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.

A Stitch in Time saves Nine

While buying machinery, for plant, I have seen many entrepreneurs prefer to buy from a Single Source : A "Turn-Key" supplier. And the reason is very obvious : It makes their lives very easy. The Turn-Key supplier, will do all the hard hitting on his own & present you a completely "Done for You" kind of Plant.

In exchange they typically may charge little more compared to the price you get from Individual Machine supplier. And this looks perfectly fair.

The problem lies somewhere else & often unseen by an entrepreneur

The problem is not "Money"; It's "Control". As you have hired him for the complete job, it's he, not you who is responsible for individual machinery co-ordination, quality control etc. So indirectly it's Not In Your Control. 

See... It's YOU, the business owner, who will be RUNNING the business for 10-20-30 years, not the supplier. 

His profit comes after a Sale is done ( of machinery ) however, you will have to wait for a couple of years, for seeing the first annual profit figure in your financials.

For you to generate profit, you require smooth operations. And in this, the machinery plays vital role. Normally, the Turnkey fellows don't disclose their sources before you buy from them, and this makes your choice difficult. Instead they attract you by 2-3 typical ways :-

• Attracting you with their "Experience" of handling 100s of projects
• Pitching you with attractive discounted prices
• Offering you Free ( or very cheap rates ) consultation for project

And here, an entrepreneur makes a mistake. Now, what ?

1. He/she buys the plant
2. Starts production
3. While running starts facing uncontrollable technical difficulties
4. Experiences support gaps from the turnkey fellow
5. Delays profit

I have seen many of the business owners have learnt the machinery basics on their own AFTER facing these issues. Then, why not do it from the beginning itself ?

It's the shift of the State of Mind. Thinking like a Business Owner.

• Do the contemplation & knowledge gathering in your specially allocated Learning Time, but while continuing your existing occupation. Don't run by Deadlines, but with an approximated span like in 3 months I will be expected to learn the basics of this business. 
• Don't panic if this Expected Date goes a little further. Your project hasn't commenced yet. You are building a solid foundation, assure yourself.
• Don't start visiting places. I've seen people have a fancy to go to suppliers, watching the machines, and coming to me saying "I've decided to go with a 120BPM Plant". This is often a result of getting impressed by the FREE advice suppliers offer you.
• Often, the process is not sexy. It's boring.Whenever the boredum arises, do something else. Go to Nature. Improve self talk. Assure yourself, that You are Building a Business. And that you are taking very right steps.

You need to build some anchors here... like :-

    A Stitch in Time saves Nine

which means that if I do this now ( which I was avoiding ) it will save me tremendous time, effort & money in future.

The wrong way of D.I.Y.

I always meet entrepreneurs who are in process of setting up their Bottled Water Plants. Many of them, have already gone ahead with the construction. I don't say ( I can't say without seeing ) if the sheds are correct or not. But most of the times either they are too small, or too huge. Then, as an entrepreneur myself, I thought of analysing exactly what must be going in his/her mind ? 

Why do I need to analyse this ?

Because I have seen many ( most ) have realized that their calculations are wrong. And those, who haven't realized; either they are building in a right way OR may not be aware of this factor. This can be a costly mistake.

So, exactly "why" he/she thinks this way ?

1. "I know how to do this" :- He/she typically talks about the construction, which looks like a simple Fabricated Shed. And it is. But the domensions ? They matter a lot. And they can be only decided after giving a detailed thought to machinery & overall business planning.
2. There may be an existing shed on the piece of land. However, it may be smaller/ Larger for your bottled water enterprise. Again the mind talks "I will rectify some part & use the same, save money, smart businessman".
3. To support these, there is ample of "Youtube" Knowledge. They think, they will observe these videos and observe a couple of running plants of freinds, and "smartly" do on their own.
4. They start on "Indiamart" to get quotes. The suppliers start pushing you hard & offer FREE ( Cheap ) advice in anticipation of getting a sale in exchange of this. They also make an impression on you not to spend on getting trained or pay for consultancy, as they have supplied 100s of plants. So you too being smart, save unnecessory ( 😬 ) money.

So, Which is the Right Way ?

• Is DIY wrong ? NO. That's the right ✔️ way.
• Collect Information, but then consult an expert.
• If possible, hire a separate consultant, not a Turn-Key supplier

The "Salary Trap" vs. The Asset Mindset

Lab Technician Salary: A Liability or a Hidden Profit Asset? 

The Problem: I recently encountered a plant owner struggling with a common dilemma: "FSSAI rules have changed. Why keep an in-house lab? I want to save on the technician's salary."

This is Short-Term Thinking. It’s looking at a "Cost Center" instead of a "Profit Center."

The Shift: 

Why it’s an Investment ?

A Lab Technician isn't just a payroll entry; they are your QA Leader.

• The Result: High-compliance allows you to pitch to MNCs, IT Parks, and Five-Star Hotels.

• The Math: These high-paying clients offer better margins. This directly boosts your Operating Profit and your Net Profit (NP). Your ROI isn't found in saving a salary; it's found in winning a 12-month corporate contract.

The Solution: Handling the Overheads 

If the monthly cash flow feels tight, don’t cut the "Soul" of your business. 

Manage the finance better:

• Working Capital: Use an added Working Capital limit to cover these essential "Quality" overheads.

• TReDS Platform: Use the TReDS (Trade Receivables Discounting System) to discount your corporate invoices. It helps you recover outstandings faster, keeping your liquidity healthy while you maintain high standards.

The Why: Think Like the "Big" Players 

Why do Tata or Coca-Cola maintain such massive compliance?

• It’s a Mindset: They stay big because they are particular about standards. They don't cut corners; they build systems.

• The Secret: "Big" isn't a result of luck; it’s a result of a Progressive Mindset.

The Bottom Line: 

No point in firing your technician just to save a few thousand rupees. Instead, use their expertise to win the clients that your competitors can't touch.

Are you saving pennies or building a legacy?

Fear of what ?......

I've generally observed that the Bottled Water Plant Owners in India show great hesitation ( rather they restrict/say no ) to collaborative opportunities😐. Typically when I suggest them to work with people who want to get water bottled from them and brand it as their own.

I truly do not know the reason behind it. And I am sure no plant owner will come and tell me the reason.

One plant owner, whom I know moderately, who does this for some brand owners. He said he would love to fill just the dead production hours.Meaning, entertaining these people (who don't have their own brands) just when he faces a challenge of not having enough volume to meet his break-even point. However, this plant owner was venting out his frustration over brand owners who refuse to guarantee long-term volumes, often failing to honor the very commitments that justified the production setup. This lack of stability makes it difficult for manufacturers to invest confidently in the partnership.

Another funny incident when a plant owner, outright rejected a proposal of this type of work (co-packing) for reasons known to him only. An important point to learn that this plant owner, had recently begun his operations, and all set to order 120 BPM production line from 60 BPM. It is difficult to justify a 'shortage' when a plant has barely finished its first quarter of operation, a period usually reserved for learning the business's baseline. One has to wonder if such a hasty denial of co-packing proposals stems from a genuine lack of space or simply an internal resistance to collaborative growth.

What is the main reason behind this reluctance  ?

Behind the shield of 'production shortages' often lies a deeper anxiety: the fear of nurturing a competitor under one’s own roof. For many plant owners, co-packing isn't just a business deal; it’s a perceived threat to their intellectual property and operational autonomy.

I have spoken to a lady who owns a business ( she makes cookies ), well-known to me. She was once proudly telling me as to how she taught a lesson to a "trader" who bought cookies from her & sold to his customers with her his own brand. She denied of supplying her any new order/s.

Can risk be calculated ?

The word "Risk" itself is pointing towards journey into the unknown. However, it need not be a 100% unforeseen risk, and on the top of it, it can be known at least, if can't be avoided.

While most of Bottled Water Entrepreneurs check technicals of the project, visit many suppliers at various places, and collect a great piece of information, they actually do not devote enough time for their detailed Financial Calculations. The most important is the actual Risk involved.

"Should I venture into this ?"

This is a typical question every entrereneur asks. My answer to them : If your gut feeling says, go ahead, however, check the amount of risk before that, as any wrong decision may pull you into damage which takes years to recover from.

Can it be a "Calculated" Risk ?

Absolutely yes. 3 ways to do it. Let's explore those :-

1. Very first, understand the ROI & overall investment needed : Refer the online/offline material to first confirm this & check your own investment appetitie. Then decide the business Model.There is nothing wrong to start small. 
2. Thing Big Right : Check your Financial Position, if you can insure for the same. Calculate the holding period :- The number of months which may go without active income & make arrangements for the same. You should and can calculate the impact which these months will make.
3. Loan is Okay, but not a Victory : Loan is an asset for Bankers, initially a liability for an entrepreneur. Take it carefully. No problem being extra careful. Calculate everything before going to banks. This step is most important.

Be Wise, no Heroics

Optimism is proved when it realizes the deliverables. Hence the "deliverables" is the true wealth you make & contribute towards the national treasure. It's a very responsible decision. By becoming a financially aware entrepreneur, you are taking a step towards this. It's a DUTY.