Go kiss the world

I just finished reading Subroto Bagchi's book titled "Go kiss the world". The book is certainly not another all-about-me autobiography. Although Bagchi walks us through his life so far in an astonishingly simple style that reflects reality, I would still call it a business book. Bagchi hailed from an almost cinema-like humble background in rural Orissa – brothers who were much elder to him but, unsettled in their individual lives; father who works in a mobile government job (who also suffered from MDP); mother who unfortunately turned blind. As Bagchi himself admits, it was not a childhood of struggle but one characterized by simplicity & frugality. Although his family moved to different cities all the time, Bagchi's education was luckily unaffected. In fact, the first chapter of the book is all about mobility where he highlights the advantages of displacement and its role in one's progress. Migration has had a role in many of our lives and hence most people can relate to this. As he concludes, you become an interesting person, because you have stories to tell. In fact, almost every chapter ends with such profound messages.

On mentorship:

One can easily appreciate the importance of mentorship and Bagchi was fortunate to have many mentors;

• Brothers
  
  • Dadamoni (gem of a brother) –IAS – Theory of marginal utility at age 10
    
  • Shanti Swarup – IAF – Discipline (esp. shoe shining)
    
  • Amitav- lawyer/ activist – connecting across levels & larger context of life
    
    • All professional growth must finally take us to that point of realization as quantum achievement follows a state of awareness in which the concept of mine & thine ceases to exist.
      
• Bosses
  
  • Premji – only when you are 120% loaded you are 100% effective
    
  • Ashok Soota - champion of diversity – respecting people
    

    & many more
    

    
     

Concludes saying 'Only when return we receive, we are blessed to revive even more'.

The Diego Garcia moment:

Bagchi's involvement in NCC took him as far as Delhi and eventually got him the coveted 'Best Cadet' award. All this was possible because he knew all about Diego Garcia. Shows how much simple things like reading newspapers can help you during big moments.

Special mention:

Dropping out of college continues to promise good 'degree' of success. Bagchi joins the elite list after dropping out of international relations & political science courses. He was forunuate not only to work in not just different kinds of organizations but also for leaders with contrasting styles;

 

• Work history
  
  • Government of Orissa
    
  • DCM
    
  • HCL
    
  • PSI
    
  • MMC
    
  • Porject.21
    
  • Wipro
    
  • Lucent
    
  • MindTree (co-founded)
    

About MBAs:

'Good guys do not remind people if they owed money…' an attitude he tried to fix at Wipro. How to take home such a message? Well, Bagchi says 'create posters that are so good that people would like to take them home'.

On leadership during crisis:

Bagchi says job of a leader is to take charge (during times of crisis) and broadcast his/ her intent. Also, tell people that there is a tomorrow.

Emotional infrastructure:

In Bagchi's view, an organization needs three kinds of infrastructure - physical, intellectual & emotional. Of the three, the emotional infrastructure is most difficult to build.

Personal analysis:

In my view, entrepreneurial success requires among other thinks, some luck. Also, the overall social environment including family, friends & the all important startup team composition. Below is a sample analysis.

Bagchi	My father
Born in rural Orissa	Born in rural Tamilnadu
Born just after independence	Same
Siblings: many – all elder	Many – all younger
First job: Govt. of Orissa – clerical	Indian Railways – clerical
Subsequent: many pvt. Cos	Same
Entrepreneurship entry: 42	45
Result: Founded MindTree Consulting	Result: Founded Varshatiles. After the startup failed, became freelance consultant

 

The first time I heard about Bagchi was when I read his article in business week on a Chennai cucumber seller. Since then, I have read some of his articles in papers. And he says it is important for professionals to have such hobbies that help them grow their small talents that could help them later. And I agree as write yet another blog post that, I guess, not too many people might read…