Why Has India Failed To Create Next Gen Business Icons?

#4 Icons Take Time to Bloom

According to Adil Zainulbhai, India Chairman of McKinsey, it is not the aura of the first generation that makes it difficult for the up-coming business stars. But, he says, it takes time for the new ones to bloom and establish themselves. Enough time should be given to them to breed and make a name in the public.

In the 90s, the era of first generation business world, people like Murthy, Mittal, Kamath,a andParekh were making money; but, none of them were iconic, instead, they were struggling entrepreneurs and executives who were fighting battles. They became business icons only over the past decade, when their businesses achieved a critical mass and they could get consolidated positions.

Adil Zainulbhai further added, "We look at the past with greater clarity than the present. We identify winners in retrospect a lot more and better than in the present."

Think of the '90s. Murthy, Mittal, Kamath, Parekh were making headlines but they were hardly iconic. They were struggling entrepreneurs and executives who were fighting many battles. Their larger-than-life image, their iconic status has only taken shape over the past decade when their businesses have achieved a critical mass and they have consolidated their positions. "We look at the past with greater clarity than the present. We identify winners in retrospect a lot more and better than in the present," says Zainulbhai.