MANAGEMENT MANTRA
MANAGEMENT MANTRA - “Nothing Works Without A Great Team” - Manoj Lohia, Director, Merino Industries
- Sharmila Chand
- Jul 05, 2025

Manoj Lohia is synonymous with Merino Industries’
marketing endeavours. The dynamic director of Merino Industries is a renowned
name in the laminate and furnishing industry. Ever since joining his family
business at an early age, Mr Lohia, has been overseeing the global expansion of
his company, right from operations to marketing. He has streamlined sales
processes across the group to adapt to its rapidly-growing supply chain and
robust distribution network. Deeply inspired by the late M K Lohia, the former
chairman of the Merino Group, and its Managing Director Prakash Lohia, Mr Lohia
is an avid admirer of Swami Vivekananda and his philosophy for continuous
learning. A voracious reader, Mr Lohia’s top-rated authors include Ayn Rand,
Steve Zaffron, Steven Covey and others. Sharmila Chand meets up
with the Merino Industries director to get insights into his management
principles and practices.
Your five management mantras…
·
Business should work for universal
benefit: If our actions do not positively touch
people, communities or environment around us, then we are missing the point
entirely.
·
Clarity of purpose: There
is so much noise in the world, so many directions you can run into. But when
you know what you are chasing and why, your energy becomes focused and so does
your impact.
·
Targeted effort:
This is something I often speak about with our teams. What moves the needle is
working with precision, no matter what it is.
·
Nothing works without a great team:
I have learned, time and again, that you are only as good as the people you
work with.
·
Never settle:
No matter how far you have come, if you get too comfortable, you stop growing.
Every milestone should be seen as a checkpoint, not the finish line.
Any game that helps your career…
Cycling
is something that I have grown deeply passionate about. When you are cycling
through tough terrain or facing a long uphill stretch, you realise that
resilience is built, one pedal stroke at a time. Cycling also teaches you to
listen to your body. Similarly, in work too, you have to be sensitive to your
team’s energy and to the pulse of your organisation.
Turning point in your career
The
real turning point came when I moved from the familiarity of the factory floor
to the frontlines of sales. I had moved to Bengaluru to set up our South India
operations from scratch. In manufacturing, standard operating procedures (SOPs)
guide your every step. But in sales and marketing, there are no SOPs for human
relationships. You are not merely delivering a product. You are delivering
trust.
Secret to your success
I
do not think that there is a secret formula. But what has worked for me is a
relentless focus on long-term goals, the kind that takes years to nurture.
Your philosophy of work
The
three Es – economy, ethics and excellence – keep me anchored and clear-headed,
even in the most complex situations.
Any person who has inspired you
One
of the biggest influences in my life has been our Managing Director Prakash
Lohia, my brother, and someone I have seen lead from the ground up. Long before
I understood the theory of leadership, I saw it in action on our factory floor:
sleeves rolled up, hands stained with grease, explaining technical issues with
clarity and calm. He taught me that leadership is not about hierarchy. It is
about humility.
Outside the business world, I have always found
grounding in the teachings of Swami Vivekananda. His words – “They alone live
who live for others” – are a constant reminder that purpose, not profit, must
drive our choices.
The best advice you have ever received
It
came from a friend, someone I deeply respect. It was during a
particularly-challenging phase early in my career. I was overwhelmed, trying to
fix everything at once, juggling multiple crises and second-guessing every
move. He listened patiently and then asked me just one question: “Will this
matter five years from now?” That question became my compass. It taught me to
pause and step back. To stop reacting to every fire and start focusing on what
truly matters.
Your favourite books
Ikigai
by Francesc Miralles and Hector Garcia is a favorite. It offers a quiet wisdom
about purpose and balance. It does not give you big slogans. Instead, it gives
you small, thoughtful nudges. I also go back to the writings of Swami
Vivekananda. His words have this rare power. They ground you in your values,
while encouraging you to dream and do more.
Your fitness regime
Cycling
is my mainstay. I have done some cross-terrain rides that really test you, both
physically and mentally. It keeps me sharp and resets my mind.
Your five business mantras
·
Always work towards a larger purpose:
If you build something that creates value beyond profit, you have already won.
·
Be focused:
Do not get distracted by every opportunity. Choose where you can make the most
difference and commit to it.
·
Act with intent: Random
activity leads to random results. Be deliberate.
·
Believe in your team:
Businesses grow because people grow. Invest in them.
·
Keep evolving: Nothing
is permanent. Keep listening, learning and adapting.
A message for young managers
This
is a special time to be a part of India’s growth story. The country is bursting
with opportunity. If you are just starting out, know that the world is watching
what India will build next. Lead with courage, not mere competence. Think
beyond yourself, and contribute to the larger movement.
Lastly, how would you define yourself?
I
see myself as a foot soldier of the organisation. I am someone who believes in
staying close to the ground, working with teams, solving real problems and
quietly pushing things forward. Titles matter less to me than
impact.
Report By