How much to plan?

This morning i met an ambitious young engineer. He has come back to his native town after working for an IT company for nearly two years. A question was asked to him about his future plans. He replied, "As of now i am trying to think and plan what to do. I hope to be able to think clearly within two or three months. Then i will decide what to do. Either it will be a fresh entrepreneurship venture or i will be joining my family business."

I know it is a very common thinking. Many young boys and girls think on the same lines. I remember someone telling me a week ago, " Sir, I have a job at my hands. But i want some time to think whether to join it or not. I hope that i will have a clear vision in two or three months. Then i will take a final call."

This is a classic confusion. I may also call it classic indecision or inaction. This situation may be compared with going on an unknown dark path with a single Deepak (an earthen lamp) in hand. We just can't wait for the entire path to be clearly visible before making a start. We can just see 10 to 15 feet ahead only. But it's also a fact that as we progress the way ahead will be visible. If we start, we shall always be able to visualize the path ahead and progress. If we don't start, we shall keep on waiting for eternity.

So the message is - just start! Take the first step. The road to success is never easy and never totally visible. But with a keen observation and the ability to take the right decision on every step, one can always reach the destination. The world is changing very fast and it will be useless to wait for having a clear vision. Remember, time and tide wait for none.

Now is the time.

Today is the day.

Do it now.

What can't be taught at a b-school!

India has been witnessing a mushrooming growth of business schools for the last 10 years. All these business schools promise to create world class leaders. But not all are successful. What may be the reasons? Well, frankly speaking, only world class persons can be groomed to be world class leaders. And what do i mean by a world class person? Not much, simply a person possessing some skills and habits that are essential to be successful in this fast changing liberalized, globalized, privatized world! Let us take some such things one by one :

1. Attention efficiency :

We are surrounded by excellent learning opportunities. If we are able to use this great gift of God to all the mortal ones known as attention efficiency, our mind will gradually pick up and store all what is needed to grow ahead. But what surprises me is that how ignorantly many people keep on passing through same experiences and situations without being able to pay attention to the obvious! I'll define Attention Efficiency as the tendency to notice the surroundings, and also as the natural habit to look at them, pay attention and learn as a result of it.

2. Belief in the power of knowledge :

Very easy to say, very difficult to practise! When it comes to real life, many youngsters are just incapable of believing in the power of knowledge. They tend to give undue importance to money, political power and other such illusory power sources.

3. Flexibility and adaptability :

There are no fixed roles in today's business set up. For God's sake, we have to overcome our age old bureaucratic mentality. In a government office, one would not move beyond his or her work space. But not in today's corporate world! A corporate leader is expected to take care of all unstructured situations. And this is true for everyone. The demands of a changing world order can never be static. One needs to champion flexibility and one has to adapt oneself to any situation or role.

4. Ability to unlearn and relearn :

It's really interesting to note how quickly the things we learn with keen interest become outdated. The world is changing very fast and the rate of change is also growing by leaps and bounds. Alwin Toffler has stated that illiterates of the twenty first century are not those who cannot read or write but those who cannot learn, unlearn and relearn. We need constantly to relearn our lessons with some alterations and we also need to forget a lot many out of them!

5. Ability to accept his own fallibility :

We are human beings. We can and will make mistakes. But the more important fact is our ability to learn and move on. Lack of confidence has definitely caused many a career tremendous damage but so has over confidence too!

6. Quick learning skills :

The real learning happens on the streets or on the workplace. And a world class person is not only mentally ready to learn consistently but is also able to train his mental faculties to learn quick, real quick and everywhere!

7. Habit to read proactively :

Oh! Can we imagine a world without books? The lifetime wisdom and knowledge of a thinker is covered in a book. World class persons today are habitual of reading. They not only read a variety of material, but are also able to read proactively. They master the art of reading between the lines. They are able to gauge the mindset of the author and are also capable of discounting the impact of his or her illogical beliefs on the writings.

No business school can teach these things. In fact, no school or college can teach these. Then how can one acquire these valuable traits? A right attitude, willingness to stay relevant and respect for the world are some of those inherent skills that are required to pick up these habits. But one thing is sure. The probability of forming these habits is definitely higher in a developing economy that offers challenges to survive. I am sure contemporary India fulfils the conditions but of course, the commonly found parental care and over protection is a hurdle.

Let them grow. Let them face problems. Let them suffer from their mistakes. Just guide them to pay attention a bit more actively. That's it!

What does India mean?

Did India exist before August 15, 1947?

There can be many answers.

Yes, we are a very old nation. We have been here since time immemorial. The British period was only an eclipse. Before them, we were known as a golden bird. We have always been a very solid, vibrant nation. We have been very advanced culturally.

No, in the present form, we did not exist before 1947. We were divided in many riyasats and each one was an independent political entity. In fact, British united us, they exploited us too, but then left us as one nation.

Oh, yes! We are the oldest nation on this earth. See the Vedas for example. The oldest books on this earth are testimony to our great cultural heritage.

But it would mean that we were a Hindu state primarily and many attacks, first by Mughals and then by Europeans made us a heterogeneous society.

No, of course not. We have always been a pluralistic society. Our Indian culture has been very dynamic and it has absorbed many other races that came here. Our history is a record of mixture of races and religions.

Okay! Let us try to analyse from a different perspective. What do we mean by India. Do we mean a socialist, sovereign, secular republic? Then definitely, it did not exist before August 15, 1947. But in some other form, we have surely been there. Otherwise, what is the rationale of cultural renaissance or the great Indian freedom struggle?

The entire debate comes to a central issue. What do we mean by India? What does being an Indian mean? If one says that India has existed for ages, what features of India have existed?

Very interesting and very open. I cannot define it. But India is something. And it is much beyond geographical and political definitions. As someone very rightly said, "You can take someone out of India, but you can never take India out of a person."

What is the option?

Which is a better way to study - a wide extensive approach or a narrow intensive one?

We all come across some common decision making situations. At one time or another, we have to face them and try to make valid options. I call them questions of individual preferences. The above mentioned choice is a perfect example of the same.

This question can obviously have three possible answers.

First, Wide extensive approach is better as it suits more to the ever changing world scenario. One never knows what will be asked in the examination and so some idea of every possible aspect of the subject becomes necessary. Similarly one can always expect life to present unforeseen challenges now and again. An all rounder personality is more likely to emerge successful out of it.

Second, Narrow intensive approach is better. An expert is one who knows more and more about less and less. In today's market scenario every product or service category is being divided into newer and more specific categories. Hence, it is not only the better choice but also the only option available to gain maximum possible expertise in the identified area.

Third, Both are equally good. Which one to apply? This decision depends on availability of time and resources and the output required.

A more serious thinking gives us two very interesting cases.

Let us take the academic scene first. This is a very good example of continuous movement from wide extensive studies to narrow intensive studies. In initial classes, one studies Science as one subject. Then on High School level science divides itself into three subjects: Physics, Chemistry and Biology. When we further move to college level, Chemistry divides itself again into three area : Organic, Inorganic and Physical Chemistry. This process keeps on becoming more and more intensive and focused up to research level. Another similar example can be given of management courses. In all MBA and equivalent courses, the first year is normally devoted to teach 'Something about everything' while the teachings of the second specialisation year can be described as 'Everything about something'. And the final project semester covers a super specialisation. The same direction of becoming more and more focused and intensive continues here.

The corporate career scene is exactly reverse. One begins his or her career with a very specific assignment. This is mostly repetitive in nature. But as the new entrant becomes senior and gets one or two promotions, his job gets enlarged and he gets a higher position now encompassing more responsibilities. The men on the top mostly get a helicopter view of things. (what a good way to express wide extensive approach!)

So can one conclude that student life progresses from wide extensive study to narrow intensive one and the corporate career follows the reverse process?

There is one more aspect to be considered. What about wide intensive approach? Can somebody claim to know everything about everything? Seems very difficult but haven't online tools made this idea possible. With Google taking care of trivia, is it too much to ask for? Can't we expect our best people to have understanding of all subjects?

I would prefer to leave this topic here. I know that i am unable to end this thought process. Readers are requested to try and get some conclusion.

Discovery of India

"Our nation is known for unity in diversity. We have many states but one nation. We have many languages but just one central ideology. We have many religions but just one composite culture. We have many castes but one core philosophy of Vasudhaiv Kutumbakam."

Last week i was invited to preside over the annual function and prize distribution ceremony of a Higher Secondary School. A 15 year old girl, student of class 11, delivered the welcome speech and there she uttered the words quoted above in a very confident and energetic voice.

This speech helped me to go into a very different thought process. Although i totally agree with her strong belief in the unity of India, yet some disturbing trends are very clearly visible to every observing mind. I was able to recall that on the preceding day, someone had opined in a group discussion that India is more likely to continue to have coalition governments as it is itself a coalition of various cultures and ethnic groups.

If we continue to connect the dots, the rationale behind demands for separate states can also be found out in the fact that many groups do not associate themselves emotionally with the state they live in. Either cultural or linguistic identity is so different that they prefer to have a different state of their own.

Are we a unitary entity? Are we a federation of states? Our constitution concludes that we are a federal state having striking unitary features. But this issue cannot be so easily resolved. There are many issues that need to be addressed. Let us consider some of them:

1. We have many languages. We also have many linguistic families. The southern languages, the central Indian languages, the north eastern ones etc. have totally different linguistic histories. But we also find that lately English is growing very fast and encompassing the whole India. It has nearly become the second language of every Indian.

2. We have many religions. Hinduism, Jainism, Buddhism and Sikhism were born here only. Zoroastrianism and Bahaism today are found in India only i.e. India is their only home today. Apart from these, we also find many Christians and Muslims here. Many sects of these religions are found in India only. For example, Bersheba Christians treat India as their only home. Daudi Bohras today are found in India only. Their Dharmguru also resides here only. But we also find that new age modern cosmopolitan spirituality is spreading very fast and encapsulating everyone.

Can the same logic be applied to economy as well? Are we one unitary economy or a constellation of many economies? Is it fair to compare our economy with some other economy like Singapore? Can Gujarat and West Bengal be parts of the same economy? When The Economist comments about Indian Economy, is it possible to apply the same yardstick to Tamilnadu and Arunachal Pradesh?

I would say that we are a group of many interdependent economies. I see every city or even town to have some very distinct features and economic activities typical to that geographical or civil unit only.

And this gives rise to the possibility of a lot of entrepreneurial ventures. We will continue to have a number of national brands and a much higher number of local brands as well. I also foresee every tier 2 and tier 3 city having their own TV channel and their own beauty pageants!

India can only be discovered in bits and pieces! And every bit of it is unique in its own sense. Every such unit has the potential to grow into a full fledged economy. We shall always remain one strong nation but economically the world must be ready to compete with hundreds of vibrant Indian economies.

This is really going to be very interesting!