Leadership Series @ SIIB ( 12th September 2009 )

As an escort Mr Pandit’s humility and pleasant demeanour immediately put my apprehensions to rest . It just sunk in that even a group CEO with a staggering three decade experience is after all a normal human being with mannerism which would put any high flying student to shame.
Mr Pandit started with the point that our theme of leadership and entrepreneurship was apt and perfect for economic scenarios we are in .This is the perfect time for students like us to explore the area of entrepreneurship .This he validated by emphasising on the fact that we now have an open economy after the 1991 liberalisation and it is much easier to execute our plans which was extremely difficult 20 years back.
He further focused on innovation and entrepreneurship in the field of technology .Giving examples of innovations like apple iphone and the product of Amazon Kindle which as an ebook is changing the format of reading on paper. These innovations have taken these companies forward and strengthened their positions in the market. Hence such incremental innovations are essential in today’s immense competition. Thereby he said that we have opportunities to become entrepreneurs in the technology sector.
Taking a leaf from Dr Gupte’s speech he reiterated the point that entrepreneurship can also be in the form of intrapreneurship in any company. It is not possible for all to start a venture on their own .Hence as an employee we need to find make innovations and generate ideas for the project we are working in. He gave the example of employees in KPIT Cummins who innovate solutions and processes that benefit their clients thereby fulfilling the entrepreneurial spirit from within a company.
He further talked why India is a perfect destination for an entrepreneur , enlightening us with his concept of three D’s. Demography , Democracy , Diversity. India demography consisting of a huge middle class is the driver for various businesses. This class along with its ambition to grow and use the fruits of purchasing power always allows products to be accepted .Democracy allows every Indian to function and plan on freely within legitimacy, without the biases of religion. Further , he talked of our vast diversity enables us for many more business opportunities as ideas from one region could be sold in another. Our diversity also makes an Indian consumer to more open to new products and items.
Lastly Mr Pandit threw light on going green by companies .Hence innovation in this aspect are essential for ensuring a safer Earth .The innovations on hybrid cars using electricity could be the future of automotive industry. Urging us to adhere to green concepts and innovations as we will part of businesses.
Mr Pandit ended his beautiful speech thanking all dignitaries and urged us students to take up the future with responsibility and curiosity .The spirit of entrepreneurship will make us leaders may be as a company owners or even as normal employees .
It was memorable and enlightening experience to escort Mr Ravi Pandit and also listen to his beautiful and apt speech.