My day begins with a good cup of coffee—a sacred moment to pause, to gather my thoughts before the day commences. I am often reminded of Halldór Kiljan Laxness, the Nobel laureate for literature who captured the essence of morning’s magic when he wrote, “Presently the smell of coffee began to fill the room. This was morning’s hallowed moment. In such a fragrance, the perversity of the world is forgotten, and the soul is inspired with faith in the future.” He understood that coffee is more than just a beverage; it is a cherished ritual, a moment of transcendence.
I find the aroma of coffee irresistible; it sends one delightfully down memory lane. My first tryst with coffee was a simple appreciation of its flavour. Later, I had the opportunity to delve deeper into the world of coffee and connect with the coffee farmers, who by the sweat of their brow, toil hard to grow the perfect bean for Nescafé.
A lot can happen over a coffee
A fascinating study by Yale psychologist William Cain revealed that coffee’s aroma stands out as the most recognisable scent among 80 different aromas. From the coffee cherries to the perfect brew, a symphony unfolds. And so is it with every endeavour. Be it crafting a product or leading a team—the final creation is a testament to shared dreams, team effort, countless collaborations, and a tangible manifestation in the pursuit of perfection, where disparate voices harmonise into a single, resonant chord.
Imaging: Deni Lal
A few weeks ago, we had an international delegation of writers who visited our factory in Nanjangud, where they met our coffee farmers, who are a part of the Nescafé plan. Around 5,000 coffee farmers in 250 villages across Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu have embraced sustainable farming and regenerative agriculture that revitalises the soil, reduces greenhouse gas emissions, and conserves water.
Head of agriculture Kuruthara Sukumaran, along with agronomists Bopanna T.B., Suresha H.M. and plant specialists work meticulously on the Nescafé plan. This is an example of collaboration that encourages coffee farmers to join us in advancing sustainable coffee cultivation.
Away from the city’s clamour, a winding ochre dust road leads to Geetha TK and Rohil’s 15-acre Kushalnagar coffee farm in Coorg district, a hotspot for biodiversity. The cacophony of the city is replaced by the soothing sounds of nature. This family has been growing coffee for three generations. Their daughter, though working in the automotive industry, has a deep affection for the farm, a silent promise that the legacy would continue.
After the coffee beans are harvested, they make their way to our factory. Here our manager Alex Jose and his team oversee the manufacturing of coffee, which is then distributed to 3.7 million outlets across India. In the heart of this network is Shobha Verma, a 47-year-old entrepreneur from village Lakhimpur in Uttar Pradesh, home to 250 people. The nearest town is a bumpy bus ride away. Her tiny grocery store has shelves lined with daily essentials, including Nescafé.
Every step of our coffee journey is a powerful illustration of ‘collective effort’. From the farmers to our colleagues in the factory, to our distributors, every link in the chain thrives on collaboration and respect. Each individual’s contribution, no matter how seemingly small, is integral to achieving our shared vision and driving consumer satisfaction. Teams that work together, prioritise solutions over divisions, navigate challenges and emerge stronger. This is how we build a resilient and thriving organisation, one grounded in the power of collective effort.
Narayanan is chairman & managing director, Nestle India