and further the motivations of other people. I grew to respect myself (my life) and thereby respect others. Further, I understood the true meaning of happiness and the purpose of life.
4. What’s your professional story?
I have been a Publisher of books and journals for the last 18 years. I enjoy the process of content creation by collaborating with experts and the joy of creating something of value for the readers.
I have over 18 years of experience in publishing. I have published content (books and journals) for professional, library, trade (non-fiction/ business) and higher education markets. I have excellent skills in content acquisition and development, publishing strategy, publishing process improvement, team building and managing relationships with authors, editors, and societies.
A few accomplishments that I am proud to include are the setting-up of a rigorous higher education publishing programme, instituting a robust publishing process for handling content, forging partnerships with institutions for developing content and meeting the profitability targets.
5. What is one of your defining moments in your career/personal space?
I have been blessed for having had the opportunity of engaging with leading management thinkers, social scientists, and experts from all walks of life. The notable one was engaging with Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam, former President of India, while he was in office and working with him for publishing his book (Envisioning an Empowered Nation).
Profile:
Chandra has over 18 years of experience in publishing. He has published content (books and journals) for professional, library, trade and higher education markets. He has excellent skills in content development, strategy, operations, publishing process improvement, team building and managing relationships with authors, editors, and societies.
Chandra started his publishing career with Tata McGraw-Hill Publishing Company. He was with the Professional and Reference Books division for over 12 years and led business/ trade, science and technology, and computing publishing. Currently, he is with Bloomsbury Publishing India and handles Academic Books. Prior to Bloomsbury, he worked as a Publishing Agent.
