Entrepreneurship - Mr Gnanam
Introduction
Entrepreneurs – normally defined as “risk-takers in new venture creations – are uniquely optimistic, hard driving, committed individuals who derive great satisfaction from being independent. Starting a new business requires more than just an idea; it requires a special person, an Entrepreneur, who combines sound judgement and planning with risk taking to ensure the success of his or her business.
Entrepreneurs, driven by an intense commitment and determined perseverance, work very hard. They are optimists who see the cup as half full rather than half empty. They strive for integrity. They burn with the competitive desire to excel. They use failures as a tool for learning. They have enough confidence in themselves to believe that they personally can make a major difference in the final outcome of their ventures. (Kuratko, 2009, p-29)
Arulanandan Yesuvadiyan Samuel Gnanam alias AYS Gnanam was a legend for true "Entrepreneurship", whose life provides several very valuable object lessons for up and coming small industrialists and young entrepreneurs. Coming over from India as a kid and settling down in an alien country he worked tirelessly under most difficult circumstances to build up his business wealth. Mr Gnanam was no Henry Ford; he took to business from small beginnings as a small trader in steel and by the time of his death his local brands Cyntex and St Anthony’s have become major players in Sri Lanka.
He had neither affluent family background nor a powerful school tie to boast about, but he seized opportunities at the correct time and created economic wealth. Sheer hard work, drive and entrepreneurial skills made him a business tycoon from a mere trader.
He was conferred the national honour of Deshamanya for his contribution towards industry in Sri Lanka; heads of state, industry leaders and senior civil servants consulted him regularly on industrial policy; and according to the CEO of Japan’s Sanyo Corporation, he always got a VIP
Entrepreneurs – normally defined as “risk-takers in new venture creations – are uniquely optimistic, hard driving, committed individuals who derive great satisfaction from being independent. Starting a new business requires more than just an idea; it requires a special person, an Entrepreneur, who combines sound judgement and planning with risk taking to ensure the success of his or her business.
Entrepreneurs, driven by an intense commitment and determined perseverance, work very hard. They are optimists who see the cup as half full rather than half empty. They strive for integrity. They burn with the competitive desire to excel. They use failures as a tool for learning. They have enough confidence in themselves to believe that they personally can make a major difference in the final outcome of their ventures. (Kuratko, 2009, p-29)
Arulanandan Yesuvadiyan Samuel Gnanam alias AYS Gnanam was a legend for true "Entrepreneurship", whose life provides several very valuable object lessons for up and coming small industrialists and young entrepreneurs. Coming over from India as a kid and settling down in an alien country he worked tirelessly under most difficult circumstances to build up his business wealth. Mr Gnanam was no Henry Ford; he took to business from small beginnings as a small trader in steel and by the time of his death his local brands Cyntex and St Anthony’s have become major players in Sri Lanka.
He had neither affluent family background nor a powerful school tie to boast about, but he seized opportunities at the correct time and created economic wealth. Sheer hard work, drive and entrepreneurial skills made him a business tycoon from a mere trader.
He was conferred the national honour of Deshamanya for his contribution towards industry in Sri Lanka; heads of state, industry leaders and senior civil servants consulted him regularly on industrial policy; and according to the CEO of Japan’s Sanyo Corporation, he always got a VIP