We started Microtopping concrete in 2013 after my trip to Sri Lanka. Though it was a leisure trip, yet I discovered a product which altered my professional life.

After coming back from the trip, I started researching on how to introduce it in Pune region. I discovered one person who was importing the raw materials and could help us with applicators too. We finalized terms with them.

We began with sampling in our office. The applicator who came to us was named Sunny. He was young, but seemed to know what he was doing. I liked his working style and approach to the task. He was soft spoken and well mannered. I realized that I need people like him to help us in the new product.

After the work was completed, I spoke to Sunny. That time he wasn’t working anywhere and hence I immediately made him an offer. He happily accepted the offer and decided to join in 15 days.

Together we started making more samples and executed some small sites. Though the costs were not covered, yet I decided to pursue the product as it was more about passion than earning at that time. I loved the product far beyond the tiles that I was selling. I was enjoying marketing the product. It demanded a lot of creativity out of me, which I was enjoying.

The journey continued smoothly with few minor hiccups here and there. The company – CONCRETE WORKS started growing steadily. We were getting regular work and recognition. Architects with whom we hadn’t worked with for years at Jain Ceramics, started calling us for work.

Sunny and Me put together systems, which wasn’t heard of in Microtopping industry in India. It was sheerly on the whims and fancies of the applicators. We added applicators. With time, instead of buying material from an importer, I went to Spain and started importing directly from a manufacturer. Our R&D was making the European product more suitable for Indian conditions. I was confident of the team Sunny and Me formed. He executed sites and I marketed and got orders.

Sunny grew from an applicator, to a team leader, and now to a manager. All this in a span of about 10 years.

One fine day as we were discussing on the expansion plans and updates on new office, he put forth a demand. I thought the demand was unreasonable; whereas he thought he deserved it being a manager and working with me for about a decade now. We had a difference of opinion and the day ended.

The next day I came to know that he had left for his village. I called him. But he had blocked my number. For a moment I was aghast! I had never imagined the company without him. So many things about execution, only he knew. A site was to be started today under him. Some new samples were to be executed, which was 60% material of my container. To top it all, he was the one who would manage sites, and all the applicators. Suddenly he is gone without any prior intimation! It was like – I had lost my right hand!

The next moment, I realized that there is no fallback option for me. I had to grab the situation by the scruff of the neck and move ahead. The sites had to continue; the samples had to be made; and the applicators got to be managed.

Without batting an eyelid, I got to work! Why should anyone suffer because someone is not there. What wrong have they done? I told myself – the show must go on as it is, if not better! No one should know or feel the difference that such an important person in the organization has left.

Though he leaving created a great void, yet I couldn’t have kept fuming over it. I had to move on! I re-aligned my resources. I took charge of the operations too and got back to the table. The work started flowing with renewed valor the very next day.

Here are some important realizations I had in this event –

• The show must always go on irrespective of someone leaving the organization
• We must always keep options ready. It is a bad strategy to rely on one person for any particular responsibility. We need to always keep a second line ready
• Stay calm even in the toughest of situations. A composed mind will always give solutions. Sometimes the solutions end up being better alternatives than before
• Such events always come in life to teach us a lesson. We must learn that lesson and take care that similar mistakes don’t get repeated
• Replacements are usually always available within the organization if we have churned people well. It is always a good idea to promote people within the organization

Needless to say, I miss the good times Sunny and Me shared together. Afterall Concrete Works wouldn’t have been what it is without him. I have immense gratitude for him and his contribution in building this company.

Heart of hearts, I still wish him success in whatever he does in his life. I am sure he would be doing the same for me. Though the paths have become different, yet the mutual admiration remains!

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