My first year in business

As a child, I always dreamt of starting my own business. The inspiration I believe I took from my uncle who had his own business. Probably, the motivation at that time was that I could work on second floor of our home and come down for lunch in kitchen, no travel required!    


To realize the dream, I took nine years work experience after completing my first post graduation. I started my Independent Management Consulting business on 5 October 2009. Today, I am hosting a get together of my clients and business network as a way of celebrating one year in business.


I am amazed by the kind of things you can achieve by self discipline, freedom to decide your priorities, and exposure to the environment, especially for a first generation entrepreneur like me.


In last one year my revenue came: 54% from teaching, 30% from training, 16% from pure consulting, and less than one percent from strategic placement activities. When I reviewed sources from which I got the work, I was not surprised at all! Around ninety nine percent of my business came from business networking. And less than one percent came from 'cold calling' in typical sales language. Hence, I am hosting a get together of my clients and business network. As they made sure that I get enough work for survival in first year. Otherwise, it is a common observation that most businesses are closed within the first year of the operation.


For a professional, the rewarding experience may not only come through monetary terms. I was able to materialize my cherished dream of starting Business Book Readers' Club in January 2010. Today, the club has 340 members.


Currently, I am working as an Independent Management Consultant. In future, I want to start my management consulting company. This I think I will do after completing my PhD work.


Here is a sincere 'thank you' to all of you that is my clients, business network, teachers, students, friends and family. By the way, immediately I am looking for a small office space in Kothrud, Pune, India and an efficient secretary. If you happen to know either or both, please contact me.


As I always tell my students, success is optional but if I do not work, failure is compulsory. So, let me get down to work, bye for now.