If you are always winning, check what's going on

The title of this post is counter-intuitive. Normally you are supposed to do review when you are not doing well.

But from what I have seen and observed I feel that it is more important to do regular review when you are doing well. The assumptions that you tend to form can be so misleading that you don't realize what is sustainable and what is not, whether it is comparative advantage or competitive advantage

In general without an in-depth analysis it is quite common to see that the success is attributed to factors that appear obvious. But what appears so obvious may not be totally true. In the last two sessions of CSTR we have discussed the case of Apple and the Wine growers of France. One point that I had observed is that the incumbents lost out for the same reason that they thought is invincible. Apple thought that no one else can innovate better than them and Wine growers felt nowhere else you can grow wine grapes. But both were wrong and the rules changed quickly. But both of them had something else that they didn't capitalize properly as they didn't even identify them as important.

Apple didn't realize that requirements of customer change quickly. What they did very successfully, design computers keeping customer in mind, they forgot in the middle and lost out to those who did that adaptation. Similarly French wine growers couldn't leverage neither their skills nor the brand advantage.

Similarly even in personal life it is important for us to realize what factors contribute to our success and keep a track of of the changing conditions. What gives you an edge today may become your baggage tomorrow. Be watchful.

Comparative Advantage: Career and Life Planning

One of the concepts that influenced my thinking to a great extent and helped me shape my career has been the "Three Circles or the Hedgehog concept" that I came across in the book - "Good to Great", by Jim Collins.

After going through the session on international trade and understanding the concept of comparative advantage, I have realized how close both the concepts are. The gist find out what all you can do, find out what you can do better than other things and focus on that.

Though there are slight differences, the key point is to that one should take time out regularly to identify what is that he/she is better at and see how it is valuable to the society in economic sense. This kind of exercise brings in focus and satisfaction. Many times during my 12+ year career I used to feel shaky because I was not sure whether I was good enough only to realize later that I was among the top few. As I used to realize that very late, I couldn't capitalize on my strengths. Once I started thinking in this direction I quickly realized what I can do better and capitalized on that aspect quickly. This is one aspect that helped me to realize the results personally.

On a broader front, I would like to think that all of us are same in certain things but are different in certain few. While keeping in mind the universality keep identifying what's different about you. That understanding alone can take you to places.

Once again, do you know What's your comparative advantage?

It's worth it

Today I felt that the amount of effort and money that I have put in to come to ISB has paid off. In our Global Economics Class we watched the Commanding Heights, a PBS production and the subsequent discussion with Prof. Krishna Kumar made me feel that my journey to ISB was worth it.

The web of questions in my mind cleared off instantly. I think I am more inspired than when I came to ISB in pursuing my dream.

Make a Difference in helping others lead a life of Significance, that's what I would like to do.

Material things never motivated me but I didn't find anything else that is more structured and channelised than business and thereby material things. For the first time I found the link between material and non-material goals.

Some very interesting upcoming posts are:

1. Comparative advantage: Using Macroeconomics to Individual life and career orientation. Discover What else could you be doing.

2. Kingfisher times.

3. Highly visible losers, invisible gainers.

4. Difference between being just intelligent and quick and smart an mature.

5. Is being judgemental wrong?

It's time for me to catch up some simulation. Bye for now