LUCKNOW: If you are looking to start a business but are deterred by the absence of resources, you might be on the wrong path.
A small enterprise can be set up with resources already available, and there is no need to “seek them from elsewhere”, said former director of IIM-Kozhikode Prof Krishna Kumar in Lucknow. He was speaking at an online panel discussion on how strategic management is key to the success of any venture, especially when acquiring resources. In the event, a curtain raiser to the 22nd annual convention Strategic Management Foundation of India (SMFI) held at IIM Ranchi, Prof Kumar also displayed a unique venture as an example for the lesson.
An unconventional ‘dhaba’, planned and run by Prof Kumar himself, was also launched on the day. The dhaba, Prof Kumar said, is an example of how a small enterprise can be set up with resources already available, rather than seeking them elsewhere. “The idea is to cater to appetite with an intellectual menu,” Prof Kumar said.
The kitchen for the dhaba has been created in a small balcony of Kumar’s house in Jankipuram with space for cooking, some storage and sitting for two. To ensure contactless delivery, a fishing road-based system takes the prepared food to the ground floor. Items sich as paratha, idli, dhokla, tea in five flavours, soft drinks and camel milk are available at the drive-through dhaba. “I wanted to successfully run a venture with strategic use of available space, human resources, skills and demand. Having been an academic all my life, I have designed this venture as an example of strategic management,” he said.
The dhaba is operational every day. Every fifth Sunday, there will be an online discussion on a chosen subject.
The panel discussion saw views of eminent academicians including director of IIM-Ranchi Prof Shailendra Singh, former directors Prof Shekhar Choudhury of IIM-Calcutta, Prof KRS Murthy of IIM-Bangalore, dean (faculty) IIM-Lucknow Prof Neeraj Dwivedi, head of department of business administration at LU Prof Sanjay Medhavi and faculty Ajai Prakash, former IIM-L professor Prof Rajan Gupta, and Sanjay Mohanty, a senior business executive, who was the first all-rounder from IIM-L. Several professors from renowned institutions across India also attended virtually.