Please share your incredible journey of more than 25 years in the industry. Share the passion and inspiration that drew you to this industry.

My professional journey has been driven by a desire to contribute to an innovative and more sustainable future. This is what drew me to the lighting industry. My journey began in customer relations and demand generation, where I was positively influenced by the tangible impact lights have on people’s lives. This fascination led me to Philips Lighting, now Signify.

It’s been a privilege to be a part of Signify and witness firsthand the incredible evolution of lighting technology.  From conventional lighting solutions to cutting-edge LED and connected lighting systems, Signify India has been at the forefront of this transformation. We are not just illuminating spaces; we are enabling a smarter, more energy-efficient, and sustainable future. Signify’s commitment to ‘brighter lives and a better world’ deeply resonates with my aspirations. It’s a driving force that motivates me to continue exploring new possibilities, contributing to an industry that is illuminating a better tomorrow.

Please share your opinion on Signify’s leadership in connected lighting and its potential to transform businesses and cities in India.

Signify is committed to unlocking the extraordinary potential of light for brighter lives and a better world. As the market leader, we’re committed to leveraging our expertise in LED and connected lighting to drive positive change across the country. At the forefront of the connected lighting revolution, we see immense potential to transform businesses and cities across India.  Our platforms like Interact, Dynalite and WiZ are revolutionizing how businesses and cities manage lighting, enabling significant energy savings, enhancing experiences, and improving safety.

Innovation is in our DNA, and with our sustained commitment towards customer centricity we continue to drive the adoption of connected lighting in the country. We are investing in research and development, forging strategic partnerships, and expanding our product portfolio to deliver innovative solutions that empower individuals, businesses, and communities.

What is the use of NatureConnect lighting in the Hospitality industry and how it can be a game-changer in lighting for the industry?

A smart connected product – NatureConnect is an industry first product that utilises biophilic design principles, by harnessing elements of nature to create healthier indoor environments. By incorporating elements of nature into lighting design, we can create spaces that are not only visually appealing but also promotes well-being.

With an aim to transition towards a sustainable and circular economy, NatureConnect’s innovative lighting technology offers diverse applications throughout the hospitality sector. From hotel lobbies to conference rooms in event spaces and even retail environments, this system can be implemented to enhance various indoor settings. By replicating the patterns of natural daylight, NatureConnect harnesses light’s significant influence on both physical and mental health, creating environments that promote well-being and comfort for guests and customers alike. NatureConnect mimics the natural rhythm of sunlight, promoting a healthier circadian rhythm, improved mood, enhanced focus, and better sleep quality.

Share insights on the future of lighting. Discuss emerging trends like LiFi, human-centric lighting, and the role of lighting in creating smart and sustainable spaces.

The future of smart lighting is incredibly bright and Signify is at the forefront of this transformation. Today we are at the cusp of smart, safe and sustainable lighting solutions and hence smart lighting is not just about convenience; it’s about creating a more sustainable world. LEDs have already revolutionized energy efficiency, and we’re taking it further. Emerging trends here would include:

• Integration with IoT and Smart Lighting: Smart lighting will become seamlessly integrated into the broader ecosystem of smart homes and the Internet of Things (IoT). This will unlock new possibilities for personalization, automation, and energy management.
• Another trend is LiFi (light fidelity) technology, a wireless communication technology that uses light waves from LED bulbs to transmit data. It’s a faster, more secure, and potentially more energy-efficient alternative to traditional Wi-Fi. LiFi offers immense potential to revolutionize the field of lighting solutions for various applications, including smart homes, offices, and public spaces providing connectivity and data transfer capabilities.
• Products that are environmentally responsible by embracing circular economy principles and designing products that can be repaired, reused, and recycled, we can minimize waste and extend their lifespan, inculcating a sustainable approach, further reducing our environmental impact.

As a Head of Professional business what does leadership and team building play in the success of the brand?

Leadership and team building are critical to Signify’s success, my leadership philosophy has been centred around fostering a culture of innovation, collaboration, and empowerment. There are three key factors that reinforces the team’s success, one: we believe great ideas can come from anywhere, so we encourage everyone on the team to contribute their thoughts and perspectives. Two, we empower our team members to take ownership of their work and feel a sense of pride in their contributions and three, we prioritize building strong relationships based on trust and mutual respect, both within the team and with our external partners. By fostering this type of environment, we have been able to attract and retain top talent, driving innovation, and achieving remarkable results as a team and largely as a company.

RAPID FIRE

Who is Girish K Chawla in the Industry in one line?

A dynamic, passionate, futuristic, driven lighting professional, cultivating talent, fostering collaboration, and driving innovation to achieve sustainable growth making an impact on people’s lives.

Is a biography to be written or a biopic to be made on Girish K Chawla? What would be the title?

The Power of Light: A Journey of Innovation and Illumination

Other than this what career would you have loved to do?

I believe in a greater source of power and spirituality; hence, I am sure that my journey has led me to Signify where we create benchmarks every day. However, an alternate career choice would have been around sustainability and spirituality.

One Line for Signify India?

A leader in the lighting industry that focusses on driving change by innovation to create brighter lives and a better world.

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