Memorable cab ride and Lessons Learnt...

I was waiting at Pune airport for the booked Ola cab. After waiting for 5 mins, I called the Ola cab number to understand how much time will it take for cab to reach airport. Moreover, I was apprehensive of driver would cancel the booking which is very rampant with cab drivers. When I asked how much time will it take, the voice from other end sounded very pleasant and humble, which is very rare now-a-days. He mentioned that he would reach within another 12 mins as traffic was high. 

I somewhat felt very pleasant inside on the very thought how nicely the driver responded. # Most of time one doesn't need expertise to please a customer, pleasant behavior is enough.

The driver reached within 10 mins, I got in. It takes almost one and half hour to reach Infosys ECC. I started my as usual 'know the other person' discussion with driver. I already knew from his profile that his name was Shimul. I started my discussion with question whether he was from Pune, how long he was driving cab etc.

The story started unfolding, he opened his heart out........which I found very interesting and with lot of leanings too.

Shimul came to Pune almost 9 years back and earned good amount of money from cab driving. With that money he went back to Bengal and stared his own hand loom textile business. He opened his small factory for producing tant saree as he was himself skilled person in this line. Within couple of months, he started doing very well. For keeping workers in hand, one need to give them in advance hefty amount which they repay in monthly basis, other wise getting daily wages workers becomes a difficult job. Within 3 years, he was in very good position will lot of orders from in and around his place. He started production in big scale.

I asked him if all was so good, then why was he back at Pune. He continued his story........

With good progress on side, he got married and at the same time he started constructing his house.

At that time only, market condition went down, lot of his orders got cancelled.

With huge advance to workers which they were unable to pay off, most big orders lost, big loan amount, it became difficult for him to recover. His production house got closed. He tried sustaining with the small business by selling ready made sarees and other had loom materials but things did not turn up.

He came back to Pune and started cab driving again as he has to repay loans and sustain his married life.

I asked him what he thinks went wrong. And what lessons learnt he will share with others?

Lessons Learnt articulated -

1. Decision of getting married and constructing house during peak time, without maintaining enough cash flow for the business was a big mistake. 

LL#1: Don't mix cash flow of business with cash flow for personal matters.

2. He mentioned that his elder brother and other guardian was saying that he was running too fast.

LL#2: Aim for running fast provided you keep making base strong. Take time for building strong foundation.

3. He was never able to get the money back he gave in advance, even in his tough times.

LL#3: Money given for help without proper agreement is almost sunk money. Help others with that much which will not sink your ship.

Amazed, I said WOW! Great lessons. Definitely I would like to share with others your story. He smiled.

When I asked him, are you leaving your dream then, he said smiling.............

I STILL DREAM BIG.......I SEE MYSELF CROREPATI ONE DAY.

I wished him saying one day I would like to see you passing by me in Mercedes Benz. His innocent smile still afresh in my memory.