For Infy co-founder Kris Gopalakrishnan, business is not a sprint but a marathon
He recalled that it took the IT behemoth 23 years to touch the $1 billion revenue mark.
By ET Bureau |
BCCL
Kris Gopalakrishnan, one of the co-founders of Infosys, left the IT giant five years ago, but he has remained active in the sector since.
Kris Gopalakrishnan, one of the co-founders of Infosys, left the IT giant five years ago, but he has remained active in the sector since. Today, he is a venture capitalist who supports early stage start-ups.
More importantly, however, he looks back at a nearly four-decade career to give them valuable advice on building their brand. And his number one advice? “Building a business takes time. It’s not a sprint; it’s a marathon,” he said at an event recently. He added start-ups must be boot strapped and maintain zero debt. “Many entrepreneurs think the ultimate goal is to secure external funding. But if you do that, investors will run the show and all you’d do is think about returns,” he added.
Speaking of Infosys’s growth as an example, he recalled that it took the IT behemoth 23 years to touch the $1 billion revenue mark. But the second billion took 23 months, while the third came in just 13.
Father's Day Gift(s) For the Bibliophile Dad: Books From Biz Leaders' Reading Lists
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If you have a bibliophile dad, or a career-driven one, wrap up a good book and you've got yourself a winner of a present. But while the idea of gifting a book may qualify as a no-brainer, picking the right book isn't an easy task.
Which is why, we turned to the experts.
What are business leaders - who've made a mark and inspired millions across the globe - inspired by? We followed their reading lists and recommendations to hand-pick titles (across genres) that are sure to be a hit with your dad.
If you have a bibliophile dad, or a career-driven one, wrap up a good book and you've got yourself a winner of a present. But while the idea of gifting a book may qualify as a no-brainer, picking t..
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The world's second richest man shares his reading list as a habit on his blog, gatesnotes, and the list comes with details about each book, along with why he recommends it. While his this year's summer list features books ranging across various genres, they have the idea of disruption as a common theme.
With capitalism a hot topic in today's world, the Microsoft co-founder and philanthropist recommends picking up Paul Collier's 'The Future of Capitalism'. Gates says Collier's 'background as a development economist gives him a smart perspective on where capitalism is headed', and the book is a 'thought-provoking look' at the topic.
For added measure, you can borrow the book after your old man is done reading it, and then engage in some deep, insightful conversation on the topic.
If you want other suggestions off Gates's list, read this.
The world's second richest man shares his reading list as a habit on his blog, gatesnotes, and the list comes with details about each book, along with why he recommends it. While his this year's summ..
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The book, penned by Microsoft boss Satya Nadella, is recommended not just by one of India's pioneer IT boss, but several others including Kishore Biyani and Manu Kumar Jain.
The former Wipro boss counts it among the books that impacted and changed his life. Premji said that the 'very powerful book' gave him a 'completely different perspective vis-a-vis the priorities of an extremely successful business leader and his sensitivity to the environment, to relationships and to bringing up his children'.
Future Group CEO Kishore Biyani also rates the book high on his list, saying it 'explains how a culture can be reset in a large company, how culture can bring belief, growth and innovation and build a lasting organisation'.
Meanwhile the book compelled Xiaomi India VP & MD, Manu Kumar Jain, to keep his schedule aside and finish reading. According to this boss, the book 'is a refreshing mix of empathy, ideas and inspiring transformations.
So if your dad is awed by exciting ideas, you know you can't go wrong with Nadella.
The book, penned by Microsoft boss Satya Nadella, is recommended not just by one of India's pioneer IT boss, but several others including Kishore Biyani and Manu Kumar Jain. The former Wipro boss cou..
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The RPG Enterprises chairman's recommendations deals with a topic we could all do with more of - happiness. Penned by Dr. Tal Ben-Shahar - who also taught a course on Positive Psychology (read: how to be happy) at Harvard University in 2006, the book traces the secret to 'daily joy and lasting fulfillment'.
The book's many philosophies - 'living with emotions, healthy relationships, expressing gratitude, positive regimen, living in the present' - are simple yet effect ways that create an impact.
Ben-Shahar is considered the 'foremost guru of happiness', and while the book isn't a business read - it definietly is on something that impacts the way you conduct business.
The RPG Enterprises chairman's recommendations deals with a topic we could all do with more of - happiness. Penned by Dr. Tal Ben-Shahar - who also taught a course on Positive Psychology (read: how t..
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While Nadella's book has been recommended by several top bosses, the Microsoft CEO has a recommendation of his own. Nadella has credited Carol Dweck's book as the inspiration for his company’s culture change.
In the book, the Stanford psychologist propogates the value of cultivating a growth mindset. The author says that 'individuals who believe their talents can be developed through hard work, good strategies, and inputs from others (i.e., a growth mindset) tend to achieve more than those who believe their talents are innate gifts with finite development potential'.
While Nadella's book has been recommended by several top bosses, the Microsoft CEO has a recommendation of his own. Nadella has credited Carol Dweck's book as the inspiration for his company’s cultur..
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John Carreyrou's book reveals the darker side of biotech start-up, Theranos, founded by Elizabeth Holmes - often referred to as the female Steve Jobs.
If your dad is fascinated by startup tales, the Biocon CMD recommends the book as a great read. Shaw says, the book led her 'to believe that we function in a sinister ecosystem where fortunes are built and destroyed at the whims of influential VCs and investors who hardly do any due diligence'.
John Carreyrou's book reveals the darker side of biotech start-up, Theranos, founded by Elizabeth Holmes - often referred to as the female Steve Jobs.If your dad is fascinated by startup tales, the B..
