Every year, around this time, I take stock of my books. It is an annual exercise in letting go. I give away and donate books to libraries, foundations and people who might find them useful. Yet, amidst all this decluttering, there is one little booklet I have never been able to part with. I have preserved it for nearly 20 years and cherish it as a treasure.
It tells the story of Satyam, the company where I spent some of the most formative and memorable years of my career as part of the Marketing Communications team.
The story of a dream
It chronicles a dream born out of humble beginnings, entrepreneurial conviction and a belief in the possibilities of innovation. Through a collection of events, stories, anecdotes, experiences and visions, it captures Satyam’s journey from a modest garage enterprise to a global technology company.
At its heart is the story of a young entrepreneur, B. Ramalinga Raju, who, without a conventional background in technology or any assurance of what lay ahead, dared to imagine what a small enterprise could become.
A workplace that cared
When I look back at my years at Satyam, what I remember most fondly is the genuine care and concern the company showed its employees.
I remember how the company made a cab available whenever I needed one, whether to attend a quiz competition or to come in early to prepare a press release. I often declined the arrangement, preferring a more economical mode of transport. But the fact that such consideration was extended without my having to ask speaks volumes about the culture of those days.
When I won a quiz competition, I received a call from Mr. Raju’s office enquiring about me and my achievement. At the helm of a growing organization, he still found the time and inclination to enquire about an employee’s accomplishment. He made people feel noticed. He made them feel that they mattered.
There is an interesting geographical connection, too. For nearly ten years, I lived just behind the very garage in Secunderabad where Satyam had its beginnings. Sometimes, the most extraordinary journeys begin in the most ordinary surroundings.
The people who made it special
If there is one thing I miss immensely, it is the camaraderie among colleagues. Collaboration wasn’t a management slogan or something displayed on office walls. It was simply the way we worked.
Whenever I got stuck with something, I would walk across to a colleague, discuss the problem, pick their brain and find a way forward. There was no hesitation in asking for help or reluctance in sharing knowledge. Someone was always willing to lend a hand. We learnt from each other, celebrated each other’s achievements and grew together.
I may no longer be associated with Satyam, but a part of my professional journey will always belong to that place and those people.
Today, when I hold this little booklet, I see a part of my own story. I see the colleagues who made work enjoyable, the experiences that shaped me, the opportunities that helped me grow and the people who made me feel valued.
I have given away hundreds of books over the years. But this one? Never.
It remains a little treasure chest of memories, gratitude and a chapter of my life that I will always hold close to my heart.
