Comments on: What Indian Startup Ecosystem Needs to Learn from Bihari/Oriya Cooks

By: Vinay

Vinay — Sun, 07 Jun 2009 14:15:35 +0000

Really a great Idea. In my start up i have felt huge amount of time is wasted in looking for right resources. In 1000 hits i am able to get a designer who can do the job for me.With this collaboration 999 hits can be saved.Competition is pathetic, but still collaboration in a long run will benefit the community as a whole.If there are people who are willing to do this , mark me in.

By: Sinbad

Sinbad — Fri, 05 Jun 2009 22:05:02 +0000

Just an FYI, the same system applies to dabbawallaas in Mumbai as well.

IMHO, the reason why the above system works well for cooks/dabbawallaas is because as individual entities they are fairly homogeneous and hence, interchangeable/easily dispensable. Further, the risk/reward profile is also same for each individual. Consequently, it’s better to be united and work in a collaborative way. Also, seen such behavior among silicon valley desi techies when a new kid arrives.

Startups, on the otherhand, are competing in a dog-eat-dog environment and have a diverse risk/reward profile to warrant such collaborative behavior.

By: vivek

vivek — Fri, 05 Jun 2009 15:34:28 +0000

Great Idea. Problem is the lack of trust and greed. At the same time its the drive to only look short term.

I have known a similar system from a frind in europe. They have a group of entrepreneurs colloboratively create companies. They together delve on an idea and once they pin on it, one person is made incharge/ceo of that venture. Others pool in all their resources (money, contacts, skill etc) to make the venture successful.

I did hear about few deals in India between software vendors and specialists creating something on a revenue/stake share basis. This could serve as a foundation to your above concept.

By: Vaibhav

Vaibhav — Fri, 05 Jun 2009 11:34:24 +0000

We have also discussed this in many of our OCC meets and i guess its the “pub mentality” which holds our startups and the wannabes. Its like when you are in a pub, you want some bouncer next to you, you dont want another small guy with you.

But am sure, sooner than later, this will change.
Cheers
Vaibhav

By: Ashish

Ashish — Fri, 05 Jun 2009 11:07:24 +0000

Actualluy I won’t care too much about that – these cooks aren’t really clan.
And look at it – almost all the big businesses have a clan-y story.
Right from IT to reliance

By: Pavan

Pavan — Fri, 05 Jun 2009 09:59:43 +0000

If you like to have some answers, here is mine

Few years back when I went to my “friends circle” with this very idea ,they went “ergh..” (I guess they were thinking,this guy doesn’t have experience,not only he is doomed he intend to take me down as well)

next year, When I went to partnership seeker…”Hmm.idea is good.I invest you work.but no common pool,I will have cheque signing authority..” I tookup offer on good will. after 6 months,all his friends drop out of cloud managing company affairs. rest is familiar stuff..

next year,I took DIY approach and learnt it was a very bad try.(well the expensive lesson in my life)

by this time I am fed up,incidentally also left the country.

Come present,I again took DIY approach with fresh outlook and I am very happy now

The key lesson I have is somehow west has developed a culture to “obsessively” promote enterpunership. I have ample examples to show the contrast but i wont go into it here.

By: Amal Pillai

Amal Pillai — Fri, 05 Jun 2009 09:44:21 +0000

Ashish,

Did you forget clan based organizations from school ?