Survival Of Fittest

Adarsh was a business tycoon with two lifelong dreams: to become the richest man in the world and to live for 100 years. At the age of 30, after gaining experience working for various reputable companies as an automobile engineer, he utilized his savings to start his own garage. Five years later, he established his own company that manufactured cars, bikes, and trucks tailored to customer preferences. With the advent of the internet, Adarsh's company created a website featuring thousands of car and bike models, allowing customers to select their desired vehicles or even customize their own creative bikes. Adarsh's company excelled in delivering these vehicles at significantly lower costs compared to the market.

Driven by shrewd business intelligence and unwavering determination, Adarsh expanded his ventures into other sectors such as FMCG, garments, and investment banking. He ensured a commanding market share of 40 to 60% in each sector. By the time he reached the age of 65, he had become the fourth richest man in the world. However, Adarsh remained persistent in his pursuit of becoming the richest man.

 One day, his assistant, Satya, introduced him to a young man in his early twenties. Adarsh had always held great admiration for individuals who could accomplish what he couldn't. Since childhood, he had been fascinated by the Rubik's Cube, yet he had never been able to solve it even once. His office table displayed various types of cubes, ranging from 2x2, 3x3, 6x6, and even 18x18.

Satya said, "Good morning, sir!" Adarsh, engrossed in checking the sales performance across different sectors on his laptop, hadn't noticed Satya entering his cabin. As a long-standing employee, Satya had the liberty to walk into Adarsh's cabin without scheduling a meeting or informing Adarsh's personal secretary, or even knocking on the door.

"Good morning, Satya," Adarsh replied, finally acknowledging his presence.

Satya continued, "Sir, this is Abhishek, my nephew. "

Adarsh looked at the young man and greeted him, saying, "Hi, Abhishek!"

Abhishek respectfully responded, "Hello, sir. "

Satya then explained, "Sir, Abhishek is my brother's son. He is highly intelligent, but unfortunately, he faces financial constraints that prevent him from continuing his studies. "

Adarsh responded, "Alright, I will allocate funds for him from our donation camp. Please take care of the paperwork, Satya.

Satya said, "Sir, I am also willing to fund his studies from my personal savings. However, Abhishek is determined not to accept any help. He believes in his ability to earn a living and wishes to be self-reliant. "

"He is a devoted fan of yours and expresses a strong desire to work with you," Satya added.

Curious, Adarsh inquired about Abhishek's work experience and qualifications.

Satya responded, "He has completed his 10+2 education and achieved the 2nd rank in the 10th standard and 1st rank in 10+2. Unfortunately, his father passed away in a road accident, which led Abhishek to decide against continuing his studies. He took on the responsibility of caring for his family. Despite my plead for him to resume his studies and my offer to support his family financially, he persistently requested an opportunity to work with you. For the past four years, he has been working in a call center. "

Adarsh nodded, processing the information.

Upon hearing this, Adarsh shifted his attention away from the laptop and carefully observed Abhishek from head to toe. He couldn't help but think to himself that this young man possessed a fiery determination.

"Well, Abhishek," Adarsh began, "with your 10+2 qualification, I can offer you a sales job in our company. As you are aware, we are a prestigious organization, and for freshers, we typically prefer candidates with an MBA from a reputable business school. Alternatively, they should have an exceptional sales record from their previous company. However, since Satya has recommended you, I am willing to extend an offer. Nevertheless, I strongly advise you to continue your studies. Once you have completed your education, return to us, and I will gladly offer you a highly respected position within the company. "

Abhishek expressed his gratitude for the offer, but he made it clear that he hadn't come seeking employment. He said, "Thank you for your kind offer, sir. However, I am not here for a job. As your ardent fan and someone who considers you an idol, I want you to fund my business idea. If my venture succeeds, I request 5% of your company's shares and a position as a general manager. "

Hearing this, Satya's anger flared up, and he shouted, "Abhishek, are you out of your mind? Do you even realize what you're asking for? This is a $100 billion company, and our sir and his family own 80% of the equity. The remaining shares are held by the public. You're demanding 5% of the shares, which is worth $5 billion! Have you lost all sense of reason? I shouldn't have brought you here in the first place!"

Satya's outburst reverberated through the room, creating an intense and tense atmosphere. Abhishek remained composed, understanding the weight of his request and the implications it carried.

Hearing Abhishek's words, Adarsh burst into laughter, his booming laughter filling the room. He turned to Satya and said, "Relax, Satya. He's just a kid with big dreams, and I admire his vision at such a young age. "

Adarsh then shifted his gaze to Abhishek and spoke with a hint of amusement, "Well, Abhishek, it seems you're dwelling in a world of fantasies. It's time to step out of it and focus on your studies. Be more practical and accept the reality that lies ahead. "

Abhishek felt insulted and Said Sir! I just want to present my project to you just give me an opportunity if you didn’t like the presentation I would do as you say and continue my studies but I refuse to take any monetary help from you or Satya uncle. I have been working on this project from past 4 years Top of Form

Abhishek's response caught Adarsh off guard. His expression turned from amusement to irritation, and he cursed Satya in his mind for bringing this young man to him. Adarsh's laughter quickly dissolved into an angry expression as he tried to regain his composure.

Adarsh with the angry look said see my time is precious and before any entrepreneur pitches his ideas to me for investment, he should have very good Business track record I cannot afford to waste my time on you. Can you at least prove that you are worth of my time?

Abhishek took 2*2 Rubix cube from Adarsh’s table and solved it in 10 second then he took 3*3 Rubik cube solved it in 15 second next he directly took 18*18 Rubik’s cube and solved it within 2 min, Abhishek knew that Solving Rubix cube would not convince Adarsh but it would definitely calm him down, he could see anger and frustration in Adarsh’s face

Looking at that Adarsh was astonished, he smiled again and said that was fantastic I never saw a person solving Rubix cube so fast, but solving Rubix cube doesn’t help in business my son, Adarsh said smilingly

Abhishek requested Sir I would ask 30 min of presentation if you are not satisfied, I would do as you say.

Ok! replied Adarsh, tomorrow I have been scheduled with 4 meetings with different departments, the meeting starts at 9 am and ends at 8 pm But I will extend my stay in office till 8:30pm only to hear your presentation.

Hearing this Satya was shocked Adarsh hated attending meetings and presentations, since he had a migraine problem sitting long hours in meetings and looking at a huge monitors would cause him severe headache, he would ask his sons or managers to attend it and update him on the same. Since tomorrow was an annual shareholders meeting held, he was bond to attend it.

Next day the meeting started at 9am and extended till 12 at night, once the meeting was over Adarsh was suffering from severe headache and in hurry he also forgot to bring the prescriptions, his headache was so severe that he wanted to rush home and take his prescriptions, once the meeting was over he Briskly walked out of the meeting room pressing right side of his forehead and Satya followed him. Abhishek was waiting for Adarsh from past 5 hours Satya knew it, but he didn’t dare to remind it to Adarsh. He thought that he would ask Abhishek to meet Adarsh some other day.

As Adarsh made his way through the corridor, Abhishek unexpectedly appeared before him, offering a greeting. Adarsh, still nursing his pounding headache, acknowledged Abhishek but quickly realized he was in no condition to attend another meeting. He gently requested Abhishek to reschedule their meeting for another day

Abhishek replied !Sir I have been waiting for you from past 5hours and I heard that tomorrow afternoon you will be going for a business tour after that you will be returning only after 3 months, and my uncle also said it may even get extended, I have no problem In scheduling the meeting for another day But waiting for 3 months is too much for me, Please sir if we could do it now just 30 min

Hearing it Adarsh got very irritated he wanted to give a hard slap on Abhishek’s face

Adarsh pressed hard in his forehead and replied before I could lose my control will you shut your mouth and get out. More than Abhishek’s words his headache was making him more frustrated.

Abhishek replied: Please sir!

Adarsh shouted: OUT! looking at Abhishek’s eyes.

Adarsh Could see a slight tears in Abhishek’s eyes. Suddenly he reminded his past where he went to meet investors and they refuse to look into his presentation and the frustration he felt during that time

As Abhishek turned his back Adarsh said: Mr. Rank holder as Abhishek turned Adarsh smiled ok go-ahead with your presentation and if I find it not worth, I am going just walk out of room and you will not question me is that clear. Abhishek agreed

Adarsh, Abhishek and Satya went to meeting room were Abhishek began his presentation the presentation was mainly about developing a new ERP Software with the help of artificial intelligence and robotics which would be 10 times more efficient than recent ERP’s

15 min afterwards Adarsh started getting involved in it and within next 30 min he totally got involved and he even forgot his headache.

He shooted question after question to Abhishek and Abhishek had a perfect answer for every question.

The meeting started at 12:15 pm extended to 2:00 am when Adarsh wife started call him he gave the phone to Satya and asked him to answer a call, then the meeting extended to 5am this time his wife his son everyone started calling him he again didn’t answer their call he was deeply involved in meeting and finally meeting ended at 9am morning, Adarsh has even missed his flight to Europe though Satya kept reminding him and even Abhishek was ready to stop the presentation, but Adarsh didn’t allow him he shooted question after question. Once The meeting was over Adarsh said to Abhishek from today onwards start working on this project and you are free to recruit your own team, if you need any more assistance ask Satya to make arrangement and Adarsh turned to Satya and said book a flight ticket for me for today night. Abhishek when I am back from Europe you should finish 50% of project I give you a deadline of six months to complete this project and regarding you being the shareholder in our company and your position we will discuss it once I am back from my Business tour. He asked Abhishek to leave room. Once he left the room

Adarsh said: Satya this guy is genius I was always trying to entering into IT industry and he is a key its really astonishing how this guy in such a young age has so much mastery in every programming language in IT industry, just in 4 years after his +2 he was able to grab such extensive knowledge which may take a normal person entire life and come up with an such an innovative idea, I don’t want to loose this guy, looking at his idea once our ERP hits the market there is no doubt in my mind that this is going to conquer at least 50%of market share.

Listening to this Satya said do not worry Sir! I will take care of him

Once Adarsh was back from his Europe tour he was very keen about Abhishek’s project he was keener to bring the software to market then Abhishek. Soon the software was launched, since Adarsh had very good leads in market he was able to simply conquer the market and most of the companies which had good relationship with Adarsh simply switched to Adarsh’s ERP. He was able to grab the 80% of ERP market share soon his profit increased, and he became number 1 richest man in the world.

Most of the media and other sources declared that Abhishek was a key for Adarsh’s success though Abhishek was given 1% of companies shares and the post of general manager, Abhishek started feeling Instead of just being an employee in Adarsh’s company why can’t I be my own boss, start my own company and he discussed his idea with his colleagues . Satya got a hint of it and he informed Adarsh about the same. It didn’t bother Adarsh much. Adarsh said I cannot force anyone to stay If he wants to go then he is free.

3 Months later Abhishek left the company and he asked Satya to join him, but Satya turned down the offer. He sold his one percent of his shares and started his own IT company which also developed ERP, he developed the same ERP with few updation and changes and he declared that he would sell the ERP and its subscription half the price of Adarsh’s ERP. But to his surprise none of the companies were interested in buying it. Some companies even told him that his ERP was outdated compared to Adarsh’s ERP.

ERP which he developed for his own company, how could anyone say that his ERP was outdated. He personally asked one of his friends who was ERP consultant to show him the demo. When he saw the demo of ERP, he was shocked. There were more high version features included in ERP which he had no idea. He started wondering when and how these features were include and who has developed these features. He called his uncle and asked him to meet him immediately when Satya arrived

Abhishek said! I thought you were always with me, but today u have actually cheated me didn’t you know about the updation that were made in my ERP and when it was presented to that market it was more of updated version then what I developed.

Satya said: Yes, I knew about it and I was the person who led the team which included more features in your ERP.

Once Adarsh saw through your presentation he asked me recruit other team which included 6 members who were highly experienced in IT industry, and they were assigned two task first to learn your ERP and its coding features completely and another is to make upgradations in your ERP which they did perfectly.

Every week you presented development in ERP to me and your team of 20 members whom you recruited, I used to record your presentation and present it to other team. The day you started working on ERP exact one week later the other team was ready, and it also started working in ERP and Adarsh also asked me not to disclose about the upgradation team to you.

Abhishek was angry hearing this: I trusted you and always respected you as my father. I even gave you an opportunity to join my company as a partner which you turned down. Your boss is more important to you then your family isn’t it

Satya smiled and said: Abhishek even now I consider you has a son. Even if my son is on your place, I would have done the same. When I joined the company 25 years back Adarsh's company was just a start up. There were many guys who were outperformers I was just a mediocre, but I don’t know what Adarsh saw in me and he gave me the same beneficial and increment which he used to give to outperformers. Most of my colleagues were jealous of it ,even sometimes I also wondered why is he favoring me so much ,once I asked Adarsh the reason for it and he replied that he saw honesty in me and he is sure that whatever may be the situation I would never let him down. I was his long-term investment and he also told me I would stay with him as an employee throughout my life. I didn’t believe it at that time now after 25 years It proved to be true. He trusts me more than himself. I know about his business more than him now. Throughout my life I had one goal that is to protect his trust towards me. I knew If I would have revealed regarding the upgradation to you since you are very ambitious you would surely try to start your business and try to outwit our company. I also made sure that you don’t get a hint of the upgradation from your friend who is a consultant or by any of our colleagues.

Lesson from story

Flexibility is a key in any business. Adarsh was always ready to change according to the condition without being dependent on anyone for his business, so he recruited another team as backup for Abhishek if even Abhishek quits then he would have other employees in his team who would be as knowledgeable as Abhishek. As Darwin said It is not the strongest of the species that survives, nor the most intelligent that survives. It is the one that is most adaptable to change, and Adarsh understood this law very well