5 years to realize I am NOT an Employee !

Sitting across the table, biting on his pizza, my mentor (let's call him Mr.M) reasons that I may never be able to do 'business'. I'll let Time answer that.

P.r.e.l.u.d.e
That evening as we were heading home, our discussion headed in the direction of all things, according to me, not right at the work place. Mr. M was critical of my thoughts and disagreed vehemently. His remarks - a bitter truth - were something I could not ignore:

'At home you are willing to make all sorts of adjustments, but when it comes to work you think you are entitled.'

'You talk about American and Japanese economies and compare it to ours. Those people respect their work. Do you?'

One of the last things I remember of that conversation was something on the lines of viewing the workplace as your home; its people as your family and owning up things and fixing the wrongs yourself. With the ride coming to an end and my journey back home alone in the city bus, those words were a constant companion - because I could not bring myself to agree with his thoughts entirely. The night passed but the thoughts remained until the next morning. And then it came - a moment of subtle realization.

I am NOT an Employee
Growing up in the family of businessmen, as a child I often used to see my dad entertain some of the silliest requests of his customers with a smile and never complain. Whenever I'd protest, his reply was the same, unaltered over the years - 'They are our customers and we earn our bread because of the business opportunity and the support they extend to us.' There was something about Mr.M's remarks that reminded me of my dad's words; I could see that the dots were waiting to be connected.

I'm not on-board with Mr.M's thoughts on treating thy workplace like your home. I am going to treat my work - as a business. And the goal of every business is to earn a profit. This keeps things much more simple and less emotional.

Balancing Production, Sales and Relationship.
I have certain skills to 'sell' and the organization I work for is my 'customer'. While I continue to sell my skills to the best of my abilities, I mustn't forget that my boss, my boss' boss, my colleagues, my peers and everyone else in that organization is my customer - in one way or the other. Prudent relationship management coupled with quality deliverables will lead to long term profits in terms of 'larger opportunities' (which equates to 'more business' with the customer).

Loss is part of running a business.
You don't always make a profit - most businesses start out making losses in short term before they begin earning a profit. I may not get to do exactly what I want to and it will just have to be a short term loss - I can't worry about it anymore. Fulfilling the customer's needs are more important.

Do what you are best at.
Every businessman has his style - you could choose between making a Toyota or a Bugati. I will play on my strengths and deliver high quality products. I am aware my deliveries tend to take time, and I will do a better job at communicating with my customers. My focus is going to be less on the competition and more on the results of my deliverables.

You never tell your customer how to run his business.
It does not matter to me the kind of workspace, recreational facilities, or cafeteria my customer provides me with - I am NOT entitled to anything more than what is provided to me. All I know is that I sought to do business with the particular customer and it was my decision. And for the opportunity given I can only be thankful.

Add value to customer's business at all times without any expectations.
Until yesterday, I took things to heart when my suggestions were not heard. I will now try to add value to my customer whenever I have an opportunity to with the knowledge of the fact that my customer is not obliged to agree to all I suggest. My customer knows his business best and I must learn more about it.

E.p.i.l.o.g.u.e
I once asked my dad (he owns a wholesale business of fabrics) what was the most interesting part of the work he did and he replied - 'Buying the fabric at Rs.x and selling at Rs.y in a way that both my customer and I are happy with the transaction.'

Until now I was in the adolecence of my career and a few people who have taught me some very valuable lessons during this period and whom I cannot thank enough include: Andy, Jacob, Mike, Subbu and Khivraj. I had once told Mr.M that everyone takes time to realize - some take months; others years. It has taken me 5 years to realize that while I do my job I do not have to be an 'Employee'; I can be an 'Entrepreneur'.