Editorials
by Rajen Kumar
No Escaping Social Media
Running a magazine concentrating on issues of small and medium enterprises and managing with limited resources is a like living life on the edge. In this rush of meeting deadlines,...
More
Special Reports
Apr 2012EMRC, Brussels Associates with SME WORLD as its New Media Partner
EMRC has promoted business partnerships with the developing world and has organised dozens of business forums in key decision-making cities, such as Amsterdam, Rome,...
More
Special Reports
The Second Last Word: Entrepreneur SHIP for India…….?.??
Manisha Gupta
Feb 2011
Feb 2011
Braved the peak January chill to make it to the book launch of Mr Ashutosh Garg's “The Buck Stops Here: My Journey from Manager to Entrepreneur”. When asked about things one unlearns to become an entrepreneur, Guardian's founder and chairman's answer was simple, honest and straightforward- “forgetting the comfort of office, living with no infrastructure, no timings, no fixed routine…” to begin with.
His reaction makes me feel becoming an entrepreneur is both- the simplest as well the most complex task, depending on how self-motivated and self-disciplined you are. Because these two traits are the only drivers that will push you through the execution of any business idea! You need a couple of other things, quoting Mr. Garg “be clear in what you want to do, be sure, have twelve months money in the bank and don't give up”.
Before exploring the Indian situation, let's get an insight into the words “Entrepreneurship” & “Entrepreneur”. Entrepreneurship stems from the French “entreprendre”, meaning “to undertake”, “to begin” or “to start on”. In business terms- “to start a business, venture or enterprise”. Sticking to strict dictionary version (Webster), “an entrepreneur is one who organizes, manages and assumes risks of a business or an enterprise”.
Entrepreneurship seems to be attracting quite a talent these days. But what exactly is the scene in India? How does the Government support entrepreneurial ventures? How does it encourage entrepreneurship? Does there exist a conducive environment at all?? Perhaps this is the bigger or the biggest question!
To exemplify, I'd like to draw your attention to Suresh Ramachandra's letter to the editor in Nov-2010 SMEW. He completed graduation in book publishing some two years ago, went looking for a job, but to no avail. Tried to start his own printing and publishing business, but couldn't. Even tried to get a small loan to set up a printing machine, and sadly, here too he failed. Or did our system fail….?? Moreover, he now realizes that the Degree he acquired is also of no use- “Why should our universities run such courses which have no value in our practical life?”
Now who, just who is going to answer all these very pertinent questions of young people like Suresh wanting to become entrepreneurs? And the yet bigger question of his is “Everyone talks about entrepreneurship but how do we take to it?” The scenario is clear. Right from the standing and actual utility of degree courses, to the practical difficulties of setting up a small business, there's a long, difficult, bumpy road, whose condition is worse than the present Delhi-Dehradun road.
So even for somebody like Suresh who is clear of what he wants to do, sure of where he wants to go and has the strength of not giving up, but doesn't have a year's salary in the bank, how does he set up his little dream business? The Banks he thought he could bank on, did not welcome him. Who is there to guide him, support him, advise him, assure him, reassure him to not give up and keep at it and how or which path will lead him to the desired success?
I'm afraid we have a plethora of more questions coming rather than answers. The journey of a manager becoming an entrepreneur may have been difficult in itself, but for a young person wanting to turn entrepreneur, will the journey ever even take place? Does India, the land of ideas, intellect, intellectual capital and human resources, which seems to be overflowing with innovative ideas and brimming with young wannabe entrepreneurs, have the social and facilitation infrastructure to support entrepreneurship?
It isn't easy converting your passion into a running business. Even if everything- from information to knowledge to schemes- exists, there's a clear lack of an intermediation and advisory structure. There exists no link connecting the ordinary, unaware entrepreneur with ideas to the available options set. SMEW has started “Ask the Experts” catering to established MSME entrepreneurs.
But for the prospective and struggling ones, we need to do counseling, advisory or training and act as mentor and coach for small or young wannabe entrepreneurs who have neither the capacity to take the required risks, nor the right kind of networking and support structures and lack access to angel & growth capital. We need to set up “Entrepreneurial clinics” and an “Entrepreneurial Helpline” to cater to the unaware and questioning entrepreneurs like Suresh, so that they can follow their dream. All they need is somebody to handhold them, guide them and lead them on to the path ahead.
VCs generally look for late stage financing. There may be some willing to do early stage but what about the pre-start-up stage? Does India have an ecosystem supporting a “to-be-entrepreneur”? Mentoring her/him at the conception stage, inspiring him, motivating him when no one else is? Entrepreneur-SHIP is a lonely journey but a right kind of mindset and culture can prevent it from sinking like the Titanic.
Why make another Silicon Valley? Why not make a new India, an Entrepreneurial India…??
Manisha Gupta is an IPR Trainer & Consultant.
0 Comments >>
Our Achievements
- Winner of appreciation award for promoting SMEs in India.
- 1st ever Indian magazine to penetrate tier II, III cities & the rural belt.
- Industry Partnerships include CII, FICCI, ASSOCHAM, PHDCC, AIMA, ITPO, SME Network, Federation of Indian Micro Small Enterprises (FISME)
- Official Magazine Partners for several national & international MSME events.
More
The Last Word
More Learned than Educated, You were!
I was speechless. Rather hesitatingly I asked him, “So, what have you decided, Sominder ?” His reply was curt and candid, “I have told the doctors that I don’t want to live life as dumb. Only...
More
Contribute
You can also write for SME WORLD
We are looking for writers and experts to contribute original stories and articles. Send an email to smeworld@gmail.com with your story idea and lets get talking.
Some of our valued contributors are...