Amara Raja_English_Inner_Kala_3T-ilovepdf-compressed

With a spiritual mind wetouch souls like serene waterby creating experiences thatare long lasting …. 101Gotta be a better way

RESPONSIBILITYto us is the total ownership of our thoughts and actions inevery situation to achieve maximum common good in thebest interest of Environment, Society, Customer, Supplier,Employee and Shareholders. 102Gotta be a better way

We are not just a business entity ; we are first a socialentityOur Founder Chairman started this organization with the first factory being set up inKarakambadi, a remote, unheard-of location, near Tirupati. He firmly believed in bringingthe best technology and systems for the factory but he was as deeply committed totransformation and development of society. A metropolis or a well-establishedindustrial belt could have been the logical choice of any normal entrepreneur but hewas a radical thinker. 103 Gotta be a better way

As a business organization we are first Responsibility environment, society, the customer andresponsible to be an economic entity, all stakeholders—may be a farfetchedanswerable to shareholders, creating is about true idea for them. This certainly needs to bevalue for our customers. But the changed. Responsibility counts on the job,environment that we operate in provides commitment to but it counts for all things around the jobus with the space, people, context and and around the organization, and inopportunities. As an organization, we everything we do: everything we do!have a responsibility towards this socialcontext. This belief helps us, along with “Being responsible” is to Responsibility influencesour business goals, to focus on achieving have a sense of personal achievementa high social impact. It is evident in the ownership:way we have set up all our businesses. To an individual, responsibility in his roleEven as we set up our industries , we Responsibility is to focus on what needs means taking care of one’s duties, actions,focus on contributing to our immediate to be done and also seeking perfection, obligations and being accountable andenvironment in sectors such as delivering the best, being value driven, trustworthy; In short, the ability to chooseeducation, infrastructure (irrigation), doing things in the most efficient manner, one’s actions as befits the situation.facilities (solar lighting) and women creating real value for customer, and inemancipation through employment the economic sense, finding the most cost- Responsibility means being deeply(electronics business) . conscious way of doing things. To have a interested in achieving a goal or an sense of responsibility is to consider the objective. Together, in this personalAs a company, we feel we have a need, sensitivities and the impact of what achievement lies the pathway forresponsibility to impact the society in a you choose to do. organizational growth. Responsibility is,positive manner. In the same manner, in a way, contributing to the success of thewe also firmly believe that an individual, Today, the work in most organizations organization, caring for the organization’sespecially every employee of Amara Raja is market-driven, with a great deal of growth and well-being and supporting allshould impact the society, community, impatience. Far too much emphasis that it stands for.organization, team and his role through is being laid on using employees andhis activities. pushing them to meet deadlines. There is a strong focus on delivering through the employees but very little attention to developing the mind of the employee towards finer qualities of sensitivity and care for the socio-ecosystem around. Managers may be willing to coach To have a sense of their employees to do “their job” but responsibility is to consider going beyond that—and being deeply the need, sensitivities and committed and being responsible for the the impact of what you choose to do. 104 Gotta be a better way

Responsibility makes one Community development construc on workers. In through direct delivery model. recruitment, a consciousfocused, objective and Through our trusts Amara Raja decision has been made Group has delivered impac ul to recruit people at alldecisive: projects in areas of Agriculture, levels from er II and er Educa on, Rural Infrastructure, III colleges from across theWhile taking decisions, often we rely Irriga on, Ecology, Environment, country.on some data, material evidence, very Rural Employment Genera onobjective basis or premises to make etc.All companies in the group Not just corporate butthat decision. But the reality is, many is mandated to donate 0.2% of individual CSR : individualtimes we are left with intuitive feelings, sales or 2% of profit whichever employees and teams onassumptions and hazy pictures and yet is higher. As an extension of their own take up CSRwe need to take the decision. All factors demonstra ng responsibility, ac vi es like inves ng methat could contribute to total clarity are the company has conducted in orphanages, old agenot available! So what do we do? We look medical check up for farmers, homes, distribu ng clothes,around for more ideas, others opinion for teaching in Governmentvalidation or seek advice and often this schools, sponsoring childrenhelps us to make the decision. But In this etc. Many individualprocess a few challenges emerge! We employees contribute inreceive generalised ideas, freewheeling terms of me, money andopinions, random suggestions connected effort to serve the societyand unconnected to the issue from manypeople. Many of these are unsought“free advises” dished out to us by “wellwishers”, without being aware of thecontext of our situation or having theperspectives of our role. It leaves ustentative & distracted. We need to beobjective and not be carried away by theinfluence of these distractions. We needto make our own individual assessment ofsituations and act decisively. 105 Gotta be a better way

106Gotta be a better way

Responsibility is the For business organizations, pure profit Responsibility is required inwillingness to act considerations and business advantageand create an that offer cost and competitive edge all situations:impact would often help make decisions. We all have many roles throughResponsibility is about Amara Raja has always tempered its various phases of our life. They comecaring for everyone, for the decisions with social responsibility and to us by reasons of birth, background,common good: basic human needs in all its actions. This environment, eligibility, entitlement, results in genuine care and we ensure that tradition, practices, and situations andThis is Amara Raja’s core belief, this things get done. Along with the goals to be sometimes by sheer luck! We land upamplifies our core purpose. achieved, there is a deep concern about having many roles in life, some chosen, the means of achieving the goals. This a lot of them not chosen by us. RolesIn all that we do we act as trustees of way along with our responsibility for the carry the natural ingredients of label,common good: Whether it be about the well being of the company, we naturally expectations from others, competence,improvement of the environment, caring take responsibility for our Environment, relationships, obligations, duties andfor local issues, giving back to society, Society, Customers, Suppliers, Employees responsibilities.supporting the country, serving the and Shareholders.community or delighting the customer, We do not necessarily take on thewe work towards the common good. It Responsibility calls for total responsibilities in a role automatically,is about maintaining an innate sense of ownership in thought and just because we are in that role. It is a“trusteeship” for the society, community action matter of right attitude. Responsibilityand the organization. This can be comes only from a belief that says “Isummarized by the attitude of “I am In all activities, one needs to think about am in this role, hence I need to act. Ithe custodian, but not necessarily the the impact on all people, systems, cost, can influence/impact something positiveowner.” Trusteeship calls for a mind-set environment, the work atmosphere. One through my action.” With an attitudein us, by having “a sense of ownership” should think ahead of the consequences like this, there is greater energy andeven if one is not the owner. of one’s actions, in order to ensure that momentum, which leads to better impact, they have no negative implications. In results, positive relationships and gainsEmpathy has a huge role to play in short, we cannot just presume or assume. for all concerned. Such a responsibletrusteeship. We feel for the people There is a need to check facts or data, person in his roles respects the followingconcerned and hence we act responsible. anticipating/foreseeing the possible tenets:Empathy is the core of sensitive minds. future, bringing a sense of rationality andSuch a mind looks at basic human rights appropriateness, and having a constant • Recognizing that all roles arewithout an opportunistic agenda for itself. “reality check.” Such care will represent interdependent complete responsibility. With such responsibility, one moves one step closer • Respecting people with care and to delivering with perfection. concern • Being sensitive to the needs of others, besides his direct trans- actions • Doing a task the right way, everytime - whatever be the task at hand 107 Gotta be a better way

• Practicing ethical values , as a basic As much as it is a personal quality, joy for others. It is manifested in the guideline responsibility is not just focusing on way we communicate—to refer to the personal victory. It is also necessary team as “our team” and the group as • Ensuring Corporate governance to demonstrate team spirit and “our group”—a sense of collective guidelines in /of all organizational collaborate with one’s peers, while ownership. activities taking charge of situations individually when required. Responsibility calls Responsibility calls • Assuming ownership for his own for stretching to help others, sharing for stretching to help activities without a need for close the load with others, offering to help others, sharing the supervision: Self leadership and others in a proactive way. load with others, management offering to help others It is an innate sense of duty, to in a pro-active way.It is about ensuring accept any task wholeheartedly,doing the right things and without hesitation and not view itpreventing the wrong as a burden; to experience joy whilethings performing one’s duty and to createWhen we have responsibility we enableand ensure that the right actions aretaken, right means are applied andright outcomes are ensured. It alsomeans that we are sensitive to thingsthat are not right and do somethingabout preventing or stopping them. Itis a combination of qualities such ashonesty, Integrity and moral courage.For example, are you a whistle blowerin your organisation when things gowrong? Can you ensure that processesare respected, policies are followed, theethical issues are not compromised, anddelivery is as promised? It is necessaryto respond to these questions, to the callof one’s conscience.When one has this quality of enablingthe right actions and avoiding the wrongactions, his behaviour is strengthenedwith quality, commitment and discipline. 108 Gotta be a better way

How do we practice • Give team members greater Role of Individuals responsibility within and outside in enhancing theirRESPONSIBILITY? the organization. There should be responsibility efforts to structure the businessResponsibility is about and organizational activities, to Every employee should reflect on thedoing our best, every support and contribute to the larger followingtime & all the time community,In Amara Raja, through all the phases • Give support: Give employees time, • Have I assimilated the core purposeof our growth, we have focused not only space and ideas to carry out their of the organization?on our business context, but also on our tasks besides their organizationalsocio-cultural environment. These include role and responsibility. They feel • Am I clear on what is expected ofour factory environment, the society valued, they feel proud. me?around our establishments, communityfrom where our employees come and • Constantly communicate, share • Am I committed to every task I takethe socio-cultural contexts of the space feedback and counsel team up, and do I measure up to thatwhere we operate. members. When they fail do not rush commitment with quick judgments that make themSuch an outlook has made it possible devalued. Convert these into learning • Do I, always, safe guard thefor the Amara Raja employee to take situations. interests of the organization? Do Ion responsibility at multiple levels: at act in non work situations also in thea personal level, in his role, job, team, • Be patient and persist: Remember, interest of the company?organization, community, country results do not appear overnight andor even at the global environment it is essential to maintain patience, • When I see somebody spoilinglevel. Such a mind is influenced by a and believe that one’s investments the working environment, or thecombination of values such as Innovation, will pay off eventually. work process, or the image of theentrepreneurship and excellence. organization do I draw attention?Together these values develop a wider • Create empowerment and shared Am I the whistle blower?and deeper sense of responsibility. leadership: through delegation, distribution and re-deployment. Give • Do I recognize that I am responsibleManagers’ role in encouraging opportunities to work at levels higher beyond my “job”—to the team,responsibility than designated positions. organization, society and the environment? • Spot this quality in people. Highlight and point it out when it is displayed by • In all that I am doing , Am I employees. Make it well known and acting pro-actively in the best appreciate in public. It is necessary interest of Environment, Society, to identify individuals who embody Customer, Supplier, Employee and this quality and energize them. Shareholders?” 109 Gotta be a better way

SAS GUIDELINESI am a workman working in this • Seek clarifications and • Be accountable personally,company for the past 10 years. understand expectations: and set standards: BecomeThe company treats all of us Make sure that every an example to other people.with great respect and never task is well understood, To be accountable will meanshowed any discrimina on as defined and practiced; that “to cause the impact” orwe were only workmen. My it is carried out with focus, “to ensure effectiveness of”family is extremely happy as attention and care. doing something.the company has providedSuper Annua on Scheme for us. • Do not do anything with an • Develop foresight and haveMany of my friends working in far sight. Look beyond yourother companies do not have indifferent attitude: if youthis Super Annua on Benefitand say Amara Raja job is like are not interested state it immediate stakeholders, anda government job in privatesector. upfront. If you need help look at the wider, far-reachingMIHP ask for it, but do it in the canvas that is influenced byRespect to individuals goes best possible way, never your actions, your team’sbeyond tles and posi onsin Amara Raja. This has been with a “somehow, anyhow” action.clearly demonstrated in theMedical Insurance and Hospital attitude.Policy (MIHP) that has beenintroduced in the company. • Stop procrastinating, orThe sum insured is based onAge and not Grade of Level • Learn and improve with simply complaining: Startthat an individual holds in the constant feedback. All acting/doing to influenceorganiza on. For example, a those who are dependent situations and people40-year-old workman will get or affected by your positively. Do not wait orthe same sum insured as a performance are your just “wish” for an answer or40-year-old Senior Manager. customers. Get to know solution: Work for it, walk if they are satisfied with towards it; seek help or what you delivered. escalate in time, if you are not able to solve a problem all by • Create an auto-response yourself. system for such feedback. Be curious to know • Go beyond your normal how your offering or comfort zone, and feel for the performance contributed to situation: Offer help when the recipient’s need. you see a need in someone. 110 Gotta be a better way

Be concerned about what’s • DO SERVE before youhappening around. Care for DESERVE! Do not putteam and organizational your expectations as aeffectiveness beyond your precondition for yourpersonal effectiveness. performance. Constant negotiation is the virtue Do not wait or just “wish” for an answer or solution:• Concern is an intellectual of the deficit minded, and Work for it, walk towards it;idea or just a feeling but unconditional offering Plan for normalcy but provide for contingency.caring is to act: Do something is the real power of theabout anything that you feel surplus minded. Sacrificeimportant enough! Just do a little today to build anot stop at the feeling level, better tomorrow.demonstrate your caring byacting on your feelings.• Plan well and execute even better. Create your plans, work through goals and targets. Plan for normalcy but provide for contingency. Self- review your work and provide yourself and your superiors with objective feedback.• Demonstrate social and ethical values. Raise your hand and take responsibility for your own activities, but do not be afraid to raise a “red flag” when you spot something wrong; or identify a matter of concern. 111 Gotta be a better way

SummaryRESPONSIBILITYResponsibility to us is the total ownershipof our thoughts and actions in everysituation to achieve maximum commongood in the best interest of Environment,Society, Customer, Supplier, Employee andShareholders.Green indicates our sense of Responsibilitywhich, like the nurturing Earth, guides us inall we do. 112Gotta be a better way

• We are not just a business entity ; we are first a social entity• Responsibility is about true commitment to everything we do • “Being responsible” is to have a sense of personal ownership • Responsibility influences achievement • Responsibility makes one focused, objective and decisive• Responsibility is the willingness to act and create an impact • Responsibility is about caring for everyone, for the common good • Responsibility calls for total ownership in thought and action • Responsibility is required in all situations • It is about ensuring doing the right things and preventing the wrong things • Responsibility is in the interest of the team and the organization • Responsibility is about doing our best, every time & all the time 113 Gotta be a better way

114Gotta be a better way

With a respectful and ethicalmind, like the nurturing earth wefulfill our responsibility to achieveinclusive growth… 115Gotta be a better way

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