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I no longer visited that library for the purpose of reading books, I wanted to see her.
I had been to that library for past few months but I noticed her since past two weeks. I know she never came before. Later I came to know that she was the daughter of the librarian and she used to help her dad during her leisure. She usually sat next to him and did as per his instructions. Many of times I have sat next to her but never had the courage to speak a word to her, not even look at her face properly. Days, weeks and months passed. But I only could manage to see her indirectly. Spring came, leaves reddened. I remained still. Winter followed the spring and the leaves yellowed in those dreary winter. The cloudburst downpour swept away all the sludge and dirt all round, but I still hadn’t had the heart to even look in her eyes. I had to talk to her at any charge. I thought of different ideas to approach her and speak to her. But no any scheme did actually knock my cranium. What I did was misplaced the book by ‘John Fowles’ somewhere in a corner of the library. I told her that I was searching for that very book and didn’t find anywhere. I knew she would never find that book and I could remind her each single day about the book. This way I could talk to her for a long period. That day she went on searching that book for me for a long time and apologized being not able to find. She gave her word to find it for me the following day. I had got every reason to talk to her then. Next day, right after the college was over I loped to the library which was about twenty minutes walk from my dwelling. As I entered the entrance of the library I saw her in the identical usual chair she used to sit, next to her dad. It was first floor. Library had two floors first for nonfiction and second for the fiction section. I was wondering to see her coming with me upstairs without any proper request. I was sure she had not found the book. Why was she following me upstairs then? We entered the entrance of the door upstairs and sat in the chairs. The bookshelves on my right had the tag ‘science fiction’ in it. She was on my left. In front of me was the shelf with its name ‘Romantic fiction’ hanged at the top. We had some minor chat there. I came to know that she had recently completed the higher secondary level and was helping her father in the library during the leisure. Few girls entered in the room and went directly to the romantic section. I don’t know why but most of the girls go to the romantic section at the very first. Perhaps, because they love romance more than we do. I wanted to ask her why that was. She is girl, she must know why. But I didn’t. I returned back excited. I was very much excited indeed. Her every words and action made me fond of her very much. I thought of her all day. I wanted to talk to her earlier. But then, I had got more than I needed. I thought she liked me, at least my company. I couldn’t wait to see her again. Every day and night I thought of her, dreamed of talking with her. I couldn’t visit the library very next week due to some reasons. I went there after two weeks. I didn’t saw her that day in her usual chair. I went on searching other possible places she used to be. I went upstairs, she wasn’t there either. In fact none was there except a couple (may be) at a corner of ‘children section’. I remember their face. They used to come there regularly. They didn’t notice me getting in. I got a book by Toni Morrison and took a seat at a corner. They couldn’t see me but they couldn’t escape from my vulture eyes. They were sitting on the floor and hands on their shoulder. I could hear the girl shouting in response to the boy’s pinch and she would pinch back instantly. Every few minutes they would kiss on their lips keeping them somehow aware. But as soon I caught him stroking her breast I felt bashful. I moved myself to safer zone because they were having good time and these times wouldn’t come every now and then. This wasn’t any new in the library when it was comparatively vacant. I kept my eyes busy in the book for next few hours. I didn’t even know when they left. I didn’t saw her that day and returned back somewhat despondent. Next day I went to the library again. As usual I went upstairs and continue the book I was reading yesterday. There were few other people busy finding the books of their concerns. It was mid July and was raining heavily outside. Monsoon rain was busy cleaning up the streets. It rained so heavily that its patter disturbed our conversation. We stayed there for few more minutes until the rain stopped. “Shall we go for a cup of coffee?” my tongue did spoke. Words came out of my mouth instantly. I couldn’t believe my tongue. I wondered how I could say that. She stared at me in amazement. Probably, she wasn’t expecting this from me. I felt ashamed and pity on myself. I regretted for what I said. We stood up and left. As we left the library I saw her dad gazing us in perplexity. I had no courage to look him back. I thought he would call her but he didn’t. We got out of the building; she leading me, and me following her footsteps. We walked few minutes in the clean black paved road and she lead me through the narrow door of a café which board named ‘shital café’. We went to the table at a corner near the windowpane. One could see the clear picture of the steep pulchowk road from there. We took seat. We sat opposite to each other facing one another’s face. There was drizzle for next few minutes followed by downpour. This was the very first time I saw her face clearly without any obstruction or turbulence. She had a scar on her forehead at left. Her curly hair made her more debonair. We ordered two coffees. We talked till the dusk that day. Our coffee came. She had her coffee in the right hand and made her left hand busy replacing her curls that fell on her face. I loved watching it. She told me that she was trying to go abroad for her further studies. And she had interview in the US embassy the next week. I wished her best wishes but I was dying inside. I don’t know why but I felt so sad and isolated when she said this. I didn’t spoke a word back. I just kept on sipping my coffee. I told her that I wanted to talk to her since the day I saw her. She just managed to smile back when I said this. When she smiled I noticed that one of her teeth on the left was a bit forward than the remaining. But it was nothing in comparison to her beauty. We finished our coffee in a little while as it was cold outside. It was still showery and getting out was next to impossible. I wished it rained all day so that I could be with her for longer time. We ordered two more coffee after she refused to have any snacks. I told her I would not come to library for next one month as I had my finals. Next order came and we had it in similar zeal. The wall clock right in front of me showed an obtuse angled time, it was exactly 5 then. There was no indication of stopping precipitation. “We must leave, my father might be worrying.” She said looking at her wrist watch after she sipped the last leftovers of coffee from the cup. I couldn’t visit library for next one month or so. I had my final exams which went well. I went to my family home outside the valley for next one week. And one day after I was back from my home I went to library. I felt very different that day to be there after so long. I didn’t see her that day. I waited till six in the evening but didn’t see her. I hadn’t had the heart to ask his dad. So I returned back home sad. I went there the following day. I tried to find her but couldn’t. I could see those couple in their regular place in similar position today as well. I was happy to see them still together. Because, love is perfect competition market these days; with free entry and exit. Falling in love and breaking up had been very common. That day too, I waited till the twilight. I was restless. I had no any idea what to do next and how to approach her. Next day, I went again. No wonder, I didn’t see her again. I had no any option than to ask her dad. I was dying to see her, to talk to her. I thought she liked me, or even loved me. My dirty mind was thinking all of nonsense. I wonder how I would ask him about her. Finally I dared to ask him. “Excuse me.” I said. I went to the same café we went earlier. I wanted to sit in the same seat where we sat earlier but was occupied by a couple who seemed to be recently married. I took a seat and checked if I had any books on my bag to keep me busy. But there was nothing. “Any order, sir?” waiter asked. |
The Blame Game
It was already fifteen past eleven when I entered the office passing the scorching sun in Midbaneswor. I had to go to school of Niraj to clear his due bill and talk to the teacher about his performance. I was late in my office by more than one and half hour. By this very reason I had to face my boss for the second time within a week. It would have been better if I had informed him in prior, but as far as I knew him he would not grant me any leave and I had no option than to leave without his permission. Soon I entered the office I heard that the boss wanted to see me. I wonder when this phantom will stop taking my name.
“It’s your second in this week and fifth in the month? Are you planning to cross the century mark by the end of the year?” the boss raced in rage spotting at my punctuality.
“I am sorry for not mentioning you earlier, sir.” I said keeping my voice low.
“So I should have called you to ask if you could attend the work, right?” he was not in the mood to excuse me in this occasion.
“Sorry sir, this won’t repeat again” I had to lie for yet another time. I knew I couldn’t keep my dialect but I did promise.
“You know what? I shall kick you out of my office if this repeats again” his face went red and sweat glands started squeezing in his body. Although I used to face him more than once a week, he had never threatened me before to push me from the job. I felt my body shivering. My lips trembled when I tried to speak.
“Ok, sir” I was not in the condition to speak even a single word more than this. I lowered my head and left his room heading towards my chair.
Milan and Radha were chatting in low voice they could make sipping the tea from their cup. I felt as if they talked of me. They could easily find out what had happened to me reading my face as facing the boss had been almost daily routine for me. I got to my seat but couldn’t concentrate on work. After few minutes I got a call from Rashmi. But soon I told her that I was not in the mood and we didn’t talked much. We planned to meet in the evening. I couldn’t weigh up in the work for rest of the day.
During the lunch break Milan and Radha requested me to join them for the refreshments but I denied. They were always found together these days. I heard they are getting married soon. They first met in this office and within the period of twelve months or so their relationship had grown faster than any mushroom would ever grow.
Rashmi used to work in another private company in Kantipath and received handsome salary than I did. We had met in a seminar about three years earlier for the first time and made our meetings frequent then onwards.
That evening I waited her in the café just beside my office. I had preplanned not to spend more than an hour with her as I had to pick Niraj in the school before five. She arrived at about four in blue kurtha, her black silky and shiny hair being tied behind.
“Hi”, she greeted smiling.
“Hello” I said.
We went inside the café and ordered a cold coffee each. She looked okay in the sense that I did not found her fuming despite the fact that we had few mix-ups regarding our future last week. The cause of which was Niraj. She wanted me to stay away from him but I was always in opposition to it. She had given me a week time to think of it again even though she knew what my decision would be.
I couldn’t understand the reason she didn’t wanted Niraj to be with me. But I could never leave him alone at any cost. She might have speculated that our married life would be worthless in his presence but that wouldn’t elucidate the accurate reason. I had told her everything about Niraj soon after we had met.
“Rashmi, why don’t you understand that Niraj doesn’t have mother and he needs someone to help himself grow up.” I had told her for the first time she talked of our marriage.
Rashmi had no words to answer then. She knew that Niraj was the son of my youngest sister among three. His mother had died during the delivery of the other child. His father was then settled marrying another women in a corner of the city. Since then I have been taking care of him. Though my parents wanted him to be kept with them, it was me who brought him in the capital without the concurrence with them. I knew his life would remain futile if he wasn’t given proper care and good education.
“Hey, what’s up” she said alarming my concentration.
“Nothing, boss wasn’t gratified with my performance, that’s all.” I said.
She glanced at my face and burst the laughter to my answer. Her eyes were speaking lot more than her tongue did. I turned my head apart from her as u her looks had made me poignant. She turned my face towards her catching my cheek in bendy manner.
“Things that will never go together, you and your boss!” she joked.
“So…..” I nodded.
“So……?” she gave another smile.
“So when shall we get married?” she asked instantly changing the topic.
“What answer do you expect from me?” I said. She seemed to be confused by my question. Last time when she had talked of the marriage, she had cautioned me to finalize about Niraj.
“I need no explanation.” she said and looked infuriated this time.
“As you wish, any time” I said relaxing my body.
“What about Niraj?” She asked extending her eye ball.
I was speechless. I really had no words to say. I didn’t want her to talk about him, but she did. I didn’t like her saying anything to him. I wonder what would that innocence child had to do on our marriage. But he always remained the center of our discussion.
“Let’s not talk of him” I said.
“Then why am I here?” she looked livid this time and left her seat in an instant.
I remained flabbergasted. I had no words to make her stop moving away from me. She didn’t even turn back for a single time. I noticed few people seated beside us were looking at me so desperately. I lower my head and sipped the remaining coffee at one shot. The waiter came within reach of me with the bill after I asked him to prepare it. I paid the bill and left the café in an instant.
That evening I couldn’t prepare dinner. I along with Niraj headed towards the restaurant nearby for some meal.
“Where are we going, mama?” he asked in sweet little voice.
“We are going out for the dinner. Aren’t you excited?” I said hiding my perplexity.
But this boy was something different. He read me much better than anyone else. Although I tried to hide, he could easily notice lines of dilemma on my face. So he responded while the waiter brought us boiled rice with fried dal and mutton curry.
“Mama, what has happened to you? Are you okay?” he asked in innocence.
“Not well. But I’ll be alright.” I said rubbing his hair.
Days went normal for next few weeks, though there was no improvisation in the relation with the boss. I hadn’t met Rashmi since that very day but definitely talked in telephone and exchanged few sms almost every day. She had apologized in one of those. Bottom-line was she wasn’t happy to see Niraj with me.
One day I got a call from the school of Niraj and got to know that he was admitted in the hospital nearby. I came to know that he was unconscious in the school during the class after he’d vomited. I hurried to the hospital after the boss permitted me to leave.
Niraj was lying in the bed with his eyes closed, her English teacher sitting next to him. The doctor said it might had occurred because of weakness and suggested me not to leave him alone anywhere. His teacher remained there for all the day until Niraj has opened his eyes. She left in the late evening advocating me to take his good care. She waved her hand to Niraj from the door before leaving the room and he gave smile in back.
Doctor refused to discharge him that night instead requested me to keep him there for few more days. They wanted to know if he was unconscious by any other reason. I couldn’t say no. I informed Rashmi about Niraj that night.
The very next day early morning I called my boss to talk regarding the leave. He received the call after couple of rings.
“Good morning, sir.” I greeted him.
“Good morning. How is your boy?” he replied. His raucous voice alarmed me.
“He is fine, but I need few more days of leave sir.” I tried to keep my voice low.
“Please don’t talk about taking leave, I can’t help you anymore” he replied in less than a second.
“He is lying alone in hospital bed sir. I can’t leave him alone.” I begged for another time.
“Don’t talk filthy, I have warned you earlier.” He said in hoarse voice and disconnected the line.
My neighbors who knew that Niraj was admitted came to visit almost all day. In the late evening, Niraj was diagnosed of typhoid. Then I remembered that he had vomited couple of time last week and often complained of intestinal pain. I regretted myself of not getting him timely hospital. The doctor handed me the medical report with required prescription. Doctor said that he should be under medical supervision for next few days.
It was my first day to office after almost a week and most probably my last day too. I was free as Niraj started going to school. I did not have any sorts of chat with the boss in between. I went directly to the room of boss who was busy in his computer.
“Good morning sir.” I said hauling his concentration to me.
“Oh! You” He said as he opened the drawer. “Here’s your suspension letter.” He handed me the letter in an instant.
“But… sir…..”
“I had warned you earlier, Mr. Suraj.” He said not even letting me to complete my words.
It would be inadequate for me to remain there. So I left the office in an instant. Radha called me while I was getting off the main door and followed me with a piece of paper in her hand. I waited for her just outside the main door. She approached me and handed that piece to me and mentioned it was invitation for her marriage next week. She left me showing her long range of shining white teeth. After she was in, I opened the invitation which read ” Milan Weds Radha” in the cover.
That evening Rashmi called me and mentioned that she wanted to see me. We planned to meet in the same café and our usual time.
I saw her in jeans and t-shirts after a long time. She approached me waving her hand from miles behind.
“Hmm jeans… No office?” I said pointing towards her getup and reserved a table after getting inside.
“Yeah… I’d a leave today” She said,” and how’s yours?”
“I’m kicked.” I said,” I’m ever free now.”
“It’s not the boss who has kicked you out. It’s Niraj, get rid of him.” She said her eyes focused on me.
“Please don’t bring him in between. He has nothing to do with our relation.” I felt I was louder than my usual tone.
“Can’t you see nothing is going your way just because of that filthy boy?” She replied no sooner than my words dropped. I could see her face getting red.
“I am not talking to you anymore, if you mention him again.” I said and stood up from my chair to leave. She didn’t react though I expected her to stop me. I left as the waiter approached the table and there remained Rashmi in isolation.
I wonder when this fatigued land will provide me next job.
Article review on ‘Core Competency of the corporation’, HBR 1990
Overview
The article is well structured and written clearly, though its purposefulness and relevance is limited today as it is more than 25 years the article been written. GTE and NEC were the leading players in the technology then. Things have changed now with new players entering and ruling the market. The few of the renowned players discussed in the article are still in competition and doing well around the globe includes Cannon, Panasonic, Honda, and Phillips. Etc.
Despite being well organized every reader will have some problems in following the rhythm of the article. The authors seemed to use a more intuitive approach because they didn’t give any definite guidelines for their bigger concepts. They gave lots of examples of what different businesses were doing, but didn’t go into greater detail than that. The appreciable part of the article is that the article have not lost its track and has revolved around the basics of core competencies.
Though published some 20 years back, authors C.K. Prahalad and Gary Hamel still have an article that is applicable today. It is focused on the content of strategy and what many different companies include in their own private strategies. Having such concrete examples and thoughts makes this article a very conceptual piece of writing. They gave examples using GTE, NEC, Canon, Honda, Xerox, Chrysler, Yamaha, Sony, Komatsu, Casio, Black & Decker, Thomson, JVC, Mitsubishi, Hyundai, GM, Toyota, Motorola, Matsushita, Philips, Goldstar, Sam Sung, Kia, Daewoo, and Ford. The article talks a little about the new idea at the time of ‘going global.’ This of course was a big deal at the time and it was something that all business had to make amends for in their own strategies. This almost forces the authors to use an implicit definition for strategy, because it is bound to be different for every single company. To portray the ‘essence of strategy,’ the others give a vivid picture of a tree. They use this for the idea of a diversified corporation, but it is a model that should be at the core every corporation; including everything from the trunk being the major core products to the leaves being the end product.
Contents Summary
The article starts with the inability of GTE to find out its core competency and use it for the sustainable growth of the company, as a result in a matter of a decade NEC went ahead of GTE despite being far behind in terms of sales. So what was the factor behind this? In today’s world, the critical task of management is to create an organization that is capable of giving those products to the customer which they need but have not even imagined. In Short run core competencies are derived from price or performance of the current product, but in long run it derives from an ability to build at lower cost more speedily than competitors. And competency do not get diminished with more use like physical assets rather it fades if not use.
The concept of competencies of an organization is well illustrated through tree structure where entire organization regarded as a tree. Trunk and major limbs are core products, smaller branches are business units, leaves flowers and fruits are end products, the root system that provides the nourishment, sustenance and sustainability are the core competencies. The article deals with the importance of the core competencies and challenges the corporation to survive in absence of core competencies.
This article offers a new model of strategic thinking by basing the core of the resulting plans in certain competencies or in other words competitive advantage that companies possess in order to put themselves in a position to defend themselves against competitive forces and create end products that the consumer will be willing to purchase.
This article raises important questions and brings to light the fact that every corporation has a core competency, on which it must at least partially base its strategy. The quote that best captures the author’s ideas states, “Does the new market opportunity add to the overall goal of becoming the best player in the world.” This quote is key because it deals with the idea of a corporation going global, but it’s also just a good quote to consider in any decision making process.
So can the core competencies be identified? Since existence in long run for every corporation depends upon its core competence, it is more than essential for every organization to identify its core competency. Competencies provide access to potential large variety of market place. The core competence should make a significant contribution to perceived customer benefit of the end product. And finally core competence should be extremely very difficult for the competitors to imitate. The degree of difficulty is even higher when it is complex harmonization of individual technology and production skills. While we get to know how to identify the competency of the company it is equally important to know the cost of forgoing core competence as it can only be partly calculated earlier. Core competency are built through a process of continuous and enhancement that may span a decade or longer, a company that has failed to invest in core competency building will find it very difficult to enter an emerging market, unless of course, it will be content simply to serve as a distribution channel.
Understanding and inferences
People and corporation often misunderstand the concept of core competency and core products. The tangible link between core competency and end product is what is called core product. Core products are components or subassemblies that actually contribute to value of end products. It is very much important to have clear distinction between core competency, core products and end products because no players can afford to be left behind in the global competition. Well targeted core products can benefit the company beyond the calculations and imagination including cost, time and risk reduction. It can lead to the economies of scale and scope.
Not all company can identify their core competency and use it properly and gain the advantage to outrun their competitors. Time has changed so do a lot of things from then when business organization used to speak the words of leading management consultants. Having the proper resources doesn’t mean company will build the competency, it is a complete blend of several other factors. According to the authors US companies do not lack the technical resources to build competitive advantage but often the top management vision to build and administer them across all level of the organization.
Developing the strategic architecture is important to identify which core competency to build and their constituent technologies. When company is considerably diversified in terms of products and services, fragmentation of core competencies is inevitable. Core competency associated with single end product is not always enough for a large company to find in the global market. Architecture is helpful for product and market diversification. Every organization wants to be the best player in its field so they will have to analyze every organizational activity in terms of whether it exploits or add to the core competency of the company. The amount of time, money, effort invested by big players in the market in developing the core competencies is tremendous which reflects the need for developing the core competency in global market. The authors have cited an example of Cannon in the early 80s where they invited many under 30 engineers to make a team of 7 members to spend two years plotting cannon’s future direction, including its future architecture. This makes it clear that you either have a core competency that makes you sustainable in long run or fade away from the market and lose your shares to either existing player or the new comers.
Conclusion on Article
The author has ended the article on the note that core competencies are the wellspring of the new business development. And it’s not the just the work of SBUs or top level rather they must work aligning with each other to come to a focused strategy and core competency. Managers have to win manufacturing leadership in core products and capture global shares through brand building program through aimed at exploiting economies of scope. With more competitive decades in sight no players in the market can afford to stay passive if they are to protect their share in the market.
Personal Application, Evaluation and Conclusion
Achievement of core competency cannot be done in isolation, it is a collective learning. It doesn’t diminish with use like physical assets but gets better with every time use. Just like changing world and environment competencies are ever changing and are dynamic in nature. Business Organization cannot afford to take rest though they possess advanced and superior competency than that of the competitor. Because you never know when your competitor will take you over and leaves you behind fighting to go ahead ever after. Thus Research and Development plays a huge role in determination, identification and proper utilization of the competency. Corporation cannot develop competency even if they have potential if they think it’s just a bunch of business, every corporation must understand that core competency is more than just business.
The article is well framed by the author to make the reader keep in track during the course of reading but is unable to do so in reviewer point of view, despite the fact that one can take a lot of positives out of this article. Especially for new players aspiring to enter into the corporate world and those aspiring to be an entrepreneur. Because entering into a business or a corporate world is not everything but the real test begins once you get in. Keeping up the pace with latest technology and changing business environment is very challenging task. And one is bound to fall if they are myopic. A corporation should be able to see their position in long run. Can they maintain the same market share and can they remain as innovative as they are now? Will they keep their core competency changing according to the need of time? Every corporate person going through this article will have these questions in mind.
The corporate world has witnessed several examples of how brutally can it hit the corporation if they are not willing to change and keep up the pace of change in technology and events around the globe. Nokia, Kodak, Xerox are the recent very good illustration to the immediate world to explain the extent of brutality. The market share and valuation of the company pays nothing if corporation is not willing to address the current need of the market. No matter how good your product and service are, what matters is whether you are willing to update and change according to the trend and need. So, what every corporation need is core competencies not only to stand out against the competitors but also to gain a long term sustainability through regular revision.
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