Book Review: A Better India A Better World

Good foundation, value-based system, good management and entrepreneurship are the elements dealt in this book. This is a must read for all entrepreneurs (be it a well-established entrepreneur or not). I am not saying this because it is written by a successful entrepreneur, Mr.Narayana Murthy but, because it contains the right ingredients for an entrepreneur to build his/her business. The book has chapters arranged in a perfect order and gives content feeling at the end of the book. Following is the order:

Address to Students
Values
Important National Issues
Education
Leadership Challenges
Corporate and Public Governance
Corporate Social Responsibility and Philanthropy
Entrepreneurship
Globalization
Infosys


My favourite topics are: the sub - chapter Compassionate Capitalism, all chapters of Education and Values.

Typically entrepreneurs brag about their company and the road they have taken, it is more about their own story. This book is not about Infosys, it is about building a value based enterprise. Infact you will see only two chapters speaking about Infosys towards the end.

This is a compendium of the speeches delivered by Mr.Narayana Murthy and to me they are more than just facts. The speeches and filled with words of wisdom.

In short the book moves us to the next level of revelation....as an entrepreneur.

First online microfinance platform

I stumbled over an interesting student start up called KIVA.
This is a person-to-person micro lending online platform.
It has created great transperancy for the lenders to choose whom they wish to lend money. The website provides list of entrepreneurs all over the world, description of their business and loan amount they need.
Once the loan is made the lender can track the progress of the entrepreneur. He will receive his money back over time and can re-lend to the entrepreneurs on the website.

This starts from a small amount of $25 (~Rs.1000). Each $25 goes to a larger loan which helps the entrepreneurs in the developing economies to grow and establish their businesses. All the money crunch a developing economy experiences will be wiped out with this concept. It is very exciting for the entrepreneurs as well as the lenders.