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What is the best life or business advice you have received and from whom?
The best life and business advice was given by my father when I was 14 years old. He had said “Take your own decisions and if you fail in them, see to it that you do not repeat the same mistakes again.”
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Which are your favorite books? What are your learnings from them?
I have read many books and can’t name a particular one. I attend many seminars and workshops that also helps me in learning new things. In books, whatever are the important points, I highlight them. I also note them in my personal information books which helps me to implement them in my personal life and also helps me to share those learnings with others.
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Any life or business lessons learned from a movie?
The inspiring movie was “3 Idiots”.
There are many things one can learn from this movie. Some of them are:
- Instead of cramming answers by rote, try to understand the concept and note it down in your own words.
- Believe in yourself.
- Learn from your experiments.
- Work with passion.
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How do you update yourself? How do you learn new things?
I learn new things by attending seminars, workshops and by meeting new people. This is a practice I follow in my daily life. Whenever I attend a seminar or a workshop, I carry my personal paper pad and pen for writing valuable notes gained from the event and do a revision of the written notes later. Along with that, when I see some unusual situation in my surrounding environment, I analyze the root cause of such an event in human life and try to find a solution for the same.
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What are some lessons you have learned from your life experience?
Don’t treat anyone big or small. Consider everyone as equal at all levels. Give respect to all. Think with empathy. Don’t be afraid to take risks but at certain level when you feel down don’t forget that it will not affect your life at some other level. Empower those working under you and learn from mistakes.
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What is your advice to the younger entrepreneurs / businesspersons / professionals?
I would like to advise everyone that today there are ample of opportunities which are unlimited for business. If you have a passion for certain business, dive and go deep, do take risks. It’s an opportunity to explore your potential and a chance to make it big in life and to contribute to the economy.
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How do you motivate yourself?
I always have a burning desire. Whatever I have learnt in my life, I want to pass on that learning to our society and to the people in my life. I always try to make people happy in whatever way I can. I wake up in morning and keep motivating myself. I plan for the work which needs to be done throughout the day. Sometimes, if I fail to complete the work, I feel I miss or lack something.
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How do you balance work and family life?
As per the priority I have experienced there are 10-12 occasions in an year when your family needs you the most. At those times, I give my whole time to my family. I share my objective and my thoughts with my family and I also get support from them. There are no demands from the family until I ask them. Till 1992, my father used to take care of the household matters and then it was my mother. But now, my wife looks after all household chores.
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What do you do to take care of your physical health?
I wake up early in the morning do yoga. I believe that the human body needs consumption till 25 to 45% which is sufficient for everyone. I avoid harmful intake like fast foods and soft drinks and I have stopped consuming these products since long. In recent years, I have also stopped taking tea and coffee. In morning breakfast, I take only fruits or dry fruits. In the afternoon, I have proper meal and in the evening I do Chauvihar. In the morning, I do Samayik and at night, I go to sleep by 10 pm. These days, I just need to take some supplements. No other medicines are taken till now. I maintain discipline in life and always try to remain physically fit. That also helps me to maintain mental fitness and thus helps to achieve goals in life.
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What do you do to take care of your mental health?
Meditation is a good way to take care of mental health. In the morning, I meet my friends. Spending some time with them boosts my whole day. Samayik also helps and increases my knowledge of Jainism.
About Ashok Shah:
Shri Ashok Shah is a person of many facets, coming across as an able leader who steers his Rs 1000+ crore V-Trans Group with finesse. An exceptionally broad vision coupled with a deep bonding with people from all walks of life makes him a man for all seasons.
V-Group offers customized solutions by providing a single window for these solutions.
V-Trans provides fully integrated logistics services to customers.
V-Xpress specializes in time-bound, door-to-door express delivery services, and
V-Logis provides warehousing and inventory management solutions.
V-Group has 850+ branches spread all over India. V- Group has a strength of 3200+ professionals with operations spanning across multiple states.
Shri Ashok Shah is involved in the strategic development of the V-Trans Group at BOD level and devotes more time towards empowerment of society and mentoring young entrepreneurs. He is also the public face of the company representing V-Group on various forums, policy meetings and social organizations.
In a career spanning over 50 years, Mr. A K Shah has been an active member of many trade bodies and has been instrumental in shaping and giving direction to the logistics industry in the country.
He has written a book titled “The Winner”, which was launched on 2nd Jan, 2019 by Shri Gopichand Hinduja, Shri Prakash Hinduja and Shri Ashok Hinduja.
In his illustrious career, Ashok Shah has won many awards and accolades. He has been very active in many social organizations, providing them his valuable guidance and mentorship.
His message to budding entrepreneurs:
“The entrepreneur must have basic knowledge of every function of his / her business. The focus must be given to the core competencies, which can give amazing results. Deliver more than what is expected from you.”
Ashok Shah’s philosophy of life:
“Life is full of ups and downs; always be prepared for the good and the bad. Always work for the good of mankind.”
