NR Narayana Murthy is a role model for not just what he achieved but also how he did it. Here are nine little-known facts about the man who has become a ‘Global Business leader.’
1) JAILED FOR 72 HOURS
Murthy, a self-proclaimed socialist in the mid-70s was jailed for 72 hours in Bulgaria. The experience taught him that entrepreneurship and job creation is the way to alleviate poverty.
Learning Lessons.
2) FIRST COMPANY FAILED
In 1976, Murthy founded Softronics, a company that lasted a year and a half. When he realised that his first venture wasn’t taking off, he moved on.
Failure Is The Stepping Stone To Success.
3) KEEP THE FAITH
Infosys almost wound up in 1990. Murthy did not want to sell the company. He asked co-founders if they wanted out and offered to buy their shares. All of them stuck together.
Hope And Faith Plays A Important Role In One’s Life.
4) GET INVOLVED
Infosys won a contract from Reebok in the early’90s. Seeing the founders involvement, the software, was nick named ‘Dinesh, Murthy and Prahlad.’ Infosys veterans still recall those days.
This Was Their First Step Towards Success.
5) HIRED MOHANDAS PAI AT INFOSYS AGM
Hire a good accountant, even if he is argumentative. A young, argumentative Indian, was asking too many questions at an annual general body meeting of Infosys. More impressed than irritated, he hired Mohandas Pai, who went on to help Infosys list on Nasdaq.
Being Determined.
6) FLIES ECONOMY CLASS
The big man of Indian IT kept his personal life simple. He lives in a simple, middle class house and flies economy till date. Murthy has always been accessible to people around him.
Being Simple and Humble.
7) CREATED INFOSYS ON BORROWED MONEY
In 1981, a determined Murthy started Infosys with Rs. 10,000 he borrowed from his wife. In few years, Infosys went on to become one of the largest wealth creators in the country.
Helping Family.
8) MANTRA TO KEEP GOING
“In God we trust, the rest must come with data”, is perhaps Murthy’s favourite statement. When confronted with difficult decisions, he tends to rely on data.
Being Innovative.
9) LOVES BOOKS
Keep your life simple and straight. That way, you get to work more and worry less. Murthy is known to be frugal with money. Despite being one of the richest Indians, he leads a simple life.
However, he does not cut corners on buying books or brushing up on literature.
Good books are our Best friends.
From being a common man to being a Great Man. This is how Narayana Murthy achieved his Success.
“Try and Try until you Succeed”.
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