Forbes India was in the womb for a long time. The procedural delays in its arrival actually helped IG and Charles to convert their frustration into an opportunity: To, unhurriedly, ideate and plan and collaborate with me to conceptualise the Zen Garden. A lot of the column’s subsequent success goes back to the pre-natal attention it got.
Zen Garden was based on three premises. First, entrepreneurs are valuable people who often carry deep insights that can spark others. Second, these people are sometimes solitary individuals; they need the right probes and there are even times that they do not know what they know. The third premise was that if we bring in an entrepreneur to talk to an entrepreneur, these great men and women feel secure enough to explore the deeps and bring out valuable insights.
There are three most frequently asked questions about the column. How do you choose the people you interview? How do you know what to ask? And, finally, how do you find the time?
Sometimes, I must surprise my visitor so that he or she gives me the gem I am looking for. Usually, that surprise is a question no one has ever asked before.
(This story appears in the 04 June, 2010 issue of Forbes India. To visit our Archives, click here.)
Hello Subroto-da, I stay across the world and had read long time ago the first part of the making of MindTree. And now couple of days back ran into Zen Garden. I admire your way of giving back to entrepreneurship and making a difference. Thanks and please never stop ...
on Jun 19, 2010During my interactions with you, the biggest quality i observed was the emotional connect you make with the person. The other person feels wanted and that makes him share some of the insights which otherwise is difficult to share. Hats off to you.
on Jun 8, 2010Wow, what an article. You are like a superman, a God, who can make things happen. I just wish we have so many people like you. You have encompassed everyone from IG to the middle ones to your wife ...she seems to be super as well. What a calibre, what an achievement, wow, hats off.
on Jun 1, 2010I appreciate your effort to bring limelight on other hardworking budding entrepreneurs. More than just being an entrepreneur you are an entrepreneur's entrepreneur. Hats off to you. I try not to miss the Zen Garden every fortnight.
on May 30, 2010Mr Bagchi I can see a deep sense of fulfillment in your eagerness to collect pearls of wisdom from your guest.<br /> You come across as a genuine high quality entrepreneur who is keen to build houses for others to stay and not interested in just collecting the rent from the built houses as many others do.
on May 27, 2010Zen Garden is the most insightful piece of the brilliant Forbes Magazine. I am a big fan of Mr. Bagchi and his writings. I eagerly wait for latest addition to Zen Garden to appear on the website!
on May 26, 2010Kudos to you Subroto! Its amazing that so much hard work and preparation goes behind the Zen Garden. The way you have explained the process is really captivating and awe inspiring. Thank you for writing Subroto!
on May 26, 2010Wow! Are you for real? Yeah - you are -- I have met you. I think this is your best article - & I am sure all your guests would also agree - The intensity of your thoughts, the preparation & planning, the teamwork & perfection - it's just like the orchestra conductor -- Symphony!
on May 25, 2010