S.Sivakumar - The Accidental Entrepreneur : Journey To Destination

Notion Press

Old No. 38, New No. 6

McNichols Road, Chetpet

Chennai - 600 031

First Published by Notion Press 2017

Copyright S. Sivakumar 2017

All Rights Reserved.

ISBN 978-1-946869-58-6

This book has been published with all reasonable efforts taken to make the material error-free after the consent of the author. No part of this book shall be used, reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission from the author, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

The Author of this book is solely responsible and liable for its content including but not limited to the views, representations, descriptions, statements, information, opinions and references [Content]. The Content of this book shall not constitute or be construed or deemed to reflect the opinion or expression of the Publisher or Editor. Neither the Publisher nor Editor endorse or approve the Content of this book or guarantee the reliability, accuracy or completeness of the Content published herein and do not make any representations or warranties of any kind, express or implied, including but not limited to the implied warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose. The Publisher and Editor shall not be liable whatsoever for any errors, omissions, whether such errors or omissions result from negligence, accident, or any other cause or claims for loss or damages of any kind, including without limitation, indirect or consequential loss or damage arising out of use, inability to use, or about the reliability, accuracy or sufficiency of the information contained in this book.

Dedication

I dedicate this book to my beloved wife, Sumathi, who stood by me, believed and had faith in me. She is my pillar of strength, and my driving force.

Contents

Foreword

I have known Sivakumar (Siva or Kumar as he is also known) for more than a decade. The first thing I recall when I think of Siva is his extraordinary response when I asked, What defines the success of your company? He said, Sudarshan, we are sole suppliers for quite a few products to quite a few customersbut we never let them remember it. Thats quintessential Siva for youa person who can demystify an important, complex management concept with simple wisdom. This book, I am sure would contain equally simple but worthy suggestions for entrepreneurs.

I have had long discussions with him and his erstwhile partners about the evolution of their company, and have learnt a lot along the way. While the journey and success of an entrepreneurs journey does not imply the mere fulfillment of a formula, there are four critical pillars that, I feel, underpin success.

Choose the right partners. The three founders of SJS bring unique but necessary competencies to the table: Srini, with his ability to strategize and create a vision; Joseph, with a flair for products and machines; and Siva, with the ability to handle operational matters. Between them, they cover a large swathe of competencies for an organization such as SJS. More importantly, while they have the usual arguments and disagreements, they always place the companys interests above their own.

Get the familys support. Siva has mentioned quite a few instances in this book to explain the support extended by Sumathi, his wife. Beyond extending her unstinting support, Sumathi was also actively involved in the business in its early years. I sometimes believe that the company should have been named SSJS for the succor provided by Sumathi.

Break the mold and persevere. Given that he comes from a typical middle-class family, which belongs to a community that is traditionally job-oriented, and during an economic era when entrepreneurship was not encouraged, Sivas venture would have represented a seismic shift. The early years of any venture in those days was fraught with risk, and his partners and he did well not to give in during the early periods of disappointment.

Maintain fundamental integrity. Integrity should extend beyond business, to all stakeholders, including customers, employees, partners and should, finally, be to ones self. Such a principled conduct of business has a huge advantageit attracts similar people and the business of running the business is thereby made easier and enjoyable.

Now that Siva has embarked on his second innings, I wish him the same level and type of fulfillment that he secured from his venture. A note for the readers of this book: One could look for a lot of learning for entrepreneurship, but, as importantly, a lot of life lessons as well.

P.N. Sudarshan
Partner / Financial Advisory Services
Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu India LLP

An entrepreneur tends to bite off a little more than he can chew hoping he will quickly learn how to chew it

Roy Ash

Preface

The aim of writing this book is to motivate those readers who are like the proverbial cat on the wallwho want to become entrepreneurs but are waiting for the right moment or support. If you decide, or have the inclination to become an entrepreneur, follow your gut. Do not wait for the D-day to happen so that you can decide. The most pleasurable part of becoming an entrepreneur is that you can make a difference to a few peoples lives. Money will be a by-product that will follow once you follow your heart and move along with passion.

Success is a word that is liked by everyone but is interpreted by everyone differentlyand is oftentimes measured by the wealth that one creates. I disagree with the latter part. Success should be measured as a satisfaction index within ourselves. It is not an external phenomenon; it is purely internal.

When you meet some successful entrepreneurs and ask them about what drives them, their answers may vary:

I have created wealth.

I am a now part of big family that comprises a few hundred people.

I contribute to the welfare of the society.

I am the leader.

It all depends on what an entrepreneur perceives of himself rather than what others perceive of him.

Enjoy reading this book. I will be happy if it benefits the readersthat is the sole purpose of my writing it.

Good luck and happy reading.

S. Sivakumar

Success is about creating benefit for all and enjoying the process. If you focus on this and adopt this definition, then success is yours.

Kelly Kim

Acknowledgements

Firstly, my children: Vishnu, Yashoda (Vishnus wife) and Vibish and Rudra my grand son.

My business partners: Srinivasan, Joseph, Mike Palm and John Torinus.

My employees, who worked with me over the years and made me enjoy my work and never let me feel the pressure of working.

My friends and well-wishers within and beyond the business circle.

My customers and suppliers who turned out to be my well-wishers, good friends and close buddies.

Last but not least, my parents, who shaped my personality to be an individual, which left an everlasting impact on me.

I apologize to those whom I have left out (by not mentioning names) but who have contributed to my development directly or indirectly.

Part 1

My Birth, Childhood and Youth

There was nothing special about my birth or childhoodit was as normal as it was for anyone who is born in a middle-class, Tamil brahmin family. I was the second child, but the first boy in the family. My sister was two years older than me. My father worked for the Central Government, in the Statistical Department Government of India. My mother was a homemaker. I was born in Chidambaram in the (then) State of Madras. My mothers father was a tasildhar (a government official in charge of administrative functions for small towns) in that town. As per the usual custom, my mother was in her parents house for the birth of the child, so I was born in Chidambaram.