| Maharaj welcomed Tenali with pride. “Our targets are clear,” he said. “Turnover must grow 25%. Margin must improve. We must become market leaders.” Tenali listened quietly. He walked through the shop floor. Five product lines. Machines changing setups frequently. Dispatch team under pressure. Purchase team juggling vendors. Tenali asked, “Maharaj… what is your vision?” Maharaj replied confidently, “To grow. To increase margin. To lead the market.” Tenali smiled. “That is ambition, Maharaj. Not vision.” Silence filled the room. Tenali picked up a component. “When every order looks attractive… when every industry seems important… when every expansion feels logical… Then your factory is reacting. Not directing.” Maharaj frowned. “But growth is good, is it not?” Tenali nodded. “Growth without direction is like a bull running in an open field. Energy is high. Direction is missing.” He drew two columns on a whiteboard. 1. Random Growth 2. Focused Growth “In random growth,” Tenali explained, “capacity strains, working capital stretches, complexity increases, margin thins quietly. In focused growth, systems align, machines specialise, people master processes, profit stabilises.” Maharaj leaned forward. “So what is true vision?” Tenali replied calmly: “Vision answers three questions: Whom will we serve? What will we excel at? What will we refuse?” He continued: “Mission then defines daily discipline — quality standard, lead time promise, process rigor.” He looked directly at Maharaj. “Vision narrows the road. Mission strengthens the steps.” Tenali’s Takeaway: A factory with targets is busy. A factory with vision is powerful. Maharaj, are you growing by design… or merely chasing opportunity? |
The Factory without Direction
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