Sreedhar Bevara, CEO at BMR Innovation
Some individuals rise to the heights of their dreams and carve their path to success through sheer determination and self-belief. They overcome obstacles and set extraordinary benchmarks, becoming legends in their own right. One such inspiring figure is Sreedhar Bevara, who has journeyed from being a street vendor to becoming a celebrated corporate leader, TEDx speaker, and internationally recognized author. As the CEO of BMR Innovations, he exemplifies exceptional leadership, creativity, and strong interpersonal skills, driving the organization in the path toward greater achievements.
FROM THE SCRATCH
Born in the village of Vantharam in Andhra Pradesh, India, Sreedhar Bevara’s early life was defined by hardship and adversity. Raised in a modest family grappling with the challenges of poverty and alcoholism, he was compelled to shoulder responsibilities beyond his years. Alongside his elder brother Murali, who later played a pivotal role in shaping his destiny, Bevara navigated this difficult period, which ultimately forged his resilient character and set the foundation for his extraordinary journey.
Struggling academically and facing setbacks during his intermediate exams, Bevara took on various humble roles such as milk vendor, waiter, and part-time worker at a poultry shop, for over a decade. But thanks to his supportive brother Murali’s vision and efforts to establish himself professionally, Bevara eventually left these jobs to return to full-time education at the age of 26. This marked the beginning of his second chance at a constructive life, culminating in earning an MBA, which paved the way for his entry into the corporate world.
JOURNEY TOWARDS BMR INNOVATIONS
Bevara’s corporate career began with a challenging sales role that required him to quickly master the art of understanding customer needs and building relationships. His natural ability to connect with people and solve problems soon garnered him recognition, enabling him to advance in various roles across industries such as media, automobiles, consumer goods, and consulting.
A turning point in Sreedhar Bevara’s career came in 2011 when he joined Panasonic as General Manager for the Middle East & Africa region. Here, he seamlessly blended his expertise in sales and management with his passion for leadership, motivating his team to achieve outstanding results.
Driven by a commitment to personal growth, he furthered his education by completing an MBA and the General Management Programme (GMP) from IIM Ahmedabad, expanding his strategic vision and leadership skills. Leveraging his extensive business acumen and experience leading various organizations, Bevara eventually took on the role of CEO at BMR Innovations.
BMR INNOVATIONS IN A NUTSHELL
BMR Innovations is an Indo-Dubai based global Management & Tech consultancy firm conceived originally by his brother Murali – a reputed corporate finance professional and lawyer – also known as BMR. Dedicated to engineering the future by uniting expertise and innovation for sustainable solutions across various sectors, as a consultancy, they go beyond traditional strategies by focusing on strategic technology and leveraging data-driven insights to address complex business challenges. Their comprehensive services include business strategy, finance, marketing, education advisory, human resources, engineering, and foreign investment. With a strong presence in the Asia Pacific region, BMR’s consultants work closely with top-level management of both governments and MNCs to analyze business problems, develop hypotheses, and deliver actionable recommendations, ensuring tangible value and sustained impact for their clients.
NAVIGATING CHALLENGES AND INSPIRING GROWTH
Running a company has never been an easy task, whether in the past or present. To gain insights into the challenges faced and strategies employed in this pursuit, we spoke with Dr. Bevara. Reflecting on the complexities of leading a business today, he remarked, “Running a company is like living in a perpetual state of ‘ING’—a constant, unending struggle, whether the days are good or bad. Every day brings new challenges, and the goal is not only to sustain the business for today but to ensure its growth and resilience for tomorrow, despite uncertainties.”
When asked about the primary objective behind his commitment to building a successful company, Dr.Bevara shared, “The inspiration to overcome these challenges comes from my late brother Murali’s dream of creating at least 500 livelihoods—a goal we often discussed especially when his condition was getting critical. Taking that vision forward, I am now focused on a journey that goes beyond a single purpose, aiming to create more resources and opportunities.”
Expanding on this point, Dr. Bevara explained that this philosophy has led him to diversify their efforts into various fields, such as management consulting, engineering consulting, and leadership development. However, the central mission remains the same: to nurture and develop leadership across corporate sectors.
DR. SREEDHAR BEVARA’S MANTRA FOR SUCCESS
Continuing the conversation, Dr. Bevara shared his motivational mantra and advice for aspiring leaders,emphasizing the transformative power of manifestation, hard work, consistency, and a clear sense of purpose. His guiding principle is encapsulated in the phrase “Rise Above and Deliver Beyond.”
For Bevara, “Rise Above” signifies a commitment to overcoming circumstances, no matter how challenging they may appear. He views obstacles not as roadblocks but as opportunities for personal growth. Meanwhile, “Delivering Beyond” reflects the importance of fulfilling commitments sustainably, ensuring that every delivery provides a valuable solution.
Mr. Bevara underscores the necessity of remaining connected to one’s purpose, advocating for a genuine desire to make a positive impact on the lives of others and the wider community. He believes that purpose-driven leaders are not only more effective but also more inspiring, as they strive toward a higher goal that benefits those around them.
CREATIVITY AND LEADERSHIP
Creativity is a central pillar of Sreedhar Bevara’s achievements, as demonstrated by his acclaimed books, “Moment of Signal”, “The Roaring Lambs, and “Netritva Kaushal Ki Asli Shakti” which provide unique insights into leadership and personal growth. His work has been recognised by many top leaders including Prime Minister Narendra Modi. His knack for translating life experiences into valuable lessons highlights
his creative mindset. He has also received an honorary doctorate of industry from AIMRI and the European International University, Paris for his exceptional contributions to consumer tech, innovation, and business excellence.
In his role as an Innovation Council Advisor to the Government of Goa, Bevara’s innovative thinking has made significant contributions to policy-making and strategic initiatives aimed at youth empowerment, showcasing his versatility.
His interpersonal skills further enhance his effectiveness, enabling him to build strong relationships with diverse stakeholders and communicate effectively across various roles. This was particularly evident during negotiations with partners in Southeast Asia and in his engagement with both young and seasoned leaders at prestigious institutions such as IIMs, IITs, BITS, top foreign universities, and multinational corporations.
Finally, Dr. Bevara’s ability to mobilize NRIs for participation in the recent Indian elections reflects his influential leadership style and capacity to inspire meaningful action on a broader scale.
