Updated on July 25, 2016
Born in Patnagarh in Orissa in a place which had no electricity and no school, and then starting his work-life as a lower divisional clerk in Bhubaneshwar in1976, the life of Subroto Bagchi has many a lesson for all of us.
From humble small town background, Bagchi rose to the top echelons of Wipro and then in 1999 co-founded MindTree. Since then MindTree has emerged as one of India’s most admired companies, employing close to 8000 people with its recent acquisition of Aztec. Interestingly, in 2008, Bagchi took on a new role of ‘Gardener’ at MindTree.
In last few years, Bagchi has done what only few successful entrepreneurs have done in India – sharing their journey and learning with students and young professionals.
His first book, ‘The High Performance Entrepreneur’ was released in 2006 and has perhaps become one of the most important books on modern entrepreneurship in India. His newly released second book, ‘Go Kiss the World’ takes his message forward.
MBAUniverse.com spent an hour with Subroto Bagchi, who was in Delhi recently. We asked his views on a range of questions – from advice on entrepreneurship and self-management, to his views on management education and MBAs. Excerpts:
Q: Mr Bagchi, you started your work life as a lowly clerk in a government office. And then you went on to excel at Wipro, only to turn into a very successful entrepreneur. How do you look at your journey…
A: It has been a very interesting ride! If I am born again, I would like to do exactly the same things. I am very satisfied with how things have evolved. I was lucky to play a part in the making of the IT industry in India. At Wipro, I set up operations in Silicon Valley way back in 1990. In 1999, ten of us from 3 different companies joined hands and co-founded MindTree.
Indian IT industry, and companies like MindTree have proven that in the new India you don’t need to know someone be someone, you need to know something to be someone. It’s the age of meritocracy, and I am happy to have played a part in establishing this proof of concept.
Q: You interact closely with institutions, and train young MBAs at MindTree. What are views on education and management education?
A: At a broader level, our education system is very archaic. It is too fiercely competitive, and has a rejection-centric approach. It doesn’t ask students to question things, but merely cram things up. The education system should be rooted in the future, so that when future arrives, the society is ready.
I think most young MBAs lack a point-of-view on important issues. They are unable to synthesize various aspects, and come up with their own point of view. This is dangerous. You can not run a knowledge economy on basis of what McKinsey says or what Forrester says. What about what you have to say?
Q: So, how can they develop their thinking?
A: First of all, learn by doing. Then learn by observing. Finally, learn to learn. Learn from unusual sources. Reflect on why you are doing what you are doing. Experiment with yourself. Read a lot. Read the serious stuff.
Q: A question often asked by our readers is: how should they plan their careers? Your advice …
A: Sure. I would say that young professionals should have a long-term view of their career and life. They will be active for forty years! So a career plan should have a long term view. They should see how a sportsman or a musician plans her career. An athlete trains for decades, and then goes on to compete at the Olympics.
In terms of choosing their domain of work, I strongly recommend that youngsters should follow their heart – Go where your heart is! Not where the herd is.
As you go along, you should constantly invest in yourself. See how lawyers or doctors update themselves everyday. This is where management profession is struggling. Management professionals should also have the same rigour.
Q: Entrepreneurship is a fascinating topic. What is your advice to budding entrepreneurs?
A: The first thing I would recommend is that prior exposure to work and organizations is a good thing. One should work for five years, or more, before turning entrepreneur.
One must do a deep self-evaluation: why do I want to be an entrepreneur?
Then come many aspects like building your organization’s DNA, Mission, Vision, and Values, creating a core team, writing the business-plan, building your differentiation, choosing the right investors and so on. To build a successful business, your should love two things: selling and making money. My book ‘The High Performance Entrepreneur’ explores this subject in detail.
Q: Recently you changed your job-title to an unusual one – Gardener. Why this title?
A: MindTree has, with the Aztec deal, now become a USD 250 million company in under nine years. We are now aiming to make it a billion dollar firm. We believe that the most important factor in meeting this goal is leadership. We need leaders within MindTree to take us to the new heights. My job as a Gardener is to nurture these leaders within the company.
We have identified hundred people at MindTree who have big potential. As part of my role, I spend a lot of time with them to help them build self-awareness, I help them to explore and improve their ‘personal-professional’ life.
Q: Coming to your book Go Kiss the World, you say it took shape at IIM-Bangalore…
A: Yes, that’s right. In 2004, I gave a speech at IIM Bangalore where I drew on my journey from Orissa to Silicon Valley and back in India as co-founder of MindTree. It struck a cord with the audience. So when I was thinking about my second book, I simply had to pick-up from my IIM-B lecture.
I hope many young people read the book, and strive to make a difference.
