Farewell to VECV: Lessons Learnt and Memories Made

During the peak of Covid season, where lot of companies were revoking the Job Offers made to new hires, I was grateful to VECV for having honored its commitment. On 4^th August 2020, we (a group of 30 new joinees) were virtually onboarded and a new chapter of my life started which would act as a strong foundation towards my career and personal growth.

During the virtual onboarding for intro video

A brief about my Role: I was a part of the Project Management function (PMO) wherein I was assisting National Key Accounts Head (KAM) in managing KAM customers covering aspects related to Customer Engagement and contribution to Business, Dealer Network Performance and Product Performance.

Did I get what I had asked for? 

Having the background of running a venture, I had always wanted to be on the commercial side. Hence, being assigned to KAM Function was the best thing that happened to me. And for 2 years and 8 Months, I continued in the same function. When I joined, the function was newly created. It was all fragmented and we had to set up processes by which we could ensure our Objectives were fulfilled.

Since I read a lot of books, I had a frame of mind, coming from Cal Newport’s book – So Good, they can’t ignore you. This title itself was always running in the background, but for a deep and meaningful work, Cal Newport defined 3 parameters: Impact, Creativity and Control. How did I find these in my Work?

During Jungle Safari in Jim Corbett

Impact: Since I was part of Head Office team, we were supporting regional teams which in turn were supporting the customers. We were having more than 400 customers and 25000+ vehicles under our program. Thus, we were having a lot on our hands and through our work we were able to sustain and infact grow it.

Creativity: In the company, I got a chance to create PROFIX App – which was focused on effective Database management and ease of Information access. Definitely, in my stint, it counted as my Magnum opus. Creating a whole app from scratch, the layout, flow of data, Rolling it out, Sustaining it and adding new features led to a significant development of my thinking and how creatively, we ensured the best way to do something. This initiative in itself provided me with ability to think more and best part was that it was free to organization. We just leveraged what we already had and created something so useful that enhanced our efficiency.

Control: Although control, usually comes at a later stage, when we are at a senior levels, but I was lucky enough to have the freedom to perform. Many a times I was just briefed upon the objective and then, it was upon me, how do I go about it. The projects related to Chassis Sanitization, MY Eicher App Roll Outs to the customers, Customer KPIs provided me with the control to think and design the system and process, by which it would be achieved. I would like to thank my manager here, for having the faith and trusting me with it. It helped in development of the leadership abilities and I started to think big.

Thus, getting a change to get all 3 so early in career is a blessing and I would always be grateful to VECV and my Manager for having given this opportunity. 

My Top 5 Learnings:

• Importance of Data Driven Insights: It is said that Goddess Saraswati's goose or hamsa represents the human ability to analyse and introspect as it has the power to separate milk and water. Doodh ka Doodh, and Paani ka Paani (Meaning to differentiate between truth and lie). This learning was a stark realization of the power of data driven insights. I remember, once, we were doing geospatial analysis, and by identifying the blind spots we were able to act upon it, and improve response in that region.

Hamsa in picture of Goddess Saraswati

• Importance of Effective Database Management: For taking these insights, we need to have the best practices of the form of data we are collecting. When the data is in an organized format, it helps to analyse and saves a lot of time of data cleaning. With PROFIX App, we started towards this direction and it has helped.
• Creative Presentations: Statistical insights are indeed helpful, but how we present it, is the most important. Usually, we need to project How we’re doing and where do we see ourselves and if any supports are required. These decisions are made by the higher management and presenting them the objectives clearly so that it goes in the Head at the first glance is also a skill.
• Consistency is the key: For realization of the objectives, we need to be consistent in our approach and continuously reflect upon the past and counter the challenges so that in the upcoming months we do not repeat the same mistakes and comes out better than the last month. Thus, consistent reflections are important.
• Just think and you will be able to do it: While we were making the PROFIX App, it was a big project and frankly speaking, I didn’t knew whether it would be successful or not. But once we thought that Yes, it could be done and had the conviction in ourselves, we started looking for the ways to doing it. And within time, we were successful. A fully functional App on the concepts of DBMS working on your laptop and Mobile for free. Hence, having the conviction in the thoughts was important.

I also understood the importance of being customer centric in the approach and working with such a talented pool, had unconsciously imbibed this value into me. Now if anyone asks me to name 1 thing you learnt, it would be customer centricity. 

Thinking from the customer’s point of view is of paramount importance, and learning this so early adds to my understanding.

Apart from the learnings, the memories I have made within company always cheers me up whenever I think about them. Whether it was taking my First Flight or having a near death experience during official training. Whether it was trip to Amritsar with my HO friends or the trip to Nainital with my RO Friends. Whether it was receiving appreciation for the App during the Quarterly review meeting or the healthy discussions with the team mates about life.

During Last Day @ VECV

All in all, it was a holistic development, which paved my way to pursue a higher education in management. I am hopeful that this enriching experience will be helpful for the upcoming journey.

Thank You VECV for making an impact in my career

With Friends @ VECV