Vineet Nayar

Vineet Nayar

Keynote Speaker: Former CEO of HCL Technologies, Founder of Sampark Foundation, Management Author

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Vineet Nayar Biography

Vineet Nayar is the former CEO of HCL Technologies and founder of Sampark Foundation. He is also the author of the highly acclaimed management book "Employees First, Customers Second: Turning Conventional Management Upside Down" (Harvard Business Press, June 2010).

Nayar is a recognized management visionary and a radical thinker who architected HCLT’s transformation from $0.7 billion in 2005 to a $4.7 billion global technology services company with over 85,000 employees spread across 32 countries by 2013. This radical transformation led FORTUNE to recognize HCL as “the world’s most modern management” while BusinessWeek named HCLT as “one of the world’s most influential companies." His innovative management practices are taught as case studies at both the Harvard Business School and the London Business School.

Nayar joined HCL in 1985 after earning his MBA from XLRI. In 1993, he founded Comnet and helped it grow into a $1.4 billion dominant leader in technology management services. In 2005, Nayar became president of HCL Technologies and served as the company’s CEO from 2007 until January 2013. During these years, he led a remarkable turnaround of the company, which saw its revenues and market cap grow by six times. Nayar was included in FORTUNE magazine’s first-ever global “Executive Dream Team” in 2012 and the "Thinkers50 2011/12 List" as the only “practitioner thinker.” His book has sold over 100,000 copies worldwide and has received praise from influential thinkers.

In 2004, Nayar established Sampark Foundation, which aims to transform the lives of children, youth, and adults through large-scale programs in education, social entrepreneurship, livelihoods, and climate. His work has earned him a place in Forbes magazine's prestigious '48 Heroes of Philanthropy List 2013' and a “Beacon of Hope” award by 2009 Asha for Education, NYC/NJ Chapter.

Nayar spends his spare time reading and writing on management strategy. He hosts two blogs, a personal one and another for the Harvard Business Review. He continues to share his rich experience in leadership through speaking engagements, focusing on transforming the ordinary into the extraordinary, and uses real-life examples to underline his points, making his talks both relatable and convincing.

Contact a speaker booking agent to check availability on Vineet Nayar and other top speakers and celebrities.

Vineet Nayar Speaking Topics

Leadership is the right you earn and not an entitlement. How to earn that entitlement?

Nayar believes that leadership is not an entitlement but a right one earns through one’s actions every year, every day and in fact, every minute. Beginning with the assumption that every person has a leader within who is just waiting to be discovered, Nayar will help attendees discover that magical leader within them by outlining nine non-negotiable fundamentals of leadership. The session will cover practical insights from real-life work situations and enable managers and professionals to draw energy, inspiration and the right to lead from those they lead.

Myth – You will be successful! Creating magic by thinking outside the box of reason and logic

Nayar believes that it is a myth that all who graduate from good B schools or make it to so-called “big” companies, or high-brow teams, will become successful. His analysis has revealed that only 1% of aspirants get to become a CEO of a meaningful company or a startup, 9% almost get there and stop one stage before the final peak and 90% do not get anywhere close to their aspirations and ambitions. It is also a myth, he says, that those who work hard make it big as 99% of people work very hard.

In this session, Nayar will address the crucial ensuing question—why do 90% of us fail to meet our aspirations and why only 1% of us are able to create magic?

His speech will help audiences discover the catalysts that hold the answer to this question by encouraging them to structure efforts “outside the boundaries of reason and logic,” ultimately helping them discover their “uniqueness” and “ability to create magic.”

Inspired Leadership

A perfect storm is brewing all over again. The economic growth is slowing down; policy paralysis aided by leadership inaction on bold reforms holds little hope for the future. Employees are increasingly feeling overwhelmed with disappointment and helplessness, and the business outlook is turning pessimistic. So is this crisis a threat or an opportunity? How do you inspire and lead in such turbulent times?

Nayar believes that turbulent times need “managers” to transform themselves into “inspirational leaders.” Those who inspire are trusted, respected and deliver results others will find difficult to even think as possible. Inspirational leaders are unconventional, bold, fearless, honest, passionate, caring and most importantly, they know their teams will climb the Everest if that is what is needed today.

So how does one learn to be such an “inspirational leader”?

In this session, Nayar will share one possible systematic approach of reaching this goal. The focus would be on practical ideas and ground lessons that are very relevant for managers and leaders aspiring to lead in turbulent times.

Employees First, Customers Second – Unconventional Approach to Organization Transformation

In this candid and personal account, Nayar will recount how he defied the conventional wisdom that companies must put customers first. He believes that since employees are the closest interface with the customer, they are the new value zone for companies: the place where value is truly created for customers and therefore organizational accountability should lie first with the employees, and not the other way around.

In this session, Nayar will recount the exciting journey of how he and his team implemented the Employee First philosophy by: -Creating a sense of urgency by enabling employees to see the truth of the company’s current state as well as feel the “romance” of its possible future. -Creating a culture of trust by pushing the envelope of transparency in communication and information sharing. -Inverting the organizational hierarchy by making the management and the enabling functions accountable to the employees. -Unlocking the potential of the employees by fostering an entrepreneurial mindset, decentralizing decision-making and transferring the ownership of ‘change’ to the employees.

Refreshingly honest and practical, this session will offer valuable insights for organizations in need for transformation and managers seeking to realize their aspirations to grow faster and become self-propelled engines of change.

Organization Transformation – Getting it Right

A recent McKinsey study delved into the performance of companies over a 25-year period of time and reached two very interesting conclusions. First, almost 90% of the companies go through a crisis at one or the other point of time in their lives. Second, only 10% of them are able to recover their pre-crisis value. Sustainable recovery and turnaround, if this research is to be believed, is almost an art form, a cryptic formula that very few people seem to be able to crack.

In this session based on his experience of transforming HCL Technologies (a $4.8 billion global IT Services company) to not only recover its pre-crisis value but rather increasing it by six times in both revenues and market cap, Nayar will provide insights which look at transformation or turnaround as a structured, multilayered process.

The session will cover topics like understanding and facing catalysts of crisis, 4-tiered structure of transformation, role of the management and how to make change sustainable.

Vineet Nayar Videos

Employees first, customers second: Vineet Nayar of HCL Technologies

How do I book Vineet Nayar to speak at my event?

Our experienced booking agents have successfully helped clients around the world secure speakers like Vineet Nayar for speaking engagements, personal appearances, product endorsements, or corporate entertainment since 2002. Click the Check Schedule button above and complete the form on this page to check availability for Vineet Nayar, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536 to discuss your upcoming event. One of our experienced agents will be happy to help you get speaking fee information and check availability for Vineet Nayar or any other speaker of your choice.

How much does it cost to book Vineet Nayar for a speaking engagement?

Speaking fees for Vineet Nayar, or any other speakers and celebrities, are determined based on a number of factors and may change without notice. The estimated fee for a live event is $20,000 - $30,000. For the most current speaking fee to hire Vineet Nayar, click the Check Schedule button above and complete the form on this page, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536 to speak directly with an experienced booking agent.

What topics does Vineet Nayar speak about?

Vineet Nayar is a keynote speaker and industry expert who speaks on a wide range of topics such as Technology, Business Leadership, Disruptive Thinking, Computer Science, World Affairs and Innovation.

Where does Vineet Nayar travel from?

Vineet Nayar generally travels from India and can be booked for (private) corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances.

Who is the agent for Vineet Nayar?

AAE Speakers Bureau has successfully secured keynote speakers like Vineet Nayar for clients worldwide since 2002. As a full-service speaker booking agency, we have access to virtually any speaker or celebrity in the world. Our agents are happy and able to submit an offer to the speaker or celebrity of your choice, letting you benefit from our reputation and long-standing relationships in the industry. Please click the Check Schedule button above and complete the form on this page including the details of your event, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536, and one of our agents will assist you to book Vineet Nayar for your next private or corporate function.

What is a full-service speaker booking agency?

AAE Speakers Bureau is a full-service speaker booking agency, meaning we can completely manage the speaker’s or celebrity’s engagement with your organization from the time of booking your speaker through the event’s completion. We provide all of the services you need to host Vineet Nayar or any other speaker of your choice, including offer negotiation, contractual assistance, accounting and billing, and event speaker travel and logistics services. When you book a speaker with us, we manage the process of hosting a speaker for you as an extension of your team. Our goal is to give our clients peace of mind and a best-in-class service experience when booking a speaker with us.

Why is AAE Speakers Bureau different from other booking agencies?

If you’re looking for the best speaker recommendations, paired with a top-notch customer service experience, you’re in the right place. At AAE Speakers Bureau, we exclusively represent the interests of our clients - professional organizations, companies, universities, and associations. We intentionally do not represent the speakers we feature or book. That is so we can present our clients with the broadest and best performing set of speaker options in the market today, and we can make these recommendations without any obligation to promote a specific speaker over another. This is why when our agents suggest a speaker for your event, you can be assured that they are of the highest quality with a history of proven success with our other clients.


Vineet Nayar is a keynote speaker and industry expert who speaks on a wide range of topics including Technology, Business Leadership and Disruptive Thinking. The estimated speaking fee range to book Vineet Nayar for live events is $20,000 - $30,000. Please contact us for virtual event fees. Vineet Nayar generally travels from India and can be booked for (private) corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances. Similar motivational celebrity speakers are Toby Cosgrove, R "Ray" Wang and Philip Rosedale. Contact All American Speakers for ratings, reviews, videos and information on scheduling Vineet Nayar for an upcoming event.

Speaker profile last updated by AAE Talent Team on 04/11/2024.

Vineet Nayar Speaking Topics

  • Leadership is the right you earn and not an entitlement. How to earn that entitlement?

    Nayar believes that leadership is not an entitlement but a right one earns through one’s actions every year, every day and in fact, every minute. Beginning with the assumption that every person has a leader within who is just waiting to be discovered, Nayar will help attendees discover that magical leader within them by outlining nine non-negotiable fundamentals of leadership. The session will cover practical insights from real-life work situations and enable managers and professionals to draw energy, inspiration and the right to lead from those they lead.

  • Myth – You will be successful! Creating magic by thinking outside the box of reason and logic

    Nayar believes that it is a myth that all who graduate from good B schools or make it to so-called “big” companies, or high-brow teams, will become successful. His analysis has revealed that only 1% of aspirants get to become a CEO of a meaningful company or a startup, 9% almost get there and stop one stage before the final peak and 90% do not get anywhere close to their aspirations and ambitions. It is also a myth, he says, that those who work hard make it big as 99% of people work very hard.

    In this session, Nayar will address the crucial ensuing question—why do 90% of us fail to meet our aspirations and why only 1% of us are able to create magic?

    His speech will help audiences discover the catalysts that hold the answer to this question by encouraging them to structure efforts “outside the boundaries of reason and logic,” ultimately helping them discover their “uniqueness” and “ability to create magic.”

  • Inspired Leadership

    A perfect storm is brewing all over again. The economic growth is slowing down; policy paralysis aided by leadership inaction on bold reforms holds little hope for the future. Employees are increasingly feeling overwhelmed with disappointment and helplessness, and the business outlook is turning pessimistic. So is this crisis a threat or an opportunity? How do you inspire and lead in such turbulent times?

    Nayar believes that turbulent times need “managers” to transform themselves into “inspirational leaders.” Those who inspire are trusted, respected and deliver results others will find difficult to even think as possible. Inspirational leaders are unconventional, bold, fearless, honest, passionate, caring and most importantly, they know their teams will climb the Everest if that is what is needed today.

    So how does one learn to be such an “inspirational leader”?

    In this session, Nayar will share one possible systematic approach of reaching this goal. The focus would be on practical ideas and ground lessons that are very relevant for managers and leaders aspiring to lead in turbulent times.

  • Employees First, Customers Second – Unconventional Approach to Organization Transformation

    In this candid and personal account, Nayar will recount how he defied the conventional wisdom that companies must put customers first. He believes that since employees are the closest interface with the customer, they are the new value zone for companies: the place where value is truly created for customers and therefore organizational accountability should lie first with the employees, and not the other way around.

    In this session, Nayar will recount the exciting journey of how he and his team implemented the Employee First philosophy by: -Creating a sense of urgency by enabling employees to see the truth of the company’s current state as well as feel the “romance” of its possible future. -Creating a culture of trust by pushing the envelope of transparency in communication and information sharing. -Inverting the organizational hierarchy by making the management and the enabling functions accountable to the employees. -Unlocking the potential of the employees by fostering an entrepreneurial mindset, decentralizing decision-making and transferring the ownership of ‘change’ to the employees.

    Refreshingly honest and practical, this session will offer valuable insights for organizations in need for transformation and managers seeking to realize their aspirations to grow faster and become self-propelled engines of change.

  • Organization Transformation – Getting it Right

    A recent McKinsey study delved into the performance of companies over a 25-year period of time and reached two very interesting conclusions. First, almost 90% of the companies go through a crisis at one or the other point of time in their lives. Second, only 10% of them are able to recover their pre-crisis value. Sustainable recovery and turnaround, if this research is to be believed, is almost an art form, a cryptic formula that very few people seem to be able to crack.

    In this session based on his experience of transforming HCL Technologies (a $4.8 billion global IT Services company) to not only recover its pre-crisis value but rather increasing it by six times in both revenues and market cap, Nayar will provide insights which look at transformation or turnaround as a structured, multilayered process.

    The session will cover topics like understanding and facing catalysts of crisis, 4-tiered structure of transformation, role of the management and how to make change sustainable.

Vineet Nayar Videos

Employees first, customers second: Vineet Nayar of HCL Technologies
  • How do I book Vineet Nayar to speak at my event?

    Our experienced booking agents have successfully helped clients around the world secure speakers like Vineet Nayar for speaking engagements, personal appearances, product endorsements, or corporate entertainment since 2002. Click the Check Schedule button above and complete the form on this page to check availability for Vineet Nayar, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536 to discuss your upcoming event. One of our experienced agents will be happy to help you get speaking fee information and check availability for Vineet Nayar or any other speaker of your choice.
  • How much does it cost to book Vineet Nayar for a speaking engagement?

    Speaking fees for Vineet Nayar, or any other speakers and celebrities, are determined based on a number of factors and may change without notice. The estimated fee for a live event is $20,000 - $30,000. For the most current speaking fee to hire Vineet Nayar, click the Check Schedule button above and complete the form on this page, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536 to speak directly with an experienced booking agent.
  • What topics does Vineet Nayar speak about?

    Vineet Nayar is a keynote speaker and industry expert who speaks on a wide range of topics such as Technology, Business Leadership, Disruptive Thinking, Computer Science, World Affairs and Innovation.
  • Where does Vineet Nayar travel from?

    Vineet Nayar generally travels from India and can be booked for (private) corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances.
  • Who is the agent for Vineet Nayar?

    AAE Speakers Bureau has successfully secured keynote speakers like Vineet Nayar for clients worldwide since 2002. As a full-service speaker booking agency, we have access to virtually any speaker or celebrity in the world. Our agents are happy and able to submit an offer to the speaker or celebrity of your choice, letting you benefit from our reputation and long-standing relationships in the industry. Please click the Check Schedule button above and complete the form on this page including the details of your event, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536, and one of our agents will assist you to book Vineet Nayar for your next private or corporate function.
  • What is a full-service speaker booking agency?

    AAE Speakers Bureau is a full-service speaker booking agency, meaning we can completely manage the speaker’s or celebrity’s engagement with your organization from the time of booking your speaker through the event’s completion. We provide all of the services you need to host Vineet Nayar or any other speaker of your choice, including offer negotiation, contractual assistance, accounting and billing, and event speaker travel and logistics services. When you book a speaker with us, we manage the process of hosting a speaker for you as an extension of your team. Our goal is to give our clients peace of mind and a best-in-class service experience when booking a speaker with us.
  • Why is AAE Speakers Bureau different from other booking agencies?

    If you’re looking for the best speaker recommendations, paired with a top-notch customer service experience, you’re in the right place. At AAE Speakers Bureau, we exclusively represent the interests of our clients - professional organizations, companies, universities, and associations. We intentionally do not represent the speakers we feature or book. That is so we can present our clients with the broadest and best performing set of speaker options in the market today, and we can make these recommendations without any obligation to promote a specific speaker over another. This is why when our agents suggest a speaker for your event, you can be assured that they are of the highest quality with a history of proven success with our other clients.
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