BCD Group
A legacy is established through consistent progress, with each step representing a success attained. When it comes to the real estate industry, BCD Group is one of the subcontinent’s largest and oldest conglomerates, with an enamored legacy spanning seven decades. With expertise across construction, development, engineering, funding, and consultancy, BCD Group offers full-service real estate solutions, boasting the support of India’s largest labor force.
BCD Group, led by the fourth-generation leader, Mr. Angad Singh Bedi, is writing new chapters of excellence in the real estate industry. Having garnered the crown of constructing some of the most iconic landmarks of the country in international townships, BCD Group stands on the pillars of experience, competence, quality, timeliness, innovation, and sustainability.
It was a profoundly cherishing opportunity for the editorial team at Tycoon Insights to be able to have a conversation with Mr. Angad Singh Bedi. For its novel edition, “The 20 Most Influential CEOs to Watch in 2024,” we tried to imbibe as much value as possible from his inspiring words and present them in front of our readers. Before delving into the conversation, we would like our readers to have a brief introduction to the dignitary!
The Leader with an Enigmatic Professional Stature
Mr. Angad Singh Bedi has zealously embraced the responsibility of being BCD’s Group’s esteemed Managing Director. With his inherited passion for real estate, he has propelled the group to new heights in the 21st century. He embodies a laser-sharp focus on achieving pioneering feats in the sector, which is evident from the fact that he has single-handedly taken the group’s footprints across India and the globe. He also manages the daily operations of the company with the assistance of the Board of Directors and a team of dynamic, highly qualified professionals from various disciplines.
Tycoon Insights: We are grateful for having you with us today. To begin with, can you tell us about the differentiators of your business model?
Our work speaks for the differentiation we have brought to the industry. Our buildings and developments are a representation of what we stand for. Whether it’s an ambitious infrastructural project or an affordable housing complex, we always work with a larger purpose in mind, i.e., to create opportunities for people and move society forward. We believe that by adding value and quality to people’s lives, our buildings will always stand tall and proud.
Since its inception, the BCD Group has retained a great labor force by providing them with secured and permanent employment opportunities. Because, considering the rapid growth the real estate industry has experienced and is bound to witness in the coming years, the demand for skilled laborers in India as well as across the globe will be blooming to new heights. This is why we constantly provide vocational and industry-relevant training to our laborers, nurturing long-term associations with them.
In short, BCD Group is the only company in the real estate industry that permanently stays connected with our hard-working laborers, completely defying the concept of seasonal employment for them.
Along with that, we understand that in today’s times, residential real estate is not restricted to simply buying homes. Needs have diversified, with a potential space being created for senior-citizen rentals, student housing, and PG accommodations, amongst others. Not only this, people who migrate from Tier 3 or Tier 2 locations are also looking for reliable rental spaces that fall within the cost-affordability bracket.
Hence, BCD’s vision is to leverage its cross-border experiences in quality design engineering and strengthen the overall sustainability of the real estate industry in India. We at BCD Group acknowledge our responsibility to contribute to the development of Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities in India through robust real estate projects, for which work is already underway.
Tycoon Insights: What are the leadership mantras that differentiate you as a leader?
When it comes to my leadership and vision for BCD Group, I proudly say that BCD has fostered diverse aspects of real estate under one umbrella. Whether it be infrastructural development, senior living, student housing, development management, or even guiding pending projects, all of these verticals are independently progressing under BCD’s shadow.
I believe that the power of knowledge is multiplied when it is shared. The competencies and expertise that we have developed over the last seven decades stand to create an immeasurable impact, which is why I have ensured that all of our clients receive customized solutions based on proven best practices in the realms of construction, development, EMC, CRM, design, legal, liaising, marketing, and more.
Tycoon Insights: How have you ensured the environment at BCD Group fosters growth opportunities for all employees, irrespective of their roles, from laborers to corporate personnel?
For me, leadership resonates with empowering people. We come from an organization where we have spent generations working with BCD. Nearly 200 employees have previously worked with BCD, and now people from their families are working with BCD.
As I mentioned above, we provide secured employment to all of our laborers, unlike others. Even during times of financial crisis or recession, we always continued to make timely payments for our staff, vendors, and stakeholders without fail. We have perpetuated a family-like culture where every employee, irrespective of their work domain, will get numerous opportunities for professional development. They’re free to take charge of responsibilities within the organization and perform to the best of their potential. We continue to stand as a rock-solid pillar with each of our employees during the toughest of times because we place their trust right on top.
Tycoon Insights: Who is your idol when it comes to being a holistic business leader?
When we picture the thought of a brand that resonates with customer trust, TATA is the name that tops the list without any doubt. The way TATA Group has established trust across multiple verticals, whether it be any domain, is truly magical and inspiring. At BCD Group, we manifest building resilient trust with our country’s people just like the TATA Group, placing our ethos and values at the core of our actions.
Tycoon Insights: Could you please elaborate on the significance of Research and Development within the real estate sector? Furthermore, how does the BCD Group integrate these principles into its operational frameworks?
Research and Development holds a prominent position in our industry because, without it, we can’t build spaces that are prepared for the future. Be it our delivery systems, post-delivery operations, or management systems, we are trying to incorporate sustainability through R&D on a wide scale. We are continually improving our operations with more and more greener initiatives.
Today, people are being smart with their choices. They’re peculiar about sustainability practices and creating environmentally friendly assets. This shift in their mindset has made it imperative for players like us to adopt innovative practices that promise quality with sustainability, which we’re actively doing through intuitive technologies.
Recently, we participated in the first expedition of India as a CII board member globally. Through this expedition, we showed how people have moved into sustainable buildings and green environments, learned about resource management, and made zero-carbon footprints. Through these global meet-ups, the BCD group brings these innovative ideas back to India and implements them in its endeavors.
Tycoon Insights: In the years to come, what are the professional aspirations you wish to achieve?
On the professional front, the BCD Group is meticulously working on introducing the concept of “affordable luxury.” From my understanding of the trends, from 2013 to 2018, people have been adamant about finding affordable living spaces. In 2018, the craze for luxury took center stage. So the BCD group will be bringing the best of both worlds under the “affordable luxury” category in terms of design, features, aesthetic appeals, and cost-affordability.
This concept has taken immense effort in engineering, value-adding, designing aesthetics, and traveling all over the world to source the best quality raw materials. A large township project is in its first phase of development and will go live soon. Under the “affordable luxury” category, we have our flagship project, “BCD Jasmine,” which is going to be a large township accommodating approximately 3000 apartments, with its first phase of development going live by 2024.
We certainly believe that our customers will find this category perfectly aligned with their expectations. Keeping our experience as the beacon, we will be expanding our footprints across various geographies and becoming an unparalleled organization with development, construction, and funding.
Tycoon Insights: Could you please elaborate on the additional avenues the group has been pursuing simultaneously under your guidance?
Something that has always been close to our hearts is education. India is the youth-hotspot of the world, and the large population here requires quality education. For this, we are in the process of setting up educational institutes globally as well as upgrading student housing accommodations at various key spots like Manipal, Kota, Mangalore, etc. Although these locations have large, organized universities, students are living in an unorganized manner due to the unavailability of properly planned student accommodation.
We are poised to introduce three expansive and meticulously planned purpose-built facilities dedicated to student housing. These establishments are meticulously designed to provide students with an ideal environment that prioritizes safety and facilitates optimal conditions for learning. Each residence will encapsulate every essential feature of a home within our rental offerings.
Tycoon Insights: As we reach the culmination of the conversation, we request that you kindly share enlightening words for the young entrepreneurs reading your story.
In my view, three critical aspects when starting a business are: Firstly, establishing a well-defined structure for the business plans is essential. Secondly, having a thorough understanding of cash flows is crucial. And finally, possessing the right vision, mission, and administrative systems is necessary for the smooth operation of the business. However, in the rush of creating startups young leaders are overlooking these aspects.
My advice to young entrepreneurs is to thoroughly evaluate these three key components with utmost dedication. Only through this comprehensive assessment can you devise strategies to disrupt your industry effectively. Strive to excel and ensure precision in every endeavour, ensuring the fulfilment of your commitments. With unwavering commitment and attention to detail, your startup is poised for success.
