10 lessons from the movie Band Baaja Baaraat
http://www.2indya.com/2010/12/27/10-startup-lessons-from-the-bollywood-movie-band-baaja-baraat/ My young entrepreneur friends will really enjoy watching the movie
“Band Baaja Baraat”, and there are 10 reasons to like it. First of
all, I must confess I had a choice between Tees Maar Khan (TMK) and
BBB, and I am happy I took right choice. The story is simple, a guy
and a girl are young, ambitious and want to do something in life. Like
every other love story in Indian cinema, boy meets girl, they fight,
then start liking each other, start a business together, again fight,
separate and then with some twists and turn, come together for a happy
ending.
I am listing down 10 lessons every startup should learn from the
movie:
1. You do not need a degree to be an entrepreneur – but need passion
The hero and heroine do not have a MBA or any fancy degree. The
heroine has the passion to be a wedding planner and the hero chooses
to partner her to avoid going back to his father’s business. With this
initial enthusiasm, they go about meeting the customers. A degree can
help you to a certain extent, but this should not stop you from going
ahead to start your venture.
2. TEAM matters
Right from the beginning, the hero/heroine work towards making a good
team. They divide responsibilities, work together, share profits, and
enjoy what they do. The heroine is clearly the CEO and decision maker
– an important aspect of any team is that there is a clear leader
rather than a mix up of who does what. In BBB, the hero is an
instinctive person, while heroine is well-balanced and methodical. In
a scene in the movie, Shahrukh Khan who was supposed to dance in a
wedding is unavailable at the last moment. Then the hero and heroine
team up to put up a grand dance show!
3. There is always a first time when you start
In a scene in the film, a rich businessman questions the young company
why they should get a contract as it is their first time. The hero
convinces him by telling him the story of a young person who started
tyre manufacturing 44 years back and is now the “tyre king” – happens
to this same rich businessman. So there is always a first time when
you start. When you meet a customer, be sure to showcase your
confidence.
4. Size does not matter
When any startup begins its venture, it has to compete with large
entrenched players. The startup company in the movie “Shaadi Mubarak”,
competes against large players by providing personalized service and
creativity. They do not cut prices, they simply innovate (bring their
college friends to do DJ, use a new caterer, add “DHINCHAK” feel to
marriages)
5. Competition does not matter
When you do the right thing, competition does not matter. The young
team do their own thing, they are customer-focused, and most
importantly, they do not imitate the competition. When you start a
venture, you will have a very easy choice to copy your competition but
that will not take you far.
6. Treat your vendors as partners
The BBB team treats their vendors (DJ/caterer/flower-person/decorator)
as their partners. They share joyous moments with them, as well as
profits! They treat them like family, and during a downtime in
business, these same vendors support the BBB team. Make sure you treat
your vendors as partners in business, and not treat them as if you are
the boss.
Remember – when you behave like boss, you get employees but when you
behave like a leader, you get committed soldiers who will lay their
life for you.
7. Ethics are the foundation of business
When the BBB team starts business, the hero tries to steal power to
save money, but the heroine reminds him that this is not the
foundation they will build their business on. This spirit continues in
the future when they grow big and leads to further success. When you
are small and starting your business, there will be several moments
when you want/can be unethical like avoiding taxes, not paying
employees etc. but if you start weak, you become weaker.
8. Start small but dream big
The BBB company dreams to be the best wedding planner in India but do
not mind starting with Janakpuri (a small locality in Delhi). After
gaining experience and establishing their brand, they move on to
Sainik Farms (a high-end locality in Delhi)! When you start a
business, you need customers to establish your credentials and gain
momentum so it does not matter if you get small or large business, as
long as you are moving in the right direction.
9. Know your customer
In a scene in BBB, the company wins a large contract by knowing their
customers (connecting with them on facebook, and finding out their
personal preferences, history etc.). Marketing is not about
advertising in Star or Sony; it is about knowing your customer and
using that knowledge!
10. Entrepreneurship is better than job
This is my personal preference – I believe every individual should try
starting their ventures at least once without fear of failure. Hero’s
friend goes in for MBA while the hero starts his venture and becomes
hugely successful! Just follow your dreams and you will enjoy the
process.
Last but not the least, please put all your lessons in action. Idea
does not make a business, execution does!
“Band Baaja Baraat”, and there are 10 reasons to like it. First of
all, I must confess I had a choice between Tees Maar Khan (TMK) and
BBB, and I am happy I took right choice. The story is simple, a guy
and a girl are young, ambitious and want to do something in life. Like
every other love story in Indian cinema, boy meets girl, they fight,
then start liking each other, start a business together, again fight,
separate and then with some twists and turn, come together for a happy
ending.
I am listing down 10 lessons every startup should learn from the
movie:
1. You do not need a degree to be an entrepreneur – but need passion
The hero and heroine do not have a MBA or any fancy degree. The
heroine has the passion to be a wedding planner and the hero chooses
to partner her to avoid going back to his father’s business. With this
initial enthusiasm, they go about meeting the customers. A degree can
help you to a certain extent, but this should not stop you from going
ahead to start your venture.
2. TEAM matters
Right from the beginning, the hero/heroine work towards making a good
team. They divide responsibilities, work together, share profits, and
enjoy what they do. The heroine is clearly the CEO and decision maker
– an important aspect of any team is that there is a clear leader
rather than a mix up of who does what. In BBB, the hero is an
instinctive person, while heroine is well-balanced and methodical. In
a scene in the movie, Shahrukh Khan who was supposed to dance in a
wedding is unavailable at the last moment. Then the hero and heroine
team up to put up a grand dance show!
3. There is always a first time when you start
In a scene in the film, a rich businessman questions the young company
why they should get a contract as it is their first time. The hero
convinces him by telling him the story of a young person who started
tyre manufacturing 44 years back and is now the “tyre king” – happens
to this same rich businessman. So there is always a first time when
you start. When you meet a customer, be sure to showcase your
confidence.
4. Size does not matter
When any startup begins its venture, it has to compete with large
entrenched players. The startup company in the movie “Shaadi Mubarak”,
competes against large players by providing personalized service and
creativity. They do not cut prices, they simply innovate (bring their
college friends to do DJ, use a new caterer, add “DHINCHAK” feel to
marriages)
5. Competition does not matter
When you do the right thing, competition does not matter. The young
team do their own thing, they are customer-focused, and most
importantly, they do not imitate the competition. When you start a
venture, you will have a very easy choice to copy your competition but
that will not take you far.
6. Treat your vendors as partners
The BBB team treats their vendors (DJ/caterer/flower-person/decorator)
as their partners. They share joyous moments with them, as well as
profits! They treat them like family, and during a downtime in
business, these same vendors support the BBB team. Make sure you treat
your vendors as partners in business, and not treat them as if you are
the boss.
Remember – when you behave like boss, you get employees but when you
behave like a leader, you get committed soldiers who will lay their
life for you.
7. Ethics are the foundation of business
When the BBB team starts business, the hero tries to steal power to
save money, but the heroine reminds him that this is not the
foundation they will build their business on. This spirit continues in
the future when they grow big and leads to further success. When you
are small and starting your business, there will be several moments
when you want/can be unethical like avoiding taxes, not paying
employees etc. but if you start weak, you become weaker.
8. Start small but dream big
The BBB company dreams to be the best wedding planner in India but do
not mind starting with Janakpuri (a small locality in Delhi). After
gaining experience and establishing their brand, they move on to
Sainik Farms (a high-end locality in Delhi)! When you start a
business, you need customers to establish your credentials and gain
momentum so it does not matter if you get small or large business, as
long as you are moving in the right direction.
9. Know your customer
In a scene in BBB, the company wins a large contract by knowing their
customers (connecting with them on facebook, and finding out their
personal preferences, history etc.). Marketing is not about
advertising in Star or Sony; it is about knowing your customer and
using that knowledge!
10. Entrepreneurship is better than job
This is my personal preference – I believe every individual should try
starting their ventures at least once without fear of failure. Hero’s
friend goes in for MBA while the hero starts his venture and becomes
hugely successful! Just follow your dreams and you will enjoy the
process.
Last but not the least, please put all your lessons in action. Idea
does not make a business, execution does!
