Society

Success is often overrated. A collection of quotes from successful persons of our generation, defining success.

You might have more talent than me, you might be smarter than me, you might be sexier than me, you might be all of those things you got it on me in nine categories. But if we get on the treadmill together, there’s two things: You’re getting off first, or I’m going to die. It’s really that simple, right?

– Will Smith

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“The moment you realize that everything in the world around you was built by people who were no smarter than you, you become an element of change yourself…you can change anything”

– Steve Jobs

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“I start early, and I stay late, day after day, year after year, it took me 17 years and 114 days to become an overnight success.”

-Lionel Messi

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“You might never fail on the scale I did, but some failure in life is inevitable. It is impossible to live without failing at something, unless you live so cautiously that you might as well not have lived at all – in which case, you fail by default.”

– J.K Rowling

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The only thing standing between you and your goal is the bullshit story you keep telling yourself as to why you can’t achieve it.

Felix Baumgartner(First person to break sound barrier)

How do you define success!

This post is 2nd part of India ki kahani Amul ki Zubani. Link to Part 1.

Some love him! Some hate him! But ‘O Guru’, his commentary will always stay with us. Tussi Great ho Siddhu Paaji!!!

In Kamzor Kadi Kaun, Neena Gupta’s sarcasm was something new for the country. If you didn’t like it, ‘Aap Jaa Sakte Hain, Namaskar!!!!’

In May 2001, when the ‘Monkeyman’ hysteria gripped residents of Delhi and surrounding areas

When the Indian Airlines Mumbai-Delhi flight was hijacked in October 2001

Censor chief Anupam Kher implemented the new censorship guideline extended to video remixes. No more ‘Kaanta Laga’ and ‘Chadhti Jawani’

On the unprecedented heavy rains flooding Mumbai causing loss of lives and havoc to people, their homes and properties

In 2005, there was a public row between Indian cricket captain Mr. Sourav Ganguly and coach Mr. Greg Chappell. Sad times for Indian Cricket!!!

On the proposal seeking increase of reservation quotas for Other Backward Classes (OBCs) in Central Universities and premium institutions like IIMs & IITs

On six-year-old boy named ‘Prince’ successfully rescued by Indian Army from 60 foot pit after 50 hours in which he accidently fell while playing near his house in Kurukshetra – Haryana State. Indians were introduced to many new technologies like CCTV!

Indian Cricketer Harbhajan Singh was found guilty of uttering offensive (abusive) words ‘teri maa ki…’ in his native language to Australian Cricketer Andrew Symonds. ‘Maa ki’ is not racism Symonds!!!

Relived the days of Wrestling! Thanks to ‘The Great Khali’ a.k.a. Dalip Singh Rana!

In September 2008, financial crisis hits USA – the so called land of opportunities!

Rs. 7,000 Cr. scam at Satyam Computer Services

A drought ended after 28 years. India won the World Cup again after 28 years.

One of the most controversial cartoons by Amul. Rahul Gandhi being referred to as a baby. Spot on Amul!!!

Tendulkar or Ten*TenDulkar!!! Congratulations Sachin for completing Hundred International Centuries

In August 2013, Rupee falls to all time low against the dollar

With moist eyes, we bid you Farewell Sachin!! Cricket became a game of mortals when you retired!

So, Abki Baar Modi Sarkaar! Ache Din aane wale hain! All seems to have worked out. A government with a clear majority! Good days ahead??

In the end, how can we forget Kejriwal. He refused to pay bail bond! 

Let’s see what is lined up next!

Dr. Verghese Kurien, the father of ‘White Revolution’ truly designed the makeover of Indian industry. Founding Amul, the utterly butterly delicious brand, he ended up the milk deficiency of the country. But there’s something else that Amul has provided us, its brand mascot – Amul Girl.

The hand-drawn cartoon of a young, chubby Indian girl dressed in a polka dotted frock with blue hair and a half pony tied up has always been in limelight for coming up with humorous yet heart touching content.

From Bollywood to Cricket, Indian Politics to World Economy, all the news makers and famous personalities have featured in one or the other advertisements of Amul.

Though marred by various controversies, Amul advertisements are commenting on various events of national or political importance since 1967. Here are a few of the Amul Advertisements that made into the news.

In 1976, it came up with a mockery of compulsory sterilization launched by government.

Power cuts are an old story for the nation. Here’s a proof of that.

And the Godfather in 1982. Some offers just can’t be refused!!!

Devi Lal, Bajan Lal and Bansi Lal in a three cornered election in Haryana in 1986.

1987 – A comment on the film Shehenshah’ featuring Amul Butter and Amitabh Bachchan

This TV Serial was the reasons of sales of televisions in India and how could Amul miss paying its tribute. During the telecast of the serial – Ramayan

In 1987 on Pakistan’s Infiltration in India

Supporting the IPKF efforts to bring peace in Sri Lanka in 1987

The political crisis during the Gulf War in 1990.

Now you see it, now you don’t!!! The rapid change of Prime Ministers in the Country in 1990.

There it comes! Our New Economic Policy!!! Finance Minister Manmohan Singh does a tightrope for his maiden budget.

In 1991, when ‘The Mandal Commission’ raked up a lot of bitterness, as it was based on the caste system. Reservation in education, & employment was deemed as right for some

Following in the footsteps of Sushmita Sen, Miss Universe, hazel-eyed, Indian beauty Aishwarya Rai wins the Miss World title in 1994.

On the search for notorious dacoit Veerappan

On the Kargil conflict in 1999

On the lone success of Sachin Tendulkar, while his team-mates kept failing in 1999

To be continued…

I have heard of talks of India becoming a developed country by 2020. I have seen speakers guaranteeing success of Indian firms in global markets. They have diversified opinions when it comes to reasons but the conclusion is same more or less. India as ‘Golden Bird’ again, that’s what we have always dreamt of, haven’t we?
But when carefully look at the current trends and statistics, picture isn’t that bright as it appears to be. When entering the global markets, we have limited number of success stories from our country. Though foreign investments have trebled from 2003 to 2012 but when it comes to meeting targets in the international markets, picture is not that bright! We have added cult brands like Jaguar Land Rover and Arcelor to our portfolio but haven’t been able to produce the desired results. Here are some reasons amongst many why Indian firms fail to perform overseas:

Narrow Focus

Thanks to cheap labor available in India, we know that we can become low cost providers to the world and we boast about it anywhere and everywhere. But the world doesn’t just care about low cost part only. Moreover, our focus is always on meeting the needs of the developed countries by providing them with cheaper products using frugal/reverse innovation but the larger section of the world i.e. developing nations go overlooked. These markets can readily accept Indian products given necessary modifications are made to meet their demands.

Attracting and Retaining Talent

We have premier institutes like IITs and IIMs well established in our country but somehow, Indian firms are not able to attract best talent from these institutes. High salary jobs are often provided by big consulting firms or top social networking firms and they lure away the best of Indian minds. Again the work culture in Indian firms somehow suites Indians only and other that’s why, Indian firms find it hard in retaining talent from other countries. When Tata acquired Jaguar Land Rover, Indian management commented that British workers are lazy! A big statement was made without understanding the cultural differences.

Understanding Cultural Differences

This brings me to another point. Our work culture is different from other countries. The problems arise when one is not ready to accept it. Lack of knowledge of these can be a major roadblock in the growth of any company. I still remember meeting one of Deloitte’s directors who mentioned it very bluntly “We Indian love to work our asses off”, a sharp statement to make but actually not false. What he added was, “Whether it’s required or not”. And then we expect others to do the same, and that’s what leads to problems.
One can follow a model like Infosys where the senior management from different countries spends time in Bangalore to understand Indian work culture in a better way. We’ll have to reciprocate in a similar fashion.

Environment! Patent! Regulations! Errrrr

One advantage of operating in developing countries is that the regulations are not very stringent. But you face problems entering the global markets because of these regulatory norms and legal concerns. Strong environmental policies become a must which may require overhaul of the entire functioning of a company.

Weak Brand

Indians have established themselves are code chefs, geeks and masterminds of the world who can troubleshoot your problems within no time but when it comes to the Indian organizations, they have failed to establish the brand globally. Brand recall will come later but firstly they’ll have to establish themselves so that people start recognizing these brands.