Sundeep was thinking about the cards business. He was concerned that the new cards acquisition growth had not taken place in line with his expectations. His mind meandered to the insurance cross-sell tiff with Swami. All this while, some idiot was presenting on the BPO activities. Sundeep had not registered a thing. He was getting restless and upset on recalling his discussion with Swami.
And then, slowly but surely he broke into a devilish smile. He had found reason to be interested in the BPO business. For the next three hours he grilled the entire BOCA team on anything and everything about the business. When he got out of the BOCA presentation, he was convinced that this was a fuck all business.
BOCA requires someone from NYB to control it and run it, he thought as he was entering his office. He thought for some time and decided to send out an organisational announcement. Normally he would have called his secretary to dictate the message to her, but this was special. He had to do it himself.
After typing the message he thought for a second. Was he doing the right thing? Should he not first speak to the people who the message would impact? 'Fuck it,' he said to himself and pressed the send button on the screen.
Swami was in Chennai when this message reached the management committee of New York International Bank. The news spread like wildfire.
Swami was in a meeting with DBS developers, who were the leading developers in Chennai. His phone was on silent mode. It was a long meeting and lasted for over ninety minutes. They were discussing some complex financial deal. After the meeting when Swami came out and looked at the phone, he had twelve missed calls from Kalpana. He panicked. He immediately called her back. 'Swami, where are you? I have been trying to reach you for the last one hour.'
'What happened, Kalpana?'
'Haven't you checked your mail?'
'No.'
'Swami, there is a mail from Sundeep in your mailbox. See it and call me back. Right now.' There was panic in her voice, which told Swami that all was not well.
The moment Swami reached his office, he connected his laptop and opened his mailbox. There were forty-two unread messages. Most of them were normal mails. Or so it seemed till he reached the third last mail.
This was a mail from Sundeep on the acquisition of BOCA.
Friends,
As all of you are aware, we have today completed the acquisition of BOCA, which is a company into business process outsourcing in the banking and financial services industry. BOCA is a small company started eighteen months ago and has managed to get three key processes outsourced to it from New York International Bank in USA. We have completed this acquisition in line with our backward integration objectives.
This acquisition means a lot for the India business of New York International Bank. We will, over a period of time, transition most of our operations to this new company. BOCA will give us synergies in terms of cost efficiencies and technology. This company holds the key to our growth plans as we embark on a journey to become the largest financial services organisation in India.
Keeping in line with the criticality of this acquisition, we have made some key changes to the management structure in India.
Swaminathan, the current Head-Distribution, will move on as Managing Director of BOCA. He will be responsible for managing the integration of this business with our organisation. His vast experience will be completely stretched to ensure that we are able to manage this acquisition and derive the best value for our shareholders. His move will be with immediate effect. Akshay Bhalla, Vivek and Anindyo Roy will now report directly to me till such time that we announce a replacement for Swaminathan.
Please join me in wishing Swaminathan the best of luck in his new role.
Regards,
Sundeep
Swami couldn't believe it. He called Kalpana. 'What the hell is going on?' He sounded frustrated. He had been tolerating all the crap that Sundeep was throwing at him, but now it was getting too messy.
'Why don't you call Sundeep and ask him why he did this?' suggested Kalpana.
'No, I can't call him. It is very clear that he has done this intentionally. The least he could have done was call me before he sent out this mail. I don't think he can explain this, even if I call him.' The disappointment was pretty much evident in his voice. 'Anyway, I'll be back tonight. I'll talk to you then,' he said before disconnecting the call.
58
Swami was very disturbed. He couldn't fathom why things were going wrong for him ever since his return from America. The role which Sundeep had decided to move him to would befit someone five years his junior. He decided to make a call.
'Aditya,' said the voice at the other end.
'Hello Aditya, Swami here.'
'Hey man. How are you?'
'Not too good, Aditya.'
'I heard about the acquisition of BOCA and your move.'
'What do you think of it, Aditya? Why is Sundeep doing this to me? I haven't done anything to harm him.'
'Swami, let's meet up the day you return. We need to chat. Please do not do anything stupid before you speak to me,' Aditya knew Swami very well and was scared that he might quit in a huff.
'I'll be back tonight, Aditya,' said Swami.
'Then let's meet for breakfast at Taj Lands End tomorrow morning. Do not bring Kalpana with you.'
'Okay.'
He went to the airport and took a flight to Mumbai. He went home straight, as he did ,mnot want to meet or speak to anyone from the bank.
After his conversation with Swami, Aditya thought for a moment and then called another number.
'Aditya! What a pleasure!' It was Sundeep.
'Of course, Sundeep. How have you been?'
'I am doing great, Aditya. You seem to have vanished in thin air.'
'Just got a bit busy with my new venture. I called regarding something specific, Sundeep. Can we talk now or should we talk later?'
'Aditya, I'll drop everything I am doing to listen to what you have to say.'
'It's about BOCA, Sundeep.'
'What about it?'
'Sundeep, are you doing the right thing by moving Swami to the new company. I just heard about it.'
'Did Swami squeal to you, Aditya? Why can't he pick up the phone and speak to me, if he has a problem?' The irritation in his tone was very evident.
'No, I just heard about the mail you have sent out. My network is still active within your bank, Sundeep,' Aditya lied.
'Why would you think I am doing anything but the right thing?' Sundeep was not happy with the discussion.
'Aren't you being strangely vindictive with Swami? You are moving him to a role which even his juniors will not be willing to take,' Aditya asked him point blank, and Sundeep didn't like it one bit.
'Aditya, must I remind you that you are no longer with the bank?' Sundeep forgot for a moment that it was Aditya who made him what he was today. 'Concerning yourself with issues which are purely internal to the bank and hoping to be heard is very ambitious of you. Is there anything else you called me for? Else I need to go. I have people waiting for me.' Sundeep was really upset that Aditya had raised this with him.
Aditya was taken aback. He was deeply hurt and insulted and didn't know what to say. He decided to end this conversation and meet Swami the next day.
59
'Arre Hero.' Vivek turned when he heard someone calling him like this from behind. It was Sundeep. 'How is the month going?' Sundeep knew that it was a bad month for personal loans. Despite that he asked Vivek in full earshot of everyone. The intent clearly was to embarrass him. For him, Vivek was Swami's man. He was quite antagonistic towards him. Vivek knew that and tried his best to be professional in his approach, but he too was reaching his wit's end.
'Can be better, Sundeep. We have eight days to go for the month to end. Hopefully, we will achieve the desired numbers,' he said.
'Did your Mumbai guys screw up again?' asked Sundeep, raising his voice so that everyone around could hear him. He knew that Mumbai had not delivered on
their numbers in the previous month.
'They are struggling a bit, Sundeep. But we have done some changes and they will soon come up the curve,' argued Vivek.
'Rubbish. Yeh sab bakwas hai. Let's do a complete review of the Mumbai business. I want to meet your entire Mumbai sales team,' said Sundeep, 'I am free in the second half today. Please fix up a review meeting with them.'
'Sundeep, they won't be able to come at such a short notice.'
'They better come if they want to keep their jobs. Six p.m. sharp, in my room.' Sundeep walked away without waiting for Vivek's response.
Vivek along with his Mumbai sales team met Sundeep in his large room at six in the evening. Sundeep made them wait for over an hour before granting them an audience.
The Mumbai personal loans business for New York International Bank was going through some pressure. Mumbai was a tough market to begin with. It was also home to a few of the largest banks in India, and the competition was intense. It was difficult for any new business to do well in Mumbai, and the personal loans business was no exception.
The head of the Mumbai sales team was a guy called Jinesh Shah. He had worry writ all over his forehead as he entered Sundeep's room. His team members were in no better state. Vivek was also finding it difficult to wipe the wrinkles off his face. Sundeep was not known to be considerate and understanding.
The meeting was a tough one for Vivek's team. From the word go, Sundeep was ballistic. It was difficult for him to accept that Mumbai personal loans was not doing well, and the fact that Vivek was Swami's man complicated matters.
Vivek tried defending his team. 'Don't get into this pissing match with me,' Sundeep had thundered, shutting off Vivek for the rest of the evening. 'Why am I taking all this shit? Why don't I just quit and go?' The thought of quitting crossed Vivek's mind at one point during the meeting.
When the meeting showed no signs of ending at 9.30 p.m., Sundeep's secretary walked into the room. 'Sundeep, do you want anything else? I am leaving.'
'Just hold on. I will be with you in a minute,' said Sundeep, turning back his attention onto the Mumbai sales team. 'I am just stepping out for the next five minutes as I have some work with Reena. When I come back, I want commitments from each of you on what we can do in the next two months. Else none of you needs to come back to work tomorrow.' He left the room in a huff, leaving the sales team shattered. That was the way he was. However, in this case it was different. It had more to do with Swami than Vivek. Sundeep was becoming meaner by the day. Success had gone to his head.
As Sundeep stepped out, the entire sales team started whining. 'Don't worry, I am here,' said Vivek, but nobody believed him. Jinesh Shah was close to tears. Sundeep had torn his reputation and self-confidence to shreds. The fact was that he had slogged his butt out for the bank and here he was, standing and listening to all the crap from Sundeep.
Sundeep had gone out of his cabin to speak to Reena regarding his tickets to Delhi the next day. Most of the office was empty. People had left as it was well past nine. Only the personal loans team was staying back.
'That's a nice bag. Louis Vuitton? Original, or from a Bangkok street?' A nice sweet voice filled the background. He looked up. When he couldn't see anyone, he walked around the partition to the other side of the hall, from where the voice had emanated.
'Of course, original. It's a genuine Louis Vuitton. Hubby got it from London.' Yes, he knew this voice. It was Sneha. He knew it because he heard it almost everyday. The girl sat opposite his office. But this was not the voice he was looking for. Who was the other woman with Sneha? He could now see two shadows and hear a few giggles.
When he went completely round the partition, he was thrilled.
'Hi Karuna. What are you doing here? What brings you to Mumbai?' He was reminded of the Chennai episode, in which he nearly, well nearly got into bed with her.
The Chennai incident flashed through her mind and she was embarrassed. She didn't know whether Sundeep was standing at her door intentionally or if he had wandered there unknowingly.
'Hello S... Sir,' she stammered. 'I am here on a training.'
'That's great. What training is this?'
'It's the Fundamentals of Banking Compliance programme. I am here for a week. Today was the first day.'
'Oh, that's great. Where are you guys put up?'
'Sundeep, my mom stays here in Worli. I will be going there for the night.'
'Karuna, if you are around for some more time, see me before you go.' Sundeep's scheming mind had already gone to work.
'Sure, sir.'
Sundeep went back to join the personal loans team back in his room.
'Vivek.' He called out as he entered the room. 'I have a idea. Can I ask the others to step out of the room while we talk?' Everyone walked out, wondering what was on Sundeep's mind. Jinesh Shah was particularly worried. He knew that Sundeep didn't like him. He had taken on Ram Naresh when he was in Calcutta as a sales manager, by refusing to sign some frivolous bills of his. Naresh had taken it upon himself to screw his career. As far as the bills were concerned, Naresh got Kailash to sign them off for him.
But Jinesh had stuck on. He was still an Assistant Vice President, whereas almost all his batch mates had moved on to become Vice Presidents, despite him clearly being the best in his batch.
'Why can't we move out Jinesh and bring in Nitin from Chennai?' Sundeep dropped a bombshell. He saw this as an opportunity not to get Nitin to Mumbai, but an opportunity to move Karuna within striking distance.
'That will not be fair to Jinesh, Sundeep.'
'But Jinesh hasn't delivered. He has failed to grow in a growing market.'
'And we don't even know if Nitin would be willing to move to Mumbai. His wife too works. That will bring in additional complexity. And Jinesh is genuinely a good guy.' Vivek made a passionate plea.
'Look Vivek. Don't get emotional about people. Listen to me and get Nitin here. His wife works for us only. If we do not have any opening for her, I will make her my chief of staff. She can work in my office as my executive assistant.'
Now Vivek understood Sundeep's game. Sundeep was playing this entire game to get not Nitin but his wife Karuna to Mumbai. 'What a son of a bitch!' thought Vivek.
'And you don't worry about Jinesh. If he is so good, I have a role in mind for him. Government of India has given foreign banks an option of bringing in a capital of one hundred million dollars and set up a private bank subsidiary in India which will be at par with the local private banks. Let Jinesh do the project paper for this subsidiarisation project. If he does this well, I will make him in-charge of the roll out. As a start-up, I want to set up seventy-five branches in rural India. Let's see how good he is.'
Vivek knew the moment he said this that it was a made up project and was not going to take off.
'And I will talk to Nitin. You don't mention it to him.'
The discussion between the two of them lasted a few more minutes during which Sundeep checked Nitin's career record, his experience and level in the organisation hierarchy.
As Vivek left, he saw Karuna walking towards Sundeep's room, and he knew his inference was right. 'I wish my wife was also beautiful, I would have been the CEO,' he said to himself in jest and walked away.
60
'Hey sweetheart. You look stunning.' Sundeep was drooling as soon as Karuna entered his room. She was a indeed a bomb. She had an awesome figure and her clothes accentuated her contours. She looked gorgeous and stunning in an orange chiffon saree. 'Gravity defying sarees,' Sundeep thought. 'How do people manage to hold these five metres of cloth five inches below their navel,' he wondered.
'I am going to town for dinner. Do you want me to drop you?' asked Sundeep. His apartment was in Bandra, which was three miles from work. Peddar road was over ten miles in a different direction. The drive was his opportunity to have her all for himself.
By the time they went down the elevator, the car was in the driveway. A spanking new Mercedes E class sedan. Ash
ish Baruah was standing in the driveway along with a couple of others waiting for their cars when Sundeep and Karuna passed him.
Sundeep asked his driver to get off, gave him a hundred-bucks note, and asked him to find his way back home all by himself. He got into the driver's seat and Karuna into the seat beside it. This was the first time she had got into a Mercedes, and she was awestruck. One day I will also have such a car, she thought to herself.
'Today is Christmas. Santa Claus has just paid a visit to Sundeep's house.' Ashish Baruah looked at the guy standing next to him and grinned. Such was Sundeep's reputation. No one doubted his banking intellect, but it was this side of him that made people wonder how he got this far.
In the car, Sundeep looked at Karuna with lust in his eyes. She was too taken in by his stature and the car to really think about anything else.
'I am sorry about that night. I was just coming in to tell you that I was getting late and had to leave. The door was open and before I could turn back, you screamed. It was unintentional and I'm really sorry for the confusion.' Sundeep apologised for the Chennai incident.
'You are embarrassing me, sir. I should have ensured that the door was shut. As far as I am concerned it is a closed chapter.'
'Thanks for being so understanding,' said Sundeep as he lightly pressed her hand with his for a moment, before moving it back to the steering of his car.
'How do you like Chennai?' Sundeep asked her.
'It's a nice city, but not too good from a career perspective,' said Karuna. 'If you have to make a career in the banking industry, one has to be in Mumbai. This is where all the action is,' she said.
In one stroke she had made Sundeep's job easier. 'Is that why Nitin is still a manager and has not become an AVP?' he asked.
'The titles depend entirely on people like you, Sundeep.' Karuna was falling in his trap. And like a lion waiting in ambush for the poor deer, Sundeep was waiting.
If God Was A Banker Page 15