What stops us getting accurate details ?

An incedence at the Drinktek, Delhi

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Recently, I met an aspiring entrepreneur, who is willing to start Natural Mineral Water at his own place in the Uttarakhand. He does follow my YouTube channel. He was very prompt to even meet me at the Delhi Drink Technology Exhibition. In the very short time which was available, we discussed about his water source and next steps to follow. I suggested him the steps. He took the logical course of action correctly, however lacked the exact details about product and the standard details. Standard meaning, those set by the regulators.

Another one of those many incidences occurred when an existing plant owner asking me remedies about the water quality. Having started a plant, he should be having a properly graduated person who understands water quality. One more source is the Plant Supplier, from whom he procured machinery from. Most of the times, entrepreneurs overlook the technical aspects of the plant and hurriedly place orders with wrong set of suppliers. 

The importance of getting prior business knowledge

 
As a business owner, you are not expected to have detailed knowledge of the design details, but should know these basics like what are the standards to follow, who are the regulators, and how to appoint vendors, the key factors to look into. You can get this from the internet, or visiting places, exhibitions. Also look for trainings if available. This mindset is important.

 

Why entrepreneurs skip this major step

They don't skip. They think that they are doing the right thing. Majority of the "would be business owners" do their own DIY, and somehow are very excited to see the machines on floor, not just on the screen. And they love to visit places too ( including me ). Hence they start visiting existing plants, machinery suppliers from across the country. At each step their thinking space gets infected by foreign thoughts. Having met a supplier who has installed 100s of projects, they get impressed and unconsciously start following their advice. Similarly, they also follow the advices of existing plant owners. 

Take as opinions, not advices

No harm meeting and talking to people, however, beware that these are not the ones who will be responsible for your ROCE Return on Capital Employed. Profits in other words. 

Hence take information. Seperate advice from the core discussions. But don't make judgements, decisions from that.

Maximum Mistakes Occur Here

This is the most critical point, which can turn the game upside down. Hence as a business owner, you also need to develop this gene. Visiting and meeting people will help you to check ground realities. But keep them as reference material. 

What Should be the Logical Course of Action ?

Divide your Project Time into Phases, and allocate Milestones for each one. 

1. First will be the Do / Not to Do Phase. Allow yourself to completely abandon your Project Idea, if it doesn't suit you ( For any reason ). There is no shame in cancelling a course of action. Rather it's better if you look at your whole life.
2. Second will be ( if you decide to go ahead ) is stating your business idea & getting it validated, to allocate resources.
3. Third Phase is arranging resources.
4. Forth is the real Execution before Launch.
5. Fifth will be the gestation ( Intial runs of the new business )
6. Last will be to streamline the operations

Take Help of a Mentor

This is very important and necessary. The mentor ideally should be an experienced fellow, who has seen life as a whole. And having run a business, and a background of Mentoring.

My Thought process on my Mentoring Service

I also work as mentor ( only for bottled water business ). I personally think that every entrepreneur should take it for long term, at least for 3 years. I also don't share revenues with the suppliers/agencies to dedicate my attention to my client. Phase-wise, the mentoring 1-1 calls vary. For instance, Active, more frequent calls are necessary during the "Exection" & "Gestation" phase. Otherwise lesser are sufficient. You can contact by dropping a mail to mineralwaterpune@gmail.com.

" He Cheated Me " ......ⓧⓧⓧ

We have a habit to blame it on someone else, and so it happens with Bottled Water Plant Owners as well. Usually they blame it on the Machinery Suppliers, Turnkey Contractors, when they are struggling with their plant. On the surface they may be right, but who has appointed them ? They only, is it not ? So the whole culprit is the Owner Him/Herself. Don't blame the contractor. That's the first thing they should do. Then the recovery may start.

Is it not a Fact ?

The contractor might have supplied/suggested you incorrect set of equipment. It may be a fact. However, have you analyzed the process of how you appointed him ? You will find that you have appointed him without much due dilligence & proper education. And nowadays, everyone thinks he knows all, by virtue of the AI. Please read an article about the DIY trap.

So, How do I bring back my loss making unit into profits ?

1. First, analyze the exact amount of loss for a period.
2. Factors : Less Sales, No Liquidity ... what is it ?
3. Innovate with newer customer segments
4. Get rid of expensive Capex-Opex Items
5. Monitor Continuously

Looks Simple, Is it really ?

It is. However, getting detatched is more challenging. But you need to take it rationally. You can look at a Video in Hindi on my Channel

Respecting Compliances

​Years back I had a client who used to fill coconut oil bottles. Sometimes the govt authorities used to visit his setup and used to inform him about the changes he would require in his setup with reference to the connecting law or legislations.

He never used to complain and take it assertively.

They help me standardise my business for larger scale. 

This was his approach, attitude towards this.

After nearly 25 years of that, when I watch business owners trying escaping or smartly manouvering what's said in law, I truly start thinking to seriously teach them SWADHARMA. Every business owner's first school of thoughts should be

What value am I trying to create for my consumers 

Am I making their lives better than earlier 

And this whole school of thoughts automatically houses honouring all compliances. Then why businesses Dodge it away ? And it doesn't anyway make any sense in smartly cheating the regulators. It's very likely that you'll be caught one day and price can be too heavy to withstand. 

Look at the very recent case of the Baroda Black Water case. Since 2018 they were producing black water by dodging BIS and FSSAI. Now, in 2026, rules have tweaked, the business was raided and a great level of embarrassment alongwith heavy fines, and dropping off brand image.

The issue is the chalta hai or kar lenge or ye India hai belief deep rooted

When I talk with my clients, they still don't seem too bother. They take FSSAI is one of those other Licenses still. I don't know whether India is changing or not, but know for sure that the business owner needs to change.

Why Visit Exhibitions & Conferences ?

Attending Events is a Major Activity for Me

You might be getting many emails on Exhibitions, or through Social Media. I do visit various exhibitions throughout the year. Various people have various opinions on this. However, I choose to visit the most important ones pertaining to my chief interest : Bottled Water Business. And last many years, I usually do not miss some exhibitions in India, like :-

1. Drink Tek ( Mumbai/Delhi) : Focused on Beverages : Technological
2. Anuga ( Mumbai ) : Focused on Food & Beverage : What's Happening
3. Water Today ( Chennai ) : Focused on Water Treatment & connected Tech
4. Packaging Exhibitions : Selected ones

In addition, I usually try to visit every exhibition ( connected to subject ) in Pune, as I stay here. I also attend a lot of "Paid" conferences ( suiting to my pocket 😉 ). I am , being a member of MCCIA, also get opportunity to attend Online/Offline events in Pune. I do attend Bank's Sessions, Sustainability Seminars, Finance Workshops & Delegations from Other countries.

Why Do I Attend ? What is the Philosophy ?

It's NOT for "Networking" frankly. Though Network is a bi-product of such events, no doubt. I also have got a couple of leads from such events; however, I strictly restrict & remind myself for not making this, a chief purpose. I often see people strive to make connections with the chief guests in the Seminars. 

I will try to summarise why I attend :-

• It excites me to visit exhibitions, the ambience, the positivity in the environment
• It also excites me to meet new people, listen to them at their stalls, conferences.
• Great place to see what's new in the market
• Usually, the stall holders don't hesitate to share information, It may be readily available at their stalls, displays; which is usually very difficult.
• You might meet the owners, decision makers, some people re-connect.
• I get my Raw Material, the 1st hand information, which helps me in handling/overcoming my customer's challenges.
• Many stall holders are the potential partners for me, in the journey.

Getting Views of Key Persons from Industry

A Senior Professional for Multi-National Brand

Sr Professional in Sustanibility

We do get an opportunity to meet the Industry leaders post conference, and I do ask them specific questions on which I can source answers in public or in 1-1 

Should You Visit too ? 

If your time permits, you should. Make a provision in your annual budget & Time-Table, but do visit, it's 100 % useful.