The EF Final Story

Today was final presentation on the EF, the Entrepreneur Fund, that I've been pretty much living, breathing, sleeping, eating as it's said, the whole of last year. And it's a story that's really dear to me, because it not only grew into a really interesting and successful project.... but also because it so grew me as a person.

A surprise validation came in the form of this article published yesterday, and this was one of our most complex cases, Ashok Kalburgi on who we invested a lot of time and energy. I could have danced a jig when I saw the write up.

For easier readability, right click on the picture, open in new tab, and then use the zoom that shows up when you hover over the picture. Trust me, it's a worthy read :)

In terms of project, the purpose was a one year pilot to identify and support micro energy entrepreneurs in Bihar, Orissa and North Karnataka. Being SELCO, the target group was the underserved entrepreneur. The goal was to use this as pilot to create a model that can be institutionalized.

We've done entrepreneurs who are (mostly) not only not educated, but even one who did thumb impression on cheques ( we insist on cheques because we want them included into the banking system and it's entrepreneurship so it's a loan, albeit at 2% to 5% interest )

We have some really interesting experiences here; let me narrate one. This was Geeta, one of our first women entrepreneurs. Before we deposit the monthly repayment cheque we call them to confirm if the money is in the bank. We did that, yet the cheque bounced. We called again and she reconfirmed depositing the amount. Yet the cheque bounced again. Accounts was getting upset. So we actually went to Sirsi and met her ( her emi was Rs.600, but we spent Rs.3000 to go meet her). And the issue? She'd deposited the amount into another account.

Another one: One of our fridge entrepreneurs said he was keeping the fridge turned off for a few hours in the morning and a few in the evening, and we didn't understand why. When we meet him we realize it's because he'd set the thermostat at freezer temperatures and everything was freezing over.

There are so many such fascinating stories, but to move on.

At a personal level, as a story...we started in January 2015, with a nice program and plan, and by June we had accomplished almost nothing. Less than 5%. Quite literally staring failure in the face. I almost gave up, actually did........I agreed to reset targets and budgets, and even that I was skeptical about. But that evening something changed.

My guardian angel didn't give up on me I guess.

Woke up with a changed mindset. No reset , no compromise. I told myself and Harish that I'd do it. A defining moment of taking ownership.

And starting from there, it's like a new energy came in from nowhere. Slowly but surely the wheels turned and whirred and picked up speed, until by end December, we had not just completed, but exceeded targets and expectations on all parameters.

And there are some clear lessons that I learnt through the process, and shared today. Take Ownership, Crystallize Goals, Trust and Empower people, Visualize objectives,  Constant and Never Ending Improvement .......Some basic principles which when imbibed work magic. You'd think one should know these with so many years work experience right? Guess one did too, but at some theoretical level. The difference between theoretical knowledge and experiential..... it's a chasm. Huge personal learnings.

Here are some of the pictures from today's presentation:

One of our awareness programs underway:

A hamlet in interior Orissa where we found an entrepreneur, Prabhat, to provide solar lights on rental basis

Eramma, one of our women entrepreneurs in Sindhanur

Thimayya Shetty, another one of our entrepreneurs

A sewing machine entrepreneur Sreenivas

Prabhat, one of our super enthusiastic entrepreneurs. It was a chance meet that triggered this equation and once he had our number, he just wouldn't stop calling.

A brilliantly challenging and satisfying project, deep and sincere thanks to SELCO and all who were part of the EF team.....it gave me one of my best work experiences ever.