The Leadership Journey: Focusing on Adaptability with Neeraj Garg

When it comes to finding a job, sometimes the job finds you. That was the case for Neeraj Garg, Eurofins regional director. With more than 25 years of experience in healthcare services, pharmaceuticals, life sciences, and retail consulting, Neeraj has built an impressive career working with many well-known international brands. He is dedicated to helping our teams excel in India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Singapore, and Malaysia by delivering the highest quality service to our clients.

Take, for example, the recent opening of our state-of-the-art Biopharma Product Testing laboratory in Bangalore. The facility will offer best-in-class biopharma product testing services to pharma companies throughout India, and its existence is a testament to his hard work and commitment.

In the latest article in my “Leadership Journey” series, Neeraj explains how his decision to join Eurofins Group in 2019 was motivated not by our name recognition, but instead by a strong attraction to our brand ethos.

In our conversation, we discuss the importance of being adaptable and, most importantly, not being afraid to try something new.

Can you tell us more about your career path and reasons for joining Eurofins??

I joined the Eurofins network in January 2019 after spending 23 years across various industries, including healthcare services, pharmaceuticals, life sciences, and retail consulting, where I worked with well-known international brands.?

Despite never having heard of Eurofins, several factors piqued my interest in joining the company. First, its operational model stood out to me as highly entrepreneurial and distinct from that of other large organizations. Second, my initial interactions with the people I met at Eurofins convinced me that they were individuals I would enjoy working with. And third, Eurofins provided me with the opportunity to leverage my past experiences, particularly in services and life sciences, as well as B2B businesses, while also introducing me to new challenges, such as pharmaceutical contract research.

?It's these new opportunities that truly excite me about my role at Eurofins.

What is one valuable lesson that you have learned throughout your career and still remember to this day?

The one lesson I have learned is that there is no one-size-fits-all solution. We need different approaches for different problems and different approaches for different people. Adaptability is crucial.

In my approach to running businesses, I prioritize execution over strategy.

I believe in getting into the details and getting my hands dirty to ensure success. Keeping communication simple is another principle I adhere to. I find that complex communication leads to less communication.

Innovation is also essential to me. I constantly push for trying new things because sticking to the same old routine rarely yields different results. I often ask my team members, "When was the last time you did something for the first time?" It's a reminder to keep exploring and experimenting to move forward.

How do Eurofins’ biggest strengths differentiate us from our competitors?

I will say we are focused on what we do. We have a clear vision of the businesses we aim to excel in and a steadfast commitment to our established model. This consistency has been a key asset, shielding us from the fluctuations often seen in quarterly performance.

Furthermore, our cautious yet strategic approach to acquisitions has proven successful, with the majority yielding positive results.

We are not afraid to invest in technology, whether it's upgrading equipment in our laboratories or enhancing our IT infrastructure. These investments are carefully considered to ensure alignment with our long-term goals.

Over the years, we have kept our entrepreneurial spirit alive, which comes naturally when a company is smaller. As we have grown, we have added more structure to support this expansion. Even with these changes, we remain dynamic and adaptable, balancing innovation with the necessary framework for prudent management.

What does the Eurofins spirit mean to you?

What comes to mind is the strong emphasis on people and leadership. It's the dedication and qualities of individuals within our organization that truly distinguish us, creating unity and consistency across the board.

How do you like to spend your free time outside of work?

I like traveling, especially with my small family — my wife and our 12-year-old son. We're big fans of dining out, and lately, my son's taken a liking to Japanese food. We also make time for musical or stand-up shows, attending one or two live performances each month. I cherish these experiences dearly, much more than collecting possessions.?

Can you share any tips for achieving a better work-life balance?

Recognize that work and life will sometimes take priority over each other. Accepting this coexistence can address many of the challenges we face. Fixed hours, like 9 to 6, may not always be effective. For me, flexibility is key!?

Key Takeaways

Neeraj is just one of the many leaders at Eurofins who make our work so rewarding. Here are my three key takeaways from our conversation:

1. Embrace adaptability and innovation: I find Neeraj’s focus on adaptability and innovation to be particularly insightful. Throughout his career, he’s learned that there’s no one-size-fits-all solution in business. Instead, we need different approaches for different problems and people. His emphasis on execution over strategy and simple communication really resonated with me. It’s all about getting into the details, getting your hands dirty, and constantly pushing to try new things. As Neeraj puts it, “When was the last time you did something for the first time?”
2. Focus on company culture: When it comes to a person’s decision to join a company, culture counts. In Neeraj’s case, his interest in Eurofins was driven not by name recognition, but by our unique, entrepreneurial operational model. I was struck by how attuned he was to Eurofins’ focus on innovation and our strategic approach to acquisitions and investment in technology. Factors like these not only benefit our clients, but make us an attractive place to work — a dynamic and adaptable approach that sets us apart.
3. Find balance with work: Neeraj’s perspective on work-life balance is something I think we can all learn from. He acknowledges that work and personal life will sometimes take priority over each other, and accepting this coexistence can help address many challenges. For Neeraj, flexibility is key. He values spending quality time with his family, traveling, and enjoying cultural experiences. His approach is a good reminder that achieving balance is about being flexible and making time for what truly matters in life.

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Read my previous Leadership Journey Q&As below:

• The Leadership Journey: Leading with Empathy with Tanja Schubert
• James Jung, multiple business leader for Eurofins National
• Patricia Grace, multi-country business leader for Eurofins Professional Scientific Services
• Yves Gonnissen, multi-country business leader for Eurofins CDMO Europe
• Thanh Nguyen, regional leader at Eurofins Sac Ky Hai Dang in Vietnam