To achieve excellence, it is important to innovate, according to renowned management guru Prof Bala V. Balachandaran. During his interaction with the senior officials of MMTC Ltd,s Prof Bala covered a wide area of strategic profitability and customer profitability management issues. The programme was a part of MMTC’s human resource development effort to leverage academic excellence in the area of management. During a brief presentation session, Prof Bala touched upon variety of issues concerning cost management, yield and activity based management and strategic initiatives required to sustain market leadership and enhance profitability. On the issue of business excellence, he emphasised the critical importance of customer relation and building long term customer alliances for successful business and sustained profitability.