The Plight of the IT Entrepreneur Continues – CIPE and P@SHA Host a Discussion in Lahore
Though we’ll all have a better idea once the Islamabad discussion also takes place so that a plan of action can be put into place to help reduce the barriers to entry into the realm of entrepreneurship, here are some quick pointers that were mentioned and covered today.
Deepest Fears and Challenges that Stop You From Taking the Leap of Faith
These responses varied from, ‘not being able to make ends meet and support the family’, to ‘fear of failure’, ‘managing money and resources’, ‘what will friends and family say?’ and ‘finding the right people and being able to keep them’. A recurring fear, especially amongst the newbies, is lack of intellectual copyrights for their ideas. Not knowing who can steal their idea, the newbies usually shy away from seeking large company mentors, who may coin the idea as their own.
While many of the experienced entrepreneurs explain that failure is a critical learning resource, they also, simultaneously (and often in the same breath) recommend starting up at an early age â€" Before the responsibilities begin to bear weight, jump off the cliff. That way, you’re so close to the ground in terms of resources, responsibility and experience, even if you fall, you won’t damage yourself that badly.
What Do the Newbies Want?
Everyone has a wishlist. Here’s some of the items that were identified during the discussion today
Demand: Help Wanted!
Newbies need guidance. Everyone agrees. Whether it is through mentoring, a quick one-on-one chat or an incubation center, graduates need guidance so that they will be more confident when they tread down the path of starting themselves up.
Some thoughts on this demand: Agreed. Only issue that often creeps up is the lack of perseverance and seriousness on the part of the newbies. At times, not always, students tend to send a ‘chance’ email to the CEO of a company and then forget about it. If you want help, you’ll have to reach out for it not only through one-on-one opportunities, but also learn how to effectively network at gatherings. Not every IT company owner can spare a lot of time â€" grab them when and where you can!
Demand: More Awareness!
There needs to be more awareness about the local companies. Companies and entrepreneurs that are doing specific kinds of work, should be showcased. Once these people are identified, only then can students approach them for mentoring or guidance.
Some thoughts on this demand: While I’d love to blame Jehan Ara for not doing her ITLOW podcasts, we’ve actually got more than 2,000 videos of company owners and people talking about IT and Business in Pakistan on the CIO WebStudio and thousands of articles and items on the CIO Website. You’ll find countless blogs and websites dedicated to startups and featuring potential mentoring candidates. But even before venturing online, try and list down 5 people who you think will help you in your niche, you would like to meet.
Demand: Curriculum needs to be more Practical!
Educational Systems such as ours is often accused of spoonfeeding students and making them incapable of being able to think. Mass production of machines that can learn by rote, but have little or no practical understanding, must be changed!
Some thoughts on this demand: While this might be true, having a formal education in a system is an introduction to life. You have social and professional networking to help resolve this dire need to have practical, hands-on experience… and you have an entire life to do so. Some of the best businesses in Pakistan, albeit the handful, are the result of this same system. What is perhaps needed is workshops and more vocational training options. What say you?
Wrapping up and some more thoughts
There is a lot of work that needs to be done, both in terms of guidance and hand-holding, along with aggregating the tremendous wealth of information and experience that resides with existing entrepreneurs. The bottom line is this â€" there has to be more clarity in communication. Newbies MUST know what they want. They MUST be clear about their ideas and have at least a vague understanding of where they are headed in life. And if they are going to approach a mentor or someone for guidance, please follow the first rule of journalism â€" ask the right question so you can get to the right answer.
It all starts with an idea. These people (P@SHA and CIPE) just want to find out why more youngsters, our brilliant and exuberant youngsters, aren’t thinking more innovation and taking that leap. They’re not here to hold your hand and push clients your way. After all, you know how the saying goes: ‘teach a man to fish….’ â€" So yes.. they’re here to understanding what stops you from learning how to fish.
If you’d like to read the Karachi post and see the photographs and videos, please click here.
A more detailed report will be compiled at the end of the tri-city discussion.
If you’d like to register for the sessions in Lahore or Islamabad, please click here.
[Update 1035pm] Videos to be uploaded soon. Please check back in this same post later
Disclaimer: The final reports will be published by P@SHA and CIPE. Thoughts and opinions mentioned here may not reflect those of either platform and are solely of CIO Pakistan.
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