The world has changed and so has the businesses and perspective with which people view them. Profitability is just one of the weapons in the arsenal of the multinational conglomerates. The value proposition is a major component of a consumer or a customer look for. How a brand, company or a business or a product is adding value to the consumer's life. Moreover, people are focusing on how significantly these big shots are contributing to the people individually and to society at large. What are their vision, motto, goals etc, in short, what do they strive for? One name which immediately pops up in every Indian’s mind is Aditya Birla Group. It is almost impossible that the group hasn’t touched or impacted your life in one way or the other. ABG with its mission “to deliver superior value to all its customers, shareholders, employees and society at large” has been serving the society since 1857.
Businesses have made it big and then gone to the wall, turned from Riches to Rags but among the few who have been able to sustain themselves, ABG stands tall. From its financial support to Indian freedom struggle to establishing education centres all around India, ABG has been doing CSR activities since the time, the term was not even coined. How has this multinational conglomerate impacted my life is what I will discuss henceforth.
Being a small town girl, the struggle of access to the big brands has been real. Has it not been Pantaloons and People with its trendy collection and affordable prices, life would have been so much tougher. Not so long ago, while I was prepping for my interviews for B-school admissions, the biggest dilemma for me was where to get my formal wears. A lot many brands popped up in my mind, not so coincidently, most of them were ABG’s brands. ABG leads in the Indian formal wear sector. True serendipity – my favourite go-to brand Forever 21 is also distributed exclusively by ABG. When I reached college, my biggest concern was my mobile network which dwindled as soon as I reached my campus. Far from home, this was my only respite. The next step was to switch my SIM to Vodafone which is the leader in the Telecom sector.
Back in 2006, when my dad was planning to bring to papers his biggest dream which was to build a house which we could call "HOME", he couldn't trust anything else but UltraTech cement for his dream house.
I firmly believe that every challenge makes one stronger and heads on for the next one. The question is how can one become aware of one’s potential without testing yourself? That’s where a challenge surfaces, it tests you and prepares you for the impending ones. The biggest challenge that I have faced was on October 31st, 2014.
On 10th October, my father complained of inflammation on the left side of his chest and soon he was admitted in the hospital. I, being unaware of this whole situation dwelling around 1200 km apart was prepping to give my juniors their best freshers. All hell broke down when my family was informed about my father’s first heart attack. Doctors were losing time and thus after an affirmation from my family, they decided to go for the surgery. Luckily, the surgery was successful. I was informed the next morning. I could hardly contain myself but felt reassured as he was out of danger now. But tough times were awaiting. I visited my dad one week later, we all tried to give him the best care we could but fate had something else in its store. I was back to Delhi and it was the most auspicious festival of Diwali when my father took his last breath. No one could get a hang of what had happened. To a completely healthy body to heart surgery to the subsequent demise, it seemed that everything has fallen apart. My world was upside down, but I had to stay strong for my mother. No one suffered more than her. Having no idea of the monetary situation back then and government delay in the remuneration process, it was Aditya Birla Life Insurance that came to our rescue back then. My father's demise completely transformed me as a person. I became more focused, goal-oriented and in control of my life. I am currently studying at IIM Ranchi, and it was my father's belief in me when he sent me to the coveted Delhi University that I would make it big that drove me to where I am now.