Participation in TBLA 2010

“The road of life twists and turns and no two directions are ever the same. Yet our lessons come from the journey, not the destination.” – Don Williams Jr., American Novelist & Poet.

TBLA 2010 – Yes; it was truly a very adventurous, fun filled, and fruitful journey. We indeed believe that in this quest for A Billion Touch-Point Business Idea, it was the journey that mattered and not the destination, perse.

The journey began with the formation of our 4 member team – Triveni Nanjappa (Subscription Operations), Jeevan Kumar (Business Analysis) Amit Purohit (Customer Care) and Suma K. Gopal (Training) and registering ourselves with the team name, ‘Ecopreneurs’.
With as diversely skilled as possible, we utilised our core domain knowledge and skills to compliment each other and identify the ‘billion touch-point business idea’.

The area that we chose was e-commerce and our topic for the business case was “Online Tata Mall”.
We presented this business case highlighting the opportunity; industry study; how well this can fit with the current businesses of Tata group; SWOT analysis of this case; recommended strategy and approach; financials and tangible benefits to the Tata group.

Our business case was short listed for the Case Defence round from 62 over all entries in TBLA 2010. We knew, our journey took a fresh twist and we eagerly awaited the next exhilarating phase.

The next round was equally thrilling, where we defended our case with a panel of senior Tata leaders. More than presenting and defending, we consider that we spent those couple hours learning what we had not, during our entire research. We thank the panel for their sincere guidance and warm approach.

The next phase was a little painful, for we had to wait for weeks dreaming our presenting the case to the judges and of course, Mr. Tata. And, you know, it is hard to rein your ‘dream-horses’!
While we were not short listed for the final round, we still relish all that we experienced till this last phase. This experience is the reward in itself and it cannot be substituted by any other materialistic one.

For, the thrills of this unpredictable journey will linger on forever in our memories; for, the learning will lead to new productive ideas; for, the impact will create many new businesses; for, the inspiration will make many more leaders.

Let me repeat my thoughts – in this quest, it was the journey that mattered and not the destination.

TBLA Semi Finals

It was a very exciting experience.

Wednesday, 13th January 2010

I woke up in the morning thinking and feeling differently. We were all a little anxious and continued our research till the last hour. Amazingly, I discovered and learnt quite a number of things in that last hour!

Time seemed to be 'snailing' till 10:30 when we received a call... At last ...

All of us and the panel sounded so positive that we were quite glad at the end of our presentation. I almost felt that I did win! (Well, I don't know why!)
Infact, I would rather call it a learning session than a presentation!

I continue to wait... TBLA Finals... and, our team in the list... And, we meet Mr. Ratan Tata... A dream come true...!

Yes! If that be the reality, it certainly is an accomplishment for this year, this decade, actually, my life lived so far...!
Sigh!

Waiting...!
..!
.!
!

Nominating for TBLA 2010

Submitting the business case plan for TBLA2010 was one of the most exciting things that I did in the last few days. Waiting and waiting to see what happens...

If not anything, I learnt!