Sep 2002.
It was now two years that the world trade tower
crash had taken place. The world had learnt to start afresh. Many software personals
known to me had started settling again. But it was tough time for me here. For
me the test of the hour was still there. The impact was not declining for us
here in the B-class town as we were dependent for the placement of our software
personnel with the help of these foreign partners.
I had quit my sales job in Delhi and started the
franchisee of Inset ecommerce Institute (part of IIHT) here at Patna in 2000. Both
of us, my wife and me, had toiled day and night, bringing all our know-how and
experience from the metros, and inculcating everything utmost to train our students
suit best for the industry. The institute was also ranked best among the three
franchisees in Patna with over 250 full time students. But now they were to
pass out. And there was no job for them. We were managing jobs of the tune of
10-12 k in the call centres for some of them. But placing all was really a
tough task. The parent company IIHT which had assured a placement was giving no
response.
The rowdy students got a chance to create scene.
There were around 40-50 students from Ara – Buxar, known for the criminal
activities. They started doing daily nuisance, even started demanding return of
fees.
The daily mayhem at the centre started affecting
the family peace. Parents started worrying. The environment became unsafe. We
needed to take decision. And the decision was we needed to close this. May be
return fees to some of the rowdy ones and keep them shut. And we did – first removing
the rowdy / political ones returning the fees.
By December we managed to bring back peace at the
institute by settling with some of these student leaders. But there was now no
peace in our mind. By March the institute would be fully closed. With the
limited resource that we had it would not be possible to sustain for another
two – three years till the market became favourable. So I have to look for job
again and start a fresh. I handed the institute to my wife and moved to Delhi
again.
With help of some well-wishers I submitted my CV at
Amar Ujala – the leading Hindi daily of UP. It was not easy to get break with a
failed entrepreneur tag in behind.
I still remember the then GM had very reluctantly asked
– “You are an entrepreneur and give directions. How would you work as a sales
person asking for ads?”
And I had replied – “Being an entrepreneur – I have
experienced the buyers psychology as an advertiser, when I placed my institutes
ad in local dailies. Thus it would add to my experience as a sales person and
help me in my carrier.”
After a week I was confirmed of getting the job. I was to report at Lucknow.
It was a much needed break for me. I was committed
to start a fresh. I promised myself – this is not a job – it’s the career break for me. And I had vowed –
come what may, I’ll stick to this for a minimum of five years. My CV now needed
stability.
Early days at AU were not a bed of roses. People
rightly say Lucknow is a hub of politics. I experienced the same in the small
office there. Not a single chance was left to make me feel uncertain and show
me disgraced. But I had vowed to myself. I stayed committed to the work helping
all. In six months I got confirmed and elevated to Asst. Manager. The foes
slowly became friends for life.
The journey continued – eleven years at AU – eleven promotions - innumerable experiences. No looking back - from an individual to a leader again. Different
teams – Struggling hours – varied location – winning odds.
Today, in interviews when I see the jumping jack
formula in CVs – I suggest only one thing – “be patient and committed to yourself”.
It pays.
Aditya Sinha
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