#ABGLP WOO ME COMPETITION
With a humble beginning in 1870 as a jute business in Pilani, Aditya Birla Group has graciously grown to become one of the largest conglomerates of India, with a major presence abroad. Hailing from the North-eastern regions of India, I belong to the generation that has seen development, western culture and trends enter the region and take the market by storm. Now as an adult, I often introspect as to how the indigenous lifestyles and livelihoods back in my native place were influenced due to the entry of major market players. Coming from a middle-class background, individuals and organizations who also share humble roots often inspire me. Conglomerates like the Aditya Birla Group has made diversified investments in nearly all sectors mentionable. Thus, their brands and products are bound to have influenced every Indian in several ways; a billion lives touched by a million products. I recall fond memories of how the first Pantaloons in Guwahati set the trend for every north-eastern household; mothers and daughters with their delightful glee and sons complaining about multiple clothing trials. The sheer magnitude of the diverse amount of brands to choose from created a whirlpool of emotions, allowing market trends to be set and products marketed; eventually creating a large customer base, which is still growing strong with every passing quarter. Often we are ignorant of the "how" brands provide value through every product and how they are influencing our lives even as we breathe. I help run a hospitality and catering business and aluminum wraps have always been indispensable. Subconsciously, our business has always preferred Freshwrapp and Freshpackk; it began when the trusted delivery partner recommended it. I believe that we are engulfed in this market of consistent demand, a myriad of interacting beings, and a plethora of brands are shaping our consciousness.
Opportunities are abundant, but so are the challenges that create hurdles. Are we, as individual beings responsible for creating our own hurdles? Unconsciously, I often "let in more than I give out" and this has been the driving force; the steering wheel to my life. Learning is of great importance, but letting knowledge remain dormant is equivalent to tying one hand behind the back when we do something. Subduing our potential by repressing what we learn and not being able to apply it in our daily lives is what often causes problems in synergy with our surroundings. Having said this I too am guilty of learning much but applying little; a drawback that I have been tackling with my entire life. My education and the decisions that I have taken since then have always been more about learning and gaining, but have I applied them in life? Even after graduating and entering the entrepreneurship world, I have mostly increased my learning curve; what about my application? The business has thrived, skills have been gained but there seems to be much to give back and much to apply. To change this seemingly unbreakable chain of building "stock", I quit my job and decided to pursue a professional course; a first-year PGDM student at Goa Institute of Management. A once in a lifetime opportunity to leave behind the race of learning and enter into an area of opportunity; a time to clear the hurdle of "gaining inventory" and instead "trade-off" excessive learning for application.