Developing Ideas into Successful Business: Deep Kalra

After doing his master's in business administration, Deep Kalra took the seemingly conventional route and started his career with ABN Amro Bank and GE Money between 1991 and 1999. He reached the senior levels, but gave it all up to follow a different track. His life changed when he found an entrepreneurial opportunity in the field of online travel.

The blueprint was drawn, with a friend, on a napkin and in the year 2000, Kalra launched one of the biggest and most flourishing businesses in travel web portals-Makemytrip.com. Yes, there have been many bumps along the ride, but this poster boy of the online travel biz has soared upwards, with seeming practiced ease. He shares the story of his journey, his passions and future plans with Deepshikha Punj.

New beginnings
I started my career with a bank job and after three years moved into another firm where I worked on business development. This is where I first learned to use the Internet professionally. Personal interaction with certain people later convinced me that there is a business avenue to be looked into online. This was followed by a couple of 'Eureka!' moments and I embarked on a journey to set up Makemytrip.com.

Of course, just like everyone, I loved my first job. I interacted with a lot of good people and made good friends but more importantly I learnt a lot. This, I believe is the hallmark of professional success. So when I started the venture I consciously brought in good talent and stoically kept out all the baggage.

Hard drives
There is a fundamental difference between people who inherit businesses and those who start their own business. When first-time entrepreneurs start their venture they make sure they hire the best talent. On the other hand this maturity comes at a later stage for those who inherit a business. Venturing into one's own business is quite difficult and challenging yet rewarding.

During the initial stages of my business there was hardly any gain, and only a handful of people did all the work. We faced many challenges, the world was collapsing-the dotcom bubble imploded, followed by 9/11- and the tourism sector seemed to be ravaged. There was little scope for online travel entrepreneurship. The route I took was, to analyse the numbers dispassionately.

I observed trends and was able to reiterate that we were moving in the right direction. It would have been a complete shame had we given up. We made personal cuts; I did not draw a salary for about 18 months. Now when I look back, I feel that our resilience got us through. Some might call it stubbornness but I think if it works out, it's resilience and if it does not, it's stubbornness.

Driving force
These 10 years have made me mature. I started when I was all but 31. Now, I now am 41. I feel that the passion which acted as the root cause has been substituted by better decision making skills.

Today, I believe in analysing and hiring good talent. It's also important to be generous with equity sharing and we have worked towards it. This is perhaps a step that only recently Indian entrepreneurs have started taking. At the end of the day, being acknowledged for providing a rewarding work environment is what I want to achieve. A good team is always an asset to a company and we must work to attain it. Being around good talent will only reap better results and of course increase the output of work.

Aspirations
I never started with the goal of becoming someone. I did what everybody does after a masters degree. I joined the herd mentality. This perhaps is the flipside of not working before an MBA. People who have work experience before going in for their masters in business administration have a clearer picture of what they want to do.

Perhaps if I had worked earlier I would probably have entered a consumer oriented line of work; it excited me the most. Along the way is when one realises which work is more satisfactory, you look back and say "I am happy." Everyone should be excited with the work they do. One can have bad days or weeks or even months but if they are not satisfied and content with their work, then it is time to rethink.

Redemption
If I had to measure my professional accomplishments-then I can safely say that I am satisfied and thankful. Ten years is a considerably long time to build a company but I feel like there is still more work to be done. Giving back to the society, what it has given us, is something that am trying to mesh into my work. Lastly, I'd say: do not be fixated with results because firstly it will take longer to reap the rewards and secondly the journey would no longer be enjoyable.

Tips for success

• Do not be fixated with results; just enjoy the journey that leads you to them.
• Always measure your improvements and work to better yourself in all spheres.
• Do not wait for opportunity to knock on your door. However, if it does, make the most of it.
• Fame and money flow in with passion and perseverance.
• Measure your decisions and build a strong team. Hiring good talent is always an asset to a company.
• If you want to start your own business, do it for the right reasons. Research well before venturing into it and make sure you do not settle for anything but the best.

Reproduced From India Today. © 2011. LMIL. All rights reserved.