Beyond Balance Sheets

As each financial year draws to a close, we traditionally turn our attention to our company’s financial performance, scrutinizing both our revenue and profits to strategize for the upcoming year. For over twenty years, this ritual has been a cornerstone of our approach. However, the essence of what truly motivates us to come to work each day transcends the routine examination of figures and forecasts. Our journey from a modest company of 25 employees to a thriving enterprise of 150 staff members, spread across multiple cities, has been about more than just financial growth. Beyond the pages of our financial reports, we’ve uncovered the real magic that fuels our daily motivation. These are the personal stories and enduring bonds of our team members, many of whom have been with us for over two decades, playing a pivotal role in shaping the company we are today.

Anita became a valued member of our team 31 years ago at the age of 25. From the very beginning, her welcoming voice has been the first point of contact for anyone stepping into our office or reaching out over the phone. Through the years, Anita has continuously evolved in her role and now plays a crucial part in maintaining our financial health by ensuring timely collection of payments.

After completing his technical certification, Asif started with us as an apprentice. Over the past 30 years, he has not only become a proficient technician but also an adept administrator. Under his guidance, many have been trained and have flourished. Today, he holds the position of a Senior Supervisor within our team, embodying both leadership and expertise.

Chandrakant came on board as a technician at the young age of 23. Following a fortuitous encounter, we offered him an opportunity to explore a role in sales, promising that he could return to his previous position if it didn’t suit him. Now, 27 years later, he leads as the Sales Manager of our Small Equipment Division, a testament to his adaptability and success in the field.

Twenty-seven years ago, Omprakash started with us as a temporary computer operator. We’ve always seen potential in him, perhaps even more than he saw in himself. Embracing every task with unquestioning commitment, he’s proven to be an exceptionally quick learner, adept at navigating through changes seamlessly. Today, as our Commercial Manager, he oversees all aspects of commodity procurement and personnel administration, showcasing a unique blend of skills that transcends traditional management structures.

Kshama became part of our team at the age of 22. Reflecting on her early records brings a smile, especially when reading the constructive feedback from her seniors on areas for improvement. Today, she stands as one of our most senior accountants, illustrating a 25 year journey of remarkable growth and development.

Ketan started with us at the age of 22, initially overseeing administrative duties. Over time, he embraced various roles across sales, service, and administration. Currently, having been with us for 23 years ,he excels as a Senior Onboarding Specialist within our technology venture, showcasing his versatile skill set and adaptability.

Vishwas came aboard as an office assistant 22 years ago. In his initial days, he utilized his spare moments to assist colleagues with their administrative tasks, often lending a hand in data entry as well. His eagerness and capability quickly caught our attention, leading us to present him with more challenging roles. Today, he stands as one of our pivotal customer service executives, a testament to his growth and dedication.

Shakil Farooqui has dedicated over 19 years to our team as a technician. Though he contemplated moving on at various points, he ultimately decided to remain with us. Today, he is an integral part of our service center, valued for his expertise and commitment.

Jaydas has been a steadfast member of our team for 19 years. Throughout the challenging times of COVID-19, he stood out as a frontline technician, proactively engaging with our customers. Choosing to prioritize work over personal comfort, he stayed at critical sites away from home. His dedication and resilience were a source of inspiration for all of us, helping us navigate through the tough circumstances brought on by the pandemic.

Rajendra became part of our team 19 years ago, following the acquisition of his previous organization. Initially, there were doubts about how well individuals from that team would integrate into our technology-driven culture, with its emphasis on systems and processes. Contrary to those expectations, Rajendra has not only adapted but also thrived. Today, he is among our most seasoned technicians, embodying the successful melding of diverse work cultures.

Nineteen years ago, Anwar came to us through the acquisition of a company within our industry. At that time, we had reservations about whether the new team members would stay long-term or adapt to our culture, which heavily emphasizes technology-driven systems and processes. Contrary to those initial doubts, Anwar has not only embraced our work environment but has also excelled within it. Currently, he holds the position of Senior Supervisor in our refrigeration team, exemplifying successful adaptation and growth.

Santosh came to us from a company we acquired and quickly became our go-to person during the COVID-19 crisis, thanks to his residence’s close proximity to our office. Serving as a steadfast anchor through those turbulent times, he has been with our company for 18 years. Today, Santosh holds the position of a senior accountant, showcasing his dedication and resilience over the years.

Ramesh joined us 18 years ago as part of a team from a company we acquired. Over the years, he has significantly contributed to our growth and now serves as one of the key executives in our services business.

Vishwanth became part of our team through an acquisition, stepping into an environment with a markedly different working culture. Over the past 18 years with our company, he has not only embraced this new culture but has also earned his technical certification while on the job. Throughout his tenure, Vishwanth has matured into a seasoned technician, demonstrating remarkable professional growth and a significant deepening of his expertise.

Reflecting on the last 20-years of our journey, we’ve gleaned several key insights:

1. While performance is often the main criterion for rewards in most organizations, traditional appraisal systems might not fully recognize the latent talents within individuals. Small businesses, with their agility, have a unique advantage in identifying, nurturing, and leveraging these hidden skills.
2. The prevalent belief that rapid career advancement necessitates frequent job changes is challenged by our experience. Our 14 success stories illustrate that individuals can not only advance but also discover and harness their unique, untapped talents within a supportive ecosystem.
3. Our workforce has expanded sevenfold over the past two decades. Although many have moved on, a review of their current positions reveals that they continue to thrive in their careers. This suggests that something about our environment at Nova inherently supports and fosters talent growth.
4. Many of my peers in small and medium-sized enterprises view HR as a challenge. However, we believe that no organization is too small to make a significant impact. The potential to change lives is what makes coming to work exciting every day. It’s this purpose—transforming lives—that fuels our passion and drives our company’s growth.