InMobi's Piyush Shah shares mantra for entrepreneurial success and longevity
Business honchos face a host of challenges that hinder their brainchild's way to success. While that is universal for all leaders, what really counts is their ability to go full throttle in converting threats into opportunities during the said times. In a recent podcast with Prime Venture Partners, Piyush Shah, co-founder of InMobi Group, shares everything you should know to successfully run your business.
Ambition led InMobi to become India's first-ever unicorn
"The real mission was to build a world-class product and tech company that could beat the giants in the world of mobile advertising," shares Shah. Today, "InMobi is India's first unicorn," and in fact, "the most profitable" that "became global very quickly." "Ambition is something I always feel has stayed the test of time. I mean, especially bad times," he says.
A core sense of confidence is another key to success
"I think one of the big things that start making real sense is what is the belief that people are sitting with?" states Shah. "Are your top 100 engineers, product guys, and business folks, do they have their core belief, the core sense of confidence that we can do it?" he shares. If yes, he assures, "we can fight against the biggies."
Tackle fears and insecurities with realizations and believes
"We had fears and insecurities," Shah said, expressing the difficulty of establishing his company in a space of media and advertising stalwarts. "But what helped is the realization that ultimately it's the same set of people. It's the core belief that we are no different. We got to learn, no doubt, but let's just go out and do it," he stated.
Show absolute perseverance and grit in making stuff work
"Every founder feels passionate about their thing and is willing to work hard and has got a whole lot of talent," says Shah. However, "talent and passion are a bit overrated." Instead, "if there's absolute perseverance, hunger, and resilience on solving a problem for long, and struggle are there, it will result into greatness, it will result into what really matters," he revealed.
Help employees unlock their truest potential
Shah says it is important "for people to feel that this company is theirs and the company cares for them, not just in a transactional sense, not just so that they can be better employees or more productive, and not just so that they can achieve better results." He believes that one can make a friendly environment by helping employees "unlock their truest potential."
He further says...
"It's not a hire-and-fire approach." Betting on people and staying with them in their unlocking journey is important, says Shah. "If a company can go through cycles of learning and figuring it out, why don't we allow people to go through that journey?" he probes.
