When Kirti requested me to pen down my thoughts for S-32, I jumped at the chance. however when i took hold of the pen (no computers for me!), I realised that I was high on emotions and short on words.
Today, 15 days, 25 sheets and 2 pens later, I am writing an article related to what I teach to a bunch of 150 students every year at D.P.S R.KPuram (our arch rival school) - Management or what was known as "good ol' commerce" in our days.
You might be surprised to read this as I was a nerdy science student in school. But life takes its routes and ways to take you to your ultimate destiny and mine was teaching a course in Business Studies to class XII students.
Before i go further, I want to say 'I love what I do' and that is talking, chatting, teaching, explaining, discussing and arguing with 16-17 year olds. I would not change it for anything else in this world.
So here goes- My favourite management story which is my opening lecture for all class XII students titled 'FRESH/STALE FISH'; which is about the Japanese fishing industry.
The Japanese have always had a great liking for fresh fish. However unfortunately the waters close to Japan shores do not have fish. So the fishing boats had to travel far to bring back fish to feed the Japanese population. Due to large distances, the fish became stale by the time it reached the market.
To overcome this problem, fishing companies installed freezers on their boats. But the Japanese could taste the difference between fresh and frozen fish which was sold at a lower price. (what sensitive taste buds!).
The Japanese who do not believe in giving up, then installed fish tanks where they stuffed the fish, fin to fin. After a little hashing around, the fish would stop moving. They stayed alive but became tired and dull.
Unfortunately the “nakhrewala” Japanese could still taste the difference. They preferred the lively taste of fresh fish to sluggish fish. The Japanese fishing industry faced in impeding crisis.
However it soon got over that crisis and fishing has emerged as one of the important trades in that country.
HOW DID THE JAPANESE CONQUER THIS PROBLEM?
They put the fish in the tanks as before but started adding a small shark to each tank. The shark chased the fish, managed to eat a few but the rest survived and arrived in a lively state
The challenge they faced kept them constantly on the move and fresh. This fish became the most sought after and commanded a higher price.
- Humans are no different!
Man thrives only in the presence of a challenging environment.
As George Bernard Shaw said, "Satisfaction is Death".
And Anu Bhandari says, "If you are constantly challenged, you stay energized and alive. Do not postpone a task because it is challenging. Learn to meet the challenge."
Do not simply create success and revel in it in a state of inertia.
PUT A SHARK IN YOUR TANK AND SEE HOW FAR YOU CAN REALLY GO.
Please share this story with your children.
It maybe the best gift you would have ever given them.
No comments:
Post a Comment