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.