CABIN CHRONICLES
… how their lives changed (or
didn't) when they made the big shift from a cubicle to a cabin
For most of us in the
corporate world, the transition from a cubicle to a cabin marks a significant
milestone in our careers. It symbolises the move from being a follower to a
leader; implementing to strategising and, most importantly, it means “you've
arrived“. So, it's inevitable that life changes in more ways than one.
MAKING THE TRANSITION
Susir Kumar, CEO, Serco
Global Services moved into a cabin when he became the general manager and
company secretary at HDFC, a stage in his professional life where he took on
greater responsibilities and tasks at work, most of which required a lot of
planning and strategising. “The biggest advantage of having a cabin is that it
allows you peace and quiet to think and strategise without distractions which
is a blessing when you have a crucial task at hand. I wouldn't say my life at
work changed completely, but my cabin did bring in difference by giving me a
comfortable space that helped me focus better on my tasks,“ says Kumar.
Bhavin Turakhia, founder
and CEO, Directi started his company in his own kitchen. From this `kitchen
cabin', he has now moved to a conventional cabin. “I have been used to working
in a cabin right from the start (kitchen cabin to begin with). However, my
current cabin is very essential for me when in office. It is meticulously
designed to help me multitask with increased productivity and houses the latest
technology to keep me connected with my teams across offices in different
countries.It serves as my base camp where I meet people, have brainstorming
sessions with teams, or even pull out of everything to spend time on macro
level ideas,“ he says.
CONFIDENTIALITY MATTERS
When it comes to
confidentiality, a part and parcel of roles higher up in the organisation,
cabins are a must have. Harshil Mehta, CEO, DHFL quotes from his own
experience, “The transition from a cubicle to cabin came to me with added
responsibilities, decisionmaking powers, higher expectations and, of course,
ambitious goals and targets.Cabins usually give you the added privacy to carry
out your day-to-day work, a space to deal with confidential issues and a window
for more focused thinking. As time management becomes crucial with additional
responsibilities, a cabin helps you concentrate even better for ensuring
sustained growth.“
CABINS VS CUBICLES
R Venkataraman, group MD,
IIFL began his stint as a copromoter at IIFL in a cubicle-cum-cabin. As the
office expanded, he moved into a cabin of his own. And by his own admission, he
enjoys the design and aesthetics of his current cabin. “For me, doing team
meetings in my cabin keeps me better equipped with all the data and resources
needed for multiple departments. Having a cabin not just saves precious time in
between meetings, but also improves efficiency and keeps me available at my
place for any unexpected work which is the norm in our industry.From experience
I can say, much of the innovative ideas were conceived in one-on-one or small
group level brain-storming sessions in my cabin,“ he says.
VIP TREATMENT
At least in the initial
days, people tend to see you differently once you move into a cabin. It's as
though there is an invisible aura of seniority and privilege around you.And the
folks in the cubicles cannot help, but treat you like you're better than them,
right? But ultimately, it's better to be respected than be treated `special'.
“I think when you move to a cabin, some may perceive this as a hindrance to
collaboration or reaching out to a leader, which is why it's very important to
have an open door policy and ensure you continue to regularly connect and
engage with your col eagues. Even though I have a cabin, I make sure that I
regularly meet with my team and participate in as many engagement activities on
the floor as possible,“ says Ravikumar Sreedharan, managing director, Unisys
India.
Just like a larger house
allows you more room to express yourself and leave a mark, a cabin marks a com
ng-of-age period in every professional's career.
|
Ankita Shreeram
|
ETAS26JAN16
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