Chapter 8

Bhishma set up IES as a company. Surya Hari and representatives from the other funding agencies joined as board members of the company.

After having set up the company, he went about building a team systematically. To support him in technology, he got Ramesh Gupta. Ramesh had outstanding academic credentials and familiarity with large IT systems. Ramesh also brought in two managers Mukund Mehta and Shashank Goudar to support him in IT.

Sajjan Kapoor joined him as head of corporate affairs. He had excellent experience as a compliance person. He was good at making sure that various compliance requirements were met, books are kept properly and the day-to-day administration was efficient. But he was bereft of any new ideas. He was good at playing politics. He knew how to play on against the other. His colleagues used to call him ‘Tuglak’ for his policy of ‘divide and rule’.

In fact this shift for him could not have come at a better time. In his previous organisation where he worked he had almost got into a scam in his role of credit assessment. Many people believed that he was not an accidental victim. He was not a shamelessly corrupt person. He did not mind some presents in kind so long as it was discreet. In this case he had given a loose definition of gift. More so he was willing to close his eyes on the potential credit risk of the borrower. The evidence was week. He went up to his boss and pleaded to let him off. His boss relented. He asked him to leave quietly. Therefore this offer by Bhishma was really a godsend opportunity for him.

  

In the second tier as operating managers, he got Udhi Srinivas, Arjun Kumar Vidur Ranavekar, Ramaswami and Gopalakrishna.

Bhishma focused on the strategic priorities and took major strategic decisions. He gave clear directions and timely decisions which the team was conscientious in implementation.

Bhishma believed in building a team and building consensus. So he established a practice of weekly meeting with his senior team. They met every Friday evening. In this meeting they discussed the progress during the past week and identified priorities for the oncoming week.

It was a month onto the project. Bhishma was ready for the product launch. He decided to discuss it in the weekly meeting. Bhishma was in few minutes early. The team members were trickling in one by one. Those who came in sat quietly.

Bhishma looked around. They were still operating out of NUPS office. So it was in the NUPS board room that they met.

“It is time to think about our own office. He thought. But let the product launch happen. Then we will decide.” He mused.

“This board room is too gaudy for my taste. When we have our office it should be sober. May be I should take some help from Surabhi” He was letting his mind wander a bit.

At exactly 4 pm and he was ready to start the meeting. All the team members were already in.

“I would like us to discuss our plan for the product launch” He moved onto the business for the day after everybody settled down and finished with their pleasantries

“Sir we are nowhere ready for the launch. The development team has just completed the solution architecture” Ramesh was quick to butt in. He sounded and appeared agitated and concerned. His large eyes were larger with excitement

“The development team from Maximus Software Services (MSS) will take at least eight months for the development of all the functionalities. Shashank is already coordinating the development and the interface with the business team” Ramesh continued.

“Sir the business team is yet to give the sign of for the details System Requirement Specification submitted by MSS.” Shashank had made his point.

“Sir we have given the full functional specification. MSS has translated this to detailed SRS which is the foundation for development. It is the systems team who should review this in details and sign off. We can also look at it whether the FS is covered adequately” Ramaswami objected.

“I don’t agree with it” Shashank was quick to retort

“I agree with Shashank. But I am willing to debate this and come to a solution that is acceptable to both teams” Ramesh commented. “But there are many more challenges. Sir after the development we need to have a full fledged testing of the software; both by business team and by the systems team” Ramesh continued.

“MSS has requested that we give them the full test conditions before they start coding. As far as I know the business team has not started this yet”

“Yes. Yes” Shashank had more to add. “Sir Test conditions...”

“Wait a second” Bhishma interjected with his stern and gentle voice. As per you Ramesh, when do think we can launch.

“Fifteen months minimum” Ramesh replied carefully

Sajjan Kapoor looked at Vidur and sniggered. Though he did not understand the import of the discussion relating to software development he pretended that he was following everything.

“We should launch IES solution in six months” Bhishma said decisively.

“Sajjan please plan the launch ceremony. Minister of Education Shwetambaran has agreed to attend our launch.”

“But sir, we cannot get the full product out in six months” Ramesh said. He sounded helpless and agitated. His eyes which were naturally large were now bulging further. His voice was developing edginess.  

“Ramesh, Don’t get agitated” Bhishma spoke gently and reassuringly. “I am not suggesting that we launch the full product in six months. I know it would not be possible to get all the features in and also launch the product soon. I am suggesting a strategy of phased Implementation. This would also help us to test the product and get feedback from the real users which could in turn help to refine the product.

“That is a fantastic idea” Ramaswami blurted out excitedly.

“Sir in that kind of a scenario we will need a little help from you to get necessary cabling from the Indraprasta Telephones for the bandwidth” Mukund had to say something to feel important.

“Yes Mukund you need to help yourself first” Bhishma replied. You go and meet the General Manager personally and explain your need. If you still have a problem let me know”

Sajjan looked at Vidur and sniggered again

They proceeded as usual to sharing the progress of the project. Meeting got dispersed by 6 pm.