Phone challenge for Pirojshaw Sarkari

 

Ramesh Kumar from Greater Noida

"This trip will be impactful if you switch off your mobile phone till it ends. Otherwise, you will be constantly distracted," I told Pirojshaw Sarkari after a hefty breakfast at the residence of KMT Logistics owner-brothers, Kamal and Chand Chandwars, on July 5, 2013. What I did not say was the host may view the constant fiddling with the handset as a lack of seriousness. Or discourteous. 

"Phil", as he was known among his friends and colleagues, was ready to climb into one of several cars bound for a rendezvous with the parivar of truck drivers working for KMT. Our destination: Jaya Nagar, Bundi situated 200 km away from Jaipur and closer to Kota, Rajasthan. 

Who was Phil? He was the Chief Executive Officer of Mahindra Logistics, a fully owned subsidiary of Mahindra group then. KMT was - and is - the service provider with its fleet. Phil and the Chandwars decided to meet and greet the parivar of KMT drivers living in Bundi as part of the driver parivar connect initiative I was canvassing with OEMS, 3PLs, and fleet owners since 2010,  Mahindra Logistics fell in love with the concept and thus resulted in the July 2013 Bundi trip for a day-long program.

It ought to be a day-long affair due to the distance: 500 km up and down and the interactive time with the driver parivar of KMT. Vehicles were loaded with fruits, sweets, notebooks, pens, pencils, geometry boxes, balloons, etc. Plus, truckloads of genuine love for the weakest supply chain: truck drivers and their families. 

Given Phil's corporate position, my concern was that he would be physically present but constantly engaged with his company activities through his mobile phone. My need was his 100% attention to the task on hand: interaction with driver parivar. Therefore, I had to ensure that his handset is switched off and his office does not keep calling him that day. At least, till he exits the village of KMT drivers.

 

The young and dynamic Dr. Vijay Pawar, handling the CSR portfolio at Mahindra Logistics corporate headquarters,  pinched me. I understood the signal.  He was reminding me that my tone with Phil was unacceptable. How dare you command my boss? kind of look. Having known his boss since the Automotive Logistics India 2010 conclave in Chennai and built an excellent rapport in the driver relations arena with him, I knew Phil would not have minded my request. 

"Sure!" Phil responded with a smile.  Next, his mobile phone went dead.  

Well, that is not the end. This agreement between us was unknown to his office in Mumbai. When his secretary found Phil's mobile was switched off, she tried to reach him through the rest of the Mahindra Logistics team accompanying him. Instead of the CEO being bombarded with calls, his colleagues were kept busy and they have to "parrot" the so-called "understanding" to remain incommunicado! 

Tough call it was for the Mahindra Logistics chieftain to remain cut off from providing the top and bottom-line enhancing strategic and critical inputs to his team back in Mumbai. Just for a day. Till sunset, that is. 

How he managed that is a miracle to me to this day. But I can vouchsafe that throughout that July 2013 program, he did not warrant the flashing of the yellow or red card! True gentleman! Thanks, Phil! 

Yes, the Bundi event was a grand success. That was another story.