Behind Every Unsuccessful Man

The  wind was blowing at a violent speed with a ferocious sound followed by heavy rains and a thunderstorm in Pavanpur. The time was six in the evening. The normal life of the people was very difficult. The entire town was in the dark due to power failure. 

 Anuj was thinking of nature’s violent effect on human life and the recent blow in his life. His personal blow was  more severe than nature's outburst.  The more violent the storm, the quicker it passes. He thought, in his life also like a violent storm, he would come out soon from the  terrible blow. 

 His multi-storied house "Anugraha"  was safe except for some minor damages. He was sitting on one corner and  his wife Anagha was sitting on the other corner.  Just after the heavy rain had started, they were silent. It was evident from their seriousness that they were in trouble. Power was restored after one hour. 

 Seven years back Anuj after completing his MBA and taking over the 100 year old family business enterprise, 'Perfect Garments'. He married Anagha  in the same year. At the end of fifth year he was terribly upset due to the heavy loss incurred in the business. Their serious conversation continued on three issues.

How the well established business was derailed? 

How to set things right?

Whom do you blame for the mess?

"Anagha, before blaming others, I know my weaknesses rather than strengths  for the present crisis."

"Anuj, simply knowing the weaknesses  will not serve the purpose.  You have to apply your mind in the right direction and set things right. You must find out where you are going wrong? You must be optimistic. I am confident that we will regain our earlier position."

"Is it possible?" 

"Anuj, If there is a will there's a way. Everything is possible provided you have dedication and determination."

The conversation was inconclusive. 

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Pavanpur is a small town on Bengaluru- Chennai national highway. The town is also connected with the railway. The place is best suited for setting up of business establishments and small scale industries due to the proximity to rail, road, and availability of land at a cheap rate. Moreover, the place is known for tourist attraction spots. The people here speak Kannada, Tamil and English.

One hundred years ago, Anuj's grand-father Madanagopal Chakradhar started a ready-made garments business in Pavanpur  with just one sewing machine and two workers. Anuj's  father Venkataramana Chakra- dhar took over the business from his father. After 25 years, he improved the business to 50 sewing machines and 50 workers. The grandson Anuj Chakradhar took over the business and expanded the business gradually.  At the end of fourth year due to his hard work and better management the business  enterprise grew with 1000 sewing machines and 1000 workers. The standard quality of the garment products, the enterprise got the ISI mark as export quality material. This was possible after modernization and employment of  skilled workers with huge capital investment.

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Seven years back, when Anuj's final year MBA results were announced, he was happy that he got a distinction. At the same time, he received the sad news that his father passed away. He immediately rushed to Pavanpur from Bengaluru and completed all the religious rites. He was in the process of taking the business,  Suresh, his childhood friend, who had just passed B.Com  approached him for a job. Anuj wanted a reliable person to assist him. He appointed Suresh as an in-charge of the accounts department.  Anuj was able to get control of the entire working of the business enterprise in one month. 

 After six months, he appreciated Suresh for his efficient work and quick understanding of the work entrusted to him. 

"Anuj, do not show any favors to Suresh being a childhood friend. Duty is first and your friendship is next," cautioned Anagha.

"Anagha, Suresh is sincere, hard working,  and honest. He will be proved as an asset to my business."

The garment  business was running  smoothly with an increase in the profits year after year. Likewise, four years passed with an excellent increase in sales turnover compared to the previous year. At the end of the fifth year, the business enterprise starts exporting the garments to foreign countries like the USA and UK. The business enterprise was converted into a private limited company with a brand new name as "Venkataramana Garments Private Limited" with the emblem of 'Namaste' and motto as 'service with love'. 

As the business reached new heights, the attitude of Anuj was completely changed. He became arrogant and for small mistakes committed by his employees, he started blasting. Even Suresh was not spared and on a number of occasions, he was blasted in the presence of workers. Suresh felt very much and started thinking in a destructive way.

What happens when employees lose interest?

 At  the end of the seventh  year the decline of business started. Anuj failed to notice the substantial fall in the business as he was away on a business tour to London. Anagha also accompanied him. The number of  complaints from the customers was  pouring. The consignment of goods containing garments was not received by the customers even after one month.

  Anuj, while leaving for abroad instructed Suresh about how to run the business in his absence. Limited powers for withdrawing small money from the bank was given to Suresh. This time, Anuj's foreign trip was about twenty five days. Just after ten days, Anuj received a telephone call from an unknown person that all was not well in your absence.

 On getting all the information, Anuj canceled the meetings with the customers in London  and returned by the next available flight. Anagha was very much disappointed as she could not visit tourist spots. 

Anuj and Anagha reached Pavanpur on the third day.  Without wasting time  he went to the office and enquired the staff. But to his astonishment, Suresh was absconding. Nobody knew  where he had gone. He smelt something messy. Anuj went to a local police station and  lodged a complaint against Suresh. 

Anuj and Anagha could not sleep the whole  night because of the unexpected developments. He arranged an audit of the company.  While going through the audit report,  Anuj was terribly shocked. Suresh had misused the authority given to him. 

The production of garments was completely  stopped for one reason or the other. The workers got their salary  on the first of every  month. The total loss was running in several lakhs of rupees.  As a result of this, the company's  office door was locked. The customers, who had already paid in advance, threatened to approach the court. 

One fine morning, Anuj received a call from the police station that Suresh was arrested and kept in custody. You have to come here for interrogation. Anuj and Anagha both went to the police station. Suresh begged for an apology to Anuj and revealed the reason for the crimes  committed by him. 

Anuj gave a surprise by withdrawing all the cases  against Suresh and advised him to seek employment elsewhere. 

Anuj and Anagha took the responsibility of running the company. 

Anagha said,

"Behind every unsuccessful man, there is arrogance."