Crisil's Roopa Kudva talks to 'DNA'

DNA talks to Roopa Kudva, the managing director and chief executive officer, Crisil.

1. What is your job like?
It is exciting because we play an important role in making markets function better.
 

2. What’s the smartest business idea you have ever had?
Diversification outside India as today we are one of the leading providers of research to the world’s largest banks and leading corporations.

3. And the most embarrassing?
Tonnes of them.
 

4. Who has been your biggest influence?
Not any one individual in particular, but certainly some school teachers, bosses at Crisil and few colleagues are my great source of inspiration.

5. How important is money to you?
What I achieve in my career is more important to me. Money is something that just comes along with it.
 

6. What is your most important work ethic or maxim that you practice every day?
I think communication is very important because unless you communicate, it is very difficult to pass on your vision and deal with colleagues or customers.

7. What does your secretary think about you?
May be she thinks that I am obsessive about managing my time.
 

8. Has your personal life suffered due to work?
No.

9. How do you want to be remembered by your colleagues?
Someone who did her best and tried to raise the standards.

10. What time do you start and finish work?
I start work at 9 am and I work through the day and most of the nights.

11. What is the most valuable memento in your office?
More than any memento, what I value the most is the view of the terrace garden from my office window.

12. Does retirement scare you?
No. I think there will be different things to look forward to at different stages of life.

13. Have you ever been tempted to start out on your own?
If I wouldn’t be doing what I am doing today, I would have probably been a teacher.

14. What do you hate the most at work?
When my PDA (personal digital assistant) conks off at the most critical moment.

15. How do you unwind?
I unwind myself by going out with friends, watching movies, reading and exercising.
As told to Yogini Joglekar