The post From reinvention to renewal: how TiE Kerala helped local entrepreneurs thrive through the pandemic first appeared on TiE - Global Entrepreneurship Organization.

Organisations like TiE Global, entities which run incubators and accelerators for entrepreneurs and even academic institutions are far and few in between and the average entrepreneur does not get access to most of them. When the advice is needed, one cannot be in perennial wait for the next mentor clinic or workshop. Mentoring is a one to one relationship, the mentor and the mentee, based simply on the needs and aspirations of the mentee and the abilities and resources of the mentor.

But the fascinating aspect of mentoring is, if we are ‘mindful’ there is enough opportunity to learn from everyone around us. We live in rich clusters where there , if we are ready to soak in, there is enough around us. The ‘mentor’ could be a lot of people around us and here are some of them:-

The vibrant peer: Bounce off ideas with that loquacious peer, who is ever ready with advice. She may not be able to give you concrete ideas and technical inputs but can pose critical questions that will poke holes and make you revisit some of your assumptions. Believe me, you have a lot of them who can be of value.

The cynical elder: The risk averse adult who could also be a parent will give you the best ‘risk framework’! They will express concern on the uncertainty, every possible calamity and force majeure and will eke you to think a lot more than taking the plunge.

The retired ‘finance’ professional: We have a great ‘bank’ of retired finance professionals in India. Most of them can give you solid tips and ideas to manage your finances. When you have not dealt finances (even the fresh Ivy league MBA), some of the basic methods with elude you. Capitalising expenses, neglecting the value of ‘gifted’ assets like your parent’s vacant property, and more worryingly the tendency to pay back initial loans from capital. Even the golden question:- What should be my salary? is not easy to answer!

The golden star entrepreneur: Few of us are fortunate enough to hear the ‘My story’ of an established entrepreneur. It is a short term course of entrepreneurship in itself. But always remember, there is a narration fallacy to these stories. In retrospect, everything seems visionary, decisions seem prescient and bullet proof. But you cannot compare your Chapter 1 situation to his/her Chapter 25 advice.

The networked connector: At times you need that connector in life who helps you move forward. In order to make sure that you build up your own list of contacts, it is paramount to find the people around you who know everyone. Have them help you to meet new people. You will find them in conferences, flights and on LinkedIn!

Your listening soul mate: It is crucial to share and have regular dialogue with someone who understands you and where you are in your career or entrepreneurship cycle, who can listen to what happened. Mostly in life, you aren’t looking for a solution or a motivational speech—just some validation of what you do did at a difficult moment.

In most situations in life, you will not find someone who will exactly give you a roadmap of activities nor a specific ‘To Do’ item. True learning is listening to mull over it, looking at what make sense to you and doing what seems appropriate to you! Did you get it wrong – don’t worry tomorrow is another day!

The post There is a mentor in everyone around us! first appeared on TiE - Global Entrepreneurship Organization.

One look at Kerala and you feel that God has been unfairly kind to the state. Bestowed with a topography of the heavens, it presents the best of hills, plains , rivers, lakes and the idyllic coastlines. The sylvan backwaters and the heady city mosaic are sketched with multiple shades of green. A color which presents the best of environment, borders every picture ever clicked in Kerala.

Kerala has been on the radar on many a decade. The natural beauty of the state has been lauded in many a publication including the National Geographic and the Conde Nast traveller. In a rapidly urbanising India , the rest of India also come into Kerala to savour a natural blend of the ‘green’ with the ‘concrete’ – where the it has never been a war but a natural symbiotic growth. This is at a time where the ‘concrete’ seems to be clearly winning over ‘green’ in the rest of the world , why just India.

The business case for tourism is also vibrant and compelling. A dollar spend in a sector begets a dollar or two in building the economy in the region. The multiplier is quite high when it comes to manufacturing – roughly $ 4.5 for every $1 spend on the economy. But for a tourism conducive locale like Kerala – the multiplier for tourism is more $6.7 for every dollar spend. This is because , it is not just the employment and the ecosystem that tourism generates but the linkages it has around the entire business landscape ! From a business standpoint there is no debate !

The other linkages are too strong to ignore :-

Traditional KERALA

The state is a veritable collage and cultural fusion of the world. The best of Kerala is also seen in Kochi where the best way to understand people is to savour the Onam ( popular festival)sadya(feast).The delicious aroma of cooked rice, mingled with pieces and the woodsmoke wafts through air where the banana leaves are laid .The leaves are brightened by the silver drops of water dancing on the green contours of the leaves. All the dishes are arranged in an order that makes the palate look like a painting. Several islands of colours spread on the leaves. The best of Kerala is not a ‘see and go’ theatre – it is a ‘stay and experience’ proposition !

Artisitic KERALA

The Muziris Biennale has proved that Kerala has a world culture breathing in it. The wide diaspora of Keralites working around the world and profuse indulgence of the Dutch ,Jews and Portuguese has given an artistic identify which not only finds similarity with the global tourist, but also presents a unique flavour that only Kerala and that too Kochi , retains. Within a short time since its inception , the Muziris Biennale has been rated amongst the best and is on the world tourist calendar.

Egalitarian KERALA

The HDI indicators of Kerala are not be scoffed at. The best countries in India and the world will take a decade to reach some of the figures that Kerala boasts of. A society such as this will focus on development locally and show the world that ‘small and local’ will thrive. The conscious society is law abiding and is well aware of its duty and its rights. An exemplary model of secularism and plurality, it has amongst the highest density of religious institutions, where people of different caste and creed celebrate together. The local governance is participative, inclusive and provides last mile governance through a well networked web of Panchayats and Taluks.

‘Konnected’ KERALA

Kerala has among the fastest rising mobile population in India and this prepares for e-commerce in unprecedented ways. The average time the young and old Keralite not just connecting but transacting commerce on their phone is reaching astounding levels. Digital literacy is high and slowly the digital infrastructure will swell to meet the demands. Every service provider has Kochi as one of the priority cities to focus on looking at the potential market of consumers.

With the right focus on building infrastructure and ‘smartly’ aligning policies , sky is the limit. A small incident which comes to me – some years ago , when treasures were covered in the Sri PadmanabhaSwamy Temple in Trivandrum , in Kerala – there was a media frenzy in valuing the temple assets and comparing it to the Vatican and other such much visited places of spiritual importance. That is not the important tenet around the discovery – the importance is – ‘this is perhaps , God , telling the non resident Keralaite that – “All the wealth in the world resides in God’s own Country“!

Written by Mr. Rajesh Nair, President TiE Kerala

The post From red flags to the red carpet – the changing entrepreneurial landscape in Kerala – Part 3 first appeared on TiE - Global Entrepreneurship Organization.

So how can you make today – and the rest of January – a little better for you and your wallet? Well, if times are tight, a little extra in your pocket should make the month more bearable. Here are four easy ways to do just that.

You can make some quick cash by switching your bank account to one with a bonus. Some banks are giving away £150 for moving your custom, while others offer cashback or high interest. Of course it’s worth checking you won’t lose out in other ways such as high overdraft fees. If you’re likely to go into the red you might be better off switching to a bank with lower fees or even a small interest free overdraft.

What’s up in the loft? Or under the bed? If you aren’t sure it probably means you don’t need it – and that’s a sign you should try to sell it. If there’s the potential for it to be rare or part of a collection it’s worth seeking specialist advice. Otherwise head to a boot fair or list it online. Just don’t forget to factor in costs such as postage or fees. The are more tips in our step-by-step guide to selling online below. Just click through the slides.

Did you decide to stop smoking this year? Or was it drinking for a month? Whatever your resolution don’t just think about the health benefits as it could also be helping your bank balance. The average smoker lights up 12 cigarettes a day, adding up to nearly £150 in January. Having five less pints of beer or glasses of wine each week could easily save you £100 this month.

The sales are still on, and with the temperatures dropping there’s probably the temptation to kit yourself out in a new jumper or winter coat. Well if you’ve got some old woollies down the back of the wardrobe, there’s a good chance your friends do too. Getting a group of you together to swap clothes means you’re getting a new look for free, adding some extra pounds to your purse to save or spend elsewhere.

You can make some quick cash by switching your bank account to one with a bonus. Some banks are giving away £150 for moving your custom, while others offer cashback or high interest. Of course it’s worth checking you won’t lose out in other ways such as high overdraft fees. If you’re likely to go into the red you might be better off switching to a bank with lower fees or even a small interest free overdraft.

What’s up in the loft? Or under the bed? If you aren’t sure it probably means you don’t need it – and that’s a sign you should try to sell it. If there’s the potential for it to be rare or part of a collection it’s worth seeking specialist advice. Otherwise head to a boot fair or list it online. Just don’t forget to factor in costs such as postage or fees. The are more tips in our step-by-step guide to selling online below. Just click through the slides.

Did you decide to stop smoking this year? Or was it drinking for a month? Whatever your resolution don’t just think about the health benefits as it could also be helping your bank balance. The average smoker lights up 12 cigarettes a day, adding up to nearly £150 in January. Having five less pints of beer or glasses of wine each week could easily save you £100 this month.

The post Revealed: The hidden habits that cost you money first appeared on TiE - Global Entrepreneurship Organization.

So how can you make today – and the rest of January – a little better for you and your wallet? Well, if times are tight, a little extra in your pocket should make the month more bearable. Here are four easy ways to do just that.

You can make some quick cash by switching your bank account to one with a bonus. Some banks are giving away £150 for moving your custom, while others offer cashback or high interest. Of course it’s worth checking you won’t lose out in other ways such as high overdraft fees. If you’re likely to go into the red you might be better off switching to a bank with lower fees or even a small interest free overdraft.

What’s up in the loft? Or under the bed? If you aren’t sure it probably means you don’t need it – and that’s a sign you should try to sell it. If there’s the potential for it to be rare or part of a collection it’s worth seeking specialist advice. Otherwise head to a boot fair or list it online. Just don’t forget to factor in costs such as postage or fees. The are more tips in our step-by-step guide to selling online below. Just click through the slides.

Did you decide to stop smoking this year? Or was it drinking for a month? Whatever your resolution don’t just think about the health benefits as it could also be helping your bank balance. The average smoker lights up 12 cigarettes a day, adding up to nearly £150 in January. Having five less pints of beer or glasses of wine each week could easily save you £100 this month.

The sales are still on, and with the temperatures dropping there’s probably the temptation to kit yourself out in a new jumper or winter coat. Well if you’ve got some old woollies down the back of the wardrobe, there’s a good chance your friends do too. Getting a group of you together to swap clothes means you’re getting a new look for free, adding some extra pounds to your purse to save or spend elsewhere.

You can make some quick cash by switching your bank account to one with a bonus. Some banks are giving away £150 for moving your custom, while others offer cashback or high interest. Of course it’s worth checking you won’t lose out in other ways such as high overdraft fees. If you’re likely to go into the red you might be better off switching to a bank with lower fees or even a small interest free overdraft.

What’s up in the loft? Or under the bed? If you aren’t sure it probably means you don’t need it – and that’s a sign you should try to sell it. If there’s the potential for it to be rare or part of a collection it’s worth seeking specialist advice. Otherwise head to a boot fair or list it online. Just don’t forget to factor in costs such as postage or fees. The are more tips in our step-by-step guide to selling online below. Just click through the slides.

Did you decide to stop smoking this year? Or was it drinking for a month? Whatever your resolution don’t just think about the health benefits as it could also be helping your bank balance. The average smoker lights up 12 cigarettes a day, adding up to nearly £150 in January. Having five less pints of beer or glasses of wine each week could easily save you £100 this month.

The post In the news: this week’s top news stories first appeared on TiE - Global Entrepreneurship Organization.

So how can you make today – and the rest of January – a little better for you and your wallet? Well, if times are tight, a little extra in your pocket should make the month more bearable. Here are four easy ways to do just that.

You can make some quick cash by switching your bank account to one with a bonus. Some banks are giving away £150 for moving your custom, while others offer cashback or high interest. Of course it’s worth checking you won’t lose out in other ways such as high overdraft fees. If you’re likely to go into the red you might be better off switching to a bank with lower fees or even a small interest free overdraft.

What’s up in the loft? Or under the bed? If you aren’t sure it probably means you don’t need it – and that’s a sign you should try to sell it. If there’s the potential for it to be rare or part of a collection it’s worth seeking specialist advice. Otherwise head to a boot fair or list it online. Just don’t forget to factor in costs such as postage or fees. The are more tips in our step-by-step guide to selling online below. Just click through the slides.

Did you decide to stop smoking this year? Or was it drinking for a month? Whatever your resolution don’t just think about the health benefits as it could also be helping your bank balance. The average smoker lights up 12 cigarettes a day, adding up to nearly £150 in January. Having five less pints of beer or glasses of wine each week could easily save you £100 this month.

The sales are still on, and with the temperatures dropping there’s probably the temptation to kit yourself out in a new jumper or winter coat. Well if you’ve got some old woollies down the back of the wardrobe, there’s a good chance your friends do too. Getting a group of you together to swap clothes means you’re getting a new look for free, adding some extra pounds to your purse to save or spend elsewhere.

You can make some quick cash by switching your bank account to one with a bonus. Some banks are giving away £150 for moving your custom, while others offer cashback or high interest. Of course it’s worth checking you won’t lose out in other ways such as high overdraft fees. If you’re likely to go into the red you might be better off switching to a bank with lower fees or even a small interest free overdraft.

What’s up in the loft? Or under the bed? If you aren’t sure it probably means you don’t need it – and that’s a sign you should try to sell it. If there’s the potential for it to be rare or part of a collection it’s worth seeking specialist advice. Otherwise head to a boot fair or list it online. Just don’t forget to factor in costs such as postage or fees. The are more tips in our step-by-step guide to selling online below. Just click through the slides.

Did you decide to stop smoking this year? Or was it drinking for a month? Whatever your resolution don’t just think about the health benefits as it could also be helping your bank balance. The average smoker lights up 12 cigarettes a day, adding up to nearly £150 in January. Having five less pints of beer or glasses of wine each week could easily save you £100 this month.

The post How does your household spend compare to the UK? first appeared on TiE - Global Entrepreneurship Organization.

So how can you make today – and the rest of January – a little better for you and your wallet? Well, if times are tight, a little extra in your pocket should make the month more bearable. Here are four easy ways to do just that.

You can make some quick cash by switching your bank account to one with a bonus. Some banks are giving away £150 for moving your custom, while others offer cashback or high interest. Of course it’s worth checking you won’t lose out in other ways such as high overdraft fees. If you’re likely to go into the red you might be better off switching to a bank with lower fees or even a small interest free overdraft.

What’s up in the loft? Or under the bed? If you aren’t sure it probably means you don’t need it – and that’s a sign you should try to sell it. If there’s the potential for it to be rare or part of a collection it’s worth seeking specialist advice. Otherwise head to a boot fair or list it online. Just don’t forget to factor in costs such as postage or fees. The are more tips in our step-by-step guide to selling online below. Just click through the slides.

Did you decide to stop smoking this year? Or was it drinking for a month? Whatever your resolution don’t just think about the health benefits as it could also be helping your bank balance. The average smoker lights up 12 cigarettes a day, adding up to nearly £150 in January. Having five less pints of beer or glasses of wine each week could easily save you £100 this month.

The sales are still on, and with the temperatures dropping there’s probably the temptation to kit yourself out in a new jumper or winter coat. Well if you’ve got some old woollies down the back of the wardrobe, there’s a good chance your friends do too. Getting a group of you together to swap clothes means you’re getting a new look for free, adding some extra pounds to your purse to save or spend elsewhere.

You can make some quick cash by switching your bank account to one with a bonus. Some banks are giving away £150 for moving your custom, while others offer cashback or high interest. Of course it’s worth checking you won’t lose out in other ways such as high overdraft fees. If you’re likely to go into the red you might be better off switching to a bank with lower fees or even a small interest free overdraft.

What’s up in the loft? Or under the bed? If you aren’t sure it probably means you don’t need it – and that’s a sign you should try to sell it. If there’s the potential for it to be rare or part of a collection it’s worth seeking specialist advice. Otherwise head to a boot fair or list it online. Just don’t forget to factor in costs such as postage or fees. The are more tips in our step-by-step guide to selling online below. Just click through the slides.

Did you decide to stop smoking this year? Or was it drinking for a month? Whatever your resolution don’t just think about the health benefits as it could also be helping your bank balance. The average smoker lights up 12 cigarettes a day, adding up to nearly £150 in January. Having five less pints of beer or glasses of wine each week could easily save you £100 this month.

The post Revealed: The hidden habits that cost you money first appeared on TiE - Global Entrepreneurship Organization.

So how can you make today – and the rest of January – a little better for you and your wallet? Well, if times are tight, a little extra in your pocket should make the month more bearable. Here are four easy ways to do just that.

You can make some quick cash by switching your bank account to one with a bonus. Some banks are giving away £150 for moving your custom, while others offer cashback or high interest. Of course it’s worth checking you won’t lose out in other ways such as high overdraft fees. If you’re likely to go into the red you might be better off switching to a bank with lower fees or even a small interest free overdraft.

What’s up in the loft? Or under the bed? If you aren’t sure it probably means you don’t need it – and that’s a sign you should try to sell it. If there’s the potential for it to be rare or part of a collection it’s worth seeking specialist advice. Otherwise head to a boot fair or list it online. Just don’t forget to factor in costs such as postage or fees. The are more tips in our step-by-step guide to selling online below. Just click through the slides.

Did you decide to stop smoking this year? Or was it drinking for a month? Whatever your resolution don’t just think about the health benefits as it could also be helping your bank balance. The average smoker lights up 12 cigarettes a day, adding up to nearly £150 in January. Having five less pints of beer or glasses of wine each week could easily save you £100 this month.

The sales are still on, and with the temperatures dropping there’s probably the temptation to kit yourself out in a new jumper or winter coat. Well if you’ve got some old woollies down the back of the wardrobe, there’s a good chance your friends do too. Getting a group of you together to swap clothes means you’re getting a new look for free, adding some extra pounds to your purse to save or spend elsewhere.

You can make some quick cash by switching your bank account to one with a bonus. Some banks are giving away £150 for moving your custom, while others offer cashback or high interest. Of course it’s worth checking you won’t lose out in other ways such as high overdraft fees. If you’re likely to go into the red you might be better off switching to a bank with lower fees or even a small interest free overdraft.

What’s up in the loft? Or under the bed? If you aren’t sure it probably means you don’t need it – and that’s a sign you should try to sell it. If there’s the potential for it to be rare or part of a collection it’s worth seeking specialist advice. Otherwise head to a boot fair or list it online. Just don’t forget to factor in costs such as postage or fees. The are more tips in our step-by-step guide to selling online below. Just click through the slides.

Did you decide to stop smoking this year? Or was it drinking for a month? Whatever your resolution don’t just think about the health benefits as it could also be helping your bank balance. The average smoker lights up 12 cigarettes a day, adding up to nearly £150 in January. Having five less pints of beer or glasses of wine each week could easily save you £100 this month.

The post This is Standard blog design for Digital SEO first appeared on TiE - Global Entrepreneurship Organization.

So how can you make today – and the rest of January – a little better for you and your wallet? Well, if times are tight, a little extra in your pocket should make the month more bearable. Here are four easy ways to do just that.

You can make some quick cash by switching your bank account to one with a bonus. Some banks are giving away £150 for moving your custom, while others offer cashback or high interest. Of course it’s worth checking you won’t lose out in other ways such as high overdraft fees. If you’re likely to go into the red you might be better off switching to a bank with lower fees or even a small interest free overdraft.

What’s up in the loft? Or under the bed? If you aren’t sure it probably means you don’t need it – and that’s a sign you should try to sell it. If there’s the potential for it to be rare or part of a collection it’s worth seeking specialist advice. Otherwise head to a boot fair or list it online. Just don’t forget to factor in costs such as postage or fees. The are more tips in our step-by-step guide to selling online below. Just click through the slides.

Did you decide to stop smoking this year? Or was it drinking for a month? Whatever your resolution don’t just think about the health benefits as it could also be helping your bank balance. The average smoker lights up 12 cigarettes a day, adding up to nearly £150 in January. Having five less pints of beer or glasses of wine each week could easily save you £100 this month.

The sales are still on, and with the temperatures dropping there’s probably the temptation to kit yourself out in a new jumper or winter coat. Well if you’ve got some old woollies down the back of the wardrobe, there’s a good chance your friends do too. Getting a group of you together to swap clothes means you’re getting a new look for free, adding some extra pounds to your purse to save or spend elsewhere.

You can make some quick cash by switching your bank account to one with a bonus. Some banks are giving away £150 for moving your custom, while others offer cashback or high interest. Of course it’s worth checking you won’t lose out in other ways such as high overdraft fees. If you’re likely to go into the red you might be better off switching to a bank with lower fees or even a small interest free overdraft.

What’s up in the loft? Or under the bed? If you aren’t sure it probably means you don’t need it – and that’s a sign you should try to sell it. If there’s the potential for it to be rare or part of a collection it’s worth seeking specialist advice. Otherwise head to a boot fair or list it online. Just don’t forget to factor in costs such as postage or fees. The are more tips in our step-by-step guide to selling online below. Just click through the slides.

Did you decide to stop smoking this year? Or was it drinking for a month? Whatever your resolution don’t just think about the health benefits as it could also be helping your bank balance. The average smoker lights up 12 cigarettes a day, adding up to nearly £150 in January. Having five less pints of beer or glasses of wine each week could easily save you £100 this month.

The post Are you losing out by underestimating your bills? first appeared on TiE - Global Entrepreneurship Organization.