Couples in Partnership

Whether the successful partnership of men and women at home replicates in business has often been subject of discussion but the Indian community is increasingly providing evidence in affirmation.

While a husband and wife team in a small enterprise may easily achieve a perfect equation, it becomes a formidable challenge in large companies, where decisions on issues and compliance costs could be daunting.

Dr Kanti Patel and his wife Ranjna, respectively Chairman and Director of the East Tamaki Healthcare Group (ETHG), are among the most illustrious examples of husband and wife team at work.

The impressive and phenomenal growth of the Group, with its complement of 280 staff (of who 72 are doctors) representing at least 22 nationalities and 35 spoken languages, bespeaks a culture that is rarely seen in today’s corporate world.

No pretenses

Dr and Mrs Patel essentially remain people of this world, without the trappings of chandeliered opulence and sartorial resplendency. They are simple people of simple tastes, living and working together to lift the wellness of the communities that they serve- covering almost all areas in the greater Auckland region.

The Patels are a source of inspiration and emulation, however formidable the latter may be, for, since the establishment of ETHCG 38 years ago, they have fostered a family that goes beyond their two sons, a daughter and six grandchildren.

Dr Patel seldom fails to give credit where due.

“She has always been a source of strength and support since we were married,” Dr Patel says, pointing to his wife. “Both of us share a concern for serving the community, which I believe gives us a sense of purpose in life and career.”

Mrs Patel returned the compliment, saying, “I have always had confidence in what he does and our mutual trust and understanding have seen us through all these years.”

Together but apart

You would be wrong to assume that the couple have all the time to discuss business.

In fact, as Mrs Patel said, “there are days when we do not see other at the office.”

Both of them keep different timings, each has different areas of responsibility neither of them discusses any aspect of business at home.

Each of them pursues different interests, participate in activities that vary but the common goal has always to promote good deeds and see people in good health.

“ETHCG is a family. We have professionals to run the business and hence there is no need to bring issues home,” Dr Patel said.

Modest beginning

That was not so in 1976, when he suggested to his wife that they purchase an on-going practice on East Tamaki Road in the South Auckland suburb of Otara and become a private general practitioner.

While wealth creators often fall prey to materialistic pleasures, Dr Patel invested almost all his earnings back into the practice. One such major investment was in computer technology, which was in its infant stages decades ago.

“I had no doubt that a well-integrated computer system will be an asset to the company and help in delivering more efficient services. Ranjna agreed and supported the move; we were not wrong,” Dr Patel said.

As reported in our December 1, 2009 issue, ETHCG won the ‘Supreme Business of the Year’ Award, in addition to winning the ‘Best Innovation Business’ and ‘Best Professional Services Business’ categories and being a finalist in the ‘Best :Large Business’ category of the Indian Newslink Indian Business Awards.

Two years later, Mrs Patel won the Best Businesswoman of the Year Award (2011).

According to the independent panel of judges, “Her contribution as a Co-Founder of ETHCG is outstanding in a business that has blossomed from a GP operation to a full-scale public health organisation, unmatched in Auckland. Her skills have been applied across the board and it is hard to find any area, in addition to actual medical practice, that has not escaped her attention or application.”

There are so many other aspects to the couple that would necessitate a special report for narration. Their spiritual life, which includes the management of the multimillion-dollar Swami Narain Temple constructed by them in Papatoetoe, is yet another factor of endearment to people.

Motivating factor

Mrs Patel said social responsibility enhances the value of her Group’s services. Her role in a number of organisations promotes such responsibility.

Dr Patel is connected with a number of professional and social bodies, although the past few years have seen him involved in religious and spiritual pursuits.

Mrs Patel is involved with a number of government agencies and the District Health Board as a part of her tasks. She is a Member of the National Advisory Council on the Employment of Women, Lottery Auckland Distribution Committee, Counties Manukau Police South Asian Advisory Board, Manukau Indian Association (Immediate Past President and Executive Committee Member) and since December 2012, Director on the Board of Bank of Baroda (New Zealand) Limited.

Additional reading in Communitylink in this issue.