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Azim Premji Chairman, Wipro Corporation on The Changing World
Prelude
A very inspiring, interesting and thought very inspiring, interesting and thought
provoking speech by Shri Azim Premji At the provoking speech by Shri Azim Premji At the
37th Annual Convocation 2002, IIM, Ahmedabad 37th Annual Convocation 2002, IIM, Ahmedabad
"While change and uncertainty have always been a part of life, what has
been shocking over the last year has been both the quantum and
suddenness of change. For many people who were cruising along on placid
waters, the wind was knocked out of their sails. The entire logic of doing
business was turned on its head. Not only business, but also every aspect
of human life has been impacted by the change. What lies ahead is even
more dynamic and uncertain. I would like to use this opportunity to share
with you some of our own guiding principles of staying afloat in a changing
world. This is based on our experience in Wipro. I hope you find them
useful."
LESSON 1
"Be alert for the first signs of change."
Change descends on every One equally; it is just that some realize it faster.
Some changes are sudden but many others are gradual.While sudden
changes get attention because they are dramatic, it is the gradual changes
that are ignored till it is too late. You must have all heard of story of the frog
in boiling water. If the temperature of the water is suddenly increased, the
frog realizes it and jumps out of the water. But if the temperature is very
slowly increased, one degree at a time, the frog does not realize it till it boils
to death. You must develop your own early warning system, which warns
you of changes and calls your attention to it. In the case of change, being
forewarned is being forearmed.
LESSON 2
"Anticipate change even when things are going right."
Most people wait for something to go wrong before they think of change. It
is like going to the doctor for a check up only when you are seriously sick
or thinking of maintaining your vehicle only when it breaks down. The
biggest enemy of future success is past success. When you succeed, you
feel that you must be doing something right for it to happen. But when
the parameters for success change, doing the same things may or may
not continue to lead to success. Guard against complacency all the time.
Complacency makes you blind to the early signals from the environment
that something is going wrong.