You are known by what you do, not by what the PR agency tells us about you

A few days ago, I was invited by an FPOs promoting institution (call it POPI or CBBO), to attend their internal staff strategy meeting. The reason for inviting me was to share thoughts on how the Farmer Producer Organisations promoted by them can access credit.

Even before I could start speaking, the first question that was thrown at me was - where do we lodge a complaint about an NBFC? The question did not surprise me one bit, what I was concerned about was why it was raised so early in the interaction, as I was meeting most of them for the first time. Surely, they had been through some experience that agitated them greatly, to an extent of it being on top of their mind.

As I always say, there is a public image that an organisation has, that can be carefully crafted through media and PR, and there is a reality check when the stakeholders actually interact and transact with the organisation. That is when reality hits in the face, and gives a fair picture as compared to what the billboards say, or what the Chairman or CEO may say in Seminars and Conferences.

How close the two match is an indicator of an organisation that understands the importance of balancing the interests of all stakeholders, be it vendors, distributors or service providers. On this measure, many, nay, most organisations in India fall woefully short. Being recognised as a 'Great Place to Work' is good, but equally or more is to be recognised as 'Great people to do Business With'. And that doesn't happen just like that. It's hard work and conscious action. Our aim is to be that, and get better at it, with each passing day!