These days, Coca-Cola India executives Ashish Banga (29) and Sameer Pathak (35) are shopping with a purpose. Their lists include waterproof jackets, hiking boots, ski masks, thermal underwear, ski goggles, sun block and zip-lock bags. But they are not taking a holiday in the Alps.
Instead, they are preparing to take lessons on leadership and sustainability in Antarctica. Banga and Pathak will travel in a group of 70 from the world over for a two-week trip from Argentina to Antarctica. The team, which left on Sunday night, will have environmentalists, students and teachers, besides corporate executives, and comprise another Indian, besides the Coca-Cola duo.
Hasita Bhammar, who works with the Ashok Piramal Group as a project coordinator (CSR and sustainability), will also be on the trip. During the expedition, the group will board a cruise, climb mountains, face harsh weather and observe penguins.
In the process, they will learn about renewable energy, water conservation and climate change, besides taking leadership and motivational coaching from explorer, Sir Robert Swan. Coca-Cola has been nominating two people from its global workforce every year for the 'Leadership on the Edge' programme, for the past few years.
The initiative is aligned with the company's 2020 Vision, under which, it is creating sustainable leaders for the future. The other objective of allowing employees to go through this unique experience is to share the lessons learnt with a larger group of stakeholders back home.
"The only way we will meet the goals and growth targets outlined in our 2020 Vision is by creating and maintaining a sustainable business," says Sameer Wadhawan, VP (HR), Coca-Cola India and South West Asia. Banga and Pathak were not randomly selected for the expedition; they had to compete with their colleagues.
The 11 shortlisted candidates at the final selection stage gave presentations to the senior management, describing how they will share their learnings. Banga, for instance, who is a manager in Coca-Cola's capability development for franchise operations unit (India and South West Asia), is also engaged with the company's 'Parivartan' initiative.
Under this rural programme, the company provides training to small retailers and helps them run successful businesses. Banga plans to spread the message of sustainability through Parivartan. "We are often asked by small retailers across villages to suggest and teach them ways on how to preserve the environment better and use sources of energy more efficiently," he says.
Instead, they are preparing to take lessons on leadership and sustainability in Antarctica. Banga and Pathak will travel in a group of 70 from the world over for a two-week trip from Argentina to Antarctica. The team, which left on Sunday night, will have environmentalists, students and teachers, besides corporate executives, and comprise another Indian, besides the Coca-Cola duo.
Hasita Bhammar, who works with the Ashok Piramal Group as a project coordinator (CSR and sustainability), will also be on the trip. During the expedition, the group will board a cruise, climb mountains, face harsh weather and observe penguins.
In the process, they will learn about renewable energy, water conservation and climate change, besides taking leadership and motivational coaching from explorer, Sir Robert Swan. Coca-Cola has been nominating two people from its global workforce every year for the 'Leadership on the Edge' programme, for the past few years.
The initiative is aligned with the company's 2020 Vision, under which, it is creating sustainable leaders for the future. The other objective of allowing employees to go through this unique experience is to share the lessons learnt with a larger group of stakeholders back home.
"The only way we will meet the goals and growth targets outlined in our 2020 Vision is by creating and maintaining a sustainable business," says Sameer Wadhawan, VP (HR), Coca-Cola India and South West Asia. Banga and Pathak were not randomly selected for the expedition; they had to compete with their colleagues.
The 11 shortlisted candidates at the final selection stage gave presentations to the senior management, describing how they will share their learnings. Banga, for instance, who is a manager in Coca-Cola's capability development for franchise operations unit (India and South West Asia), is also engaged with the company's 'Parivartan' initiative.
Under this rural programme, the company provides training to small retailers and helps them run successful businesses. Banga plans to spread the message of sustainability through Parivartan. "We are often asked by small retailers across villages to suggest and teach them ways on how to preserve the environment better and use sources of energy more efficiently," he says.
Similarly, Pathak, who is a senior manager - public affairs and communication, handles sustainability communication for the company. He plans to impart his learnings to students across the 100 schools that Coca Cola provides support to, through its Support My School programme.
"The company provides various amenities to these schools. We could apply some tips around using renewable sources of energy at these schools." They will also share the learnings with other Coke employees and bottling partners across the country.
"Ashish and I may have different stakeholders. The end purpose is to share learnings with our respective shareholders," adds Pathak. Sir Robert Swan, a polar explorer (the first person ever to have walked to the North and South poles) and an environmentalist, is also described as one of the world's top motivational speakers. He has spent several years on missions to inspire the youth to become sustainable leaders and promote the use of renewable energy for a sustainable future.
"The overall mission is to inspire the preservation of Antarctica through creating Sustainability Champions. In a cynical world, Antarctica is still a place, whose story and the journey of visiting it can engage and inspire any audience and that helps spread the message of sustainability far and wide," he told ET.
"The company provides various amenities to these schools. We could apply some tips around using renewable sources of energy at these schools." They will also share the learnings with other Coke employees and bottling partners across the country.
"Ashish and I may have different stakeholders. The end purpose is to share learnings with our respective shareholders," adds Pathak. Sir Robert Swan, a polar explorer (the first person ever to have walked to the North and South poles) and an environmentalist, is also described as one of the world's top motivational speakers. He has spent several years on missions to inspire the youth to become sustainable leaders and promote the use of renewable energy for a sustainable future.
"The overall mission is to inspire the preservation of Antarctica through creating Sustainability Champions. In a cynical world, Antarctica is still a place, whose story and the journey of visiting it can engage and inspire any audience and that helps spread the message of sustainability far and wide," he told ET.
The Ashok Piramal Group, which is sending Bhammar on the expedition, has set up an e-base at the Pench Tiger Reserve (Madhya Pradesh) as one of its philanthropic initiatives.
The base is used to educate school children and the community living around the reserve about conservation and sustainability. Bhammar plans to use this platform to spread more awareness among school kids, tourists and inhabitants.
"Individuals who participate in the expedition will see the first hand effects of climate change, which will inspire and engage them to be future leaders and promoters of a world that focuses on clean energy, recycling and conservation of our natural environment," says Reshma Piramal, who handles the group's philanthropic initiatives.
The base is used to educate school children and the community living around the reserve about conservation and sustainability. Bhammar plans to use this platform to spread more awareness among school kids, tourists and inhabitants.
"Individuals who participate in the expedition will see the first hand effects of climate change, which will inspire and engage them to be future leaders and promoters of a world that focuses on clean energy, recycling and conservation of our natural environment," says Reshma Piramal, who handles the group's philanthropic initiatives.
The expedition costs about $20,000 per individual. Nina Chatrath, managing principal - leadership and talent consulting at Korn/Ferry International says expeditions like these could help create good leaders.
"Although the concept is yet to capture the imagination of many organisations, experiences like these compel one to test one's resilience. When you stretch your physical boundaries, your mind is forced to broaden its horizons as well. You come back and start looking at things differently. Many people realise they were not taking enough risks, or not pushing themselves towards excellence. Once they realise this, they transform themselves to become better in every aspect of their lives."
"Although the concept is yet to capture the imagination of many organisations, experiences like these compel one to test one's resilience. When you stretch your physical boundaries, your mind is forced to broaden its horizons as well. You come back and start looking at things differently. Many people realise they were not taking enough risks, or not pushing themselves towards excellence. Once they realise this, they transform themselves to become better in every aspect of their lives."
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