Apropos Shailesh Dobhal's column "Dial D for growth" (Across the board, March 10), in earlier days we used to hear about terms such as 'business forward or backward integration' or 'core business'. But these concepts are now quickly fading away, giving way to diversification and multi-product ventures.
What does Bharti Airtel have to do with payments bank or Tata with aviation? The truth lies in the fact that entrepreneurs are like adventurers and there is no 'core competence' in an adventure. Moreover, businessmen simply do not have to be really 'competent' in any specific segment. There are people who know the products, the market, the technology and above all, the people in the respective segments. Entrepreneurs need to identify and select the most effective people for the segment they are venturing into. That is their 'core competency'.
It is but natural that seasoned businessmen who have proved their competency consistently will try to grab any opportunity that policy-makers decide to open up. Eventually, it is the adventurous spirit that moves them, not any particular business proposition.
Ashok Chakrabarty Kolkata
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