Ĺ·±¦ÓéŔÖ

Ěý

Generation Z: Shaping the Future of Indian Startups

Generation Z (born between 1997 and 2012) is rapidly emerging as a transformative force in India’s entrepreneurial landscape. With their digital fluency, value-driven mindset, and innovative approach, Gen Z is redefining traditional business norms and carving new paths in the startup ecosystem.

Understanding Gen Z’s Entrepreneurial Drive

Unlike previous generations, Gen Z’s relationship with work and entrepreneurship is deeply intertwined with personal values and social impact. A recent survey indicates that 85.5% of Indian Gen Z individuals aspire to start their own ventures, with 36% ranking entrepreneurship among their top life goals.Ěý

This generation’s entrepreneurial ambitions are fueled by several key factors:

Digital Natives: Having grown up in the digital age, Gen Z possesses an innate understanding of technology, enabling them to leverage digital tools for business innovation.

Value-Driven: Gen Z entrepreneurs prioritize purpose over profit, seeking to create ventures that align with their personal values and contribute positively to society.

Desire for Autonomy: The traditional 9-to-5 job model holds less appeal for Gen Z, who often prefer flexible work arrangements and the freedom to pursue their passions.

The Rise of Purpose-Driven Startups

Gen Z’s emphasis on purpose is evident in the types of startups they are launching. From sustainable fashion brands to tech platforms addressing social issues, these young entrepreneurs are integrating social impact into their business models.

For instance, a young founder in Bengaluru launched a sustainable fashion platform, challenging traditional work structures and emphasizing environmental consciousness.Ěý

This trend reflects a broader shift towards businesses that not only seek financial success but also aim to make a meaningful difference in the world.

Challenges Faced by Gen Z Entrepreneurs

Despite their enthusiasm and innovative ideas, Gen Z entrepreneurs encounter several challenges:

Access to Funding: Many young entrepreneurs struggle to secure the necessary capital to launch and scale their ventures.

Lack of Mentorship: Without experienced mentors, navigating the complexities of starting and running a business can be daunting.

Balancing Risk and Stability: The desire for autonomy must be balanced with the realities of financial stability and long-term sustainability.

Addressing these challenges requires a supportive ecosystem that offers resources, guidance, and opportunities tailored to the unique needs of Gen Z entrepreneurs.

Opportunities for Growth and Support

To harness the potential of Gen Z entrepreneurs, various initiatives and services can play a pivotal role:

1. Startup Consulting Services

Providing tailored consulting services can help young entrepreneurs refine their business models, develop strategic plans, and navigate market dynamics. Our services offer personalized guidance to help startups achieve sustainable growth.

2. Mentorship Programs

Connecting Gen Z entrepreneurs with experienced mentors can provide invaluable insights and support. Our Mentorship Programs facilitate meaningful connections between emerging founders and seasoned industry professionals.

3. Angel Investing Opportunities

Access to early-stage funding is crucial for startup success. Through our network, we provide funding opportunities and strategic support to promising Gen Z-led ventures.

4. Educational Resources

Offering educational materials and workshops on entrepreneurship, financial literacy, and business management can empower Gen Z with the knowledge needed to succeed. Our content isĚýdesigned to equip young entrepreneurs with essential skills and insights.

The Role of Technology and Innovation

Gen Z’s comfort with technology positions them to leverage emerging tools and platforms to drive innovation. From utilizing social media for marketing to adopting AI for operational efficiency, technology serves as both a catalyst and enabler for their entrepreneurial endeavors.

Moreover, the rise of fintech solutions has made financial services more accessible, allowing young entrepreneurs to manage finances, secure funding, and streamline transactions with greater ease.

Building a Supportive Ecosystem

Creating an environment that nurtures Gen Z entrepreneurship involves collaboration among various stakeholders:

Educational Institutions: Integrating entrepreneurship into curricula and offering experiential learning opportunities can inspire and prepare students for entrepreneurial careers.

Government Initiatives: Programs like the Atal Innovation Mission provide funding, infrastructure, and mentorship to support young innovators.Ěý

Corporate Partnerships: Companies can foster innovation by partnering with startups, offering resources, and creating platforms for collaboration.

Community Networks: Building communities where entrepreneurs can share experiences, challenges, and successes fosters a sense of belonging and mutual support.

Conclusion

Generation Z is poised to redefine the entrepreneurial landscape in India, bringing fresh perspectives, technological savvy, and a commitment to purpose-driven ventures. By addressing the challenges they face and providing robust support systems, we can unlock the full potential of this dynamic generation.

Whether you’re a budding Gen Z entrepreneur seeking guidance or an investor looking to support innovative ventures, our services are here to help you navigate the journey.

At the core of both artistic expression and entrepreneurial thinking lies a creative mindset that fuels innovation and drives progress. Artists and entrepreneurs alike share a unique ability to envision possibilities that transcend the ordinary. This imaginative capacity allows them to see the world not just as it is, but as it could be.

For instance, consider the visionary Steve Jobs, co-founder of Apple Inc. His approach to product design was heavily influenced by his appreciation for aesthetics and simplicity, akin to an artist’s pursuit of beauty. Jobs famously stated, “Design is not just what it looks like and feels like.

Design is how it works.� This perspective highlights the intersection of creativity and functionality, where artistic sensibilities inform entrepreneurial strategies. Similarly, renowned artist Pablo Picasso once said, “Every act of creation is first an act of destruction.� This notion resonates deeply within the entrepreneurial realm, where innovators must often dismantle existing paradigms to forge new paths. Entrepreneurs, much like artists, must embrace uncertainty and ambiguity, allowing their creative instincts to guide them through uncharted territories.

The ability to think divergently—generating multiple solutions to a problem—is a hallmark of both disciplines. By fostering a creative mindset, individuals can cultivate resilience and adaptability, essential traits for navigating the complexities of both art and business.

Key TakeawaysThe creative mindset is essential for entrepreneurial thinking, as it encourages out-of-the-box ideas and innovative solutions.Artistic processes can inspire and drive business innovation by encouraging experimentation and thinking beyond traditional boundaries.Creativity plays a crucial role in navigating the challenges of entrepreneurship, fostering risk-taking and resilience in the face of uncertainty.Art has the power to convey a compelling narrative for business success, enhancing communication and storytelling in the entrepreneurial world.Leveraging artistic communities can lead to entrepreneurial growth and development through collaboration and networking opportunities.

Innovation and Problem-Solving: How artistic processes can inspire and drive business innovation

Embracing Experimentation and Exploration

Artistic processes are deeply rooted in experimentation and exploration, qualities that can significantly enhance business innovation. Artists often engage in trial and error, pushing boundaries to discover new techniques or concepts. This iterative approach mirrors the entrepreneurial process of developing products or services.

Applying Artistic Principles to Business

For example, consider the fashion industry, where designers frequently prototype and refine their collections based on feedback and market trends. This cyclical process of creation, evaluation, and adjustment is vital for both artists and entrepreneurs seeking to innovate. Moreover, the artistic practice of brainstorming can serve as a powerful tool for problem-solving in business contexts.

Unlocking Creative Freedom

Techniques such as mind mapping or free association encourage divergent thinking, allowing individuals to generate a plethora of ideas without immediate judgment. This creative freedom can lead to breakthrough innovations that might not have emerged through traditional analytical methods. Companies like Google have embraced this philosophy by fostering a culture of creativity, encouraging employees to dedicate time to pursue personal projects that may ultimately benefit the organization.

Integrating Artistic Processes for Business Growth

By integrating artistic processes into their innovation strategies, businesses can unlock new avenues for growth and differentiation.

Risk-taking and Resilience: Understanding the role of creativity in navigating the challenges of entrepreneurship

Risk-taking is an inherent aspect of both art and entrepreneurship, where individuals must confront uncertainty head-on. Artists often take creative risks by experimenting with unconventional materials or themes, while entrepreneurs must navigate market fluctuations and consumer preferences. The willingness to embrace failure as a stepping stone toward success is a shared trait among both groups.

For instance, J.K. Rowling faced numerous rejections before finding a publisher for her Harry Potter series, demonstrating remarkable resilience in the face of adversity. Her journey exemplifies how creative individuals can persevere through challenges by maintaining faith in their vision.

Resilience is further cultivated through the creative process itself. Artists learn to cope with criticism and setbacks, using these experiences to refine their craft. Similarly, entrepreneurs must develop a thick skin as they encounter obstacles on their path to success.

The ability to pivot and adapt in response to feedback is crucial for both artists and business leaders. Consider Elon Musk, whose ventures—from PayPal to Tesla—have been marked by bold risks and occasional failures. Musk’s willingness to embrace setbacks as learning opportunities has propelled him forward in his quest for innovation.

By fostering a culture of resilience rooted in creativity, individuals can navigate the unpredictable landscape of entrepreneurship with confidence.

Communication and Storytelling: The power of art in conveying a compelling narrative for business success

Art has long been recognized as a powerful medium for storytelling, capable of evoking emotions and connecting with audiences on a profound level. This ability to convey narratives is equally vital in the realm of entrepreneurship, where effective communication can make or break a business venture. Entrepreneurs must articulate their vision clearly and compellingly to inspire stakeholders, customers, and employees alike.

The art of storytelling allows them to create an emotional connection with their audience, fostering loyalty and engagement. Consider the impact of branding in today’s marketplace; successful brands often leverage storytelling techniques to differentiate themselves from competitors.

For instance, Nike’s “Just Do It� campaign transcends mere product promotion by tapping into the aspirations and struggles of athletes worldwide.

This narrative-driven approach resonates deeply with consumers, transforming Nike into more than just a sportswear company—it becomes a symbol of perseverance and achievement. By harnessing the power of artful storytelling, entrepreneurs can craft narratives that resonate with their target audience, ultimately driving brand loyalty and business success.

Collaboration and Networking: Leveraging artistic communities for entrepreneurial growth and development

Collaboration is a cornerstone of both artistic endeavors and entrepreneurial ventures. Artists frequently engage with one another to share ideas, techniques, and inspiration, fostering a sense of community that enhances creativity. Similarly, entrepreneurs benefit from networking opportunities that allow them to connect with like-minded individuals who can offer support, mentorship, or partnership opportunities.

The synergy created through collaboration can lead to innovative solutions that might not have emerged in isolation. For example, consider the collaborative nature of the music industry, where artists often come together to create new sounds or projects. This spirit of cooperation can be mirrored in entrepreneurship through partnerships or joint ventures that leverage complementary skills and resources.

The success of companies like Airbnb can be attributed in part to its collaborative approach with hosts who provide unique accommodations worldwide. By tapping into the creativity of its community, Airbnb has transformed the travel industry while fostering a sense of belonging among its users. Embracing collaboration within artistic communities can provide entrepreneurs with valuable insights and connections that propel their ventures forward.

Adaptability and Flexibility: Embracing the fluidity of artistic expression in the ever-changing landscape of entrepreneurship

Embracing Change for Long-term Success

Take the example of Netflix; originally a DVD rental service, it successfully pivoted to streaming as consumer habits evolved. This adaptability allowed Netflix not only to survive but thrive in an increasingly competitive entertainment landscape. By embracing change and remaining open to new possibilities—much like an artist experimenting with different mediums—entrepreneurs can position themselves for long-term success.

The Importance of Pivoting Quickly

The ability to pivot quickly while maintaining a clear vision is essential for navigating the complexities of modern business. This requires entrepreneurs to be highly adaptable, willing to adjust their strategies in response to changing market conditions or consumer needs.

Vision and Flexibility: The Key to Success

By combining a clear vision with the flexibility to adapt, entrepreneurs can stay ahead of the curve and achieve long-term success. This delicate balance between stability and adaptability is crucial for thriving in today’s fast-paced business environment.

Emotional Intelligence and Empathy: The impact of art on developing a deeper understanding of human experiences and consumer behavior

Art has an unparalleled capacity to evoke emotions and foster empathy among individuals. This emotional intelligence is invaluable for entrepreneurs seeking to understand their customers� needs and desires. By engaging with art—whether through literature, visual arts, or performance—individuals can cultivate a deeper understanding of human experiences that informs their business strategies.

For instance, consider how brands like Dove have successfully leveraged emotional storytelling in their marketing campaigns to promote body positivity and self-acceptance. By tapping into real-life experiences and emotions, Dove has created a powerful connection with its audience that transcends traditional advertising methods. Entrepreneurs who prioritize emotional intelligence can better anticipate consumer behavior and tailor their offerings accordingly.

By embracing empathy as a guiding principle—much like artists who seek to connect with their audience—business leaders can foster meaningful relationships that drive customer loyalty.

The Intersection of Art and Technology: Exploring how art and entrepreneurship intersect in the digital age

In today’s digital age, the intersection of art and technology presents exciting opportunities for entrepreneurs seeking innovative solutions. The rise of digital platforms has democratized access to artistic expression while providing new avenues for entrepreneurs to showcase their products or services creatively. From social media marketing campaigns that incorporate visual storytelling to interactive installations that engage consumers in immersive experiences, technology has transformed how art is created and consumed.

Consider how companies like Instagram have revolutionized visual storytelling by allowing users to share their artistic creations with a global audience instantly. This platform has empowered countless artists while providing entrepreneurs with unique marketing opportunities that leverage visual content’s power. Additionally, advancements in technology—such as virtual reality (VR) or augmented reality (AR)—have opened new frontiers for creative expression within business contexts.

Entrepreneurs who embrace these technological innovations can enhance customer engagement while pushing the boundaries of traditional marketing strategies. In conclusion, the parallels between art and entrepreneurship are profound and multifaceted. Both disciplines rely on creativity as a driving force behind innovation, problem-solving, risk-taking, communication, collaboration, adaptability, emotional intelligence, and technological integration.

By recognizing these connections, creators across various fields can harness their artistic sensibilities to inform their entrepreneurial endeavors—ultimately leading to greater success in both realms.

Whether through storytelling that resonates with audiences or collaborative efforts that foster growth within communities, the fusion of art and entrepreneurship holds immense potential for shaping the future landscape of creativity and commerce.

Exploring the intricate connection between art and entrepreneurship can lead to profound insights into how creativity fuels business innovation. A related article that delves into the impact of storytelling in both fields is “Rave Reviews and a Bestseller� which discusses how compelling narratives can captivate audiences and drive success. This concept is crucial for entrepreneurs who can harness the power of storytelling to enhance their brand and connect with customers on a deeper level. You can read more about this perspective by visiting .

Photo by Scott Webb on

Conversations with people, if done appropriately, can be knowledge enhancing endeavours, even if the topic is something you know a lot about.

Knowledge resides in our brains in a tacit form, and only a certain part of it becomes explicit when we are exercising the use of the same.

Many people wonder how we can swim after not practicing it for decades. It is because of this gift of tacit knowledge stored in our memory.

Similarly, even though you have learnt a topic well enough, decades back, you remember it well enough to practice it.

It is just that the nuances of that topic, which you knew then, are lost in the layers of neuronal connections built during those decades.

A conversation about the topic brings back interest in that topic, and you go back to the material to refresh the knowledge.

To your surprise, not only that you find the concepts you understood at that point in time, but you learn newer things because of the other knowledge you added meanwhile.

Let us say, you are talking about the more subjective aspects of Vedanta, you would go back to Yoga Vasishta and marvel again about the implications of subjectivity like parallel universes and implications of choice on the time arrow.

You may have read the book decades back, but some of it would come back as if you read it today.

Or, if you talk about Kelly criterion, you would go back to the entire theory of Shannon, Kelly, and Thorp, and would be lost in books like Element Of Information Theory, Fortune’s Formula, or The Man for All Markets, and marvel at the genius of the trio.

I love conversations, especially about the things that you are passionate about, and they happen to be the cornerstone of my knowledge enhancing strategy.

What do you think about conversations?

Financial Freedom is a stupid concept, even stupider is the concept of f**k you money, think about the following things instead.

For people who don’t what it is, it is the amount of money you need to tell the world to take a hike.

Unfortunately, no such number exists. However much you save, you can always spend that and get to bankruptcy.

If you don’t believe me, ask Bjorn Borg, or more recently, Mike Tyson.

Then, why people are so obssessed with it?

It is the trait of us as humans, to think that there is some ultimate goal after which everything would be alright.

Beta, get into IIT, and you are done.

Or get a developer job in the US in one of the FAANGs, and you don’t have to ever worry again.

You get the gist.

Unfortunately, all these ultimate goals do not assure you of any certainty.

Not even that number for your so called financial freedom.

Start thinking of financial prudence instead.

What that means is to save up at least 20% of your income, and invest it in a diversified portfolio of financial instruments, at any stage of life.

What that means is to stay away from F&O, and do a SIP in index fund.

What that means is to enjoy life at every stage, but in a moderated manner.

Instead of choosing between going into debt for fun and saving every penny by skipping coffee.

And, most importantly, knowing that the best way to feel free is to have a day full of stuff that is meaningful and enjoyable without thinking about the financials at every point in time.

That state of mind can be achieved in a job, in your own company or in retirement.

You don’t have to wait for that magic number, or that magic term.

Many people live under the illusion that they want to be entrepreneurs one day, and most never do.

The confusion here is about what entrepreneurship really is.

Most people think it is a profession, and just like adding another job to your Linkedin profile, you can start “doing� entrepreneurship.

According to them, the manifestation of this is a company they would start as a founder or a CXO.

Most also live under the illusion that the only reason one should pursue entrepreneurship is the payoff at the end, which is a multi million dollar exit.

And most of them are disappointed. Starting a company is the worst way to make money, most founders would be financially better off if they worked in a company.

So, what is entrepreneurship, and why should one care about it?

Entrepreneurship is a way of life, a mindset that you apply every day in your life no matter what you do.

The core trait of an entrepreneur is the ability to question everything, to look at everything from the first principles.

Those irritating folks who ask you about the ridiculous company practice that does not make sense are really building their entrepreneurial muscle.

The person who speaks up against popular sentiment in a bureaucratic setup is really an entrepreneur.

The child that makes a new figure while playing in sand is an entrepreneur.

And these are the folks who change the world in meaningful ways, whether they start their own company, work in a Fortune 500, or an educational institute.

The payoff of entreprenerial thinking is the joy you get in the pursuit of novelty.

When are you planning to exercise your entrepreneurial muscle?

I am pleased to share the guest post by Praveen Parthasarathy, Co-Founder of Ashaa.ai. Praveen is building something really interesting in the FinTech space that could potentially impacts lives of millions of Indians in a very positive way. In this post, he shares key insights about financial literacy.

Are you financially literate?

Financial literacy is the ability to understand and effectively manage financial matters. It is a crucial component of achieving financial freedom, which refers to the state of having enough wealth to live comfortably and meet one’s financial goals without being burdened by debt or financial stress.

There are several reasons why financial literacy is important for achieving financial freedom.

1. Financial literacy helps you make informed financial decisions: When you have a good understanding of financial concepts and principles, you are more likely to make informed decisions about your finances. This includes understanding how to budget, save, invest, and manage debt. With financial literacy, you can make choices that align with your financial goals and avoid costly mistakes.

2. Financial literacy enables you to plan for the future: Financial freedom requires planning and goal-setting. Financial literacy helps you understand how to set and work towards financial goals, such as saving for retirement or buying a home. It also helps you understand the potential risks and rewards of different financial decisions and how to plan for unexpected expenses or changes in your financial situation.

3. Financial literacy helps you take control of your finances: Many people feel overwhelmed or powerless when it comes to their finances. Financial literacy can give you the knowledge and skills you need to take control of your financial situation and make proactive decisions about your money. This can help reduce financial stress and give you a sense of empowerment and independence.

4. Financial literacy can help you achieve financial independence: Financial freedom often requires financial independence, which means being able to support oneself without relying on others for financial assistance. Financial literacy can help you understand how to earn, save, and invest money, which can give you the financial independence you need to achieve your financial goals.

5. Financial literacy can lead to better financial outcomes: Ultimately, financial literacy can lead to better financial outcomes. When you understand how to manage your money effectively, you are more likely to achieve your financial goals and have a more secure financial future.

There are many ways to improve your financial literacy, including taking financial education courses, reading books and articles about personal finance, and seeking advice from financial professionals. It’s never too late to start learning about personal finance and taking control of your financial situation. By investing in your financial literacy, you can increase your chances of achieving financial freedom and a secure financial future.

Financial literacy in India

According to a survey conducted by S&P, 76% of Indians are financially illiterate. This means that they do not have sufficient knowledge or understanding of financial concepts and principles, which can make it difficult for them to make informed financial decisions.

There are several reasons why financial illiteracy is prevalent in India. One reason is the lack of financial education in schools. While some schools do offer courses on personal finance, it is not a mandatory subject and is often not given the same priority as other subjects. As a result, many people in India do not receive formal financial education and have to rely on their own experiences and resources to learn about personal finance.

Here are some tips to help accelerate your journey to financial freedom:

Create a budget:

A budget is a plan for how you will allocate your income and expenses. By creating a budget, you can gain a better understanding of your financial situation and identify areas where you can save money.

Save and invest:

Building wealth requires saving and investing a portion of your income. Consider setting aside a certain percentage of your income each month for savings and investing in a diversified portfolio of assets, such as stocks, bonds, and real estate.

Pay off debt:

High levels of debt, especially credit card debt, can be a major obstacle to financial freedom. Make paying off debt a priority, and consider strategies such as debt consolidation or negotiating with creditors to lower your interest rates.

1. Increase your income: Another way to accelerate your journey to financial freedom is to increase your income. This could involve negotiating for a higher salary at your current job, starting a side hustle, or investing in income-generating assets.

2. Educate yourself: Financial literacy is key to making informed financial decisions. Make an effort to educate yourself about personal finance, including topics such as budgeting, saving, investing, and debt management.

3. Seek professional advice: If you’re not sure where to start or have specific financial goals in mind, consider seeking the advice of a financial professional. They can help you create a plan to achieve your financial goals and provide guidance on making the most of your financial resources.

By following these tips and making a consistent effort to improve your financial situation, you can accelerate your journey to financial freedom and achieve greater financial stability and security.

How about you? Are you financially literate?

Any kind of change, especially radical change, brings with it many challenges for all the people involved. It is therefore insightful to take a look at them as a whole. Let’s look at corporate transformations, startup pivots, and individual career transformations as one thing and see if we can learn something by comparing the similarities and differences. A change of identity is what radical change is about. Challenges to build a commercially viable offering of the new identity are a topic in itself. When startups are undergoing a pivot, often the new customer base has to be created ground up. I do not want to talk about those challenges here in this post. I will focus on the challenges posed by the internal aspects of the entity that is undergoing the transformation.

ĚýMany of the issues surrounding transformation come from the fact that people have a strong attachment to their old identity and the feelings associated with it.ĚýIt is, therefore, the closest people to the identity are the ones who pose the most difficult challenges. One of the reasons Xerox was unable to capitalize on the various innovations that came out of PARC was that much of the senior management was invested in the dying photocopier business, and had their expertise in the same. One of the startups I worked with undertook a very successful pivot from an intellectually high end, yet unprofitable business to a more operationally focused yet profitable business. The people were the greatest challenge.Ěý

Personal transformations pose very similar challenges. If you want to move on from a career to another, you have to change how you think of yourself first. It is difficult to see yourself as the person in the new settings. What makes it more difficult is the people who are the closest to you are uncomfortable with your new identity. If your current identity is undergoing a crisis, and if they know it, it is easier, since they can rationalize the motive behind the transformation. But if a very highly successful individual changes to a new career not seen as rational by the closest people, they are the biggest obstruction to the potential change.Ěý

Larger companies address the issue of changing identities by employing external consultants. The senior leadership is not lacking in knowledge on how to navigate the change. It is often the case that the consultants are simply executing a script that has been handed to them by the leadership. Yet, it serves a critical purpose. The senior leadership can pretend to be unconcerned about the change with their employees, yet still carry out the change firmly. Since most of the transformations involve a huge change in the way the workforce is organized, these kinds of strategies help the leadership to look more humane while doing things in a tough way. The best companies when it comes to transformation have a script that is ingrained in their culture. In “Control Your Destiny, or Someone Else Will,â€� Noel Tichy tells the story of how Jack Welch turned GE into a more agile company. I started my career at GE Capital and saw this process firsthand. It was often difficult for the participants in the short run, yet one could understand the rationale behind it and see how it was beneficial for most people in the long run.Ěý

Startup pivots frequently involve fierce conflicts among the founders, the senior employees, and the investors. One of the startups I worked with pivoted three times in a year, changing the target customer, the product positioning, and the entire code base of the product. The developers had to see their code, the hundreds of thousands of lines they wrote just four months back, made redundant through the process. Fortunately, the employee-company fit was marvellous, and not a single person left the company. There was a lot of learning in the process, as ultimately founders changed, and the company had an exit with the fourth attempt at a product. If you think this is extraordinary, I can assure you that this is a story of a typical startup. No doubt, there are challenges of finding the right product-market fit, matching the cash burn with it, and eventually building a robust offering, but the personal aspects of the change are as important. If it is not done well, founders can turn from the best friend to the worst enemies, and the employees can burn out.Ěý

Personal transformations are the most fascinating of the lot, and most relevant, since all of us go through them at some point. They are often the attempt of a sensitive individual trying to build a life closer to their passion while earning enough to sustain. An extreme example of this kind of transformation is Paul Gauguin, who left the career of being a stockbroker, and went to become a broke painter. This can have devastating impact on the relationships with close ones, and not so close ones, some really concerned about the well-being of the person, and some excited by schadenfreude as they perceive it. In either of these cases, the involvement of the friends and acquaintances in the process of personal transformations is typically an obstruction to the individual’s goals. In case of the transformation that happen with companies, you can be a little distant, but in personal transformations, the conflict caused by this can have devastating effects on the relationships.Ěý

What are the common strategies used by these entities to execute the transformation? They need to build a new network of people who are sympathetic to the change, encourage conversations that absorb the impact, and be flexible in their responses to feedback from people who have something constructive to contribute. The senior leadership conversations in the large companies, the founder conversations in the startup, and the spousal conversations in the personal transformation can help them succeed or fail.Ěý

If you or your company are going through a transformation, or have gone through one, does your experience match what was described above? Please let me know in the comments.

As I watch “The Disciple� � a painfully pessimistic movie in which the protagonist does not go through the typical character arc recommended by most screenplay experts, a friend’s question rings in my ear, “Who wants to read books about losers?�. The protagonist typically follows the character arc of the hero. He is someone who goes through trials and tribulations of life, the highs, and the lows, only to emerge as a winner in the end.

There is another category of movies and books that defies this expected trend. There are movies where the protagonist is a certified loser. In some films, the protagonist is an ordinary person who does not go through any of those highs and lows recommended in most writing books. These books are also known as “Slice of life� books. Some people are genuinely puzzled why anyone would bother to read these books or watch these movies. These people wonder why “The Disciple� is getting so many awards and why critics are raving about the film.

The most famous of the lot are the Coen Brothers, who have made many movies about losers that have become big hits. “The Big Lebowski� and “Inside Llewyn Davis� are movies about nobodies who stay nobodies. Richard Linklater is another director who makes movies about people who keep talking throughout the film. “Before Sunrise� was such a big hit that it spawned two follow-ups.

Among writers, many are seen as “Slice of Life,� Raymond Carver and Alice Munroe come to mind. Closer home, R K Narayan and Ruskin Bond can be categorized as “Slice of Life.� Even the comedies of P G Wodehouse can be seen as “Slice of Life.� Not much happens in them, but the ordinary moment is the moment of humor.

What is it that attracts people to slice of life? After all, didn’t Jenny Lewis say, “No one wants to pay to see your day-to-day�? There lies the confusion about the mundane and the ordinary. For the fortunate ones, of course, nothing is mundane. For them, life is but a chain of novel moments. But even for the others, the everyday of someone else could be unknown. For someone working in a government role in Washington in a bureaucratic setup, the life of a farmer in Coorg would be very novel and out of the ordinary. There is nothing that is Slice of Life universally. For one, what may be slice of life would be unique and novel for someone else.

The Disciple takes the mundane to another level. We are shown the protagonists life to the level of detail that we wished we had not seen. We have seen musicians in movies like “A Star is Born� who reach the pinnacle of success through their talent but never stop to wonder what happens to the thousand others who remain on the sidelines. The Disciple talks about precisely these people. People who are driven by a dream to make it big, but do not. The reason may be the lack of talent, exposure, or plain bad luck. It does not matter. The most critical mission of such movies is to depict the reality of the majority of the people taking a particular path. The Disciple is very similar in manner to “Inside Llewyn Davis.�

A famous example of someone who was never popular throughout his life was the painter “Vincent Van Gogh .”If you looked at any point in Vincent’s life, he would be seen as a loser. Someone who does not have any sales, someone who lived off his brother. When I started writing “Brothers Sen Gogh,� this is the nature of fame and talent that I wanted to bring forward. Soubhik Sengupta is one of the millions of hopefuls in Mumbai. Does it matter if he becomes a success? Isn’t his life interesting just for his passion, practice, and ideas? All these things are represented in his day-to-day, his slice of life. Wouldn’t the slice of life of Soubhik be as fascinating if not more than his eventual success or failure?

Telling stories of the losers, telling stories of the slice of life is challenging not only for the lack of commercial attraction of the venture but also from a perspective of building an exciting narrative. The Disciple and most Coen Brothers movies can quickly get tiring if they do not produce a day-to-day suspense in the narrative. One of the challenges I faced while writing “Whiskey and Suicide� and “Brothers Sen Gogh� was to build mundane suspense through the narrative. As Nalini, the protagonist of one of my stories, “Two Friends,� finds out:

With that conversation, Nalini felt like she was unraveling some mystery. There were times when mysteries did not have killers and detectives. They crept into narratives containing psychological drama and everyday stories� hidden structures. Just like the reader of the detective story was enamored by the author’s apparent suspicion, these narratives enamored you.

The motive of movies like The Disciple, films by the Coen Brothers, or the books by Raymond Carver is the same. It is to prove that the ordinary is as engaging as the heroic. Both of my books are written in the same vein. It shows the readers that people we think are ordinary � or even losers- are heroes when you look at them closely. Their lives may not be filled with melodrama or may even be not something that can be newsworthy, but they are as engaging, if not more, than big stars or heroes. The same motive drives me to tell the stories of seemingly ordinary people in seemingly ordinary settings. It requires a degree of sensitivity that the reader needs to possess to understand the beauty of the mundane. The same audience that appreciated The Disciple, or the Coen Brothers movies, or books by Carver, Munro, and R K Narayan, is the audience I am trying to please, if I am trying to please any audience at all.

(This article appeared first as a guest post on the literary blog “The Lily Cafe�)

Leonard Cohen crooned, rather perfectly:
Ring the bells that still can ring
Forget your perfect offering
There is a crack, a crack in everything
That’s how the light gets in

These are the kinds of lines that set you free.

Free from the compulsion of producing something perfect.

Free from the obligation of creating something that can not be criticized.

Free from the tyranny of making something that does not have any scope for improvements.

Free from inaction! Any action would be necessarily incomplete, happening, continuous, flawed, improvable � in short alive.

Yes, being alive is to be imperfect.

Just think for a moment about the idea of perfect. Something that does not move, does not change. What will it change towards? It is already perfect. It brings forward a picture of a person who knows everything and can not learn. What do you can something that does not change, something that remains the same? It is death. Yes, perfection is death. Imperfection is life.

Ironically, imperfection is the only perfect thing.

Think of how many times you could not get yourself to produce the symphony that you always wanted to create. Often, it is just the fear of doing something wrong. Doing something that would be criticized by people. Something that would make people laugh at you. What did you do then? You just sat quietly. Doing nothing! It was better not to do anything than do something that was not perfect. How could you?

Just imagine if you had taken the first step.

Like putting some words on paper.

Drawing some stupid face that did not look like a face.

Strumming your ukulele in a discordant note.

Written some lines of code that do not compile.

The world would not have collapsed.

People would not have ostracized you for being a traitor to the perfect humankind.

Most likely, they would have just ignored you. You would have been left alone to do your imperfect masterpiece. Just like you, they are after perfect stuff. They get plenty of that on TV, movie halls, and Spotify. They have their Sachin, Lata, Rahman, and Husain.

You would have probably done the second one.

And then the third one. �

And fourth � and fifth.

You would have created a portfolio of a hundred in no time.

What would you have lost?

Nothing.

You would have gained everything. Confidence, skills, a trick to stay happy. And a portfolio that contains possibilities.

Possibilities that could bring you some kind of a career.

Possibilities that bring your some mental peace, some exhilaration, some time for yourself where you are on a high.

Possibilities of belonging to a group.

Just by giving up the stupid idea of being perfect. The silly notion of not making a mistake. The foolish fear of being laughed at.

Is it really worth all the price? And most importantly, if there is no crack in you, where will the light come from?

Take a piece of paper and draw your masterpiece! Right now!

Wittgenstein’s duck-rabbit metaphor highlights the challenges of understanding the ambiguities in the environment. Besides being a philosophical problem dealing with change and cognition, it is a practical tool to understand the multiple aspects of reality. In real-life business situations, we encounter duck-rabbits every day that turn into sheep or lions weeks later. It is important therefore to be aware of the biases inbuilt in our perception of reality and be tentative in our judgments.Ěý

Have you observed this phenomenon?