The art of winning in business is working hard, and striving to achieve what others' haven't thought of. And this surely is the defining character of Rajesh Khurana, Country Manager for India & SAARC countries for Seagate Technology, India. When Khurana took over the company's operation in India, he knew that he had his plate full. But he took up the challenge with gusto and here he is-with laurels of setting up one of the best services and marketing network for the company in India. The son of an IIT Delhi professor, Khurana, in his formative years, had an intellectually stimulating that helped him to be a good human being as well as excel in his studies. It has also molded him as a person and a professional that he is today. At his current appointment, he is responsible for the sales, marketing, service and support network of Seagate in India and the SAARC countries. Under his leadership, Seagate has been able to increase its market share considerably in India.

After completing his BTech from the GB Pant University, Khurana joined Infocom Digital Systems (a pioneer in designing and manufacturing SCSI controller cards). After he successfully set up Infocom's business in South India, he was made in charge of its US operations. He believes that the job profile at Infocom helped him a lot in later years. Infocom was followed by his stints at organisations like DCM Data Systems, Tech-Pacific and Virtual Software. At DCM Data Systems, Khurana was also responsible for sales and marketing functions. His rich experience in sales and marketing has helped Khurana handle the current responsibilities at Seagate.

Khurana joined Seagate in February 2001 as Business Development Manager to manage key OEMs and to explore new emerging opportunities for the company in SAARC countries (including India). He was given the additional responsibility for the channel business development in 2002. Later he was made the Country Manager for India and SAARC.

The biggest achievement for Khurana is to lead the world's market leader in disc drive industry for India and SAARC. His success mantra is his seemingly infinite patience, understanding and being a knowledge worker in a dynamic work environment has enabled him to make informed decisions many times. This, he believes, has also enabled him to take the most appropriate course of action in order to lead the team forward.

Joining Seagate was the turning point in Khurana's life. Under his leadership, Seagate has initiated many educational programmes for its channel partners and customers like Seagate Premier Partner Programme and a series of forums titled 'Momentus-The HeartBeat of Your World in Portability and Mobility'. When it comes to channel partners, Khurana's aim has always been to ensure that their partners understand the changing usage patterns of customers so they can better prepare and position themselves to create innovative applications and solutions for the market.

Khurana loves listening to old Hindi songs of Lata Mangeshkar and Kishore Kumar. To unwind, he loves travelling to the Indian Himalayas. His conviction? Life is short, make the best out of the time you have. Take every challenge as an opportunity to prove your mettle and be kind and polite to people around you. Khurana, who carries with him years of hard-earned experience has not only given Seagate an increased sense of confidence in its India operation but has also put it at par with the best in India. It goes without saying that with Khurana heading the Seagate's operation in India, one can only expect it hard driving its way to the heights of success.