In the blistering afternoon heat of Lucknow, a handcart stands sheltered under a tree. The handcart supports a two-burner stove, attached to a gas cylinder balanced on the pavement. On the stove is a tin kettle, a vessel of milk and half a dozen glasses. This small set-up belongs to Shankar Yadav, who has… Continue reading People of Bharat: Shankar Yadav, Lucknow
With the outbreak of COVID-19, it seems like everything around us changed in a matter of a few weeks! With the virus now at our own doorstep, waking us all up to reality — we know that it is the ‘Black Swan’ of 2020 that we are witnessing. We all know that it is… Continue reading The Simple Truths About Organisational Abilities In Complex Times
The Reserve Bank of India (like any other Central Bank) uses monetary policy tools to meet its two main objectives: economic growth and stable prices. On March 27th, RBI in its Monetary Policy Committee Meeting announced few major decisions. CRR (Cash Reserve Ratio) is one of the tools that RBI doesn’t use quite… Continue reading Cogent Stimulus Ideas By The Reserve Bank Of India
Image by SoumenNath on iStock I knock at the door and I am answered by Bhola Das who has agreed to meet me here; it’s one of his patient’s home for whom he renders caregiving services. We skirt out to sit in the dining hall; Bhola has an hour off for lunch. He talks… Continue reading People of Bharat: Bhola Das, Kolkata
Image by CROCOTHERY on Shutterstock What does this mean to us as employers? While we manage the business risks during this outbreak and the emergency situation, it is equally critical for us as entrepreneurs to ensure that we remain extremely alert and aware of our business needs from a team perspective. In part one of… Continue reading Amidst The Pandemic — How Can Entrepreneurs do their Best as Employers?
Image by Rost9 on Shutterstock What does this mean to you as an entrepreneur? Globally speaking, there is a clear disruption underway. Some of the obvious dimensions of this disruption include travel restrictions, social quarantines/distancing, closures of cities and lockdowns. Loosely translated, sectors like hospitality and travel/tourism are the ones to take the first blow.… Continue reading Amidst The Pandemic — How Can Entrepreneurs Stay Rational In Such Irrational Times?
I am wandering near Azadpur area, North-East Delhi. The stinging odours of summer had been replaced with soft, refreshing smells of wet mud and fresh growth all around me. As dark clouds gather overhead, the cooler breeze sets the heart starts craving for pakodas (deep fried lentil fritters), I spot a man selling these… Continue reading People of Bharat: Bikram Lal, Delhi
I enter a narrow gully (lane) which runs adjacent to a graveyard and I spot Rajinder’s house in the distance. It’s a small house, with wild bushes growing in the backyard. White-washed and clean, it looks welcoming as I step into a corridor which connects to the living room. A child of about six,… Continue reading People of Bharat: Rajindernath, Hyderabad
This chapter undertakes a multi-level analysis of incubation in India with an objective to assess the landscape of incubation, the role and impact of incubators on startups, and understand challenges faced both by incubators and incubatees. Secondary data from 284 incubators across India and four largest incubator support schemes, survey of 22 incubation centres funded… Continue reading Incubation in India – A Multilevel Analysis
Raksha is standing in the balcony of one of the homes where she works as a house help. She agreed to the interview after her employer gave her permission. When I greet her she acknowledges me with a nervous nod. She is a petite, dark-skinned woman in her early thirties (although she looks younger)… Continue reading People of Bharat: Raksha, Ranchi
Usman Ahmed looks up from his sewing machine and greets me with a smile. He has been expecting me. He offers me a stool and instructs one of his ‘boys’ to fetch a glass of water for me. I sit down and take a look around this tailoring shop owned by Usman. Located in… Continue reading People of Bharat: Usman, Ludhiana
Abstract: This short case illustrates the issues in managing people in start-ups, especially while building and growing teams. Rohan, the protagonist, is a young, passionate entrepreneur whose start-up has a proven concept and is pushing towards growth. Rohan, along with his co-founders, Shantul and Niraj, is trying to set rules and procedures within the team… Continue reading Rohan@BlueOcean Tech: Setting rules and processes in an early-stage startup