7 Corporate lessons I learnt from our house help
Since I was in 2nd grade, Suman Mavshi helps out with dishes at my parent’s home. 2nd grade, I was in primary. I passed primary, secondary, junior college, became an engineer, started job, changed countries, graduated with masters, got married, returned back to India and all this while, Suman Mavshi is the constant at our home. And not just that, she even looks the same.
There are so many lessons I have learnt from her. Today, I share them with you.
Going the extra mile
Let me tell you a story about how she first started working at our home. My mom did not have any house help for years. Our neighbor aunty encouraged my mom to have a house help for some chores at least. Then we had a lady come over and help with dishes after lunch. One time she went on leave and asked Suman Mavshi to cover for her. Suman Mavshi came in. She not just did the basic that was expected out of her, but she also went the extra mile and cleaned the kitchen counter too. Impressed by that gesture, aunties in our building decided to continue with Suman Mavshi as a house help.
And it was not just those few days that Suman Mavshi cleaned the kitchen counter, till date she continues to do so.
Work Ethic
Though there is no formal leave agreement with the house help staff, most of the times, it is seen that there are unannounced leaves and a lot of them. But with Suman Mavshi things are different. She hardly takes leaves. In case she has to take a leave she informs well in advance. If she is not available, she also makes sure, someone can cover up for her.
Being flexible to accommodate changes
Suman Mavshi is very in demand in our housing complex and her day is tightly packed with all her client’s appointments throughout the day. But in case someone wants to travel out of town, is expecting guests, or wants a temporary change in timings, she accommodates them. All that without a calendar or a scheduler. I have seen her start her work as early as 5:30AM or 6:00AM to accommodate her client’s last minute changes.
Client Loyalty
Suman Mavshi’s client’s trust her so much that many of her overseas and out of town clients leave their bunglow keys with her. She is very trustworthy and in case of any events or functions, everyone wants her around because they know she can be trusted blindly.
But her loyalty is not limited to that.
On one of my trips home, I was chatting with Suman Mavshi while having lunch. My mom had told me that she has got offers from client’s who are willing to pay her a lot of money (more than she makes a month), but they want her to just work for them and that too just baby sitting.
I asked her why she is not taking that offer. Her answer taught me a lesson.
She said, “How can I say no to all my clients for whom I have worked for decades just because I am getting a high paying job offer ?”
Networking
Suman Mavshi has used her client base to help her friends and family. She has found employments for most of her sisters. Also, she found part time jobs for her sons as drivers while she also paid for their education. In case of medical emergencies or legal emergencies, her client’s were more than happy to either help out directly or refer her to someone with specific skills in their network.
Financial planning
Through years of house help work and financial planning, Suman Mavshi bought herself a 2 BHK flat in a good locality in Pune. Ever since the beginning, I have heard her talk about saving money and joining high amount kitty groups to make sure money is save and wisely used.
Compensation at par
With inflation, the price for the house help services too increase year over year. In one of my conversations with her, she told me she left a few of her clients as they did not adjust her salary. I really liked the practical decision she took and did not settle for a compensation lesser than she deserves.
Suman Mavshi holds almost a celebrity status in our housing society. Everyone keeps on telling her to get a cellphone, but she is hesitant as it will keep on buzzing.
There is so much I have learnt by just observing her over the years. As of today, Suman Mavshi is 60+, and has no plans of retiring soon. She is a workaholic to the core, and I am not sure I want to learn that part from her.
