Anna Hazare Movement- Lessons for Entrepreneurs

The way the Jan Lokpal movement has gathered pace and the manner in which the government dealt with this issue have a lot of lessons to be learnt. While the political and institutional aspect of this movement have been dealt with in quite a bit in the mainline media, I was wondering what lessons were there for entrepreneurs on how to run their own business.

Power of Purpose:- Though it looks as if the Jan Lokpal movement came out of nowhere and became and overnight success, this is far from true. Looks like the key people behind this movement have been contemplating this for quite some time. Here is what Kiran Bedi had to say in her Ted talk way back in 2010. “I'm currently into movements, movements of education of the under-served children, which is thousands -- India is all about thousands. Secondly, is about the anti-corruption movement in India. That's a big way we, as a small group of activists, have drafted an ombudsman bill for the government of India. Friends, you will hear a lot about it. That's the movement at the moment I'm driving, and that's the movement and ambition of my life.” Watch the words “you will here a lot about it”... that comment shows the single minded purpose and preparation behind this movement. Hats off to these activists for taking up this cause. Here is the link to this Ted Talk. http://www.ted.com/talks/kiran_bedi_a_police_chief_with_a_difference.html

Nor are the campaigners novices, Shanti Bhushan one the the key activists introduced the first Lok Pal bill in the parliament and passed it in the Lok Sabha way back in 1969, it did not get through in the Rajya Sabha.

Thought for the entrepreneur:- What if your business had such a clear sense of purpose, preparation and even better what if the purpose stretched beyond ones self interest? What kind of results would be possible.

The Environment is Changing:- Whether the Jan Lokpal bill will be implemented as it is or not; one thing is clear, the dialogue about corruption has changed in India. That corruption is rampant in India and that an average businessman sees this on a day to day basis is well known, what is new is that the corrupt can be punished, the other revelation is that the corrupt are not untouchables any more. The dialogue is fast changing, that the powerful can be held accountable was good in theory, but today they are being put in jail and action is being taken against them. The spot light on corruption has changed the conversation, this is bound to change the way business is done. There is no surety of the license or permission obtained surreptitiously, is it really worth for a business to risk money on bribes when it might end up costing the business a lot more in terms of reputation or even punitive punishment and loss of business? The economics of corruption has changed and hopefully will change a lot more.

Thought for the entrepreneur:- Its not worth it. Even if you were ambivalent about the moral and ethical dimensions of corruption- In purely business success terms, it is not worth it. Plus it is not sustainable. Providing true value to customers and other stake holders is the way to go. The focus needs to be on creation rather than exploitation. Be proud of what you build.

You do not know the Best:- When watching the “debates” on television as well as the way the Lokpal drafting committee went about their meetings, what is clear is that there has been a complete breakdown in the process of discussion. Even in the parliament one does not see a debate. One also notices how firm people are on their views and instead of talking about issues people sidestep and focus on personalities, egos and technicalities. There is very little discussion on the merits of any issue nor on the different options available. For any healthy democracy dialogue and debate is important, our leaders have lost the art of debate if they ever had it. I suspect from what I have read about the constituent Assembly that issues were debated. Wish we could have that culture back. It is quite impossible for one set of people or one person to come out with the best idea or plan, it is only through discussion and dialogue that it is possible to see different points of view and come to a solution which is fair and workable. “My way or the highway” is certainly not the way to get the best results. One thing which was so obvious to all viewers was the way the government mishandled the events culminating on 16th of August. The government was just not in touch with the ground reality, nor were they in sync with the popular sentiment. Whom where they listening to? What was their source of information? Here I am not even talking about their intentions.

The Government lost a wonderful opportunity for demonstrating leadership. They came out looking manipulative and pursuing their own narrow agenda. Leadership today needs to be clear on intentions and the governments intentions needs to be the good of the citizen.

Thought for the entrepreneur: In today’s world of business which is changing fast, it will serve the entrepreneur well to develop a culture where team members can express themselves freely and dissension of thought is encouraged. The best ideas and practices are likely to come from the people on the ground, the sales people and the support people close to the customers. Do not learn from our political leaders, their practices are a product of another era. Today’s leader needs to be a facilitator, have the ability to get the best out of the varied options, opinions and expertise available to him, he should not be pushing his own agenda, his only intent needs to be what is good for everyone concerned. 

Have any other lessons for Entrepreneurs? Like to hear them-look forward to your comments.