Maverick School of Intuitive Entrepreneurship

Only God knows what prompted this title, but when I was discussing with my colleague at work, as to how it feels more rewarding when you know that you have created a pie of value, then just get a share of the pie by virtue of being in a vantage position, I just got this term out of the blue and this has sort of stuck with me thro the evening.

I have not read any biography or autobiography of any great entrepreneur, but for Maverick, which talks about the revolutionary path adopted by Semco, after it was taken over by its second generation leader Ricardo Semler.

Here is a brief note on how I classify entrepreneurs. I have not analysed their history or growth path, but these are just my views at a superficial level.

The by the book, value system entrepreneur – He who believes that investing in a value system is as important as strategizing a business model. NR Narayana Moorthy is the brand ambassador for this enviable breed. One of the most revered industrialists in India, his institution stands testimony to the fact that, when you do what you think is right and most importantly what most others think is right, and the time will come, where you will surely shine.

The second generation entrepreneur – Azim Premji is an amazing example of how as a second generation entrepreneur, you can take the organization that you have inherited to the next level, and not squander your father’s wealth to restrict the money to his generation. I don’t think it is very easy to run a business when a thousand people view you as the leader born out of autocracy than out of democracy. To take no cognizance of that, and proving your mettle time and again is no mean joke.

Vijay Mallya also breaks into this league, and he is a second generation leader whose flamboyant lifestyle is viewed as a sign of vanity, and with greater degree of attention, whereas one cannot take away the credit he deserves for revamping and rebranding the UB group, and the way he has ventured into the airline sector.

The aggressive.. Annihilate the competitor mould – None other than Dhirubhai Hirachand Ambani can epiomise this variety. With humble beginnings as a worker in a petrol pump in the Gulf, his vision and the confidence that he can make a difference to the way business is run in India, is unparalleled. The way he went about building an empire with steadfast commitment, his trust on the famed Inner circle and the ability to topple competition with both grit and tact, right from the time he played with the happiness of a bear cartel running against him when he was a nascent entrepreneur, till his vision of 10 paise mobile phone are just pages out of the epic called Dhirubhai, the real Ambani.

Maverick Entrepreneur – This clan is my favourite. The eccentric attitude often acts as an opaque mask behind which is this absolutely astute master of business. The potential to hog the limelight is a given for them. The one person who standsout in this category is Richard Branson. The way he posed as a girl at the launch of Virgin, was a path breaking effort J. His simple idea of welcoming all the passengers aboard his fleet by imprinting a message with his autograph is not something that goes unnoticed if you are a leisure traveler. If there is one autobiography I would love to fetch from the racks, it would be “Losing my virginity” by Branson.

Just in case you get an impression that this post was boring, please do let me know, and I will switch back to my more cozy style of writing… stepping out of comfort zones, occasionally is not that harmful though. J