lessons for entrepreneurs

Every entrepreneur should take these 5 lessons from the Bhagavad Gita!

We are sure that many of us must have explored or heard some great treasures hidden in ancient scripture Bhagavad Gita.

We often run a Google search on the top industrial honchos to learn from their words of wisdom. However, we seem to have lost touch with our own rich intellectual heritage. Why not go back to our own roots, and learn from words of wisdom that are truly eternal? Our great epics (religious or not), surely have quotes that stand true to the modern times, even better than ever before. We are sure that many of us must have explored or heard some great treasures hidden in ancient scripture Bhagavad Gita.

Below are a few shlokas which we tried to decode. We hope that this will help entrepreneurs to take away something from them.

“KarmanyeVadhikaraste Ma PhaleshuKadachana,

Ma Karma PhalaHeturBhurmaTeySangostvaAkarmani”

A lot has been said and heard about ‘karma’, but the true essence lies in these two simple lines. Every entrepreneur should focus on their work i.e. karma without anticipating the result or outcome. You should not concentrate so much on the final product and just enjoy the process of reaching there. We get swayed by our vision and rely on its success too much. We forget it is pivotal to enjoy the whole process rather than just hoping for something that you know is any way uncertain. Remember, having hopes or being optimistic is not wrong, but without actions, your path will be dreadful.

The art lies in walking the tightrope and enjoy doing it. If the guy who walks the literal tightrope is scared or too excited, he will certainly fall. The trick to his success is that he enjoys it while he walks in order to reach the other end successfully.

“vasamsi jirnani yatha vihaya

navani grhnati naro parani

tatha sarirani vihaya jirnany

anyani samyati navani dehi”

It is easy to say versatility and adaptation are the keys to success. But the biggest lesson for any entrepreneur is learning to adapt to changes quickly. Do not get stuck with your initial vision. Learn to adapt, innovate and implore new opportunities. Pave your journeys like a traveler, who is not attached to the city he visits or the hotel he stays in but enjoys the experience of it all.

Do not be adamant; be innovative, open-minded and ready to absorb experiences like a sponge. The faster you adapt to a change, the better it is. Remember, change is the only constant.

“krodhaadbhavatisammohahsammohaatsmritivibhramah |

smritibhramshaadbuddhinaashobuddhinaashaatpranashyati ||”

It is imperative for all entrepreneurs to have control over their anger. With anger goes away our ability to reason and we tend to become delusional. The confusion and chaos generated by anger lead to memory loss. The individual has moved away from his purpose and goals. Anybody who seems to have forgotten their goals or lost their clarity of thought cannot succeed. Therefore, it is important for people to free themselves from anger. A simple solution to this problem is the focus. Never lose your focus and never underestimate the virtue of patience.

“tasmad asaktah satatam karyam karma samacara

asakto hy acaran karma param apnoti purushah”

Inculcate the habit of being open to everything and being attached to nothing. Attachment does give strength to work and love beyond ourselves, but it also limits us and makes our journey and growth difficult, especially if the object of our desire is taken away from us. Too much desire can be bad, as it turns into greed. Greed takes you away from your true calling and dream, be it to achieve, create or innovate.

Do not be super attached to your work, as it makes your journey as an entrepreneur difficult and closed. You cannot wear binoculars and run the rat race. You have to keep an open mind about the ever-evolving market changes, adapt to them. Keep a close eye on your goals but do not get obsessive.

“dhumenavriyate vahnir yathadarso malena ca

yatholbenavrto garbhas tatha tenedam avrtam”

This simple shloka has the deepest meaning. It is like a dissuading curse – as everything pure has a covering that can often be misleading. For example, fire is covered with smoke, which prevents us from nearing it and if a mirror is covered in sheen, we cannot see what it is reflecting before removing the sheen. Similarly, knowledge is covered with a desire that we must ignore or get rid of. We must ignore the curtain of desire in order to imbibe knowledge that will help us grow. This isn’t as easy as it looks but a wise man is one who knows what to avoid and what to select.

10 Lessons every entrepreneur should learn from Sachin Tendulkar

Sachin Tendulkar is one name which inspires billions of people around the world.

Sachin Tendulkar is one name which inspires billions of people around the world. In a country where cricket is revered as a religion, Sachin is regarded as its God. No one has been able to carry the hopes of a billion people with such grace. His cricketing career has given us a lot of life lessons. A lot of them are relevant to entrepreneurs looking to slog it out for a better future. Let’s have a glance.

1. Never lose sight of your goal

Sachin started out with the goal of lifting the World Cup. He was so heartbroken after the 2007 World cup that he seriously contemplated quitting. 4 years later, he buried the demons by lifting the trophy at Mumbai. Fairy tales exist in reality too. An entrepreneur must never lose sight of the goal.

2. Move out of the comfort zone

It is said that Sachin Tendulkar rarely prepared for the bowler. He prepared for the conditions. He continuously exerted himself against harsher-than expected conditions. This ensured that he was ready for anything at the time of a match.

An entrepreneur can only grow if they are willing to feel awkward and uncomfortable. Only then, can they identify the chinks in the armour.

3. Never give up

On his maiden Test series, Sachin was hit by a Waqar Younis bouncer on the nose. There was a deep cut which left him bleeding. He could have stopped playing and taken a breather. But that is not the winner’s way of doing things. He got up in a flash, and hit the next ball for a four.

Multiple injuries can easily take a toll on the body. The strain an injury puts on the body and mind is unimaginable.It is understandable to retire at this point. But if you want to be the brand that weathers the test of time, you can never ever give up.

4. There is always scope for improvement

Sachin’s swansong was a Test match at the Wankhede. He got out at the score of 74. After such an illustrious career, one would think Sachin’s mind would be filled with sadness and relief. Sadness at the thought of finally hanging up his boots and never again doing what he loved so much. Simultaneously, relief at the fact that he has crafted a legacy which would withstand the ravages of time. Well, if this is what you think, you are hopelessly off base! Even on the night after his retirement, the thought of improvement was on his mind. The only thing he could discuss about with his brother was what he could have done to not get out.

5. Always have a Plan B

In one test match, Sachin got out cheaply to a Shane Warne delivery. Not wanting to be outdone again, he locked himself in the bathroom and didn’t come out until he had thought of a proper strategy to face him. Later, Sachin revealed that he had come up with multiple plans to outdo Warne. A bowler of his stature could not be bettered with just one stock plan. So, he came up with a plan for each type of delivery.

In life, there will be times when your plan won’t work. You need to come up with an alternative to stay relevant.

6. Know your strengths

Sachin wanted to be a fast bowler. Dennis Lilee convinced him to give up the ball for the bat. Sachin realised that he was special at batting and stuck to it. The rest is history.

Captaincy was one area where Sachin’s record was not as good as most people would have wanted. When he was offered the captaincy for the second time in 2007, he asked the selectors to not appoint him, and instead recommended MS Dhoni for the job. This advice of his paid huge dividends for Indian Cricket, as MS Dhoni is widely recognized as one of the most successful captains.

Just like Sachin, an entrepreneur needs to know the areas where a certain member of his team is better, and entrust the responsibility to him.

7. Work is worship

For Sachin, playing cricket held the same significance as visiting a temple. He could not think about disrespecting any facet of the game. His devotion to duty stood the same throughout the years. The innumerable records he broke stand testament to this fact.

8. Practice is the key to success

Sachin would sometimes play 3 matches a day. He refused to waste even a single minute of practice. It was only after the incessant practice that he managed to perform exceptionally at the international level. Talent is nothing without hard work and dedication.

Similarly, an idea is nothing by itself. An idea would have value only if it is worked upon and molded into a practical concept.

9. Everybody needs a mentor

If you aim to be the best in what you do, the need for a mentor cannot be overstated. Without the guidance of Mr. Ramakant Achrekar, Sachin could not have realised his true potential. Without the advice of Sir Vivian Richards, Sachin would have given up before he would have won the World Cup.

10. Stay dedicated even at the hardest of times

When a loved one passes away, it hurts. Negative emotions can mentally cripple even the best of us. One needs immense strength and fortitude to get back up and start working. What sets the best of us apart from others is the way we deal with grief. Slamming a century a day after his father’s death is what transformed Sachin from a legend to God — it was a testament to the fact that one man’s dedication in the face of adversity can overcome all odds.

Lessons every entrepreneur can learn from cartoon characters

Certain cartoon characters also impart lessons which can prove to be very helpful to an entrepreneur.

Cartoons aren’t meant just for kids; they end up teaching us valuable morals and life lessons to cherish. Certain cartoon characters also impart lessons which can prove to be very helpful to an entrepreneur. Here are a few cartoon characters that should inspire every entrepreneur:

1. Naruto Uzumaki

The orphaned boy grows up to become one of the most respected and feared ninjas in the world. His journey to success wasn’t an easy one. He experienced hardships and pressures all throughout but not once did the thought of giving up cross his mind. He continued to work hard with unparalleled enthusiasm and finally achieved his goal.

2. Bob the Builder

The leader of pack the pack, Bob, who is a constructor by profession, gives us excellent leadership lessons. At times, when his team is under-confident about completing the task, he motivates them (especially Lofty). He also mingles well with his team and is sensitive towards their needs. However, he means business while working and doesn’t ever compromise on that.

3. Peter Pan

The biggest lesson we can learn from Peter Pan is that how he consulted Tinker Bell, his mentor, every time he was in some problem. Tinker Bell advised him and helped him make decisions which show that no one in the world is a know-it-all and sometimes, people require mentors to guide them.

For instance, Warren Buffet claims to credit his knowledge of investment to his mentor, Benjamin Graham.

4. Winnie the Pooh

The cute, fat, yellow bear is definitely one of the most adorable cartoon characters ever but through his greed for honey, he teaches us a very important lesson. One needs to control his debts without which they can land in trouble just like Pooh does in terms of honey. It is good to be ambitious, but, being by greedy and not keeping a tab on the increasing debts, one will definitely land up in a mess.

5. Remy (ratatouille)

Remy, who is actually a rat but can cook amazing dishes shows us that even the weakest of us is capable of miracles. By befriending an amateur cook who worked under his guidance and directions, he also taught us to be smart and make quick and calculated decisions which can be beneficial. People might tell you that you are too small to achieve the big dream but always remember with hard work and determination; you’ll get there in no time.

6. Dora the explorer

The tiny explorer always embarks on her journey with a map and a well chalked out plan. She doesn’t start a journey based on impulse. Similarly, entrepreneurs must have a concrete vision and a well charted business plan before moving ahead with their venture. Not having a solid plan can lead to chaotic situations.

7. Doraemon

Doraemon, the 22nd century cat teaches us that innovative solutions to problems will help you solve them and emerge wiser from the situation. He also teaches us the importance of empathy and friendship as he helps Nobita every time he’s in trouble. Doraemon is also a problem-solver who employs quick thinking and witty solutions to Nobita’s problems.

8. Tom and Jerry

The two all time favourite cartoon characters have elaborated on a very important lesson that chasing our competitors endlessly gets you nowhere. By wasting time on foiling your competitors’ tries, you’re forgetting to develop on your own skills which will ultimately prove to be useless in the long run.

4 Lessons an entrepreneur can learn from Rocket Singh: Salesman of the year

A lot of people focus more on marketing and forget to focus on sales which can lead to the downfall of the company. This movie reminded us why it is important to focus on sales as well because that’s how profits are generated.

Rocket Singh: salesman of the year released in 2009 and as the title suggests, it had a lot of lessons that a budding entrepreneur could learn about sales. Other than that, the movie which starred Ranbir Kapoor and Gauhar Khan had certain lessons for entrepreneurs. Since movies are an entertaining yet informative way to gain knowledge, this movie is a must watch for all budding entrepreneurs.

4 lessons every entrepreneur can learn from the movie are:

1. Be dedicated to your cause

Harpreet Singh, the protagonist in the movie was totally dedicated to his cause of opening a computer repair company which worked 24*7. He worked day and night without deterring from his final goal. He knew what he wanted to achieve could be possible only if he was committed. Similarly, an entrepreneur needs to be dedicated to his cause and work relentlessly even if it means letting go of things like parties, personal life, sleep etc because that is how a company can actually succeed.

2. Recruit smartly

Harpreet was a smart entrepreneur because he didn’t recruit people on the basis of fancy degrees or a filled CV. Instead, he observed their capabilities and analysed who could be beneficial to his team. Even though he wasn’t fond of his boss, Nitin, he recruited him because he knew Nitin was an experienced salesman and would prove to be an asset for the company. In the same way, an entrepreneur should be able to judge a person carefully and analyse his worth in the company. Quality over quantity in terms of skills should be given preference.

3. Don’t be afraid to take risks

The risks taken in the movie were extreme but not once did Harpreet Singh think about not taking them because he knew those risks were crucial for his company. He had to hide his venture from his boss and work at night and use AVS lines to carry on his business. These aren’t every ethical means, but he needed to do those to actually succeed in his business. In the same way, an entrepreneur can’t shy away from taking risks as it forms a major chunk of his job some risks might work out while some may not, but, this doesn’t mean that an entrepreneur will not take any. However, the risks being taken by an entrepreneur need to calculated ones.

4. Satisfy your customers

The business exists for the customer and not the other way round which is why it is very important to satisfy the customers. Harpreet Singh demonstrated this very well in the movie as his sales team focused on after sales services very well and offered services at lower prices which made the customers happy. The 24*7 prompt services were why people turned to Rocket Singh.

Similarly, in real life if you want your company to make profits by engaging customers on repeat purchases, you need to satisfy them through your product. If something goes wrong from your side, step up and accept responsibility immediately. This will help you win loyalty and respect of the customer.

If you haven’t watched this movie yet, go ahead and watch it for all that it can teach you about sales, corporate life and the real world.

5 Lessons entrepreneurs could learn from Game of Thrones

Start watching Game of Thrones if you don’t already and use these business lessons to make your venture a more successful one.

Game of thrones, based on Song of Ice and Fire written by George Martin, has emerged as the most popular on-going TV series. The show is based on a number of people fighting for the Iron throne which determines the ruler of seven kingdoms. The show has gained popularity for being one of the most manipulative, violent and thrilling ones.

The series also has a number of lessons which could prove to be useful to entrepreneurs. Some of them are:

1. Don’t underestimate yourself

Jon Snow is the perfect example of why you should never underestimate yourself. The bastard son of Ed Stark who was often taunted by Ygritte, “You know nothing, Jon Snow” rose to fame and power only because he believed in himself. He became the Lord Commander of the Night’s watch and through his bravery and clever thinking won over tough groups like the Free Folk. Also, because of his quick thinking and belief in himself, he is a strong contender to the iron throne.

This shows that when required one can use his skills to the fullest and mustn’t underestimate oneself ever.

2. Knowledge is crucial

In the series, Lord Varys or Tyrion Lannister wouldn’t be powerful without their network of spies and crucial information about their enemies. In your job, you could aspire to gather information about the industry and use little secrets of the market to your benefit. Once, you understand the requisites of the market, you will be able to identify and fulfil demands of the customers better.

3. Keep innovating

In the fifth season, the mother of dragons, Daenereys Targareon very rightly said that she wouldn’t break the wheel intending to Tyrion that she wouldn’t stop at what had already achieved. This is the kind of attitude even an entrepreneur should move forward with as there’ll be many people who will keep telling him that a lot of things aren’t possible. His main focus should lie of changing the challenges into opportunities.

4. Do not trust people easily

Catelyn had warned Neddard Stark repeatedly against Theon Greyjoy and if he cared to pay little heed to his wife’s warning and not trusted Theon blindly, things would’ve been very different. Similarly, when you set up your own venture, a lot of people will advice you on what is right and what is not and offer you schemes. At those times, follow what you know and believe and not what others try to sell.

5. Build a strong team

The only reason Daenerys was able to be so successful till now is because she treated the people who follow and advice her with utmost respect and empowers them. By guaranteeing the Unsullied their freedom, Khaleesi managed to gain herself a band of loyal followers. Similarly, if you display trust and respect towards your employees and treat them like assets, they will put in their 100% and help you reap profits. Also, it is absolutely crucial for an entrepreneur to learn to identify and tap the talents of his employees.

Start watching Game of Thrones if you don’t already and use these business lessons to make your venture a more successful one.

Image credit: gameofthrones.wikia.com