Month: August 2014

Looking for intrapreneurs and ex-entrepreneurs

Posted on (Updated by Abhinav

The question was, “that’s a pretty high growth rate and would be phenomenal if you can do that. But how will you do it?”

By having great people around me

That’s what I answered when a few years ago I was asked this question by a seasoned entrepreneur. It’s for that very reason that I am writing this post. I am looking or rather ‘hunting’ for those ‘great’ people. In our quest to build an awesome workplace, it’s time to expand our ‘A Team’. So who am I looking for? Intrapreneurs and/or ex-entrepreneurs.

Intrapreneurship
Intrapreneurship

As Wikipedia says: “Intrapreneurship refers to employee initiatives in organizations to undertake something new, without being asked to do so.” Hence, the intrapreneur focuses on innovation and creativity, and transforms an idea into a profitable venture, while operating within the organizational environment. Thus, intrapreneurs are Inside entrepreneurs who follow the goal of the organization. Intrapreneurship is an example of motivation through job design, either formally or informally. 

Or in simple terms, people who:

  • Love to be on their own and not being questioned by anyone BUT at the same time are responsible enough to deliver their tasks
  • Take pride in their work, even if it’s cleaning a toilet
  • Take ownership for their stuff, work and personal, both. Thus, know how to do get stuff done AND at the same time can do it her/himself, if needed
  • Thinks “business”””
  • Are not ready to take the entrepreneurship plunge yet but want to do it someday. If you are in this zone, believe me, this will be the perfect learning experience
  • Have already got hands dirty once and are looking to do it again, just for the sheer joy of it. Whether your company was successful or not, doesn’t really matter. What matters is you tried!
  • Love what they do. Period.
  • Keep “learning” as one of the success parameters in whatever they do
  • Are willing to “mentally” invest in the company
  • Are fearless and have a risk taking appetite

What skill set?

I believe a skill set can be built, what matters is the intent.

What role?
Well, everything that a business owner has to do. Sales, marketing, client engagement, manage,  think (and not procrastinate), organize and most importantly, write.

Having said that, I must mention a few roles here

  • Web Analytics
  • Digital Marketing
  • Visual Designer
  • Copyeditor
  • Content Writer / Marketer (Enterprise writing)

All those roles are detailed out on Niswey’s careers page, so you may want to have a look and say:

  • You are good at one and are while willing to learn others
  • You are really good at one and are willing to build a practice (and team) for just that
  • Know bits and pieces of a few and are willing to be good at all or at least most of them
  • Don’t know any of that but can do something else really great AND want to learn them too

Although I have tried to elaborate who will fit this role, but still I would like you to go through some more pointers written on our careers page. If you still have questions, please feel free to write to me at abhinav [at] niswey [dot] com. I’ll be happy to talk/explain about things, in detail.

About Niswey: we’re into solving business problems using the digital medium. We work in a flat structure and our culture is pretty open, read more about Niswey’s Culture.

If you’ve read so far and think that not you but a friend might be interested in such a role, please go ahead and share this with her/him right away, I’d really appreciate it, thanks!

Stop being ‘Politically Correct’

Posted on (Updated by Abhinav

A few days ago I gave an interview. While I said whatever I felt honestly, I got feedback that while I may still feel the same thing, I shouldn’t say it publicly. Criticizing people (from the industry in this case) might not be the best thing to do openly. Although I listened patiently to the feedback and for sometime felt it may be the right thing, after a lot of thought, I realized, if I do that I may not remain honest with myself. And that, being honest to myself remains the most important thing to me.

I am not afraid to call a spade, a spade. For this very reason, often people don’t like me or my words. But still, I never understand why should I give politically correct statements? In fact this ‘politically correct’ statement is the root cause of a lot of problems.

I’ve seen subordinates not telling honestly when they see a problem – eventually resulting in business losses. Why? They might lose points during appraisals.

Similarly, another case is, agencies not saying the right thing because they want to be politically correct in front of their customers. Why? they might lose business if they tell the truth.

Sales folks, well, there’s a reason why that term has earned ‘that’ reputation.

And most commonly, politicians. Lets not go there. Those are the people who have given rise to this term after all.

Imagine if our teachers (and parents) stopped pointing out our mistakes or never scolded and agreed to what we wrote/did? Looking back, you *might* agree, the most hated teachers are the ones from whom the learnt the most, provided you had the right intentions and you accepted feedback positively.

Stop being nice and being ‘politically correct’. It helps no one. Not even you. BTW, there’s a difference between being honest and being rude, don’t confuse them!

Like I wrote in an earlier blogpost (stupidity vs integrity), there are no right or wrong answers and you may have your own perspective, as for me, I’d be happy being hated for something that I am rather being loved for something that I am not!