Contented entrepreneurs are not hard to find but isn't it defeating the sole purpose of entrepreneurship? Whoever said 'Be not afraid of going slowly, be afraid of standing still'
Epicurus, the famous Greek Philosopher once said, “Do not spoil what you have by desiring what you have not; remember that
what you now have was once among the things you only hoped for.”
As a first generation entrepreneur I even relate to it. The Greek might have to again return to philosophy as their nation goes through economic turbulences. Isn’t a contented entrepreneur, an oxymoron? If an entrepreneur is contented, isn’t it the end of road for him or her? Should an entrepreneur be contented and satisfied what he or she has achieved? Shouldn’t he be hungry for more always?
So have I gone senile? Why am I talking of this notion of a contented entrepreneur? Can I give examples from India and the world of contented entrepreneurs? Can I describe and profile one such entrepreneur? Am I referring to a second generation satisfied entrepreneur?
This came to my mind last Saturday as I was in Mumbai, having breakfast with a friend who had just come back from an overseas trip where he met his friends who had gone for an executive education. They had enrolled for the Owner/President Management Program at Harvard. During our discussions it came up as I was asking about the profile of people attending and his coursemates.
My friend replied in Punjabi “Rajje hua bande aande hain.” Contented and wealthy entrepreneurs come. He went on to share how these accomplished entrepreneurs are at peace with what they have got and are enjoying and enriching life and in some way giving back to themselves and society.
That’s what got me thinking of the notion of a contented entrepreneur.
The Harvard website describes this program as someone that helps an entrepreneur. “As an owner and entrepreneur, your relationship to your business is very different from that of other executive leaders. Managing equity stakes, transition planning, and strategic and professional growth all require special consideration on your part. Owner/President Management (OPM) is an unparalleled opportunity to step back from your daily challenges and acquire the skills, insights, and vision you need to sustain a profitable enterprise in the new economy.”
My theory is contented entrepreneurs invest in the future. Even the OPM at Harvard says “This unique leadership development experience encourages both business and personal renewal supported by fresh insights, new tools, and proven techniques. By becoming a better business leader, you will generate ongoing returns for your company.”
The contented entrepreneur is looking at fulfillment, looking at giving back, is a genuine philanthropist.
The contented entrepreneur is looking at enjoying the ride and helping someone on the way and not just reaching a destination.
The contented entrepreneur is looking at widening his or her horizon. He/she is looking at newer and newer manifestions of growth of spiritual enrichment and intellectual enhancement.
Warren Buffet and Bill Gates could well classify as contented entrepreneurs.
Warren Buffet once said “Of the billionaires I have known, money just brings out the basic traits in them.
If they were jerks before they had money, they are simply jerks with a billion dollars.”
The point is money is fine; enterprise value is fine; but once you achieve that, you are looking at another milestone that will challenge you to the fullest.
In India also, there are many entrepreneurs who give a lot to various causes and get their contentment with material achievements showing the way.
Dare I remind an entrepreneur that “Contentment is natural wealth, luxury is artificial poverty?”
Anurag Batra To write to the author, please send an email to dare@cybermedia.co.in with the subject line 'Anurag Batra'. Disclaimer: The views expressed here are that of the author and do not represent the magazine's.
Anurag Batra is real life, first-generation entrepreneur who is Much Below Average (MBA) from the prestigious Management Development Institute, MDI. When he is not busy writing such columns, he can be reached at anuragbatrayo@gmail.com. Anurag is the founder and editor-in-chief of exchange4media group which includes exchange4media.com.
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