Future belongs to entrepreneurs

CHANDIGARH, INDIA: The second day of e-Revolution 2009 started with a special address on entrepreneurship at Hotel Taj, here.

Sunil Kant Munjal, chairman, Hero Corporation Services, was the chief guest, while SS Channy, principal secretary, Industries and Commerce, Government of Punjab; SC Agarwal, chief secretary, Government of Punjab, and Pradeep Gupta, chairman, CyberMedia were the other speakers. The discussion was moderated by Puneet Vatsayan, president, TiE Punjab and Chandigarh.

Starting the discussion, Puneet Vatsayan mentioned that the future of the region lies in the convergence of the government, entrepreneurs, and citizens. He pointed out, “In the last four-five years, Punjab has witnessed a resurgence of entrepreneurship.”

Pradeep Gupta agreed with this observation. “In the last few years, major changes have happened that have promoted in building the right ecosystem for entrepreneurship,” he added. Enumerating these changes, he mentioned that the mindset of people is changing and attaining capital for business is also getting easier, thanks to concepts such as venture capital and private equity.

“In such a scenario, there are huge potentials for investment in IT / ITeS sector,” he said. Inspiration, aspiration, perspiration and respiration are, according to him, the four-point formula to be a successful entrepreneur.

In his key note address, the chief guest SK Munjal advised budding entrepreneurs with some tips.

“An enterprise should constantly try to improve itself. Sustainable growth of the business is crucial for its survival. Also, corporate governance goes a long way in maintaining transparency in the business,” he suggested.

“Moreover, one should focus on relationship management, and try to build a wide network of contacts. Being fair to all concerned entities – including internal as well as external partners – is also an important aspect not to be missed.”

Stating the success of the IT industry as a wave, he said, “Post the IT wave, two major waves are bound to follow. These include—agri plus, and rural economy.”