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The foundations of excellence: Javed Shafiq Rao

The foundations of excellence: Javed Shafiq Rao

Prestige Group is responsible for some of the most modern and luxurious properties in India, such as Prestige Kingfisher Towers, Prestige Leela Residences and the recently launched Prestige Raintree Park.

Since being founded in 1986, Prestige Group has diversified into many different subsidiaries including Prestige Properties Management & Services, led by CEO Javed Shafiq Rao, which manages the group’s 150-plus properties, 50,000-plus units and more than 200,000 customers.

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"To date we have completed 193 million square footage [179 million square meters] and have 197 million square footage [183 million square meters] in development over the next five years; it’s a huge project pipeline," Javed says.

One of the most notable projects currently under construction includes Prestige City at Bengaluru, an integrated development which will house more than 9,000 apartments, with over 35,000 residents living together in a single community with a mall.


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Thanks to the company’s exceptional track record of project delivery, Prestige Group is the only real estate developer in India to be rated DA1+, the highest possible rating, by the Credit Rating Information Services of India.

Customer centricity

However, maintaining happy customers depends on more than just constructing and handing over units, according to Javed.

"Whatever construction is done, whether we’re talking about offices or residential properties, we’re in charge of managing it," he says.

"There are always teething issues with new projects as well as issues that crop up as properties age, so we always try to understand the issues of our customers and resolve them. That is how Prestige Group has reached its pinnacle today."

Javed’s team achieves this through a variety of methods, including regular town hall meetings for different properties, whereby residents and other stakeholders can raise their concerns with various heads of departments such as electrical, safety, security and water management.



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It also organizes festivals and other fun community events to nurture a sense of togetherness while also giving customers a chance to discuss their concerns in a less formal setting.

"One of the most important lessons for our industry is the principle of walking the talk. If there is a disconnect between you and your customers, you cannot perform. That’s why you must interact directly with your customers, understand exactly what their issues are and give them a quick resolution," he says.

"Communication is the key to success, as well as being humble with customers."

"Communication is the key to success, as well as being humble with customers. This is a very customer-centric business, and if you don’t have the right attitude, you cannot go ahead."

To assist with the management of its facilities and customers, the Group has introduced specialist computer aided facility management software to automate aspects of property management and streamline property maintenance.




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"When I first joined Prestige Group, I really wanted this solution, and I’m happy to announce that we are finally there," he says. "This will improve our operational excellence while also helping reduce our expenditure for manpower which accounts for 60–70 percent of our budget."

Other initiatives include the launch of a 24/7 central help desk, so clients can seek help with any concerns at any time, as well as twice-yearly customer engagement satisfaction surveys to capture customer feedback.



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Javed was also responsible for the launch of monthly management reports which are shared with residents and other stakeholders, providing transparency about what’s going in in particular properties.

"We do a lot of analysis and provide visuals of what’s going on and then broadcast the report at the end of each month via different channels such as our community app," he says. "This provides a sense of contentment that our team is taking care of their property."

Sustainable development

The Prestige Group describes itself as being dedicated to creating a sustainable future, guided by the purpose of cultivating environments that meet the evolving demands of our era. This includes the development and maintenance of properties that are both durable and environmentally sustainable.

"From a property management perspective, we give a lot of sustainability-related ideas and suggestions to our parent company, which is responsible for design and construction," Javed explains.


"Fiberplay Networks, which is a fast-growing extra low voltage (ELV) information and communication technology and security solution provider in India, continues to serve the Prestige Group in its various greenfield residential, commercial and retail projects, with our innovative ELV solutions. We have maintained a long-standing relationship and we remain committed to working together by continuing to add value for its various upcoming projects." – Manoj Nair, CEO, Fiberplay Networks

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For example, thanks to input from his team, many Prestige properties have their own rainwater collection facilities and sewage treatment plant, which captures gray water for reuse for flushing and watering gardens.

"When we have many thousands of units at a single development, we don’t want to waste fresh water to nurture our gardens. Instead, we rejuvenate the rainwater and use it again," he says.

Water conservation initiatives such as these became especially important in 2024 when Bangalore experienced a severe water shortage. In response, Prestige Group launched a campaign to encourage the careful use of water, a move which included the installation of water aerators across affected properties free of charge to the occupants, a move which reduced water use by an estimated 20–30 percent.

It’s initiatives like these that have helped Prestige Group’s properties achieve a long list of awards celebrating their energy efficiency. These include the International Green Construction Code’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Gold and Platinum Certifications and the U.S. Green Building Council’s Platinum Certifications, to name just a few.

In addition to sustainability, Javed’s team is strongly involved in CSR activities, which he describes as "the DNA of Prestige Group".

"We always try to help the society, and there are many programs we run. My favorite is called The Joy of Giving, where we create grocery kits and distribute them to schools for the blind and homes for the elderly," he explains.



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"We also campaign to help restore old buildings, we adopt and maintain government roads and parks, we organize plastic litter collections in remote and rural areas and we plant lots of trees.

"Through these initiatives, we try to do whatever we can to help society."

Thanks to the dedicated work of Javed’s team and the wider Prestige Group, along with its many forthcoming developments, the company is well-placed to remain at the cutting edge of India’s real estate sector for years to come.

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