MBAUniverse.com turns to a leading academician who is engaged in field entrepreneurship development at Indian School of Business, Hyderabad Professor V Chandrasekhar, Executive Director of the Wadhwani Centre for Entrepreneurship Development at ISB, has a rich combination of academic and industry experience. He received his doctorate degree from the University of Denver, US, where his thesis was in the area of Innovations and Organizational Change. He has taught at institutions such as IIM-B, IISc, the University of Denver, and the University of Central Florida, Orlando, and the ESSEC Business School in France. Apart from teaching Entrepreneurship as a subject, Prof. Chandrasekhar has taught subjects such as marketing, organizational management and innovation, new product development and venture creation. Professor Chandrasekhar is an Invited Member of the Techno Entrepreneurship Promotion Programme of the Department of Science and Technology, Government of India.
In this interview with MBAUniverse.com, he shares his views about entrepreneurship, the objectives of the Wadhwani Centre at ISB, and the upcoming TiE-ISB Connect business plan contest.
What is the entrepreneurial landscape like in India? How would we compare with countries like China and the US?
It is an accepted tenet that entrepreneurial activity and innovation are fundamental to sustained economic growth. Fortunately for India, some of the basic things are in place to provide the necessary impetus on this front high quality human capital, opportunities in basic and growth sectors, access to the global capital, and an increasing number of MNCs providing access to the latest technologies in a range of sectors. The need is to integrate these inherent advantages, and create an ecosystem where entrepreneurship can thrive.
One of the important variables necessary for entrepreneurial activity is the requirement of a large market. Countries like the US and China carry large markets with good access, spurring entrepreneurial activity. It is just starting to happen in India. Our domestic markets are growing fast. Additionally, the changes being witnessed in India will throw open new opportunities for new enterprises.
What are some of the things that Indian entrepreneurs are getting right? Where are they failing?
Indian entrepreneurs are bright, committed, hardworking and persevering.The weak areas seem to be risk taking ability, team building and opportunity spotting.
You have been associated with many institutions such as IIM-B, IISc, the ESSEC Business School What is your approach to teaching entrepreneurship?
My approach and philosophy has been that opportunity knocks on the doors of a prepared mind.Unless you are alert to the ecosystem and its challenges, neither one can get into entrepreneurship nor succeed in it. It is this preparation that the courses are tailored to.
Are our B-schools the right places to groom entrepreneurs? Are they equipped?
B-schools may not be the only place to teach and groom entrepreneurs but they are definitely one of the places. The case method of teaching throws open to students the experiences and challenges of other entrepreneurial companies.
Students and executives wonder if they have what it takes to be an entrepreneur. Are there any typical traits of successful entrepreneurs?
Research on the traits of entrepreneurs has so far been inconclusive.There are variables from the personality side, cultural side, psychographic side, behavioral side -- all influencing entrepreneurs and influencing each other.
What is the objective of Wadhwani Centre for Entrepreneurship Development (WCED) at ISB?
I want the present generation to dream, design and deliver innovation and entrepreneurship. WCED will act not just as a launching pad for people with robust ideas but will also be a mentor throughout the growing process.
WCED was set up to nurture the spirit of enterprise and to build a network that supports the efforts of aspiring entrepreneurs. The Centre has taken up the task of supporting these entrepreneurs through the cycle -- from conceptualization to the execution of projects. One of the six Centres of Excellence being set up by the ISB, WCED takes a holistic approach, covering training, research, mentoring and networking activities. The Centre provides opportunities for real time learning through interactions with some of the worlds best business leaders.
What have been the activities, research and initiatives at WCED so far?
WCED is a hub from where new ideas and thinking about entrepreneurship gets disseminated. It provides a forum in which the latest research, ideas and issues emanating from the global business environment are debated. Research programs at WCED have an application-oriented, multi-disciplinary approach. They focus on the importance of knowledge in fostering entrepreneurship in developing countries. This includes revalidation of existing theories, creation of new frameworks based on empirical studies and helping synthesize knowledge with practice. Current areas of research include:
Innovation and Entrepreneurship, Micro finance, Professionalization of Family Business, Knowledge Clusters, Real Estate and Urban Studies and Social Entrepreneurship.
Tell us about the TiE-ISB Connect Forum and the upcoming TiE-ISB Connect 07?
TiE-ISB Connect is a highly successful business plan competition. Entrepreneurs are invited to submit a maximum of a 5-page abstract business idea to the TiE-ISB Connect Committee to qualify for an elevator pitch with leading Capitalists of the World. This event is from November 14 to 16. The last date for submission of Business Plans closes on 31st August 2007.
The competition is designed to encourage entrepreneurs to create start-ups. In the first two years of the competition, more than 1,000 entries were received across 9 tracks: IT / IT-enabled Services, Internet Technologies, Infrastructure and Real Estate, Technology, Semiconductors, Bio-Pharma/Life Sciences, New Media and Entertainment, Retail, and Sports and Fitness.
I believe that there are many exceptional start-up and growth companies waiting to flourish, and these entrepreneurs requires support that of the kind TiE-ISB Connect provides.
| Check Top MBA Colleges in India by Cities | | |
| Also Read Important Articles on MBA Admission | ||
| Top MBA Colleges in India | MBA Admission | MBA Entrance Exam |
| MBA Placements | MBA Ranking In India | GD Topics |
MBAUniverse.com turns to a leading academician who is engaged in field entrepreneurship development at Indian School of Business, Hyderabad Professor V Chandrasekhar, Executive Director of the Wadhwani Centre for Entrepreneurship Development at ISB, has a rich combination of academic and industry experience. He received his doctorate degree from the University of Denver, US, where his thesis was in the area of Innovations and Organizational Change. He has taught at institutions such as IIM-B, IISc, the University of Denver, and the University of Central Florida, Orlando, and the ESSEC Business School in France. Apart from teaching Entrepreneurship as a subject, Prof. Chandrasekhar has taught subjects such as marketing, organizational management and innovation, new product development and venture creation. Professor Chandrasekhar is an Invited Member of the Techno Entrepreneurship Promotion Programme of the Department of Science and Technology, Government of India.
In this interview with MBAUniverse.com, he shares his views about entrepreneurship, the objectives of the Wadhwani Centre at ISB, and the upcoming TiE-ISB Connect business plan contest.
What is the entrepreneurial landscape like in India? How would we compare with countries like China and the US?
It is an accepted tenet that entrepreneurial activity and innovation are fundamental to sustained economic growth. Fortunately for India, some of the basic things are in place to provide the necessary impetus on this front high quality human capital, opportunities in basic and growth sectors, access to the global capital, and an increasing number of MNCs providing access to the latest technologies in a range of sectors. The need is to integrate these inherent advantages, and create an ecosystem where entrepreneurship can thrive.
One of the important variables necessary for entrepreneurial activity is the requirement of a large market. Countries like the US and China carry large markets with good access, spurring entrepreneurial activity. It is just starting to happen in India. Our domestic markets are growing fast. Additionally, the changes being witnessed in India will throw open new opportunities for new enterprises.
What are some of the things that Indian entrepreneurs are getting right? Where are they failing?
Indian entrepreneurs are bright, committed, hardworking and persevering.The weak areas seem to be risk taking ability, team building and opportunity spotting.
You have been associated with many institutions such as IIM-B, IISc, the ESSEC Business School What is your approach to teaching entrepreneurship?
My approach and philosophy has been that opportunity knocks on the doors of a prepared mind.Unless you are alert to the ecosystem and its challenges, neither one can get into entrepreneurship nor succeed in it. It is this preparation that the courses are tailored to.
Are our B-schools the right places to groom entrepreneurs? Are they equipped?
B-schools may not be the only place to teach and groom entrepreneurs but they are definitely one of the places. The case method of teaching throws open to students the experiences and challenges of other entrepreneurial companies.
Students and executives wonder if they have what it takes to be an entrepreneur. Are there any typical traits of successful entrepreneurs?
Research on the traits of entrepreneurs has so far been inconclusive.There are variables from the personality side, cultural side, psychographic side, behavioral side -- all influencing entrepreneurs and influencing each other.
What is the objective of Wadhwani Centre for Entrepreneurship Development (WCED) at ISB?
I want the present generation to dream, design and deliver innovation and entrepreneurship. WCED will act not just as a launching pad for people with robust ideas but will also be a mentor throughout the growing process.
WCED was set up to nurture the spirit of enterprise and to build a network that supports the efforts of aspiring entrepreneurs. The Centre has taken up the task of supporting these entrepreneurs through the cycle -- from conceptualization to the execution of projects. One of the six Centres of Excellence being set up by the ISB, WCED takes a holistic approach, covering training, research, mentoring and networking activities. The Centre provides opportunities for real time learning through interactions with some of the worlds best business leaders.
What have been the activities, research and initiatives at WCED so far?
WCED is a hub from where new ideas and thinking about entrepreneurship gets disseminated. It provides a forum in which the latest research, ideas and issues emanating from the global business environment are debated. Research programs at WCED have an application-oriented, multi-disciplinary approach. They focus on the importance of knowledge in fostering entrepreneurship in developing countries. This includes revalidation of existing theories, creation of new frameworks based on empirical studies and helping synthesize knowledge with practice. Current areas of research include:
Innovation and Entrepreneurship, Micro finance, Professionalization of Family Business, Knowledge Clusters, Real Estate and Urban Studies and Social Entrepreneurship.
Tell us about the TiE-ISB Connect Forum and the upcoming TiE-ISB Connect 07?
TiE-ISB Connect is a highly successful business plan competition. Entrepreneurs are invited to submit a maximum of a 5-page abstract business idea to the TiE-ISB Connect Committee to qualify for an elevator pitch with leading Capitalists of the World. This event is from November 14 to 16. The last date for submission of Business Plans closes on 31st August 2007.
The competition is designed to encourage entrepreneurs to create start-ups. In the first two years of the competition, more than 1,000 entries were received across 9 tracks: IT / IT-enabled Services, Internet Technologies, Infrastructure and Real Estate, Technology, Semiconductors, Bio-Pharma/Life Sciences, New Media and Entertainment, Retail, and Sports and Fitness.
I believe that there are many exceptional start-up and growth companies waiting to flourish, and these entrepreneurs requires support that of the kind TiE-ISB Connect provides.
| Check Top MBA Colleges in India by Cities | | |
| Also Read Important Articles on MBA Admission | ||
| Top MBA Colleges in India | MBA Admission | MBA Entrance Exam |
| MBA Placements | MBA Ranking In India | GD Topics |
On the subject of entrepreneurship, after speaking with honchos like Mr RS Pawar of NIIT and Mr Sanjiv Bhikchandani of Naukri.com,