Promoth Manghat, CEO, UAE Exchange

Never Compromise!

What is the first work-related thing you think of when you wake up?
It’s almost second nature to me now — checking emails on my Blackberry. It’s the first thing I do when I wake up. On most days, there will be some out-of-the-blue priority or the other that crops up and needs my attention, which would mean shuffling my day’s to-do list, squeezing in appointments, etc. 
Describe your work in a sentence.
Challenging, exciting, enlightening… everyday! 
What is your #1 personal principle/success mantra at work?
Never compromise. I try to give my 100 per cent to whatever I do and expect my team to do the same. I strongly believe that there is no shortcut to success. One has to take on the challenges to achieve what you aim to achieve. 
In your workday, what is the one thing you ?cannot do without?
My mobile phone — that device has almost become a sacrosanct appendage of mine. 
What is your favourite place to go to for a ?business lunch?
I often do business lunches at either Zuma or The Galleria, Al Mariyah Island, Abu Dhabi. 
Who’s your role model as the perfect professional?
Dr BR Shetty — for his perseverance, vision and can-do attitude. These are the qualities that fuelled him to create a business empire from small beginnings. 
What’s your idea of switching off? And what’s your idea of an ideal weekend?
If I could just not attend to my mobile phone for a day, that would be an ideal way to switch off! Fun times with family — especially playing with the kids in our joint family — with great music playing in the background is my ideal weekend. 
What is the last thing you (usually) do before you go to sleep?
One last glance at my mobile screen is general practice before hitting the bed… Sadly. 
I strongly believe that there is no shortcut to success. One has to take on the challenges to achieve what you aim to achieve