ALCON Enterprises
The Name, The Symbol and the Significance
A little known but ambitious young man set up a small Engineering unit. He didn't have much except his will power, his belief in himself and his trust in Goa. Today his humble unit has grown into one of Goa's largest business conglomerates. And the man has become one of the most well known entrepreneurs in the State.
The man: Anil Counto. And his Group: Alcon Enterprises. The common thread that knits diversified businesses from construction to real estate to hospitality, HRD, manufacturing, trading, servicing, exports and electronics.
Anil Counto remembers his first step into entrepreneurship very clearly. Khaunte Engineering may have been tiny, but it started off a series of ventures, most of which are thriving to this day. In 1973, he set up Alcon Constructions and then there was no looking back. Today Alcon Constructions is renowned for its quality construction and is known till today to 'build homes, not just houses'.
The man with a mission
When Anil Counto graduated as a Civil Engineer from VJTI Engineering College in Mumbai, he gained valuable experience working in private organizations for 4 years prior to joining the PWD as just another young man beginning his career.
But the similarity ends right there. Because this young man had a vision and a mission to realize that vision. And he had will, determination and talent. Add to this courage, integrity, discipline and hard work and you have all the ingredients of success.
In those struggling times, it was Anil's family, close friends and committed employees that stood by him. "But for their support," says Anil, "none of this would've been possible". His wife, a simple homemaker, is his pillar of strength. Then comes his large and happy family of children, brothers, sisters and friends. "I'm lucky!" he says, easily overlooking that axiom that luck is the blessing reserved for those who work hard.
In many ways, Anil Counto and Goa are one. His values are as perennial as the green and pleasant land which sustains them. Anil considers himself fortunate: "I'm blessed by my parents, forefathers and spiritual gurus," he says. "And God has been kind to me." A deeply religious man, he considers his business an extended family. "They are all my people. My employees, my business associates, friends from all over the world and from all walks of life...everyone!"
Indeed, there's a touch of magic about Anil Counto. Gentle, sensitive and always considerate about others, he respects his fellow man's dignity and attempts to understand him with patience and perseverance. "Indeed, he's a rare human being," says a longtime business associate who has now become a friend of Anil's. "Working with him, you'll achieve your own potential which you never thought possible!" says another.
In life, as in everything else, Anil maintains a balance. "Business is important," quips he, "but people are more important." Not surprisingly, Alcon Enterprises carries the stamp of Anil Counto's persona. The Group's culture reflects his own: a culture of Caring, Confidence and Commitment. The culture of the 3 Cs, as it's known. Everything has changed over the years, but not the culture of the 3 Cs. It's so inherent a part of Alcon Enterprises that it keeps recurring throughout the Alcon story.
Probably the ultimate compliment for Anil comes from an artist friend of forty years: "Everything has changed around Anil, his home, his businesses, his work, his schedules. But Anil the person hasn't changed. He's still the same simple, down-to-earth man I met 40 years ago."
Alcon: The name, the symbol, the significance
We are Alcon, a name to reckon with across the lush landscape of Goa. Alcon and Goa are as intertwined as Anil and Alcon are.
Alcon the name derives itself from Anil Counto, the man is the Group known as Alcon Enterprises. Because essentially it's the indefatigable effort of one man that resulted in the tremendous equity and goodwill for Alcon.
The single source of strength for Alcon Enterprises is brilliantly portrayed in the Alcon Symbol. The logo of Alcon Enterprises is, in a nutshell, the tree of Care, Confidence and Commitment. It's the 3 Cs of Alcon again.
The tree is a miracle of nature, one of God's finest gifts to mankind. The tree delights you with flowers, enriches you with fruit, sustains you with shade and yet never asks anything in return. It's the same with us: Alcon Enterprises is a life-enriching, life-sustaining tree, symbolized by the solid triangle.
Like the tree again, we have a strong base emanating from which are branches spreading out the many folds opening out in all directions. Those folds depict the many diversifications of Alcon Enterprises. While the deep blue triangle lends strength to the structure, holding all branches together. This graphic tree stands for our Group and also for the man who towers above, Anil Counto, who carries Alcon Enterprises squarely on his shoulders. Like him, the Alcon symbol stands for the 3 Cs - care, confidence and commitment.
