Indra Nooyi worked in PepsiCo for 24 years, as SVP-Strategy, CFO and then as Chairman and CEO for 12 years. I write about her, the person I saw and admired.
Indra was more than a CEO for everyone in PepsiCo India. To me, she was a willing mentor; for women in the PepsiCo India team, she was an ideal role model and someone no one wanted to let down. The PepsiCo India team had a unique bond with Indra and she was part of every employee’s family stories. She made everyone feel special and had huge expectations of India.
I will always remember Indra for five things:
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The ‘Performance with Purpose’ agenda she set in 2006 as CEO and then refined it in 2016 for the year 2025. She was ahead of her time in shaping responsible and constructive capitalism.
‘Performance with Purpose’ touched the ‘Planet, People and Products’ in PepsiCo and its ecosystem. This meant healthier products and better use of scarce natural resources like water and empowerment of women and differently-abled people.
The Nutrition category owes its shine in PepsiCo due to her belief in their mission. Indra prepared diligently for every meeting and event, big or small. She spent hours poring through every note asking great questions of the issues involved. Indra never turned up unprepared for a meeting. She wanted to know all the facts. Indra was a rare leader in PepsiCo who read every pre-read material sent to her despite her schedule. She loved thoroughness and abhorred slothfulness
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Indra loved music, movies, reading and cricket. She was the ultimate India cricket team fan and followed the fortunes of the team through SMS updates even in serious meetings. Indra is now the first woman director on the International Cricket Council board.
‘Stayed connected’
Indra stayed connected with everyone from Bollywood stars, musicians, Presidents, Prime Ministers and customers. She knew everyone’s birthday and special days and made it a point to call or message the person.
She was a willing mentor to many, and their children too. She willingly marked time to talk to customers’ children who were planning to study in the U.S. and gave them thoughtful advice. She insisted on getting products right for the local palate. Indra tasted the new Quaker Upma in Chennai in September 2016 and rejected it because she felt it was not a ‘wow’ product. Indra wanted it improved.
The team worked through the formulation again and gave her an improved Quaker Upma in March 2017. Indra instantly liked that and sure enough, the consumers loved it too. Indra is rich but frugal, Indra is strategic yet grounded; Indra is tough but caring. PepsiCo will be a different company without Indra. PepsiCo will get used to a new normal. Indra brought empathy, warmth and stature to the role. Thank you, Indra!
(The writer is ex Chairman and CEO, India and South Asia Region, PepsiCo)