Business Start-Up Success Made Simple - SRIRAM BHARATAM
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The document discusses key lessons on problem-solving, communication, self-worth, and actions from various anecdotes. It emphasizes the importance of focusing on solutions rather than problems, effective communication in relationships, and the need to believe in oneself despite challenges. It also illustrates the significance of taking action to embody one's values through the story of two friends in a magical garden.
Business Start-Up Success Made Simple - SRIRAM BHARATAM
- 1. Making YOUR IDEAS Reality Business Start-Up Success Made Simple Sriram Bharatam Serial Social Entrepreneur, Founder Kuza.One
- 2. Are you seeking what you want in the wrong places? One day, an old man woke up early in the morning and was sipping a hot cup of coffee. Seated on his couch he was eagerly waiting for his grandson to bring the newspaper to him. Every morning it was a ritual for the old man to spend time scanning through the news across the neighborhood, his small little town and even the country. As soon as the grandson came, he eagerly grabbed the newspaper and started to search frantically for something. Seeing this, the grandchild asked the grandfather what he was searching for. The grandfather just signaled that he knew what he was searching for and would find it soon. But even after couple of minutes, when he was still searching, the grandfather told the little boy that he was trying to find his spectacles. The little boy could not control his laughter and went upto the grandfather and pulled it out of the old man’s head - it was tucked up over his forehead. The boy hugged the grandfather and laughingly said, “It was right over your face and you were searching for it all over the place.” It was only then that the old man realised that he was searching for his spectacles all at the wrong places where it was right over his head. Problems are solved when focus remains on the solution. The old man is not the only one; don’t we all do that so very often? There is a problem somewhere and we try to find solutions somewhere else.We are frustrated with something in life, and we show the frustration on something else, or even worse, somewhere else, sometimes realising that we are not doing the right thing, sometimes not even realising that. Life puts everyone into situations that we don’t want to be in, and we often make endless search in directions that the solution is not meant to be in. If only we are able to identify the problem right in the first instance, that we could look for solutions in the right direction. And being mindful is the first step towards this. Problems are solved when focus remains on the solution: When you focus on the problems, you will have more problems. When you focus on solutions, more doors open, more opportunities arise. Look for simple solutions: Sometimes solutions to the most complex problems are simple. Some problems become complicated when we start looking for complicated solutions. Fight with the problem, not with the people: Problems can be resolved when we fight the underlying issue. Problems grow multifold when we fight people instead of fighting on the problem. Look within for the solution: When you have a problem don’t look around for someone on who to fixing the blame. M O N D A Y , A U G U S T 1 9 , 2 0 1 9
- 3. Communication is glue that holds people together Two young friends, a small boy and a girl were playing all day long in a garden. Towards the end of the day, when they were getting ready to go home, the boy made an offer to the girl that if she gave him all the beads she had, he would give her all the marbles he had. The girl thought about the offer for a while. In about two minutes, she was fine with the offer as she loved playing with the marbles. She had no hesitation in giving her friend the beads. So, the deal was finalised, and they exchanged the marbles and beads. Both of them went home happy as they got what they wanted. In the night, the boy suddenly woke up and started to cry. His mother panicked and started to nurse him. After a while, the mother asked the boy why he was crying. The boy told her about the deal he had made with his friend at the park. So, the mother asked him what he was unhappy about as he always wanted to buy beads and today he got them from his friend. The boy told the mother, “Yes, I got the beads, but I don’t know if she gave me all the beads or not. I don’t want to talk to her ever. What if she cheated me and took back some beads after taking all my marbles?” Communication is the cement that binds people in relations. The next morning the mother called her friend (the girl’s mother) to check on what had happened. The girl’s mother told her that her daughter was super happy as she got the marbles in exchange for her favourite beads. She did not have any hesitation about giving her beads because she knew that her friend always wanted beads and she always wanted the marbles. So, she was clear about the deal and so was at peace with their relation. Sometimes in life, we complicate our relations so much that we forget the fundamentals of the relation. Relationship fades, when communication fades: Communication is the cement that binds people in relations. When the cement cracks, people start focusing more on the differences and disagreements than what brought them together. In relationship, little things make a big difference: A small hole is big enough to sink the largest of the ships. Sometimes small things like a simple bright smile, a small help, a soft answer make the biggest difference in relationships. Focus on the real things for stronger relations: Every relationship has its fair share of fights, arguments, tears, disagreements and hurting. But the real pieces of a good relationship are the faith and respect people have for each other. When you focus on those, everything else falls into place. In relationship, little things make a big difference: A small hole is big enough to sink the largest of the ships. M O N D A Y , A U G U S T 5 , 2 0 1 9
- 4. Never doubt your worth even when storms of life strike A passenger ship was sailing through the open sea with many passengers. The captain’s wife was among them. The ship was sailing through several days. The weather was good most of the days, and everyone was enjoying the sail. They all loved the way the captain greeted them so very often and spoke to them in a very friendly manner. His wife was travelling with him the first time and she loved the way her husband was composed and built a rapport with the passengers. One day, suddenly the ship was caught up in a violent storm. The ship swayed dangerously in the turbulent rough waters. The passengers cried aloud in fear. But the captain remained very calm, cool and bold, using all his skills to keep the vessel under control. The staff offered all necessary assistance to the captain. Some passengers started to pray fervently, some offered help whatsoever they could do, while others were very aggressive and were hurling abuses at the captain. Yet the captain did not lose his composure. The captain’s wife could not tolerate the calmness of her husband. She complained, “How can you be so cool, while we are frightened to death? How can you be so cool, when passengers are turning aggressive towards you, despite knowing that you are doing your best?” The Captain quickly drew a pistol from his pocket and aimed it at her. He touched the trigger and asked her, “Are you afraid that I will shoot you?” “Not at all,” she replied. “Why?” asked the captain. “Because the gun is in your hands,” she answered. Then the captain explained, “You could have screamed your lungs out seeing the gun aimed at you, but what kept you going is the faith. While the sea and the storm are not under our control, our faith is with us, our faith that we will be steered out of the trouble and our effort is what will see us out of this.” Soon enough the sea calmed down and the ship sailed safely. Be different, be unique: Do not compare yourself with anyone else, you are unique and could be different. Don’t be afraid of being different. If at all you need to be, be afraid of being the same as others Believe in yourself: Always be yourself and have faith. When you have faith in your abilities, the possibilities expand, challenges turn into opportunities and you become stronger after every such challenge Don’t doubt your worth: Believe in yourself so much that when others don’t see your worth you are confident enough to let go of them, rather than doubt your own worth. When you let others doubts affect you, you give them a chance to steal your sparkle You were born to be good enough and you are, it’s only when you believe it that you will live a life of joy and confidence Believe in yourself: Always be yourself and have faith. M O N D A Y , A U G U S T 5 , 2 0 1 9
- 5. Walk the talk even if bit by bit This is the story of a garden of statues. Long ago, there was a magical place that held some of the world's great wonders and treasures. It was not an obscure place, nor was it hidden, and anyone could enter and enjoy its delights. All they had to do was fulfil one requirement: be a good person, no heroism or no extraordinary talent; just a good person. One day, two young friends, Alan and Bernard went there to seek their fortune. As they had to face their test alone, Alan went first. He went into this beautiful garden which was adorned with many statues that were looking very real. A few minutes into the garden, he realised most of the statues were drooping and sad, while some looked very puzzled. Alan did not want to get distracted by the expressions of the statutes and moved on with his mission. At the end of the park, opened a gate to what looked like paradise. Alan was delighted and moved on to enter the place when he saw two large, grey statues, one with a sad expression and one with a joyful expression. There was a signage that read, “Tell the statues about the goodness of your character.” Be good, do good and feel good. Alan was delighted that he finally got there and said, “I have never cheated on anyone and have never caused harm to anyone. I make sure I help anyone who needs me.” Just then, he turned to be a statue just like all others who said similar words.Not knowing about any of this, now it was the turn of Bernard to go in. He looked at the statues and realised that the statues looked very sad and grim. He walked up to each of them and uttered words of comfort, caressed them. Creating a newsletter that's of practical use around the office can also motivate your employees to peek into it every once in a while. In the final page, you can add a calendar of events that everybody can look forward to. He found some statues very dull and lifeless, so he went to bring on water and cleaned them a bit. Towards the end, he found the statue of his friend, Alan and was shocked. He found the gate to paradise and the same statues and the signage. He was alarmed and shouted out, “My friend Alan seems to be cursed, please give him back to me, I don’t want any fortune, please help me.” Suddenly he heard a voice, “Finally here comes someone who just does not talk about his good deeds but is walking the talk, he deserves what he wants.” Soon Bernard witnessed the impossible, he saw Alan come back to life. They both realised there were many more trapped and prayed the guards for their release. Everyone was miraculously released when they promised that they would live to do a lot of good in the world and end up surrounded by friends. The true definition of joy is the happiness you get when you are able to make someone else happy M O N D A Y , J U N E 2 4 , 2 0 1 9
- 6. Making YOUR IDEAS Reality www.kuza.one | [email protected] Serial Social Entrepreneur, Founder Kuza.One Sriram Bharatam Sri, Kauffman Foundation Awardee & Fellow and serial Social Entrepreneur, raised US $1.5m in 1999 in 45 days by leveraging the power of online communities to support the victims of a killer cyclone in India. Sri founded a Digital Strategy & Innovation consulting firm, iridium Interactive, rated as one of the top 100 IT innovators in India. iridium seized a public private partnership opportunity for mobile and eHealth in Kenya with Ministry of Health with USAID funding to build the globe's most innovative end-to-end disease management solution for Tuberculosis. Sri is currently spearheading the cause of Capacity building of Micro & Small entrepreneurs across Africa through Kuza Biashara (literally "Grow Business" in Kiswahili). Kuza has impacted over 4,000,000 youth & Small business owners across Africa and created 140,331 new jobs. Sri championed and launched Entrepreneurs Organization (EO) in East Africa in 2013 and as the Chairman of EO Africa launched four new EO chapters across Africa. Under his leadership, the EO East Africa Chapter won the prestigious global EO Randi Carroll Award in 2014. Sri won the EO Global Citizen of the Year award in 2015.