Captions - 2011

Year 2011 has been a great memory to me. Lots of events and occasions that arrived with full of joy and happiness in both personal and professional life. I would love to share some of the memories which are very important in my view, I call those “Captions – 2011”.
January : - MTN ODI Series – South Africa Vs India @ Wonderers Stadium, Johannesburg
I was on deputation in South Africa, Johannesburg from Jan 09 to Mar 11. During this time, though I enjoyed African Safaris but I had not been to any live cricket match so far and finally that too happened. 15th January 2011, cricket match between South Africa Vs India at Wonderers Stadium, Johannesburg. We had purchased tickets well in advance and seats were close to boundary. We reached stadium around 1 hr early. I was eager to see Sachin Tendulakar live, and finally India team entered ground for practice. Sachin, Virat and others were practicing for catch and Sachin happened to be just 10 fits away from me while practicing. There was enough time for match to start, public was occupying seats and stadium was turning in to flags. I approached boundary safeguard and started clicking photos. I wanted to make the most of the moment and was dying for Sachin’s one look. I started uttering words so loudly that Sachin could hear but he was not responding, as like me there must be thousands of fans who would do such stupid thing. But I was confident that he will look for me for a moment, this feeling was purely my belief being his fan since childhood. And finally I couldn’t resist myself in calling him in Marathi (Sachin’s mother tongue and mine too). I had to repeat two – three times but I said “Sachin, it is difficult for millions of Marathi people out in Maharashtra and all over the world to see you from 10 fits, I have got that opportunity today and I want to take this moment for life, need your one look at my camera for me and I will be thankful to you”. The next second, Sachin replied, “Hold on, I am busy, give me a minute” and I was thrilled. Finally he said, “Ok quick..!” and I grabbed the image of god of cricket in my camera.
This is on top of my memory for lifetime..!
February : - Cape Town trip - Table Mountain, Chap Man’s Sun Set point & Cape Of Good Hope. This is yet another beautiful memory of my overseas journey. I had to visit Cape Town for official purpose for 2 days, I clubbed with weekend and planned for 4 days trip. Cape Town is really a heaven on earth! My couple of colleagues working in Cape Town joined me for the trip to three important spots which I wanted to see during those 2 days and those are Table Mountain, Chap Man’s peak-Sun Set & Cape of Good Hope. Amazing places to visit and be there, no doubt that you will fall in love with clouds on Table Mountain, the overall view of Cape Town city from top. Chap Man’s peak is famous as Sun Set point. There is a bay surrounded with main 3 mountains and Atlantic sea rests there, wow very beautiful place. Sun sets on the long, endless Atlantic Ocean and the blue water turns to orange, I thought of buying the painting of such scene and I did, not it is attraction of the lounge in my house. I remember my 5th or 6th standard history class, and the name “Vasco De Gama”, the man who turned his boat from southern most point of African continent which is called ‘Cape of Good Hope’ and reached Calicut, India. It was great feeling of being there at that turning rock and watch the huge Atlantic and try to feel the chapter learned in the class and imagine.
Enjoyed Cape Town wines, sea bitches and much more on the wet sand and in open culture of the land!
March :- “Over the Sea & in the sky” – Return to India
My deputation was getting over and my return to India was scheduled on 18th March 11, back to my country – India. My family had returned 3 months before me, I was eager to see them. I missed my wife a lot during my Cape Town trip and son too! But feeling of returning home is beautiful; I did enough shopping for home including African paintings, handmade, Big 5 Animals statue etc.
The moment we reached Mumbai, ‘over the sea & in the sky’ – Mumbai was looking so beautiful, can’t word it. My brother had come to pick me, and reached home next day early.
Hushhhh…back home!!
April :- Alto K10 – my 1st Car
We bought our 1st car on 4th April 11, the day of Gudipadwa (Marathi new year day).
Family was happy!
May :- Efforts -> Result -> Reward (Expectancy Theory)
Annual Performance Appraisals for year 2010-2011 were in final stage. I was performing multiple roles in HR and Operations overseas and had done well. I was confident of getting proportionate reward for my efforts as an outcome of the performance assessment, and that happened. I was promoted to next level with increased compensation. Though I was not aware of “Expectancy Theory” at that time, but at least now I can relate to it.
June :- Hunger for “Knowledge”
I always had a feeling and I had started realizing that though I am nearing decade of experience in HRM but there is still something missing and which may be very critical for my further growth. That was all about “Knowledge” required being real HR professional. I had practical experience of HRM functions but foundation, basic theory was missing and hence there was a need of developing the competencies that can help me growth without any resistance in coming years.
As a result of my hunger for “K” – I admitted for HRM course with Symbiosis Institute of HRD during June 11. Learning LAMP is on…!
July :- Accidental Leadership
I returned to India with defined role and was supposed to carry with it (IDP Manager), however during July two of my colleagues from HRM function wanted to pursue their career outside and I was given their responsibilities as well. First time I was to perform three roles simultaneously (IDP Manager, T&D Manager & RMG Manager).
August :- Multitasking – the challenge
Lot of learning and challenges while doing multitasking for different roles given to me during July, I spent good time on preparations, handover from colleagues and prepared action plan for my enhanced role. This was really motivating me to do much and cross all the boundaries.
September :- CII Conference at Westin Hotel, Koregaon Park, Pune
CII had organized conference on Talent Engagement and HRM best practices across industries. I couldn’t connect great leaders through this program and was very useful.
October :- 1st Deepawali @ our new flat
Though we got a possession of our own flat in June 09 but we were in South Africa. This year we were at our own house and called my parents from hometown, my sister and her family and enjoyed Deepawali celebrations together.
November :- Examination time, after almost 9 years!
After my graduation final exams I was facing written exams after 9 years. 1st Sem exams of executive course which I doing from SCMHRD. I did my preparations well, I had not bucked any classes, there was support from family and hence I could do it. I scored 72% in 1st Sem and was 2nd in class. Great feeling..!
December :- Life time moment – Pt. Jasraj & Pt. Hariprasad Chourasia
Yet another December which I can’t forget for my lifetime!
During December 2010 I heard Rahat Fateh Ali Khan live in concert in Johannesburg (Read article from Archive-Dec 2010). This year, on 18 Dec 11, I heard Pt Jasraj and Pt. Hariprasad Chourasia live in Chinchwad. We went early bird and got front seat, hardly 7-10 fits away from Panditji. Pt. Jasraj has been my one of the favorite Hindustani classical vocalist. I had heard him once in 2008 December on the last day of “Sawai Gandharv Festival” but that was too big program and we were very far, could only see him on screen. This opportunity was to see him so close, after the program I managed to meet him and talk, express my feelings, and a respectful handshake.
Thanks you 2011.!! Bye

“Ready for Takeoff - a leadership Story” - Book review

Book: Ready for Takeoff - a leadership Story
Author: Sachit Jain
Published in 2010
Publisher: Rupa Publication India,New Delhi

Review by: Sachidanand Kulkarni

About the Author: An alumnus of IIT Delhi and a gold medalist from IIMA, Sachit Jain started his career with Unilever India as a management trainee. He has been working as Executive Director with the Vardhman group. In his tenure at Vardhman, he has headed project management, manufacturing, TPM, marketing and ERP implementation. He currently heads finance and control functions of the group. This is his first book and it is based on his unique style of leadership and strategies for performance - improvement.

Story at a glance:
It is a leadership story of hardcore Career Investment Banker Mr. Anurag Amar Sachdeva, forced to become the MD of the Steel manufacturing company ‘Ajanta Special Steel’. It talks about how he emerges as a good leader and raises Ajanta Steel from losses.

Why Me?
Anurag out of curiosity asks to Mr. Sehgal about his selection as a MD of Ajanta. Mr. Sehgal says, I trust you. Are you Happy in what you are doing? This question of Mr. Sehgal’s turns Anurag to think about this opportunity.

1st Open house:
Anurag addresses workers of Ajanta first time and shares financial situation of the company. As a leader he deliberately chooses to put this front of his workers and along with crises he also shares his vision about Ajanta.

Vision from the leader:
Ajanta to be knows as World Class Company. He believes that unless people are aware of what is our dream, what we want to achieve by putting our efforts together they don’t come along. Sharing of vision with workers was much appreciated amongst all. Everyone was charged to work for making this Company World Class.


Establishing:
Anurag starts meeting his senior management team and understands their functions. He visits floor shops regularly to learn more about steel manufacturing. It is the quality of ‘Natural Leader’ – they don’t care about levels in positions when it comes to knowledge sharing. They are always ready to learn from junior most as well.

Anurag starts thinking about where to begin and he first thinks of visiting workers toilets. This is the quality of People Oriented Leader. He issues instructions to get it done neat.

He chouses to eat lunch in mess where all workers have their food and everyone is surprised of this as they are not used to see MD coming for lunch in workers mess. Anurag is down to earth personality and believes in utmost value to human beings hence doesn’t consider his positional cap.

The Man in Action:
The action starts, meetings are being held, people are understanding the new boss. And the new boss is very clear about his vision for the company, new ideas, opens discussions to all and seeks their contribution in all initiatives. Taking a team along is the great quality of Anurag.

For various developmental initiatives, Anurag calls for a meeting with all senior executives and together they arrive at ‘Project Arjun’. Through this initiative they first tackle burning issues like, unnecessary costs and decides to sale Ferrari used by earlier management team, give up costly Guest house and cut the staff. This helps team to recover some money out of these assets.

He feels leader has to:
1. Take calculated risks
2. Giving a free hand to team
3. Having an uplifting vision (becoming world class)
4. Communication with team
5. Listening
6. Involvement
7. Ownership
8. Learning
9. Discipline
10.Be nice and treat other people well.

Management by walking around:
Anurag chooses to have a regular round on floor and see how things are progressing. Meeting Engineers, managers and workers, interacting with them directly at their workstation motivated everyone to give their best. This also helped him to learn more things about steel.

Eating in mess, walk around, and involvement in people’s discussions, walking in meeting without informing and being observer created a positive impression about Anurag. He would not allow individual escalations, prefers to take both departments to approach him together and this helped him to take faster decision and close issues.

1st celebration:
After initial few months success and kick-off of the project Arjun, Anurag decides to take his team out for drinks. True leaders know when and how to plan for celebration. They know how to appreciate efforts, motivate people and at the same time being tough to get things done.

Initiatives:
1. Project Arjun – formed several cross functional teams to attack on areas of vital improvements
2. Anurag chooses Sunaina and Arun to work on new initiative of making “Actively Good” organization
3. Action plan to move to an ‘Active Good Work Culture’ was put in place.
4. Introducing Quality Circles
5. Education for lower band worker
6. Insurance policies for employees and personal loan schemes

Big boss’s visit:
Mr. Sehgal’s first visit at Ajanta, he was taken to floor shop for a round and then to Bright Bar shop. Through project Arjun the production in Bright Bar shop had increased by 35%. Boss was happy with the overall progress and positive change. For a leader, when to get the big boss to visit and when to use him as a tool is an important skills to have.

Theory of Happiness:
Leadership is not something complicated, it is intrinsic to us. We just have to be aware of this and allow ourselves to be open and receptive. Look within.

If there is a positive environment created in the organization then there is lesser fear and in such a situation employees are overall happier. Since they don’t have to worry about unnecessary negative issues, it encourages excellence & enables them to think of improvement and long term health of the organization.

Creating a positive environment:
1. Appreciating performance
2. Smiling
3. Giving respect to people
4. Controlling Anger
5. Delegation
6. Training
7. Controlling Ego
8. A feeling of gratitude

Towards excellence:
Now that Ajanta has moved from losses to profit, people were happy, things are better, Anurag is still not that satisfied and his hunger to implement more better ideas, bring new processes to enhance and expand the organization further continues.
Some of the best practices introduced for further improvements are as below:
1. NVA – Non Value Added Activities – reduce this to improve productivity
2. ETDBW – Easy To Do Business With – achieve ETDBW
3. ERP implementation for common database
4. Spend more time on Value Added Activities
1. Expansion
2. Training & Development
3. Self development
4. New business/customer development
5. 5 S implementation
1. Sort
2. Set Location
3. Shine & Sweep
4. Standardized
5. Sustain
6. TPM – Total Productive Maintenance or the concept of ‘This Plant is Mine’

Achievements:
1. Bright Bar production increased by 35 %
2. Overall production up by 25%
3. Internal rejections went down by almost 50%
4. Ajanta moved from losses to profit
5. Implemented quality circles
6. Profit up by close to 2 crore a month

Appreciation:
Finally Mr. Sehgal has to appreciate Anurag and teams effort in making Ajanta the profitable organization. Ajanta marked sales of 900 crore in a year with net 25 crore profits. Mr. Sehgal offers Anurag to head group of companies after succession from Ajanta.

Leadership lessons:
1. True leader gives respect to everyone regardless of authority and hierarchy.
2. Appreciates people and encourages them constantly to do better and better
3. Would trust people and his team & allow them to be more independent
4. Creative, visionary, focused on improvement.
5. Welcoming new ideas, encourages innovation and involvement of all the levels

Moral of this story is, Leadership traits can be learnt and practiced. It is not necessary that you need to be born leader to succeed. Taking team along, involving every single stakeholder in the process, openness, welcoming ideas, knowing teams capabilities and capacity of delivering, motivating team to work for the ultimate excellence, focused approach to vision are some of the great qualities Mr. Anurag’s leadership styles has highlighted through this book.
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