“Our mission has always been to be leaders in each of our businesses, which is one, two, or three” boomed Mr Kumar Mangalam Birla’s powerful voice, in a room filled with avid listeners, old and young. The gradual growth of Aditya Birla Group from a cotton- and jute-trading business in Pilani to a huge multinational conglomerate is an inspiration to many entrepreneurs. The zeal of his vision and the firmness of his mission led to expansion of a brand that has touched the lives of millions in India as well as abroad.
I remember the first time I entered a Peter England store. My father had his wedding anniversary in a few days and being a man of tradition and advocator of Indian culture, I had seldom seen him wearing western clothes or feeling comfortable in it. On the other hand, I always had a preference towards suits for its official aura and magnificence. Convinced that I would purchase one to be worn by him, I persuaded him to accompanying me with the same objective. When we arrived at the store, I remember glancing at the suits displayed, varying in color, structure, style but all eloquent, posh and masculine. The ambience as well as the service was impressive for my father who conceded his desire to acquire a particular elegant suit of his choice and wore it on his anniversary, which I cherish to this date. Aditya Birla doesn’t touch life alone; it changes opinions or preferences of the population by providing the best.
Can a company reflect your best traits? Can it relate to the journey you had undertaken to overcome your greatest fear? The answer is in the affirmative.
I was a very shy and timid person in my school days. Stage fear ate my talent and public speaking was an unspeakable agony. Each time I was called upon to present an opinion or idea in front of the entire class, my mind reeled with the possibility of being ridiculed and judged upon. One of my professors identified the fear component in me and instilled confidence through continuous encouragement and providing ample opportunities to face the crowd, without fear. Much alike the aluminium rolling manufactured by the Birla group, I was molded to confront my fear with a steel will power. I was asked to inhibit the flow of fear and negativity, like an insulator and enrich my communication skills for proper delivery of message, like a telecom. By overcoming the fear, I cemented stability, positive and progressive growth rate, adding an essence of accomplishment in my life, like carbon black does to an ink. I tackled my stage fear head on and realised that to get the best out of us, we need to try to obtain in in the hardest way, much like how Viscose fiber is harvested from endangered forests.
The brands of Birla group recounts my process of self-actualization. Aditya Birla is more than a company. It is a reflection of the fire to improve in each one of us.