There never was a winner that didn't expect to win in advance

Point to Ponder: And they never work a day in their life for someone. In any job, they always imagine they are working for themselves and go extra miles to give in their best in everything they do.

I would like to open the New Year with the inspirational stories of two such people, Gudawar who was 19 when I first met him in a restaurant 2 decades ago and Alicia who was 23 when I first talked to her about the car/home insurance about 15 years ago. 

Story Line: During my years at Intel, some of us would go for lunch at Indian Chaat Place ( Equivalent to DimSum) in Mountain View. Gudawar who was the server would always greet us with a smile and engage in conversations about history of the valley, industry and opportunities. Very focused on making customers happy and at times he would talk about opening his own restaurant. We enjoyed talking to him and were impressed with his curiosity, maturity and his vision of the future considering he was only 19 years old. It was obvious to me that he was observing, learning business and developing relationships while still serving his employer well. 

A few years later we got an invitation in mail for the Grand Opening of a restaurant in Fremont called Chaat Bhavan. It was from Gudawar. 

The place was clean, spotless shining tablewear, well dressed servers and delicious food with fresh ingredients. Many aspects of great customer experience were well thought out and implemented. 

In the years that has followed, he opened three more restaurants and when I met him last October, he informed me that he had just bought the place where he had worked as a waiter 20 years ago. 

And the dream continues. Today I just found out that he recently opened his sixth place and there are two more in plans for the east bay. 

Second Story: If you think of it, if you dream of it, ( and if you do something about it), you can achieve it. 

15 years ago, when I called our car/home insurance agency a pleasant voice greeted us. The person on the other side was enthusiastic and eager to help. She introduced herself as Alicia. She had joined the insurance industry at the age of 19, and after working for another agency for 4 years, she had moved to this well reputed agency. But Her dream was to have her own agency someday. 

Always focused on customer delight, she would find better deals for customers. Her annual reviews resulted in cost savings for us. Her pleasant personality, knowledge and responsiveness made us feel that we were in good hands through all those years. In the process she had continuously enhanced the already good reputation of her employer. 

Just before Christmas, we visited her office. 

Noticing us at the door, she got up and greeted us. During subsequent conversation we learnt that she has recently purchased the agency she was working for last 15 years.  The years of hard work, customer focus and loyalty to employer has yielded its rewards. 

Reflection: I have been fortunate to come across such wonderful achievers in my life journey.  

One of the important things I have noticed with them is that even when they are employed by someone they treat their work like thier own business. They never have an attitude like it’s not my job, they don’t pay me for that. Instead any opportunity to do newer things, expanded scope, cost consciousness, going extra mile are the things they see as broadening their learning, developing more relationships and creating goodwill. That has its own rewards in future whether they continue working for someone or own their own business. 

May all your dreams come true. 

*Quote by Denis Waitley.