Designed by the great architect, Charles Correa, Mahindra Research Valley has been planned in synergy with mother nature where the 125 acres space has only 24 acres as built up area while the rest are covered in green. I still remember my first day at MRV Chennai distinctly where I saw a lot of camouflaged vehicles being tested in the facility and these beauties were nothing but amazing. I walked in to the main reception and saw a full scale tractors in the lobby, shinning in red, and at that moment I felt really lucky to be working right at the grass-root where the change actually happens. A great man had once told me,
“Learn what business does the organization do and everything shall follow.” There is nothing better to start learning from the products itself, the very reason why they are built, who all are involved and how are they produced.
A confluence of talent, Mahindra Research Valley has people coming from diverse backgrounds working on specific things such as vehicle design, computer aided crash analysis to information technology as well. The place is around 50 Kilometers from the city of Chennai, well connected by road and rail, thus providing a means for many who reside in the capital and travel on a daily basis. Mahindra World City in itself is an epitome of beauty and ambience with all the necessary facilities spread across the place.
MRV Chennai, the product development facility for Mahindra & Mahindra (M&M) specializes in products from automobile, farm equipment, engines and advanced technology. It is one of the most challenging organizational structure to understand in a short span and a fascinating opportunity to myself where the project, if done well, has the potential of being implemented at the organizational level.
Being assigned the farm division, I began my journey at MRV Chennai by learning a module on the new product development process, visiting the laboratory facilities and testing tracks, and meeting with key stakeholders to understand the functions that I have to develop the functional competency framework for. The place has been vibrant with energy and passion, with employees working in teams, chalking out dashboards and ultimately delivering what mattered. The Rise philosophy of Mahindra Group was on full display and I was totally mesmerized by it. Apart from the office space, MRV also hosts one of the most beautiful libraries and three full sized canteens serving different delicacies for the diverse set of employees.
It was my first stint in the corporate culture and all the people, especially my guide, in the organization understood that & supported me to get accustomed to the place. My guide allowed me to explore and learn in my own way while mentoring me whenever I faced a difficulty to proceed further in the project. The key stakeholders also provided me with adequate time and perspectives for conducting a series of Behavioral Event Interviews (BEIs) to understand the basic purpose of my concerned function, the programme management team in the farm division. The HR team, as well, was very cordial in resolving all my queries including the very basic ones whenever I approached them. They always made sure that I felt at home, felt as part of the team which has been one of the best across the Mahindra organization.
Now, with one of the two objectives at brink of completion, I move ahead trying to give my best for completing the set deliverables within time and at the highest quality.