SATISH SEKRI
Managing Director,
Kalyani Brakes Limited, PUNE.

An interview was conducted with Mr. Satish Sekhri, Managing Director of Kalyani Brakes Ltd.,
Pune. Kalyani Brakes is a Joint Venture between Robert Bosch of Germany and Kalyani Group
of India. It is an Automotive Component Company engaged in the manufacture of Brake systems.
The interview provided some insights into the improvements of internal communication at all
levels. Mr. Sekhri's experience relates to all levels in the organization from the work force to the
managerial. Few comments and observations made during the interview with Mr. Sekhri are
re-produced below :

(A) Like many other things, communication also could be divided in three categories of
vital, essential and desirable. It is natural that lot of attention needs to be given to the
vital category since it could otherwise be disastrous for many organization. At the same
time, some standard operating procedures will fall in desirable category since a less
effective communication and will not create a collapse of the system.

Internal communication flows both ways i.e. top to bottom and bottom upwards.

(B) Business plans - In KBX, internal communication relating to the business plan is considered
vital. The company has a well structured business plan which is communicated to all
levels in the organization. The process of preparing business plan is bottom up sequence
and starts about four months before the start of a year. Typically, it goes through three to
four re-interactions. The final version, approved by the Board, is then communicated from
top to bottom in a well structured written format.

(C) Policies and procedures - These are generally relating to HR, administration rules,
regulations and procedures. Communication is from the concerned departments to the
affected departments.

(D) Methods - Usually two methods of communication are used. The first one is through
"intranet". This however, does not reach 100% population. Hence often written circulars and
Notice Boards are used for large scale information dissemination.

(E) New entrants - Communication regarding company's business plans, policies and
culture is very important for the new entrants. Here again, the start up members
need to be given more and elaborate communication to generate comfort in their
mind since they are entering corporate world for the first time.

(F) Vision statement - Mr. Sekhri emphasized importance of vision, mission and objectives
in any organization. These help create a cohesive group with all members deploying
their effort in common direction.

However, Mr. Sekhri pointed out some pit falls in this process. Vision statements of some
organizations have a major disconnect from their actual plans and actions. Such
statements do more harm than good. If an organization has not yet firmed up its plan
and strategy, it is better to refrain from issuing fancy statements. Mr. Sekhri
cited an example where a public utility organization in India floated tenders
amongst advertising agencies to write vision statement for the organization. Such
attempts can be disastrous.

(G) With best of intentions and efforts, the right communication fails to reach 15 to 20%
of the population. Organization should keep striving for perfection in this area.
Training workshops should be held in improving effectiveness of communications.