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Krishna Kumar Vellikkoth Edathil is an accomplished editor,
writer, and acknowledged industry expert when it comes to
the technology industry. A veteran of several magazines,
his current focus is on Mantram Magazine, a glossy technology
magazine he helped found in 2001. He’s been following
the technology sector closely for the past 12 years, with
a network of contacts that stretches across the globe. With
those credentials, it’s no surprise that when The
Indus Entrepreneurs, the Santa- Clara-based non-profit organization
comprised of a who’s who of Silicon Valley, decided
to publish a book, they picked Krishna Kumar as the Editor.
The book made its debut at their convention on May 16th,
showcased alongside industry veterans Don Valentine and
Regis McKenna during their combined keynote address.
Our Chief Editor, Shoji Mathew, caught up with Krishna
to talk about the thousands of volunteer hours that went
into publishing Succeeding with New Realities, a collector’s
item for many who are merging technology with entrepreneurship.
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Techieindex: What is so unique about
this book?
Krishna Kumar: Succeeding with New Realities
is an effort to assist entrepreneurs and people wanting
to learn about the latest trends in technology, with a focus
around some of the best practices in the industry. My hope
is that the book will answer most of the questions a newcomer
to the industry would have, using examples and explanations
written by people who have genuinely been there and done
that. The reality is that, to succeed in a lasting way,
we must attract more people to start their own ventures
and create more jobs in America, maintaining our position
ahead of other countries in technology and innovation. We’ve
taken an innovative approach with this--besides the printing
and publishing cost, all the research, writing, editing,
and assembly was a volunteer effort. The entire book revolves
around giving back in some form or the other.
Techieindex: Could you
elaborate the scope of the book from a content perspective?
Krishna Kumar: I can tell you the scope
is not centered solely around the numerous hot business
catch-phrases circulating through the industry today: Wireless,
Security, Bio-technology…. These are interesting areas,
of course, but we talk about “Business Across 12 Exciting
Ecosystems”, with a bona fide expert in each field
discussing the trends, developments, and future in that
area. More than that, we went and identified specific companies
to watch in those domains with added information about each
of them. The beginning of the book meanwhile, sets up the
four phases in entrepreneurship--Striving, Stabilizing,
Growing, and Thriving. For someone wanting to get into business,
whether it is in the technology sector or any other area,
the process is simple. They are the same for every industry.
Going through those phases in any of the 12 sectors we discuss
will lead to growth and job creation in America.
Techieindex: The interviews
in the book across those sectors were very strong. Could
you shed more light into the people involved in the book?
Krishna Kumar: Thank you for saying that.
I was very pleased with all of them as well, but especially
the sessions we did with Stanford University President Jack
Hennessy and Cisco veteran Peter Solvik. I should thank
both Dr. Hennessy and Mr. Solvic for taking time to answer
our questions. Just looking at their interviews, we are
giving an expert’s opinion about Silicon Valley and
technology overall. One of them is an accomplished academic
at Stanford, the cradle of innovation, while the other is
a genuine industry leader. There are other experts too,
of course, from Doug Leone of Sequoia Capital, Dinesh Patel,
the biotech guru, and Subodh Karnik, the VP of Delta Airlines.
It’s truly comprehensive.
Techieindex: How did you
determine what new areas for development and growth to discuss?
Krishna Kumar: We decided to bring to the
table areas that felt were of true entrepreneurial interest,
where business can focus in a way that it hasn’t for
some time. For example, we talk about building a Global
company around the homeland security concept, highlighting
the industries arising out of the need for securing America’s
networks. This is a means not only of generating revenues,
but doing so in a socially balanced manner. We enjoyed giving
special emphasis to innovation in underserved markets.
Techieindex: How was the
book received at the conference?
Krishna Kumar: The book was really a key
part of the conference. With many conventions, people forget
what they heard the moment they walk out of the hall. We’ve
all experienced it. So, when we finalized the structure
of the book, we built it around the conference content and
vice versa. Most of the subjects that we covered in the
book were also topics of discussion at the conference, so
there was a real sense of coordination. So, for those who
attended, taking notes and understanding the subject became
very easy, no matter their level of experience. Now that
the conference is over, of course, the book is available
and entrepreneurs around the country can get a copy to stay
abreast of the latest trends in the industry.
Techieindex: Where one
can buy this book?
Krishna Kumar: This was a limited edition.
One can pick them up at the TiE offices in Santa Clara,
CA. For more info, readers can go to the TiE website www.tie.org
or even write to me directly at Krishna@tie.org
for information. Making contacts is, after all, what most
of successful business is about.
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