A Fluid Approach

A sustainable business strategy can be chalked out by adhering to core values and learning from experience.

- Vishal Kamat

“Don’t think you will get what your father has made if you don’t study properly,” said my mother while one more ruler broke on my hand. My mother has contributed immensely to the growth of Dandekar’s Camlin company, especially in the wooden ruler segment.

While the above anecdote may seem harsh, I still remember that incident traversing back more than 25 years. I was an extremely notorious child and my mind always worked overtime. I am now grateful to my mother who shaped and instilled in me values to succeed in life, not just professionally—that is ‘ethos’, ‘core values’.

If you want anything to be sustainable, then it has to be built on a rock solid foundation and that is nothing else other than your core values. Once you define your value system, it helps attract others who share the same beliefs which in turn helps you collectively move towards a common goal.

So, before you start any task or venture, you must understand ‘why’ you are doing what you set out to do. Next comes how you intend to target those like-minded individuals who relate to the values you or your brand stand for. A common mistake is: many individuals know what they are doing and how to do it but get stumped when asked why. Look inside you to know your ‘why’, and automatically you will project it through your actions ensuring that you are clear about what you stand for.