My biggest learning in a 30-minute meeting with late Shri R K Krishna Kumar (KK), Tata Group veteran: Yesudas S Pillai

A pleasant, very interesting and a vivid memory flashed in front of me when I was reading the news of the sad demise of KK sir. 

The incident dates back some 30 years, perhaps around the time when KK sir became the MD of Tata Tea and I was a young trainee in daCunha Associates, the agency handling Tata Tea. All agencies then were full service set up. Media, of course, was an integral function within the ecosystem. 

The agency had to get KK sir’s final approval on a very ambitious ad film. He was in Coonoor and Ms. Rekha Kalekar, Director of the agency had flown down to present the film to him. A day before the presentation the agency received certain feedback from the brand team, which had to be incorporated in the film. The kind of current technologies didn’t exist then.  

Mr T N Ravindran (TNR) Director Media (he was surely my launch pad into the world of advertising) was anyway scheduled to go to Coonoor the next morning to discuss the media options and a decision was arrived at that he would carry the revised tape too. But on account of some other emergency, TNR had to cancel the trip and to my utter shock and surprise he asked me to travel to Coimbatore with the tape and he trained me on what exactly to say about the media options. 

I think Mr. Raj Dalvi, the account lead on Tata Tea under the guidance of Mr. Bharat Dabholkar, Director, daCunha Associates, worked with the editing studio and managed to change whatever was possible, but some parts were left for me to explain. 

Interestingly, it was also my first flight journey ever. Coming from a very humble middle-class background, all of this was very exhilarating for me. While I considered it a big opportunity coming to me at the very beginning of my career, I was equally nervous too, considering the people I was going to interact with. 

I spent the whole night learning good vocabulary and practicing my presentation before the mirror. The Air India flight was at 5 AM to Coimbatore. I got ready, pulling out my best shirt, trouser and tie (used a million times before and from the limited few I owned). A light blue trouser, white shirt, thinly stripped in blue, and a grey tie. Doubt it even went well together. Reached the airport well before time. The decision of Ms Kalekar to come to the airport to pick me up and drive to Coonoor so that I could explain everything to her during the drive, was a humbling experience. Starry-eyed youngsters like me who were determined to make a place in the industry used to look at the achievers with a lot of awe. 

She made me very comfortable in the car, perhaps noticing my nervousness, enquired about my family and then about the topic. I handed her the tape and explained everything I could to her properly. 

We reached the Coonoor club and were greeted by KK sir. A TV and VHS player were set up for the film to be presented. Ms Kalekar introduced me to him and presented the film. At a particular point, she asked me to explain how the film will eventually look. I think there were a few nervous jerks in my presentation. 

I was thanking my stars while sipping the tea, which he had himself poured for us. He made 2-3 very intelligent and prudent observations about the film and gave a go ahead. Brief discussions about the media budget and the meeting ended. He took time to ask me some personal questions and made me completely at ease. I left the meeting with a learning that whatever you achieve or wherever you go, deal with others as equal humans first.  Although I haven’t had other opportunities of interacting with him post that, in hindsight I should have perhaps told him what a great human being he was and how he inspired me, as a starry-eyed youngster who was about to start his career. Rest in peace sir. You will be missed by many. 

(The author, Yesudas S Pillai, is the Founder and CEO of Y&A Transformation and Strategic Advisor for Mathrubhumi Group. Views expressed are personal.)