Be Diverse

Be diverse in everything you do as an entrepreneur. Whether this is developing diverse products and services, operating in a diverse set of markets, or promoting a diverse team of people- 3 things which I have ensured I’ve done throughout my leadership at EastNets.

Early on, I learned that you run too many risks if you do not spread your bets. At the same time, make sure you do not spread yourself too thin! A balance must be struck between efficiency and effectiveness.?

This philosophy takes me back to a fierce debate around the boardroom table back in 2008 in the aftermath of the financial crisis, which I discuss in my book:

“One of EastNets’ cost-conscious shareholders advocated shutting down the company’s SWIFT service bureau. I thought this was shortsighted. I argued that the banks, facing their own cash crisis, would want to outsource their financial messaging operation. As things turned out, I was right, and EastNets prospered. But if I had not won the argument, who knows what would have happened.”

A short and sweet yet vital piece of advice that I can attest to when bouncing back from failure.