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Pavithra Y S brings together a group of physically
challenged, hearing impaired or visually challenged persons to establish Vindhya e-Infomedia
(Bangalore), a thriving BPO.
 Introducing Ms.Pavithra Y S of Vindhya e-Infomedia (Bangalore) a thriving
BPO.
What do you get when you bring
together 100-odd disabled people in an office? If you're thinking of the likes
of an NGO, go take a reality check. We found a group of physically challenged,
hearing impaired or visually challenged persons brought together by Pavithra Y
S forming the hard-working employee cadres of Vindhya e-Infomedia (Bangalore),
a thriving BPO.
It's also undisputedly a company
with a heart. Founded by its MD Pavithra Y S in June 2006 as a small data-entry
company, Vindhya has grown rapidly since to be a competitive BPO in the non voice
sector. Intended to combine business with philanthropy - albeit of the
self-sustaining kind - the company has thrived for having correctly identified
a niche that differently-abled (not disabled) people may
excel at.
Every business needs a sound foundation
Pavithra's inspiration stemmed
from one thought - why can't a challenged [person] challenge [the world]?
Discussions centering round this with her former colleagues revealed that the
one missing element was the lack of opportunities. So in seeking the right
opportunities, she zeroed in on data processing, scanning, indexing and other
data and image related jobs as semi-skilled tasks performed well by physically
challenged people and medical/ legal/ business transcription by the visually
impaired. She has thus empowered her employees by not viewing their disability
as such, but as their strength for it makes them the best-suited to do a
particular job.
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"This company is not owned by Pavithra but by every
employee of Vindhya who made what it is today," says Pavithra.
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At the same time, she describes
the BPO sector as being free of gender-bias, and the job as being within the
physical stress and strain bearing capacity of a differently-abled person - an
essential characteristic to ensure continuity of employment and productivity.
This approach, coupled with her
reaching out to each employee by way of training in computer skills, typing
speed and English; and learning sign language herself to connect better with
her hearing impaired employees has created a strong feeling of ownership in her
employees. "This company is not owned by Pavithra but by every employee of
Vindhya who made it what it is today," says Pavithra. Naturally then, they
don't want to leave! Apparently, when the company provided accommodation near
the office, a couple of employees who had left the company came back. Further,
while the company has not needed to make any special arrangements for its
employees so far, that is to accommodate their disability, as the concern grows
and new staff are signed on, Vindhya is now establishing a new ground floor
office for its 100 percent disabled and visually impaired employees.
Vindhya holds its own amid cut-throat
competition
As a result of going the extra mile,
Vindhya enjoys almost zero percent attrition, at a time when many BPOs struggle
to retain employees. In fact, talk of a BPO and you usually conjure an image of
scores of employees working in shifts round the clock. In comparison, Vindhya
has grown from employing five to a hundred odd people, and aims to grow to 250
by mid 2008. Has its small size deterred its growth, profitability or bagging
illustrious clients?
Not really - as today, Vindhya
boasts of domestic and international clients, such as Wipro, Airtel, Titan and
FlatworldInc.
Pavithra attributes her company's
success to the dedication, focus and hard work of her employees - who she says
are not just as good as any employee but "better in every way" - and also to
the opening of the BPO sector to small players, as when signing on a BPO,
quality of service has taken precedence over size or capacity to process. This
has entailed a marketing strategy that emphasizes the delivery of quality,
while highlighting its USP - fidelity and humanity.
Expanding her team
This
changing market scenario has enabled Vindhya draw up ambitious growth plans.
The company is moving to a new location seating 400, which means Pavithra will
once again scour the Karnataka government's department for the disabled and
Enable India's (an NGO for differently-abled) office records for suitable
employees.
More
employees will mean changing the lives of many more differently-abled people,
and more laurels for Pavithra and Vindhya. Not to say that recognition has not
already been forthcoming. Alongside Intel, ITC Hotel The Windsor, Pepsico
(WEMU) and Reuters, in 2007 Vindhya e-Infomedia received the Shell Helen Keller
award for the best employer by the National Centre for Promotion of Employment
for Disabled People.
Receiving the award was a
memorable occasion, but as Pavithra shares, coming into the limelight increased
her sense of responsibility towards her team, and is inspiring her to live up
to their expectations. For Pavithra, the award also reminds her of her task
ahead, and of her pleasurable journey this far. Undoubtedly, she has come a
long way as a commerce graduate now studying to be a chartered accountant, who
simply wanted to help the less privileged.
Getting started with a little help
Looking back, she thanks her
husband Ashok Giri for her initial capital, and for his assistance in
conceptualizing the idea and making it a reality. Her brother Subbraju who
joined hands with her at a later stage also gave her financial assistance, and
a confidence boost.
Of course, eventually her success
is an echo of her own go-getter attitude. "I started my career with Vindhya and
have enjoyed every moment of it, be it tough or easy. I have a great team with
me who share the responsibility," she says. Her words reflect her belief in her
team, which really is what Vindhya e-Infomedia is all about.
 Charu Bahri is a
freelance writer and author of two books. She also writes funding grants and
software for a charity working in the health sector
Issue BG82 Jan08
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