Ad land’s young guns: Jaiwant S Dhingra, Director - Marketing, Numero Uno Clothing

Jaiwant S Dhingra serves as the Director of Marketing and Business Development at Numero Uno Clothing, a leading name in the Indian denim and casual wear market. With over a decade of experience in the fashion industry, Dhingra has been instrumental in shaping the brand’s marketing strategies and expanding its business footprint. His visionary approach has driven numerous successful campaigns, enhancing brand visibility and customer engagement. Under his leadership, Numero Uno has strengthened its position as a trendsetter in the apparel sector, continually innovating to meet the evolving preferences of modern consumers.

In conversation with Adgully, Jaiwant S Dhingra, Director of Marketing and Business Development, Numero Uno Clothing, emphasizes on the importance of innovative marketing strategies and robust business development initiatives in driving growth and market leadership within the fashion industry.

What motivated you to pursue a career in marketing and business development?

My motivation stems from my parents’ inspirational journey. They built our company from the ground up. Witnessing their tireless dedication and commitment to both family and work since a young age has deeply influenced me. I remember playing as a toddler in our factory, also observing their passion and determination even during late hours. Their unwavering drive to succeed at what they started has instilled a strong work ethic and a desire to contribute to our business’ growth. Their journey is a constant reminder of the importance of resilience, hard work and dedication which motivates me to excel in building our brand further.

Could you share a particularly challenging project you’ve worked on and how you overcame the obstacles?

One challenging project that I have worked on was developing a strong standing in our own e-commerce business. We had to establish our brand presence in a highly competitive online marketplace which required meticulous planning and execution of digital marketing strategies to effectively reach our target audience.

Secondly, building a user friendly and efficient e-commerce platform was no feat. As a passionate golfer, I have learned the importance of strategic thinking, precision, patience and continuous learning and improvement, all skills that have been pivotal in navigating the complexities of establishing our e-commerce business. Growth is never linear, and the learning from ups and downs we have experienced has also helped us overcome challenges. Interacting with people in the market and our collaborative teamwork logic has helped us overcome the hurdles we faced.

What skills do you believe are most crucial for success in marketing and business development today?

Leadership, identifying opportunities, and stepping out of one’s comfort zone is the ideal recipe for growth.

Technically, marketing and business development requires a combination of both traditional and modern skills as the market, technology and consumer behaviour is constantly evolving. It’s very important to know how to leverage different social media platforms. The modern day consumer is looking for an experience, one that they can relate to yet be pleasantly surprised by. Thus, creating valuable content that connects with your consumers is important.

Development and marketing go hand in hand with creativity and innovation. Unique marketing campaigns, having an adaptable mindset to the changing market, identifying challenges, critically thinking and clear communication both to our consumers and within our team helps to stay ahead in the game.

How do you stay updated with the latest trends and innovations in the marketing industry?

I follow a number of top Indian and global industries on different social media platforms. Social media in itself is a huge medium to get insights into what is happening and what works in the market. I am a keen traveller, and enjoy immersing myself in different cultures and interacting with diverse individuals. While reading business magazines and dailies do contribute to staying up to date about emerging strategies, there is no better learning than experiences. I have gained unique insights into emerging market dynamics and consumer behaviours through my experiences with people and places. These experiences also allow me to firsthand observe the latest trends being implemented not just in different parts of our country but around the world.

Additionally, networking with professionals from various industries during my travels and/or otherwise provides valuable perspectives and ideas that can be tailored to our business developments. Ultimately, these interactions and experiences enhance my ability to drive our company to stay ahead of the curve while staying true to what we believe in.

What has been your proudest achievement during your tenure at Numero Uno?

My proudest achievement is a testament to the collective efforts of our dedicated team rather than my individual accomplishment. While there is much more to achieve and I have yet to fully prove my worth, I am proud of the strides we’ve made in our re-branding and establishing a strong presence in the market. I remain focused on the future and committed to continuing to give everything to Numero Uno. My ultimate goal is to contribute to making our company the best it can be, striving to be Numero Uno (Number One) in our industry. There’s always room for growth, and I am excited about the opportunities that lie ahead.

Who has been a significant influence or mentor in your career, and what have you learned from them?

My parents have been my biggest inspiration in my career. They built this company from the ground up, showing remarkable dedication and perseverance. Problem solving, critical analysis and logical thinking are skills I have learned from my father. His ability to dissect complex issues and find effective solutions is impeccable. The ability to maintain composure under pressure comes from my mother’s ability to stay calm in any situation life has thrown. Together, their strengths have amalgamated into a powerful example of resilience and strategic thinking that I strive to embody in my professional life. 

My father is my mentor and will be for the years to come. He plays an active role in the company and his ability to decipher right from wrong and pave a way forward is immaculate. His teaching extends beyond work, giving me valuable lessons that can be applied to any aspect of life. His wisdom, experience and support have been instrumental in shaping my professional journey and personal growth.

How do you maintain a work-life balance, especially given the demands of your role?

I have my amazing team to thank for being able to maintain a work-life balance. We work collaboratively to stay on top of things, ensuring efficient management of our tasks, and making sure we meet deadlines. We share our workload and support each other by working in a team, making it possible for everyone to have time for personal things and relaxation. I am still learning how to manage time and set clear boundaries to ensure I can recharge and maintain productivity, the importance of which I emphasise to the whole team.