Punishment for being a professional

This morning I was speaking on reengineering. I elaborated on how companies often try to fix a piece of the problem instead of fixing up the process. I gave a recent example of how my car dealer took almost one month to repair the car. I added,” hope the dealership will fix the process and not the ‘piece’ that is my recent experience”. I hardly had any idea that I was about to get an opportunity to go to the dealership!

In the evening, we had a wonderful session with Subroto Bagchi on his book “The Professional”. We discussed a lot about challenges specific to professionalism in India. I moderated the question and answer session where we had laser sharp inputs from Mr. Bagchi. Again I was unaware that I will get first hand experience of things we were discussing within a few minutes after the event!

I started my journey back from the event venue and met with an accident. A truck hit my car from behind while I was taking a turn at the green signal. The fellow pushed the car a few feet with the bang. I could not do anything. The truck driver had taken the wrong path to turn. In addition, he tried to give way to a car which was also taking wrong turn beside the truck. The truck driver said, “I did not see your car as I was trying to drive away from the other car who was taking wrong turn. I was fortunate that I did not hurt myself in the accident. But my car is damaged.

We say that every problem is an opportunity. I will have the opportunity to check whether my car dealer has fixed up the process as I will have to go there tomorrow. But is this the kind of opportunity we look for? If yes, at what cost?

What could have happened if the truck driver and the other car driver would have followed the rules with ‘self discipline’ like a true professional? Is this punishment for being professional?

Blog for my students to comment on class discussions

My first year in business

As a child, I always dreamt of starting my own business. The inspiration I believe I took from my uncle who had his own business. Probably, the motivation at that time was that I could work on second floor of our home and come down for lunch in kitchen, no travel required!    


To realize the dream, I took nine years work experience after completing my first post graduation. I started my Independent Management Consulting business on 5 October 2009. Today, I am hosting a get together of my clients and business network as a way of celebrating one year in business.


I am amazed by the kind of things you can achieve by self discipline, freedom to decide your priorities, and exposure to the environment, especially for a first generation entrepreneur like me.


In last one year my revenue came: 54% from teaching, 30% from training, 16% from pure consulting, and less than one percent from strategic placement activities. When I reviewed sources from which I got the work, I was not surprised at all! Around ninety nine percent of my business came from business networking. And less than one percent came from 'cold calling' in typical sales language. Hence, I am hosting a get together of my clients and business network. As they made sure that I get enough work for survival in first year. Otherwise, it is a common observation that most businesses are closed within the first year of the operation.


For a professional, the rewarding experience may not only come through monetary terms. I was able to materialize my cherished dream of starting Business Book Readers' Club in January 2010. Today, the club has 340 members.


Currently, I am working as an Independent Management Consultant. In future, I want to start my management consulting company. This I think I will do after completing my PhD work.


Here is a sincere 'thank you' to all of you that is my clients, business network, teachers, students, friends and family. By the way, immediately I am looking for a small office space in Kothrud, Pune, India and an efficient secretary. If you happen to know either or both, please contact me.


As I always tell my students, success is optional but if I do not work, failure is compulsory. So, let me get down to work, bye for now.