Tuesday, December 18, 2007

Wishing I could do more..

I work as a buyer for one of the biggest footwear firms in the country. The enormity of the above sentence struck me on my last visit to Kolkata. I, for the first time realized the power I held and how the fate of a few hundreds depended upon the decisions I took, the mistakes I committed and the feeling was far from making me feel good!!

I work with a wide array of businessmen, some who have been into shoe making for years and yet others who’ve just begun. They have invested so much of themselves into it, both financially and emotionally and it breaks my heart when I have to cancel orders, reject supplies, and basically do all the dirty work…

I met this young man who has been trying very hard to work things out with us, giving us the best prices possible, sampling footwear for us like crazy but unfortunately he goofed up in production and we had to stop it. It was so disheartening to see his factory almost empty and being the one responsible for its state, even to an extent..

Another is this old guy who has been working with us for past 28 years and does the basic, low priced chappals. I went to meet him and he told me how for the first time in all these years his factory has been shut down due to lack of work. I felt like burying myself right there but at times you are nothing but helpless. I can’t buy products which are not selling so I decide to give them new designs, get them developed and pray that they will sell, both for them and for my conscience sake..

Now I fully understand the meaning of the phrase “with power comes responsibility” and I don’t like the sound of any of it!!

13 comments:

Unknown said...

In the world of business it's all about survival of the fittest. At times the choices one has to make are tough.. but that's how it is.

In response to your 'what do you do' i'm into digital/interactive media marketing.

Occasional Brilliance said...

hmmm i agree with j... no1 said doing d right thing (so u cn mk it) is easy... bt it needs 2 b done...

Anonymous said...

at the end of the day if you are feeling all guilt conscious, you need to say to yourself that "it's not personal, it's business!"

really liked this post.. it speaks :)

Sam said...

J, I know but if survival of the fittest implies sabotaging the meeker then I am not up for it..
Your carrier choice is damn cool, would be doing something similar had the U.S guys accepted my VISA!! :P

Bubbles, Guess so!!

Dailyrium, I know, the sentence sure helps but I just wish I could be a tad betetr.. :)
Am glad you liked it..

ani said...

>--------:)--------< cheer up babes!

Sangfroid said...

"I am responsible for what I am" ...
u did not go and pull down shutters at the factory!

i see u have a nice heart lady and you are doing your best. Don't blame yourself for the mishaps which are so common in the world of business.

Cheer up :-)

Impressionist said...

its all common in the game called "BUSINESS".
Stop worrying. It'll all be fine!
Being a son of a business man, I can understand ur problems. but hey, U still have so much more to see yet!

-Jeevy

Sam said...

Ani, :)

Sangfroid, Note made but there are times when you feel outright helpless, specially when you are meeting them personally..believe me, its killing!! :)
Neverthless, :)

Sam said...

Jeevey, Thats the problem, I myself belong to a business family and hence can understand the concerns more being able to put myself in their shoes.. Will try doing my bit anyways.. :)

Solitaire said...

And people are power hungry!
They better look before they leap.

Skinsleuth said...

Touching! I wish I could do something. I completely understand what u must have gone thru. But hey, cheer up! I'm sure some day things will turn out just fine for everyone. :-)

Sam said...

Solitaire, Precisely!! :)

Shraddha, Thanks!! :)

AG said...

agreed
in todays world everybody yields for power but a few know how to keep it
well written
cheers