Rocket Singh In Making: Story Of Real Life Rocket Singh Happening

Many of us have watched the movie Rocket Sing but how many of us have seen Rocket Singh really happening. I am sure not many. Here is the story which I had a chance to see unfolding in front of my own eyes. I thought for a long time if I should use real names or fictitious names, then I decided to keep some names real and some fictitious. Many of the people involved in this episode do not have access to blogging hence I decided to use some of the real names and other fictitious. So the story begins like this-

There is a company in southern part of country named Holy Company (Holy Co.) This Holy Co has interests in agriculture related businesses. It was founded by Britishers and then sold to Indians around 1980. Being a proud company having a legacy of more than 150 years behind it it is very proud company which has its legacy. There have been good managers in the company and good planners and thinker (still there are some). But Holy Co. being Holy Co. it has different aura which you will not find in many companies in this world. SO good managers of Holy company thought about going for forward integration in late 1980s and early 1990s and they launched their products in the consumer market. Holy Co had deep pockets (which might or might not be the case today) and they thought that this money will help them a lot in the future. Anyway they had strong production base and were selling their products in the market as commodity. However after this planning of forward integration dynamics changed little bit. They understood that they they need to invest in the forward integration and its returns will be immense in the future. Moreover being the agriculture based company they understood the importance of forward integration.

Holy Co. was pioneer in lot many things in this country and it was very dynamic company. Its competitors also followed the suit this time again as everybody knew that Holy Co. always take right decision. In fact the companies like Tata and Unilevers left the basic field of operations where Holy Co. operated. But they also had the strategic reason. Soon Holy Co. established its brands in the market and started doing well. This time new venture of Holy Co. was not as successful as the ventures in the past. Company had an alternative marlet and thats it (they could not sustain the momentum which I can not explain). Soon Holy Co. saw its competitors moving ahead and beating the Holy Co. in its own market. There came a stage when everybody in the market knew brands of Holy Co. but nobody was getting these brands. Marketing was not the forte of Holy Co.

So after twenty years of operations in the market Holy Co. really thought very deeply. Its new leader was a visionary and he understood the importance of forward integration. However by this time folks in Holy Co. thought that they can not succeed in this business. These were the people who always knew how to be respected and they did not have any idea of services that are to be rendered to the customers at large. Moreover Holy Co. was very caring for its folks (employees), provided them all kinds of facilities. So in this new scenario when new leader took the reign of Holy Co. he started turning around the company. revenues grew profits grew. This particular business of branded product was doubled by leader under his direct care within two years. Although he was having a lot of resistance but he moved ahead and proved almost everybody wrong. When the business volume reached a certain level he thought of hiring a good marketing person to lead this division.

Sorry folks I have given a long background but that was necessary to understand the events that will unfold now. Here story of our Rocket Singh start-

So our villain is Malik (yes in this case Rocket Singh is villain). Lets call him Rocket Singh only. Now in the new marketing team that this leader hired for take off was lead by a dynamic guy (who had his own ideas) named Rajaji. Rajaji had won some trophies in the past and he started his career at very low level but because if his convincing power he moved up the ranks and joined Holy Co. as business head. he was able to convince all his new team of his expansion plans. But soon problems started arising as old folks of Holy Co. were not used to this kind of working style. In Holy Co. over the period of time it became more important that for how many years you have taken ride on company (yes ride because in this particular department sales were happening because of brands and holy company was selling at lowest rates in the market) rather than what are your abilities in the market. In fact top people were masters of manipulations. In past they had got rid of all the bossed who asked them to work by bringing down the sales temporarily and deliberately. As soon as boss will go they will take it to normal level but that normal level was not sufficient for the Holy Co. with present team. In fact this time around situation was totally different. Rajaji had the backing of leader. Rajaji moved quickly and first he closed all the brands that were loss making (As their sales was very low). Immediately folks brought down the sales saying that all sales happen because of these brands only. But Rajaji had a good assistant in role of marketing manager Mr DP. Mr DP quickly analysed the data and proved that these brands were having very low volume. When the design of folks did not work this time they planned something different and did a Rocket Singh (launch own product). Actually these people had started believing that sales is happening because of these people and they can sell anything they want (which of course was not the case). Hence they went in stepwise manner.

First step was planning the duplicate brand to be launched in the market. Which of course they planned easily as they were taKinG care of entire operations before Rajaji entered the scene. They had the blessing of some top people as well who were motivation behind it all (Otherwise folks were actually coward). By Decebler 2009 Rajaji had launched two brands with full fanfare but without the support from folks (who were more interested in failure of whatever Rajaji do) and absence of financial support that was required both these brands failed. Now folked started saying it very openly that Rajaji do not know anything. Meanwhile they were planning their duplicate brands.

Now for launching of the product you need some sort of financial support. This was generated with the help of money these people had diverted from market schemes to their some distributor friends and have taken out of system by corrupt means. This is another story. Actually these folks never worked in the market. They were more and more dependent on their dealers. Dealers made good money by not passing on the schemes to market. But folks were not fools they knew it all. They were hand in gloves with folks. So whenever any scheme will be announced from company they will call dealer on phone and tell him that we will get this scheme for you but give our share for which dealer will agree immediately. So in total these people thought that they will be able to launch new duplicate brand in the market and make it success.

Then there were some dealers who were honest. So when they will ask for goods to be sold in their areas, folks will tell them that goods are stocked out and company is going to close soon, yes!!!!!! they told this. Our Rocket Singh was in-charge of largest territory and final contact for dealers and he had created good image for himself in head office so nobody questioned him and everybody started believing that Rajaji was at fault.

Now as I said earlier they told market that company is going to close, so managed this as well. They made all the people amongst the folks resign. First people who were honest and loyal to company were thrown out by taking the name of Rajaji. Then rest of the group resigned en-masse. Rajaji also thought that these were not good people and its better he got rid of them in one go, so he will now be able to get better team. By this time apart from Rocket Singh everybody was gone. And Rocket Singh was sticking around so that all the information come to him and he can plan next moves. Which actually paid off for Rocket Singh. As Rajaji started building his new team, he will ask new members to report to Rocket Singh. But Rocket Singh will make them leave the organization within one or two weeks all in the name of Rajaji. In this market reference work a lot and before joining any company people ask through their friends about the company. By this time Rocket Singh had managed to malign the image of company to the extent that nobody will join even after being selected. Now in fact Rocket Singh was happier as he could find good excuse for his poor performance   behind the fact that there was no field staff left.

Coimbatore: Manchester of South India

Now its my fourth visit to this city known as "the Manchester of South India". And since it is Manchester of South India so I also came here for Industrial visit all four times as my company have it manufacturing and packaging facility in this city. First thing that strike anybody about the city is the cleanliness. I was surprised to see that we have a city as clean as this in India. Even if you go to poor areas (Jhopad Patti), there you will find clean streets and organised housing. You will not find anything strewn on the streets. I had to think twice before throwing and empty pouch of candies. In any other city you can easily drop it on the road from the car but here if you want to do that you will feel ashamed on yourself so I asked my driver to take the car to sideway so that I can throw it. Such is the impact of surroundings on human behavior.

In my first visit I was accompanied by a team from my company, my boss (Suresh Menon) was also there and he has seen both north as well as south India. He told me on the visit back from the factory that you will not find even a single dented car in this city and my God!!!!!! how correct he was I have not seen a dented car here. May be it is something in the style of the people of this city.

This city has got nine lakes as well which I am sure might have been source of water in their prime days but now they are reduced to just the wetlands. I have seen some of these from taxi while going to office but they are no longer beautiful, however they can be made by spending small amounts of money cleaning them.

People and Culture
There are people from all part of country, in fact I believe it will be most diversified city in TN, even more than Chennai, you happen to see all kind of faces in the market and restaurants. Markets are open bit late in night. Although this city just borders Kerala and a place called VeerKeralam is just outside the city but the culture is completely different. I came here after the stay in Kerala where shops are closed before 9 pm you will not get food after 10 but Coimbatore happened to be sweet surprise. I think in future it might open the gates of TN for broader interaction with rest of the country.

All those stories of people hating Hindi are absurd as I have seen people are curious, they want to learn the things and they want to know more about the world. Its good that they respect their culture and heritage but its the politicians who have played on the psyche of fear. They made people believe that outsiders will come and take over them and dominated them. My personal observation is that they have much more enhanced self respect than many other parts of the country and can not be overwhelmed just like that.

However everything is not rosy. there are some people who can cheat you but they are everywhere in all parts of country and a city or place should not be judged by these people. One similar incidence happened with me as well. I missed my bus to Kochin on one of my visits and next one was after four hours so I went to see movie in nearby Ganga theater. Since it was Rajnikant's super-hit movie "Endhiran (the robot)" and that too in first week. So I got front row corner seat costing Rs 10 (yes!!!!! in south India you can still watch a movie in Rs 10), but the person at ticket window cut Rs 40 and when I asked him he said something in Tamil but did not return the money. One person who knew English said one or two sentences in my favour but after that he also became silent after man at window said something to him in Tamil. Such thing happen all over the world thats as everybody is not good but best thing is that even in first week of Rajani movie there was no black and thats the proof of the level of honesty of people. This honesty and simplicity of the people is what I like the most about south Indians in general.

Climate
By now I ahve visited this city in all major climatic seasons. Its neither cold nor hot. In summers temperature goes up slightly touching 40 deg Celsius while in winters it drops to around 15 sometimes otherwise mostly it remains between 25 to 35 degrees. Hence it is one of the pleasant climates. If you want to enjoy winter then you can go to nearby hill station of Ooty. Overall it has got the potential of being one of the best Indian city. I personally I believe it can be alternate development hub for the state after Chennai (which is already crowded and people tell me that Chennai has got the worst climate of all major coastal cities.

My Lesson Learnt
Like all south Indian cities it also has got a huge temple. Actually south India preserved most of what was Indian culture (Please do not ask me to explain it as it will take several books to attempt that and even then you will be unable to understand), in north most of the cultural institutions were destroyed by invaders. Overall it is one beautiful clean (inspite of absence of proper underground drainage system) and peaceful city. There is problem of drinking water but I believe that can be taken care of if water harvesting and reuse is planned properly as the area get sufficient precipitation. This city is one more of eye opener in my south Indian sojourn. My respect for my country has increased after visiting this city. One lesson that I have learnt in particular is that if you keep you city and neighbourhood clean others will also think twice before spreading the dirt and if you make everything dirty [like you find paan (beetal leaf) peek in many north Indian cities] then others will only add to dirt.

Kerala: Gods' Own Country

Kerala is the one of the most beautiful state in India in terms of greenery as far as I have seen. It is characterized by the good beaches, thick cover of coconut trees on the coastal areas and as you start moving inwards in the mainland, you find that slowly coconut trees are replaced by rubber plantations, as you move further inland flat ground is replaced by rising hills of western ghats and rubber plantations are replaced by tea plantations.

 Similarly climate also has its variance across this land. In the coastal areas climate is always humid, hotter in summer and hot in winter (As I come from north I feel even winters are hot in these parts). When we start moving towards western ghats climate again becomes cooler and more pleasant. Here you can see both the climate in a single day from hot and humid coastal and tropical climate to cool and pleasant climate of hills while travelling for your regular visits.

When I came to Kerala in the middle of 2009 for some personal assignments I stayed here for one month and I instantly fell in love with Kerala. I have never seen such breathtaking greenery for such a long and continuous stretch. I felt closest to nature here, although before that I have been to Himalayas (Kashmir and Devbhoomi Uttrakhand). My company gave me a room in guest house which was facing the sea and was appropriately known as "Bayview", from there living at 7th floor I could see the nearby islands. Next experience was even more fascinating, just imagine I used to go to company office in boat, and I felt wow!!!!!!!! what the fun. After being there for some time I thought Kochin (the city where I was living) could be called Venice of east appropriately and there is a lot of potential for the waterways which can get the city rid of much of its traffic. Just imagine if I go to office on Willingdon Island from Bayview (Company guest house in Fort Kochi Island, where I was staying) in car then it will take me 30-45 minutes and a lot of traffic, noise and pollution. However at the same time if you want to go in boat it will cost u Rs 2 and one km morning and evening walk (if you don't want to walk you can hire auto) and total of less than 30 minutes. May be this boat service is subsidized but if is then it is subsidized for the good. Moreover I do not think that it is heavily subsidized because lot many people travel by it and revenues must be meeting at least the operating costs. Its timings are perfect. I have seen flights, trains, buses and all other means of transportations getting late but this one is one which is always on time that to perfection of seconds forget minutes. And after this I thought that communists have done some wonders in Kerala or may be Keralites because of their high education rates are better organized and more efficient.

By now I have been to only one major city thats Kochin and plantations and estates. Everything is fantastic and beautiful in its own way over here.

There are some problem regarding the labours and unionization. But may be these problems are the part of path of progress. people are paying higher because they can afford to otherwise they would not do so. Moreover these are more of system problems which I believe will be solved by the people as it is most literate state. Politically and socially as well its very different from rest of the country, different means advance here. 

One day I was waiting for somebody at the corner shop near a hotel for somebody. Owner of cornershop happened to be from north India. he said it is a place where you will find even MPs and MLAs walking the streets amongst common men and nobody is bothered. While in North (I do not know much in this regard about other south Indian states) you will find even "chutbhaiyya neta" (small time petty politician) or local thug walking with group of sycophants. 

Life here is really peaceful. I am now working here with the same company and by the time of writing this blog I have already spent some 4 months in this state. You will find more people in the street at 5 AM in the morning than 9 PM. Even in cities people sleep early and they wake up early and go for morning walk.

There are pious people believe in their traditions and values. In fact this feeling for traditional values is far strong in southern half of country than northern half. They follow what they preach. There is no veil system (Apart from Muslims). Position of women is far better than north (where women were reduced to the status of women in Arabian countries) . Here in actual traditions of India women are respected and given their rights in fact I am told in tribal areas (which are not tribal in these of tribal of Chattisgarh, these are well connected) there are still matriarchal societies.

There is religious harmony amongst the people. In fact if you ask first name of anybody you will not find if he/she is Hindu or Christian (In case of Muslims its different). Everybody goes to Church whenever they feel like. But sad fact is that even here Muslims have ghettoized themselves to some extent. Because of spread of education many of them are educated here and some are traditionally well to do. But large part of them is still not part of the society as should be. But in the minds of public there is no animosity towards each other. 

Apart from labour problems everything is just fine in this state. I hope this problem is also part of economic transition phase and will be sorted out when it become necessary. Apart from plantation all labour intensive industries are moving out. IT industry is making inroads. In fact in last year growth of IT exports from Kerala was highest of viz-a-viz other regions. Hence this beautiful state is moving further higher up in economic ladder. It is beautiful, peaceful and progressive.