Kishore Biyani can sometimes get overly aggressive in betting on the future. He’s also prone to occasional flights of fancy—and to top it all, often fails
to pass the test on execution.
But in my book, he has one trait that perhaps overrides all his other flaws: He is an original thinker. Or else, he wouldn’t have succeeded in creating a $2.5 billion enterprise from scratch in about 15 years. During this period, I’ve watched him from the sidelines as he fought against all odds to create retail businesses based on astute insights about the lives of millions of Indians.
(This story appears in the 22 June, 2012 issue of Forbes India. To visit our Archives, click here.)
We in India sometimes tend to be harsh and judgemental on our entrepreneurs. We mock them when they fail even as we secretely admire their guts and their risk-taking ability. An exit need not be a bad thing. It often means personal growth for the entrepreneur. He or she may find new inspiration in a different business or even philanthropy. Even if a businessman is selling out because he isn't able to manage the scale, is exhausted or is fleeing a failing business, we must thank him. For, he isn't practicing hubris and clinging on to a business that has clearly outgrown him, but placing it in better hands that can protect the jobs and the economic value of that business.
on Jun 9, 2012