Why Aditya Birla Group is big in my life
Aditya Birla Group is an ubiquitous name in every household. A 162 year old brand that plays a part in nearly every aspect of our lives, in some way or another. Can one brand really have that kind of impact? Well, Let me tell you a story of just one day in my life last week..
I had woken up late one cloudy morning and was rushing to get to class where I was to deliver a presentation. Alas, fate decided to frown on me that day. Just as I reached the bus stop and Toyota Corolla whooshed past me, kicking up the muddy waters and splattering me with last night heavy showers. My shirt was soaked and my blazer was speckled with mud. I couldn’t go to class like this! Changing direction, I went to the nearest mall I could find. I sighed in relief on seeing a Van Heusen and Allen Solly in the aisle of stores. There are very few brands for women’s formal wear and these two lead the pack by a thousand miles for their quality, fit and design. I had been buying from them my entire adult life and they never let me down. I quickly fitted myself with a new shirt and blazer and left with a smile on my face.
Thankfully my detour did not cost me too much time. However in my rush I had forgotten to eat breakfast, and my stomach alerted me to this fact by emitting a loud growl. Looking around I caught sight of a More supermarket right across the road. And headed straight for the doors for a freshly baked croissant from More’s bakery. As I walked through the store I was struck by More’s diverse range of products. From biscuits to household necessities, the ABG owned supermarket’s customers are always spoiled for choice. I made a mental note to come back later to pick up some fresh fruit to munch on in my room.
I entered the IIM Ranchi campus building with a full 10 minutes to spare. As I was walking into the classroom my phone rang. I picked up to here my mother’s crackling voice on the other end. “H…what…doing… every…?”. I groaned internally, My network connection was quite poor in this part of campus, I could barely understand a word. Thinking quickly, I asked a nearby classmate if I could borrow her phone, which she willingly obliged. I was able to call my concerned parent and assure her that all was well. Passing the phone back to my classmate I enquired on her network carrier. “Vodaphone!”, She responded with a smile, “it’s a life saver literally everywhere I have been.” “as in ABG’s Vodaphone?”, I enquired. “that’s the one”, she laughed. “It’s the best network out there.”
In just one day, Aditya Birla Group had come to my rescue, not just one or two, but three times! I reflected for a few minutes on how interwoven ABG was with my life. From the clothes on my back to the food I eat… I even invest in Aditya Birla Sun Life, one of the most highly recommended mutual funds! Quality is not about the marketing a brand does to sell its products. True Quality is in how a Brand manages to smoothly integrate itself into your every day life the way ABG has done. There may be many companies out there, but only ABG provides what is really needed and that is why they are at the top. No matter what my situation, It was always ABG that came to my rescue, and that is why it truly is the best company in the world.
How have I made an Impact-
When you apply for an MBA, you do so knowing full well the competition is fierce. Hence you need to be clear than just getting an MBA tag is not worth it. You need to be the best of the best. Since I wanted to specialize in HR, I knew that nothing less than the top HR B schools would do.
When I started out, the math looked daunting. Out of 2 lakh aspirants every year only a minuscule number manage to get the coveted top seats. How could I stand a chance? Nevertheless, although the journey looked long and challenging, I resolved to take it up.
The work was grueling. Working 10 hours a day in your day job, then coming back home to start on your B school preparation was certainly not easy. There were times my mind wanted to quit. Why take the load? Is it really worth it? But somewhere inside was a voice that urged me forward. Urged me to rub the sleep from my eyes and reopen the last chapter I was reading, for it would be all worth it in the end…
The moment I found out I had gotten into my target B school was sheer exhilaration. There is nothing like the moment of success after a year’s worth of efforts! It was with great excitement that I left my hometown to reach what I though was the final destination. However the minute I stepped onto IIM Ranchi’s grounds I could feel the target resetting itself again. Because the competition was still fierce and I still needed to be the best of the best. And suddenly to road ahead still looked long, challenging and exciting.
We all believe the goals we set for ourselves are the end in itself. That once we reach the place we were aiming for, we have reached our destination. But I have learned reaching your destination means simply unlocking the door to your next opportunity. Because our desire to move forward can never be satiated and even as our destination comes into sight, only one thought lingers… how much further can I go…?