11th MPower Mahindra Batch Concluded

On Saturday, the 19th of November, 2016, the Eleventh batch of MPOWER - the Management Development Program for the nextgen Youth Transport Entrepreneurs - was launched at the Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad (IIMA).

MPOWER XI concluded on 26th November, 2016. This batch had 13 participants. While we received 32 confirmed nominations, the final attendance dropped to 13 delegates due to the impact of Demonetisation on transport business, with 19 candidates withdrawing to deal with the consequences of Demonetisation on their business. But even with 13 delegates, the enthusiasm and participation level was immense and the profile of delegates was fabulous and unique. This was the first batch where we had a specially abled participant Mr. Chetan Lodaya from Chetan Road Carrier.

The guiding philosophy of the program is empowering the next generation of India’s transporters/ fleet owners to “Take forward their family business with their OWN vision”, as propounded by Mr. Anand Mahindra while launching the program on the side lines of the Mahindra Transport Excellence Awards ceremony on 9th Jan ’13. Speaking on the same occasion to media, Mr. Nalin Mehta –CEO - MTBD had also stressed that MTBD wants to “walk the talk” that we initiated when we urged the nextgen of transporters to join their ‘Papa ka Business’ in our TV-led mass media campaign more than a year ago. MPOWER program is growing from strength to strength as our signature initiative in Indian Transport industry. In terms of numbers, with this batch we have involved 291 nextgen transporters who together own over 59,300 trucks (and utilize at least 50% of this no in addition from market), with a combined turnover of Rs. 24,900 Crores employing over 66,500 people.

For MPOWER XI, 13 young transport entrepreneurs, chosen by invitation and belonging to some of the finest transport companies of India, checked-in for the 8 days course which is aimed at professionalizing the Indian transport sector in the long run. A course that has been specifically designed keeping the transport sector issues in focus. Eight highly accomplished faculty members of IIMA are running the course that covers subjects like, PROFESSIONALISM, BUSINESS PLANNING, MARKET& SEGMENTS, HR PRACTICES, SERVICE QUALITY, FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT& ACCOUNTING, SUPPLY CHAIN MANAGEMENT, LEGAL AND REGULATORY, INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY, INDUSTRY FOCUSSED SESSIONS.

The past 10 batches of MPOWER were a huge success not only in terms of an emotional connect with the nextgen of transporters but also in terms of bringing our business and offerings in their focus and also helping start a business relation with many of the people who attended. This successful engagement has motivated MTBD to reinvest in driving a positive change in the transport ecosystem while nurturing our business interest. We are confident that this program too will be a grand success and strengthen our brand even further, along with other initiatives like the Mahindra Transport Excellence Awards. All these initiatives will help MTBD connect with various constituents of the Indian transport ecosystem at both the rational and emotional levels, which can be leveraged to build a strong market presence for Mahindra Trucks and Buses Division.

After their presentation of challenges on transport industry, professor had requested their views on demonetization. There were mixed views, they all supported demonetization as most of them were already moving towards cashless transaction. The only problem they raised was the payment for drivers, dhabas, mechanics and other stakeholders which are at the bottom of the transport eco-system. As cashless facilities have still not been practiced amongst them. This was also an opportunity for few transporters who still have not yet explored the cashless transaction process in their firm and interacting with other batch mates have surely given them ideas on how to get this initiated for their business.