In my neighbourhood there are two Bengali fish sellers Raju and Das (name changed), who caters to the whole Bengali community of this place. Both having their individual large customer base and keeps busy serving them through out the year.
While Raju who sells better quality material and is costlier than Das, Das is just okay.
One can easily identify Raju’s quality of fish is way better. The thick Gold chain on Raju’s neck and the flashy mobile on his hand display that hidden pride.
During the Lock down when Raju shut his shop and was sitting at home, probably clueless about how to run the show.. Das, his competitor way ahead of him formed a really mammoth whatsapp group having nearly 300 customers, he as Admin made the group one way, where only he can communicate, and started selling. He did a smart use of technology.

Das would post pictures of the selling items in the evening, would post that day’s rate Card in amusing English with spelling customised as he thought is right and finished it with a voice message..
Jisko order dena hai raat mein de dijiye. Kal savere dus bajey tak home delivery ho jaayega.

So what if his English is terrible, he communicated the message to the helpless souls who were starving for a Fish meal. People would place their order in night and next day exactly 5 minutes prior to his arrival, Das will call. Dada gate pe aa jaaiye.. Main pohoch raha hoon paanch minute mein.

Das would calculate accurately and reach within that time to the gate with a large sack placed on the foot rest of his scooter and handover the packet. He would arrive with a smile, with full of enthusiasm, well dressed, having worn his Dark Grey Safari suit, would quickly transmit the local news, which roads are blocked, how many positive cases etc, return the change and leave.

With the increasing customer demand, Das became a saviour and started supplying chicken, later Mutton too.

Raju, on the other hand opened his outlet clumsily and only could begin home deliveries almost after 45 days of lockdown.

Das made me recall following chapters of MBA:

1. Quick turnaround to the situation
2. Adaptability to new mediums and using it intelligently
3. Smart presentation
4. Planning
5. Punctuality

He planned order collection in the night, early morning make the orders ready and begin deliveries by 10am and by 12 he was done for the day.

Interestingly by making communication one way, he disengaged from the continuous notification of customers. Let us clap for Das… ???????

Published in FB Dated: 28th June 2020