tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5353471140255363906.post1716772866097912513..comments2023-08-18T03:14:38.921-07:00Comments on JuJubax: The START UP NationJujubaxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06189263813465023517noreply@blogger.comBlogger18125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5353471140255363906.post-43991066388305289932012-10-04T20:29:44.984-07:002012-10-04T20:29:44.984-07:00Latest update:
Shai has quit :-(
http://www.enga...Latest update:<br /><br />Shai has quit :-(<br /><br />http://www.engadget.com/2012/10/03/better-place-ceo-shai-agassi-steps-down/Jujubaxhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06189263813465023517noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5353471140255363906.post-41416968204232370222010-02-02T08:47:52.722-08:002010-02-02T08:47:52.722-08:00Great post Madhu-san. Israel, as a nation, has alw...Great post Madhu-san. Israel, as a nation, has always served as a huge inspiration to me in more than one way & it was nice to gain a few more insights in this space :-) <br /><br />One of the most simple but thought provoking anecdotes I've heard about the entrepreneurial spirit of Israelis is NOT that they do not fear failure but that they are tolerant about it. It seems there is no stigma attached to failing as a result of which it gives them the freedom to 'Just do it'.. That, I think, is the key as negativity is a huge factor in India..A majority of us are risk averse simply coz we think of the cost of failure & how a couple of years lost in a failed venture leaves us 2-3 rungs below our peers in the rat race and lesser in their eyes..Jupehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07662543106122096212noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5353471140255363906.post-49660264015934455272010-01-30T06:21:38.260-08:002010-01-30T06:21:38.260-08:00Dear Ronen Gruber:
Thanks for your kind words.
No...Dear Ronen Gruber:<br />Thanks for your kind words.<br /><br />Now days, I am curious to know and understand how "biotech", "nanotech" and other emerging sciences play out in future - because "business of science" is lot different the "traditional science" we all know. I am sure it is going to result in different types of business models as well as delivery. I only wish I know in advance .<br />Gary P Pisano (Harvard Prof who specializes in this area) gives good set observations.<br />1: Science values openness and sharing with attribution whereas business demands secrecy and propriety.<br />2: Science demands validity (is it valid? can it stand up against technical scrutiny? etc) whereas business demands utility (is it useful? <br />While both are incredibly competitive, currency is indeed different. Science keeps score with<br />-> Intellectual impact<br />-> Academic standing<br />-> Peers reviews and so on.<br />Business keeps score with:<br />-> Financial performance.<br />So, "science of business" is nothing short of oxymoron.<br />Yet, in most of the emerging areas like Genome, that is what we are getting in to.<br /><br />So we should expect some dramatic changes in business models and delivery. So, you are on "locus-of-transformation". Wishing you all the best !.<br /><br />With Regards<br />madhuJujubaxhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06189263813465023517noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5353471140255363906.post-5435534430915518432010-01-25T23:29:10.107-08:002010-01-25T23:29:10.107-08:00Dear Madhu,
It was a real pleasure and honor to me...Dear Madhu,<br />It was a real pleasure and honor to meet you here in Israel.<br />It is really interesting to read all the comments in the above discussion. I am a big fan of India and think there are many resemblances between our two countries. <br />We all know that necessity is the mother of all inventions and I think this is the main reason to all of the innovation activity we see here in Israel.<br />We have no choice but to use our head and to come up with solutions to problems and solution to situations before they become a problem. The fact that we are surrounded by countries that threaten our being obligates us to think and to succeed.<br /><br />I look forwards meeting you again and to develop more Biotech connections between our countries.<br />Best regards and thank you for enlightening me with this,<br />RonenAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04672205817952400974noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5353471140255363906.post-41580514263355026612010-01-12T03:33:56.793-08:002010-01-12T03:33:56.793-08:00Dear Dr Shai:
As a President and CEO of a Biotech...Dear Dr Shai:<br /><br />As a President and CEO of a Biotech Startup, plus your varied startup and consulting expereinces including India companies, JuJubax is thrilled to see your comments.Many thanks for the same.<br /><br />As to your comments,it brought a totally different perspective.<br />Perhaps, building "technology" is not the same as building "business". In that respect, strengths of two countries seems to be complimentary and in future I surmise it would scale to great heights.<br /><br />With best regards,<br />madhuJujubaxhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06189263813465023517noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5353471140255363906.post-77495963323489823022010-01-12T03:07:18.666-08:002010-01-12T03:07:18.666-08:00Hello Pagz:
I am elated to know that, JuJubax blo...Hello Pagz:<br /><br />I am elated to know that, JuJubax blog could influence some of your book purchase decisions :-)<br /><br />Infact, there was one interesting suggestion that came along.<br />" Declare the book which I am about to write next month". <br />By doing so, the reader felt, the book can also be read by him/her by the time I post the commentary. There are some operational catches here.Still, thinking about that well intented suggestion.<br /><br />With Regards,<br />madhuJujubaxhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06189263813465023517noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5353471140255363906.post-29017778412597460042010-01-11T08:29:16.748-08:002010-01-11T08:29:16.748-08:00Madhu,
Good review that answers the question I ha...Madhu,<br /><br />Good review that answers the question I had on the secret behind Israel's start-up successes. Training the draftees to become excellent, enthusiastic and innovative individuals seems like a new concept. I agree with NRR and others, this model may not scale well for India. But, I wonder there should be something similar in those lines possible for larger countries as well.<br /><br />Thanks for the nice review. BTW, the last few books (Napolean's Buttons and Furture of Life) are my latest purchase from Amazon, thanks to your review and recommendation :-))<br /><br />-Pagsபகலவன் கிருஷ்ணமூர்த்திhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08776386022709466185noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5353471140255363906.post-49079478802459235302010-01-08T23:24:00.478-08:002010-01-08T23:24:00.478-08:00Dear Madhu:
not reading the book yet, i was impres...Dear Madhu:<br />not reading the book yet, i was impressed by the challenging discussion it started. I would like to add my personal perspective here - i differ on some of the commentators saying that Israel and India are that different because what I think is the most important factor is the National DNA - otherwise called "the human factor". In that sense Indians are very similar to Israelis. The long standing culture and tradition and the various critical needs may be different but the fact that they exist create some very similar lines that at least from my very subjective perspective makes me feel like at home whenever I come to India. I think that the proof of concept is really the fact that within 20 years or less these two nations became the leaders in IT industry remote yet complementary in features. I also suggested that the 21st century industry ( the life sciences and biotechnology in particular) may give the two nations a chance to show the world that the IT story was not a coincident and together we might do it even better.<br /><br />Best regards<br /><br />ShaiShaihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03315712853955317273noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5353471140255363906.post-58953239238397741542010-01-08T22:05:08.792-08:002010-01-08T22:05:08.792-08:00Hi Ramesh:
The book discusses about Singapore and...Hi Ramesh:<br /><br />The book discusses about Singapore and Korea and how Israel is different.They also have mandatory "draft".<br /><br />Hi Mohankrishnan:<br />"Where is our Nokia?" is not my question :-) it was Author's question. That said, your Israeli Reindeer drove your point.<br /><br />Element-by-element comparing is not a bad idea. Some of them would be useful and most of it will not be. Trick is figure out which ones!<br /><br />Hi Suresh:<br />Thanks. Your link gave a good marketing perspective. <br /><br />Hi Pratap:<br />There is only passing references to the movements as it is focussed on startup stand point.<br /><br />regards,madhuJujubaxhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06189263813465023517noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5353471140255363906.post-84758841995258278312010-01-08T07:53:43.470-08:002010-01-08T07:53:43.470-08:00Having been persecuted throughout history, every t...Having been persecuted throughout history, every time they resurrect they emerge stronger than ever before. Probably no ethnic group has such a strong sense of belonging and building defensive mechanisms has gone into Jewish genes. But for the constant threat no one would ever think of machine guns shooting at right angles!<br /><br />I really awed and wowed how Kibbutz not just ensured food security but so efficient that they had to dump excess production since exporting would be a costly affair! And looks like they have successfully extended this in high-tech and this time no need to worry about wastage. Export everything! If not, it is an investment for future exports. <br /><br />Napolean once remarked about England that it is a nation of shopkeeper! Israel seems a nation of serial entrepreneurs!Thirukumaran Thttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15599897410792370696noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5353471140255363906.post-16729108741857772212010-01-07T06:48:30.634-08:002010-01-07T06:48:30.634-08:00I haven't read the book, so not sure whether t...I haven't read the book, so not sure whether the book does discuss about Zionist movements and kibbutz. Since the notion of "Start-up" is so capitalistic, it could be misleading in Israel's context.<br /><br />Never the less, Israel seems to be like a diamond, it takes in a small amount of light and glitters like a star. Be it in history or Hollywood, all it takes is one simple story.Pratap R Chttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02414087443088579483noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5353471140255363906.post-65721075811434514262010-01-07T06:22:52.711-08:002010-01-07T06:22:52.711-08:00Excellent review, again! Thanks!
While the compu...Excellent review, again! Thanks!<br /> <br />While the compulsory drafting is a bit extreme and difficult to implement in India, there was this Short Service Commission initiative from Indian Army which had similar potential. Don't know how it is shaping up now.<br /> <br />Aside, please please switch to wordpress.com for blogs. Blogspot looks ugly, and the commenting system is a pain. Also consider joining Twitter.com. Many of the jujubaks are in there :)HRJhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07182524959403566214noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5353471140255363906.post-15865270294611668222010-01-06T20:43:29.813-08:002010-01-06T20:43:29.813-08:00More from a Storage industry perspective but proba...More from a Storage industry perspective but probably true in a general sense as well. This article is harsh, unsparing but probably closer to the truth about Israeli startups:<br /><br />http://www.thebiggertruth.com/2009/12/fail-factors-why-startups-die-the-israeli-illusion/Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09976036705292689841noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5353471140255363906.post-3183417502628941262010-01-06T19:47:43.095-08:002010-01-06T19:47:43.095-08:00Hi Madhu,
I am a strong proponent of Israel model...Hi Madhu,<br /><br />I am a strong proponent of Israel model of start-up and at least when it comes to hi-tech space we in India should adapt a part of it in conjunction with US models. While India presents a large economy advantage- the start up process we should look the israeli way. Afterall the amount of start-ups (especially in the hi-tech space) we are way behind. Again on both communication image processing you find israel doing good for the shear reason that their defence community is their first customer. And later you end up commercializing it. I am a fan of israeli start-up culture and the process. Thanks for the review, much enjoyed it. I would pick up this book. <br />Cheers,<br /><br />BalajiAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14010424971078931260noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5353471140255363906.post-33447247627787680392010-01-06T17:48:37.698-08:002010-01-06T17:48:37.698-08:00Having stayed in Jerusalem for a few days here are...Having stayed in Jerusalem for a few days here are my thoughts.<br />Being under constant threat makes them live like there is no tomorrow - meaning there is no time to waste. Communications are direct and contextual. Cannot afford to make mistakes. Many a times are very pragmatic not really decorative.<br />Having suffered historically has brought them together even though they may not like each other, they know they are in it together.<br /><br />Surprisingly the society is divided between the liberals and the religious. Many liberal working class crib about the "lazy" half of the society.<br /><br />Regards<br />Mohan V.MVhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09615891009921569006noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5353471140255363906.post-29225366835661646002010-01-06T08:12:22.168-08:002010-01-06T08:12:22.168-08:00Interesting perspectives! The goal of most startup...Interesting perspectives! The goal of most startup founders is to sell their creation once it reaches critical mass, and move on to the next big idea. In some ways, it is like the role of a strategist - once it reaches implementation phase, they are ready to move on to the next big idea. Not knowing what will happen next can cause one to have a sense of making most of the moment on hand, and more importantly look at change in a totally different light. If anything, this attribute is what differentiates successful start ups from the not so successful ones - ability to anticipate and be flexible enough (in reality) to handle it. Israel culture, for one, inculcates this from a very young age, and reactionary responsiveness is as important as being proactive, to be practical.Mukund Srinivasanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00551305404001053987noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5353471140255363906.post-11983313986951646672010-01-06T00:46:48.595-08:002010-01-06T00:46:48.595-08:00When we evaluate systems we have this bad habit of...When we evaluate systems we have this bad habit of comparing element by element. In my opinion, we should not even ask the question "where is the Israeli Nokia". It's like asking "where is the Israeli reindeer". To me Israel is all about high end and small scale. They create ideas and start up which get bought by some large company somewhere. The team then moves to the next interesting idea.<br /><br />If there was a Nokia in Israel, most of Israel would have been employed by it, leaving no one to start anything new :-)<br /><br />I definitely think the small networked nature of Israel has made it what it is today. The contribution of military training is an interesting new angle. I would have thought it counter intuitive to link disciplining and start up culture.<br /><br />On NRR's question, I don't think we can take Israel's path to success. If smallness and high tech are Israel's strength, ours is scale and size. But some mandatory disciplining while we are young definitely sounds like a thing to learn from Israel.:-)<br /><br />MohanMohanakrishnan Gopalakrishnanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05436053298341669840noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5353471140255363906.post-59991282091190854492010-01-05T22:31:42.864-08:002010-01-05T22:31:42.864-08:00Hi Madhu,
Nice summary as usual. Hope to read ...Hi Madhu,<br /> Nice summary as usual. Hope to read it some time soon.<br /> Looking at the rapid progress small nations like this, Singapore are able to achieve, I wonder how we can try to reproduce some of it in a larger country like ours. Or is it the deep survival instinct that propels nations like this to excel?<br /> Thanks and Bye.<br />Best Regards,<br />N.R. Ramesh.Ramesh N Raghavanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14569860708530040461noreply@blogger.com