The world is witnessing a startup revival, with many young entrepreneurs coming up with ideas and establishing themselves slowly in the business forum. Some of these startup initiatives are thriving, while others are failing and having to be shut down. This article is going to look at some startup strategies from one of the oldest books in India, which holds key to the belief of the Hindu society, the Mahabharata.
A short peek into the book, the Mahabharata is written around the battle between the Kauravs and the Pandvas. Now the Kauravs were the superior ones with a huge kingdom and an expansive army, whereas the Pandvas were without a kingdom to rule. As the story goes the five brothers defeat the Kauravs and go on to conquer the kingdom of the Kauravs.
So how was it done and how can it be applied to modern day startup initiatives in business? This we shall see by outlining certain principles followed by the Pandvas that the Kauravs forgot or were negligent about.
Strategy 1: Turn inevitable weaknesses to strength: Every human being has a weakness and this is a fact that can’t be ignored because it is bound to surface along the way. From the book of “Mahabharata”, the Pandvas understood each other’s weakness; they were able to support that weakness through their strength. They had a less superior army, no fort to hide behind, no king, and no home. So the Pandvas would be any startup initiates in modern day business.
Understand the fact that you have shortage of money, resource, and contacts. So work out a way to save and spend cost effectively, build contacts at every given opportunity and use the resources best available to you. The other advantage is that since experience is something you don’t possess at the start, learning will be very vital.
Strategy 2: Choose the right team: When we look at the administrative composition of the two parties, we find that one was united and the other had individual agenda. The Kauravs were split in their camp, with no common goal. Some of them secretly helped the Pandvas, others didn’t want to kill them but just capture them whereas Karna, who is believed to be a brother of the Pandvas only wanted to kill Arjuna out of hate and jealousy.
On the other hand, Pandvas were united from the start with utter respect for one another and one ultimate goal—to get their kingdom back.
When this is applied to startup enthusiasts, make sure that the team you choose has an ultimate goal. Choose people whom you trust, who are responsible and especially those who are not secretly plotting to destroy you.
As a leader do not dictate, give your team freedom to explore and innovate, and above never ever criticize their mistakes, and instead show them how to rectify it. Make sure that the whole team is doing what they love because this will drive them and remember that businesses don’t fail but people fail.
Strategy 3: Draw a battle plan through experience: The Pandvas were preparing for a battle that could be the end of their clan. . Instead each of them went out in search of a way to strengthen their battle plans individually at the start and then collectively after having been influenced by Krishna for Arjuna, Hanuman for Bheema, and Yudhistira learned from wise Rishis. Later they shared their strengths and had a concrete plan.
Ego is a very powerful weapon for self destruction. The Kauravs had a huge one and that backfired on them.
So in a startup, take the advice given to you by successful entrepreneurs. Learn from their mistakes lest you make bigger ones yourself. It is understood that the company is yours but build it with the foundation of wisdom and knowledge of elders and build on it with the creative, innovative and aggressive idea of yours. Think of what can go wrong at the start so that you can alter that on coming mistake.
Strategy 4: Take smart risks and exploit weaknesses of the enemy: Before the war, there is a small portion where Yudhishtira is seen venturing into the enemy camp to talk to the elders of the Kauravs. He eventually learns of the battle plans and also takes the time to give the people the chance to shift sides. This was a dangerous move to have gone alone in to enemy territory and to make public his presence. Yet it was a risk he was willing to take.
How does this apply to modern day startup businesses? Well firstly know when and how much of a risk to take. Don’t be a fool and take unreasonable risks because it’s not yourself you are harming alone but those who have trusted you with their life.
Be the inspiration for those that you are responsible over, counsel and teach them. Be a source of strength for them and learn to exploit your enemy’s weakness. Businesses today are much like war; the ones who are willing to risk and commit to it fully will win.
No businesses thrived from half hearted commitments and self gains. Remember that when competitions become unwise and personal, it becomes politics and most of the time it is negative.
Strategy 5: Women Are Integral, Empower Them: The kauravs had no women in their camp that they listened to. Even karna when meeting his mother was not willing to listen to what she had to say. Gandhari, Drona or any other women were included in the decision making process. On the other hand the Pandvas respected the women in their lives and took heed to what they have to say. Kunti was their supreme leader, and the men respected the influence of their mothers who had borne and raised them up.
Now how does this apply to startup companies? Well let us look at the characteristics of men; we are aggressive, dominant and competitive. These qualities are good but only to an extent. This is why you need the harmonious, calm and calculative qualities of women.
Is it that women should lead your team and you follow? No, but give them the space to have a say with how the business runs because they are better with looking at things more practically and decisively. They will stop you when you are hasty. They bring balance to the team that will be evident in the end.
Source::::silicon india site
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