By Lissy Maruthanakuzhy
Panaji, July 23, 2020: We have been living in uncertainty since some time. We have been anxious about the lockdown impact on our relationships and finances as we bear with the lockdowns. The pandemic of our day is test time for proving oneself.
Sukanya Ray, a clinical psychologist says, “We are going through what is known as collective trauma. The trajectory of Covid-19 has been unpredictable and that has put our nervous systems into a zone of mild to severe restlessness.”
Yet looking at the scenario around us we realize that those persons and enterprises devoted to the well-being of fellow humans are climbing the ladder of satisfaction and growth.
Let us look at a few of them and what they have to say about this present time.
Jeejo Pavaratikkaran left his lucrative job as brand manager in Joy Alukkas Jewelers in Dubai to begin an enterprise on his own. He was guided by one desire in his heart, “We have to do good to society; during my life time I ought to provide job opportunities for some people.”
After much research in the market in his home state Kerala he realized the products for hygiene would be in demand among a population who were used with foreign cleaning items. “Hard work and commitment would be an added ingredient. I felt God was with me through my friends and family,” he recalled.
And OrocleanX-Complete Cleaning Solution was born in 2016.
“When the demonetization hit the market in 2017 I was worried. But then I had put out my boat when the waves were strong and below danger. I had proved my products to the customers. People were behind us supporting. My business survived,” he recollected.
“My 46 staff in different districts of the state are still with me. They bring orders and we supply them from the headquarters. Together we share our difficulties of the present.”
Let us look at another entrepreneur.
“During lockdown not many activities were happening. Then we sat together team wise and reflected about the days ahead. Post lockdown all the staff would return to work, that was our decision,” says Thomas Eldo of Leela Electricals.
“On further reflection we decided we would not be working on a salary or wage basis, instead on “earnings”. Each one would have a share of the income on the works done during the month.”
According to Eldo this decision boosted the morale of everyone. They do not require a supervisor now. They supervise and encourage one another. The staff themselves decided who among them were lazy in work and removed them.
Eldo had joined the company with two employees at the age of 24; became a partner after six months. Now as the owner, he runs the company with 160 employees.
”I must give employment to at least 300 persons,” says Eldo with hope shining in his eyes.
We are, no doubt, now living in an uncertain period. Yet for a visionary, every circumstance is a point of search and growth. A visionary begins from where she or he is. A visionary spot a ray of light penetrating through the tunnel of darkest of nights. And she or he follows the light.
The lockdown, in fact, is a dark night for many of us. Our success in the new normal may depend much on the sparks of light that we are able to focus in this pandemic time.
“It is not a time to feel hopeless saying everything is lost. And do not expect to receive everything from the Government. We ought to think constantly how we can make progress in our enterprises,” cautions Shaju Thomas, managing director of Popies Care.
“Learn new things through the internet. Do not retrench the laborers. Give them half the salary and later give the rest in installments. If we make them understand our present economic hurdles, they will stay with us., suggests Thomas.
“Our factories had stopped working due to lockdown but we made and distributed around 7000 masks,” he reminded.
“We have stopped only the production The planning for the future is going on with our main staff through Video Conference. Designers are working from home. They are preparing for the designs for the next three years,” he added.
The lockdown period is a time to build up relationships,” according to Georgekutty C J, Manager of Spinner Group of Companies, Trichur. “We keep in constant touch with the dealers, and staff. We are confident that our constant interactions will bring in dividends once the lockdown is over.”
Muhammad Madani, managing director of ABC companies, radiates a ray of hope. “The Lockdown is teaching us how to manage the worst period in a business. It is time to envisage new ways to forge in our business. Challenges will come one after another. We need to face them with confidence and learn to carve out new paths to move on. Cost effective products and better service will be able to endure the market,” he observed.
For him this is an interval to spend time with the family, for more prayer, learn new things via internet, YouTube, and through books, many of the businessmen opined.
Business institutions are constantly renewing their products to match the demand and need of the present. Jyothy Labs Ltd has re-introduced its Margo Hand Sanitizer with Neem leaves mixture, to suit the present needs. “We have presented the product in the market in small bottles within a short period to prevent he Covid-19 virus,” explained M R Jyothy, the managing director.
A common suggestion many of the entrepreneurs offer includes, “If one finds the present product is not relevant in content or presentation, look for a relevant product or performance. One can also upgrade one’s skills through online courses that will improve our products during this lockdown period.”