Chairman’s Message

T S Kaladharan
Nowadays many companies spend a considerable amount of money, on motivational activities, for their employees. But does anyone take stock of the results, which follow, after such programmes? How much has anyone really benefitted? These are not my questions but ones that
I recently heard from one of my friends who leads a large work force, of around 500 people, in India. If you ponder on this, to what extent do you feel that what he said is correct? Is the concept of motivational projects losing appeal?
I believe that it all depends on how a company encourages its staff to talk with each other. This applies not only at work but also in our family and social lives. Emails and texting have replaced many opportunities to talk. Even during lunch-breaks many are hunched over their mobiles, interacting with social media, in preference to talking. It is obvious to me that you cannot realistically build on the benefits of motivational ventures if we do not talk with each other. Of course, just like other means of communication, I am mindful that actions speak louder than words.
Nevertheless the greatest motivation lies in the, sometimes magical, results arising from talking to each other. Within CSS I have always desired an environment where we are all encouraged to talk with each other, regardless of our position within the company, because great ideas may spring from the smallest seed. To achieve the best motivational results one needs to balance the art of talking with the skill of listening. An observer recently made a comment about Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth saying that her greatest skill, when talking with others, was to always listen intently. Taking on board such a combination I am confident that we will be motivated in an effectively beneficial way.
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The 20th anniversary celebrations of CSS Group were an auspicious tribute to everyone who contributed to our success. The achievements of CSS have been accomplished through the cooperation of our agents, associates and most importantly our own staff. The boundless feeling of togetherness, that we all embraced during the celebrations, will undoubtedly carry us forward to greater accomplishments and larger rewards.

Budget meetings invariably provide a welcome opportunity to stimulate invigorating discussions and ideas. The recent budget meeting in Kerala was no exception. Everyone was happy to recognise that the Indian team were doing a commendable job which reflected positively in the budget figures. I join with others in wishing them more success in the future. However; I was a little bemused by the latest news about the Indian economic and trade scenario. On one hand, all the major Indian newspapers were frequently mentioning the infrastructure shortcomings, especially in relation to the shipping and logistic sectors. Whereas on the other hand, Indian exports are showing optimistic trends. But this apparent disparity highlights the need for immediate attention being given to sustaining and developing infrastructure within India’s dynamic democracy. Whilst the fall in the value of the rupee has brought challenges, there have still been creditable export volumes in items such as foodstuffs and pharmaceuticals. However; far reaching measures are called for in order to improve the country’s infrastructure including ports, roads and supply chain facilities. This will enable continuing growth within our industry. I am confident that India will, “cruise the adverse currents,” and very soon shine brighter than before. I also have great confidence in CSS India, safe in the knowledge that they will achieve even more flourishing accomplishments in the years ahead. My best wishes to them.
A recent study reveals that we may solve other people’s problems easily, but at the same time find it somewhat difficult to determine our own. It is therefore little wonder that sometimes we have a feeling that the human character is very strange. Everybody, to some degree, is interested in each other’s life. Or, to put it more precisely, everyone is eager about fine tuning other’s life and career. Taking advantage of these facts has meant that the last decade has seen an alarming increase in the number of motivational speakers and trainers in our society. Does anybody actually gain from such speaking discourses? It is probably not as much as some imagine, especially as I believe that nobody can realistically motivate another person. These speakers and trainers can only “inspire”, with their words and deeds. Motivation has to come from with-in, “self- motivation”. Those who get motivated from within can only succeed in life. They are driven by an indomitable spirit.
I am extremely happy to announce the commencement of CSS operations from one of the most beautiful parts of this globe, the Maldives. This will be the 09th CSS office in the Sub-continent region. I am sure that this is a moment of pride for everyone.