As discussed in an earlier edition of this newsletter, Mr. Vinod Martin had long past abandoned any hope of any support from NIIT. The tactically sound Mr. Martin then proceeded to hunt down a project which would not require any intervention (interference ?) from NIIT. This was achieved by means of a Systems Integration order, which required nothing more than a purchase and delivery of hardware to a client (i.e. there was no software development involved, thus eliminating any chances of NIIT's excess involvement).
However, this did not sit well with the powers that be. Fearful that their reputation might be diminished by the success of such a project, they swung into action.
Riding upon the Presidential paranoia prevalent in Singapore, a new decree was forged. Ere any letter reached the Guardian Angel of Singapore for his signature, it must first be triple-checked by Prasad, double-checked by VA and further passed on to each NIITian currently present in Singapore for their perusal. After all this, it would be faxed back to NIIT Delhi Accounts, which would finally, in the due course of time, present their opinion that no harm might occur if it was signed by the Angel (who would, of course, do so in the weeks to come).
Little did Mr. Martin realize the procedural excellence of NIIT that permitted them to maintain their reputation despite all the odds. There was little chance of his venture slipping past their eagle eyes! As Mr. Martin waited in gentle agony for a Purchase Order from Singapore, his client began a gentle clamour outside his doors.
"Bapak Martin, I gave you the money in full three weeks ago. Why has no machinery arrived ? And why cannot you give me a date of delivery, even in the future ?", proclaimed the client.
"Ayeeyah, do you want the machines or not, lah ?", protested the patiently waiting supplier.
And the courageous Mr. Martin fobbed them off with that practiced skill only obtainable by those NIIT old-timers who had thought they had seen all that the company could do (until now, of course). Not for nothing has NIIT maintained its consistent reputation in Indonesia. Not 100% cash payments in advance, triply-extended deadlines or bitterly-crying clients would permit them to change their reputation. Thus it seems, even case studies can fail when pitted against a resolute juggernaut (possibly the reason why there are so few ex-IIM-A employees remaining).
P.S. It might be of interest to note to those gentlemen who specialize in the preservation of statistics that the prestigious (and currently most-touted) SONY project is soon to reach its target deadline of March 31, 1996.
To those of you who believe that NIIT has unfairly targeted Indonesia, we reply "Fie, Sir !". The even-handed treatment of NIIT is something that is international (and indeed, often mentioned by PR to new employees). As proof of this, we present the fact that the SONY project is already 4 - 5 % complete !
The poor souls out there (the clients, naturally) are hopefully expecting the remaining 95-96% of the work to finish in the 2 weeks remaining. Staunch optimism has always been one of the hallmarks of NIIT's clients.
That's enough travel ... now let's head back home