In Search of Hope

Good evening. You know what’s the most special thing about the management dance? Other than me forgetting steps multiple times? Somehow, every year we manage to complete it without tripping. I know some of you are disappointed, but don’t worry – it’s a matter of time. But for now, it’s a big thing, considering there are some dancers here, who would love to trip some others. That’s why we have four sequences – keep trouble makers away from each other. All new Cybagians, I am kidding – Cybagians don’t trip each other, we support, we celebrate together. For Cybage success is special, and it deserves a super special celebration. How special? Let me tell you a story.

A long time ago, a poor man lived in the ruins of an old castle in middle of a huge desert. Never ending fields of sand met his view. Is there more to the world than what I see, he often wondered – his eyes devoid of hope. Then once he starts having a recurring dream. It’s early in the morning, and he is standing on a hill top, desperately trying to open a big box. He asks a gypsy woman the meaning of his dreams. She tells him “There is a box of treasure buried somewhere very high, and it is your destiny to find it. But remember” she cautions, ”The box needs a key, the key is hidden somewhere in your journey; and this key works only when the first rays of the sun fall on it.” The excited man trades his meagre belongings for three gold coins, and sets out – cutting thru the desert- in hunt of his treasure.

The man’s expedition echoes sentiments of mankind. All of us are on a treasure hunt. Rich-poor, young-old – no one wants to live listlessly. We want adventure, create our legacy, discover our special key, find our treasure box!

As the man begins his journey, he comes across a camel rider who offers him a ride. They rest in the camel’s shadow by the day, and travel by the night breeze. All along, the elderly camel rider narrates tales to the young man, the voyagers who lost lives while crossing, the wars that were fought, how to identify a mirage or pits of quicksand, how to navigate using star constellations. The man listens more, talks less – learning from the camel rider, while keeping quiet about his own treasure crusade.

The first phase of our quest for treasure is the learning phase. We learn by listening to our elders at home, and seniors at work. Our parents and bosses are the camel riders, they pass on their knowledge to us.

After weeks of travel, the duo reaches a beautiful oasis. The man gets off, thanks the camel rider, and hands him a gold coin. The oasis is populated with palm trees and hustle bustle of the welcoming tribe. The man feels at home with its greenhouse, cool springs and warm hearts. Everyone lives in harmony. Over time the man falls in love with a tribal girl, and proposes her marriage. The girl gazes in his restless eyes and tells him, “I will marry you once you fulfill your destiny.”

The second phase of our journey is the harmonious relationship we build with our peers – be it our spouse or colleagues at work. Where there is a sense of equality, where we encourage each other to accomplish more.

The girl introduces the man to a young guide to take him further. He thanks and hands her the second coin. The guide then takes him over the rollercoaster dunes of sand. The journey under the scorching sun is punishing. They come across desert snakes and sand storms. Just when they reach the top of one hill, another one pops up in front. The man wants to give up but the boy’s enthusiasm “Yes we can do it” keeps him going – till, one evening, they glimpse the highest summit.

The third phase of our treasure hunt is fueled by enthusiasm. The aspirations for our kids or work subordinates gives us the determination. The young “yes we can” spirit fills in us the promise of a great future.

With his destination in striking distance, the man bids the young lad goodbye with his last gold coin. He wants to go solo in the final leg. Thunderstorms are all around – he can barely see, yet he continues his climb, somehow makes it to the summit, and starts digging, his hands are shaking with excitement. Why? Because he has reached way before sunrise, his treasure box is just a few shovels away, and he already has the key! It’s a key that all Cybagians have. K E Y.. a simple word – in which

K is the knowledge that we acquire from the past. Be it from the camel rider, our parents, or the battle scars of Cybage veterans. Our DecisionMines itself is powered by historical data! And our knowledge crusade went global this year with onboarding of Greg Butterfield, Walter Mastelinck, and Greg Wiggins. Our learning branches cut across org hierarchy – demo – if you believe your immediate boss is one cool geek – bursting with knowledge, then make noise people.

E in the word Key is the equality in our daily relationships. Be it our harmony with the tribal girl, our spouse, or the relationship we share with our peers. For when peers rub shoulders, the year is a block buster hit, 2018 will probably be remembered as the year when a host of Fortune 500 companies consolidated on your Cybage as their preferred partner. So Cybagians, if one of your direct competitors at work is also your closest friend, then let’s have some thundering applause.

Y in the word Key comes from “Yes we can” spirit, the positive approach towards our future – be it from the young desert guide, our kids, or the millennials present here tonight. It is your “Yes we can” attitude that encouraged us to invest in our first overseas development centre in Toronto, ensured we clock the best growth year in a decade, and is on its way to `cost your Cybage the highest ever variable pay out. So if you are amazed by the enthusiasm of your subordinates – It’s time for some deafening cheers.

Yes my friends, your Cybage IS the key! And that’s why our success deserves a special celebration – where else will you find all primary relationships flourish, transcending thru the sands of time… bosses representing the past, peers representing the present, subordinates representing the future. And when an organization resonates with such timeless vibrancy, the treasure box is just a shovel away! Isn’t it? Let’s catch up with our treasure hunter and find out.

The man digs and digs, but alas – there is no treasure box! He is devastated. His adventure has been for nothing. He now has no home, no gold coins, and no new friends. He feels cold, exhausted. He crashes out, shivering. This time, there are no dreams. Only darkness. Then he wakes up with a start, to a soft glow flickering against his closed eyes. He slowly opens them. The sky has cleared up. And what he sees takes his breath away. There is an endless body of water on the other side of the summit. He has never seen an ocean before. And the blue ocean has an orange sun rise in the making. It is magical, mesmerizing. The first rays of the sun are bouncing off the waves and falling on his face, warming him up, outside and inside, instantly opening his heart, filling it with rays of hope. And the sudden realization dawns upon him! He was the magical key! And the box was his “heart”, that needed some help to open up. And “hope” was the treasure buried deep inside his heart.

You see, our voyage for treasure is internal, not external. And this pilgrimage needs help from others. So if there have been Cybagians who have played the roles of camel riders, tribal girls or young scouts in your life, those who have ignited your hopes with their knowledge, love or enthusiasm, those who have ensured that if and when you walk out of Cybage, you will forever carry that torch of Cybagian pride and hope in the outside world – then your Cybage’s existence has been worthwhile.

For hope is an infectious kind of treasure – the more we share – the richer we get. The desert man didn’t need to keep his secret. His celebration would have been far more grand, had he watched the oceanic sunrise alongside his three new friends. Like our celebration tonight where thousands of hopes are beating together. For tonight is not a celebration of Cybage success, but of Cybagian aspirations. The truth is, without your aspirations, Cybage is just one big empty desert. So here is a toast to our organization’s priceless treasures – each one of you – to your journey, to your hopes, to your success… may God bless you with a lifetime of oceanic sunrises. Good night, my friends!