W Michael Amick Jr is the President of International Paper India. He assumed charge as Executive Chairman of International Paper APPM (Andhra Pradesh Paper Mills) Ltd in August 2012. The $29-billion US-based International Paper acquired AP Paper Mills from the Bangur family to set up a firm foot in India.

“The paper industry unfortunately gets an image that we cut down more trees than we grow. The fact is that we grow more trees than we actually cut. This is by way of a massive plantation drive,” says Amick Jr.

In an interview with Business Line, he explains how he has learnt to be lot more patient when it comes to doing business in India.

Edited excerpts:

What has been your experience in living in India?

My wife and I made the trip over here to India. We have two sons back in the US, one of them married and starting his life, the other is still in school. Only two of us came over here almost two years ago. I live in the Jubilee Hills in Hyderabad. I am very happy here with good neighbours, nice place to walk and work. It’s not the US. What is different for us is all my life I lived and grew up and worked in the US. This is a big change for us. Overall, it has been a good experience.

How do you like the environment? Food, life, etc?

Some things are different. There are almost four times the number of people in India than the US and in one third of land. Therefore, it is more crowded. It takes less time getting used to it and get adjusted. It’s like living in a large city in the US where even at 2 in the morning there is some activity and noise, unlike other cities. Having been raised in the suburban areas where it’s quite by 9-10 pm, this is big difference.

I find the Indian food is different. In Andhra Pradesh, it’s spicy. I like spicy food. My wife has a little bit more adjustment to make to food. We both eat it. But I enjoy it.

I really enjoy getting adjusted to Indian people, good personalities, good work ethics and very caring. There has been a nice connection despite language barriers of Hindi and Telugu. Yet we are able to connect. I picked up a little bit.

How is it doing business in India?

First and foremost, as you come in as an expat, and as you begin to do things, there is a learning curve. The bureaucracy and regulatory environment are a little bit more pervasive, larger part than in other places. There is no good thing or bad, but it takes little more time to adjust. The issues relating to Central and State Governments and local districts take time to understand and adjust. It takes more time to get things done. We expect to experience this coming into India and need to make adjustments. It probably takes little more time than what we expected.

We are finding our way pretty well. One of the objectives of coming into India was to see if we can do business In India in a way which enables us to create value to shareholders in IP. I believe we have managed to do that.

Any pet peeves with respect to doing business in India? Any lessons you have learnt?

Well, you know in the American culture, we place a value on being able to minimise surprises and concerns, be able to predict the outcome and minimise the unexpected. The unexpected can happen more frequently here. It takes time to manage that expectation. In fact, it was an area which required a lot of learning, be it financially or managing various aspects to do business including securing clearances. We have to find way round the corners.

We understand corners better now and also what is coming around those corners. It takes more time. We expect to be here and figure that out.

Understanding new neighbours in the Indian community was an issue. It is not a fault but it is one of the things that is little bit different and managing it is also different.

Well, does it mean managing more stress?

It’s a more ambiguous market. Our shareholders and investment community, larger IP shareholders, they do put a value to set aggressive goals and to meet them. We have to continue to get better in terms of making sure we understand what the goals should be and stretch reasonable time frame to achieve them.

How is India different from other places you worked?

I have been primarily working in the US and exposed to other countries. First of all, it’s vibrant and growing. Lot of markets are either flat or are declining. India has tremendous potential. It’s a country with huge population. Currently, infrastructure, be it roads, power, is trying to catch up. It requires lot of time, resources and energy to improve infrastructure. It’s a growing country with tremendous potential. There is some struggle ahead to achieve growth and develop infrastructure. We are optimistic these things will be taken care of and achieved.

What would you like to take back when you move out?

Personally I will be taking back my much higher patience level. We all understand that hardworking as we are as a company across IP, there is a great work out here in India. I would like to take back the colours, the vibrant country, its people, its ethnic culture and strong spirit. As a manager and leader in IP, this assignment has provided me with the opportunity to grow and expand my boundaries. I will retain them wherever I grow.

My visit to Jaipur and its palaces and later to the Elephant village and a ride was very special. I have also bought lovely carpets from there.

This is part of a series on expat CEOs working in India

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