Perhaps the campus best known for producing top entrepreneurs is the fabled Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad (IIM-A). Naturally, a book exploring these entrepreneurs was much needed. That’s exactly what a new book by IIM-A alumna Rashmi Bansal titled ‘Stay Hungury, Stay Foolish’ is all about.
The book profiles 25 businesses and their creators like naukri.com (Sanjeev Bikhchandani), Subhiksha (R Subramanian), Edelweiss Capital (Rashesh Shah), Mphasis (Jerry Rao), makemytrip.com (Deep Kalra), Mastek (Ashank Desai) and India Infoline (Nirmal Jain), who all have IIM-A connection.
The book was launched in Mumbai on October 2 at Crossword, where the author and some successful entrepreneurs from IIM-A gathered to share their views. Among those present on the occasion was noted adman and co-founder of brand consultancy Chlorophyll; Ashank Desai, Mastek; Cyrus Driver, Calorie Care; and Deepta Rangarajan, IRIS Business Services.
Addressing the enthusiasts, Anand Halve said: “The mindset at B-schools is changing now. The B-schools were producing maintenance managers and now they are producing entrepreneurs. The trigger is the environment."
He added, “Entrepreneurship is not a destination. It is a journey. No one likes waking up early in the morning to a waling child, change diapers and do the usual chores...but we produce kids because we like to take care of them see them grow and develop into an independent and successful adult. If you don’t enjoy the journey, entrepreneurship is not worth it”
Cyrus Driver said, “A pat on the back from your boss is not as exciting as a smile on the face of a customer, who has just liked your product or service that you have created. But the problem with entrepreneurship is that while you can resign from your job if you don’t like your boss but out here the customer owns you. And it gives much bigger stress and pressure than a scolding from your boss!”
When is the right time to turn entrepreneur? The panelists had interesting responses. Said Anand Halve, “Is there any right time for proposing to a girl that you love! Well, when the disease inside you gets strong enough to unsettle you from your current disposition, that’s the right time.”
When MBAUniverse.com asked the panelists whether IIM-A’s ‘training’ or the ‘tag’ was more important in making them successful entrepreneurs, the business leaders acknowledged the role of their alma mater.
Said Ashank Desai, “Neither, but IIM-A gave me my colleagues, my team. It gave me the access to people and network resources. IIM-A tag helped us to stay in business.”
“That four letter word (read IIMA) makes other people believe that what you are saying must be a great strategy!,” commented Anand Halve.
Rashmi Bansal is a writer, entrepreneur and youth expert. Rashmi is co-founder and editor of JAM (Just Another Magazine), India’s leading youth magazine in print and online. She writes extensively on youth, careers and entrepreneurship and hosts the popular blog: Youth Curry.
