Saurabh Gupta

A start-up needs them all.
Friends who will self-lessly provide connections, introductions and listen to you at the end of a dark day when it’s all working against you. Who will be honest yet compassionate as they test the Beta. You cannot (or at least should not) take them for granted.

Employees, who will (hopefully) deliver at least what they’re being paid for. Maintain confidentiality, perform as competent resources and believe (reasonably) in what they’re (and the venture is) doing. They are critical to your success but don’t brood over some you lose along the way – there’s always more where that came from.

Partners, who will share risk, stand by you come hell or high water, be open and bring on the table distinct value creation abilities. These have to be chosen wisely. The success of the venture and your personal health (as an entrepreneur working in infra strapped India) depends on these people.

Lovers, will be the most difficult. These are the folks who feel just as passionately about the idea as the founders. They will kill, maim, beg, borrow and die for the ’cause’. They will also be the most difficult to
manage and please. They are the self image of the entrepreneur and will demand the confidence and attention that can sap ordinary folks. Don’t (and you can’t) cheat them. Unfortunately, You don’t choose them, they choose you!

Every organisation has all of these within. Sometimes people will switch from being one to the other as they spend more time or change roles, grow older or simply come to ‘believe’.

The challenge for the entrepreneur is to figure who s/he is dealing with and respond accordingly. Everyone else please figure who you are.