Be the Trendsetter!

Here is a good phrase, “Living By Choice, Not By Chance.”

In an organization, the processes drive people. Processes are meant to ease the lives of people. In fact the concept of Quality was never taken wholeheartedly. Later on, the utility of quality was well understood. Similarly, there is a process set in place for anything and everything, and, one is supposed to adhere to them.

Let’s talk about the process followed by me for the opening of my bank account. In my honest opinion, one must check out the process first and then follow them heartedly. I took the opinion of my room partner, Anurag, and hassled up all things, which was not required at all. Rather, I applied my own process for the opening of the bank account with HDFC.

Last week on 14 February, Valentine’s Day, I was busy in getting things done for the processing of my bank account. Anurag was little desperate to get his account number and so, I accompanied him. We went to the HDFC Bank, Cyber Towers branch. He was desperate to know about the status of his bank account because he had already applied for the same a long time back. Unfortunately, his account was not activated so far. On the other hand, he was required to deposit a huge amount in the bank. As he applied his own process, he was in a complete mess.

We requested the Branch Manager to activate the account number at the earliest. The best thing was they had already issued him the pre-activated card. The Manager told us that you could deposit the amount in cash and your account will be activated in a short while, let’s say, half an hour. He deposited the amount in the bank and his card was functional as committed. I was a bit convinced that things do work fast when you apply “extra” efforts, doing things out of the way. I make up my mind to opt for the corporate account then and there.

Then what, I got in touch with the Personal Banker, Arun Upadhyay, of HDFC. The guy welcomed me with a big smile. Moreover, he reminded me of an old friend of mine. I even asked him that do you have a twin brother in Mumbai.
Keeping in view my account, I asked him that I wanted to opt for the CA corporate account. He was more than ready to assist me. Prior to the procedures, I asked him that how much time it would take to complete the process. He told me that within 3 days of time, your account will be activated (I completely ignored the story of Anurag there unconsciously, I guess) and after 7 days from then, you will receive the “Welcome Kit” of the HDFC bank. The “Welcome Kit” would consist of the Account number, Personal identification number (PIN), telephone personal identification number (TPIN), online account number, and, the cheque booklet.

I was more than delighted to hear that. I filled up the application form and submitted my photograph along with the required identity proof of my employment with CA, that’s my identity card. I got things set in place with the hope that I shall get my account number within a stipulated time. The next day, I even communicated this to my HR personnel, Anil, that I had already applied for the corporate account. Instead of going with the company’s set procedure for the bank account procedures, I went directly to the Bank and filled up my credentials. He told me it is completely alright and do revert back with the account details.

While in accordance with the set procedure of CA, the bank’s agent usually comes to our office twice a week to assist the new employees. They provide you with the pre-activated account number and the welcome kit instantly.

“Ignorance is bliss.” I have a strong feeling that Ignorance could never be bliss to anyone.

Another week passed away and I was busy in understanding the procedures, training sessions relevant to the Technical Writer. On 21 February, the HR Personnel, Anil, sent a mail to all the new employees stating that everyone is required to open their bank accounts by 22 February and the HDFC employee would be coming down to Orion office on 22 February 2005 at 2.30 pm. Otherwise the consequence would be even worst, as the salaries won’t get credited.

Then I realized that I have made a real blunder by going out of the way to set up a new procedure. Moreover, I have given my fair advice to another new chap here, Ashish Tripathi, to follow the same. And he must be in a mess.

Without wasting much time, I called up Arun Upadhyay of HDFC to know the status of my account number. To my surprise, he gave me a wonderful excuse. He told me that your application form is on hold as it lacked certain credentials. Then I got furious and told him that you should have intimated me well in advance. Then, I hanged up the phone.

The last resort available to me was to opt for the instant pre-activated card and cancel my previous application. There is a regular chap, Mr. Ramesh Reddy that comes twice a week to the office. I told him everything and asked for his advice. He told me to cancel the previous application and go for the fresh one. And, then I shall be in a position to hand over to you the pre-activated card and welcome kit at the same instant. I nodded my head in complete submission and got my ATM card there and then.
My learning through out the scenario is to follow the procedures set in place. Also, there are 3 independent entities that maintain the integrity of the organization. The available entities vital to the organization are: People, Process and Technology. Being an employee of the organization, one is ought to follow the set processes. The processes are meant to help the employees. Things take their own time when they are well defined under a process. And we are expected not to reinvent the wheel, but to proceed further with the set procedures.

So you be the one, who knows, understands, and, implements an action plan to follow the trend or set a new trend. Be the trendsetter, man!