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Asserting my Maven code-of-ethics and being a Proud Maven at iSPIRT

I am Pallav Nadhani from FusionCharts. Like my fellow entrepreneurs, who dream of making India as a Product Nation and building a great ecosystem together, I found my calling answered with iSPIRT Playbook round-tables. I volunteered to become a Maven so I could share, learn and disseminate the best-practices I had learnt in my entrepreneurial Journey, with other fellow entrepreneurs.

maven-code-of-ethics

Playbook enabled many of us to learn from each other’s successes and mistakes. It was an exciting opportunity to meet incredible and passionate entrepreneurs, and help them in whatever way we can, and also learn from them. I found that there were many like-minded Mavens, who were already helping many start-up founders (attendees), in a completely self-less way by paying-it-forward and not expecting anything in return – and there was a clear blueprint that I could follow. I felt honored to be a part of this iSPIRT Maven-community.

However, during the course of this journey, an unexpected event happened. A couple of attendees, across different playbook sessions, came up to me and asked what we (or iSPIRT) were expecting in return. Baffled by the question at first, I asked them what they meant. Their answer took me by surprise – they mentioned that at a few other similar forums, which they had attended, the equivalent of Mavens had asked for (free) equity along with a senior designation (typically Director or above), in exchange of the knowledge and network connections they were enabling to help such startups. Initially, I thought this could be fair, as different members of the ecosystem may have different operating protocols, but it turned to a point where our actions, which had no such intentions of getting anything in return, were also painted with a similar stroke of doubt. And I realized that this question was not just asked about me, but also some other contributors to iSPIRT.

I was giving completely selflessly, and so were many other Maven’s that I knew, within the iSPIRT community. We never had any intentions of gaining anything, or to further our own self-interest in anyway. However, the attendees assumed, that I as a Maven, would also do such demands in the future. That day, I felt victimized by this system, as my integrity and good intentions were being questioned.

For a few days, I pondered over this conundrum, and I reached out to Sharad and other Fellows in the iSPIRT community. During those conversations I proposed that the best way is either to set a clear protocol of expectations (from Maven’s side) or to not allow attendees to assume. We needed to Sign a Code-of-Ethics and resolve this conflict once and for all. Once we pledge that we will not breach the Maven-Code-of-Ethics, it would not compromise our own integrity in the eyes of the System or other people in the System. So, with the help of the iSPIRT Fellow-Council, we decided to draft the Maven Code-of-Ethics and I have signed it & abide it.

Maven Code of Ethics

As an iSPIRT Maven, I facilitate PlaybookRTs and Bootcamps. This is part of my pay-it-forward commitment to make India a Product Nation. At no point in time, I expect any payback for this from any participating startups in any form including advisory or sweat equity. My selfless contribution is for a cause larger than myself. I hope to set an example so that the entrepreneurs that I touch also embrace the pay-it-forward spirit.

Along with me the other maven who have signed the Code of Ethics are: Avlesh Singh (WebEngage), Aneesh Reddy (Capillary Techonologies), Amit Ranjan (Ex-Slideshare), Amit Somani (Prime Venture Partners), Girish Mathrubootham (Freshdesk), Jay Pullur (Pramati), Paras Chopra (Wingify), Pravin Jhadav(Servify), Rushabh Mehta(ERPnext), Sanjay Shah(Zapty), Samir Palnitkar (Shopsocially), Suresh Sambandam (KiSSFLOW), Shankar Maruwada (EkStep), Shanmugam Nagarajan (24[7] Inc), Sridhar Ranganathan (CrediBase).

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Five reasons to attend #PNgrowth

Ever since we opened registrations for #PNgrowth, we wanted to do a list of this sort, to make it easier for those who wish to  attend to have a look and decide whether this program is helpful for them. But somehow we never got around to it until now.

#PNgrowth is now red hot, and we have three applicants for every place on the program. We still want to tell everyone about it because only a small fraction of the applicants will qualify for this program.

So here you go, five reasons you should be at #PNgrowth –

1. Handcrafted for the Indian Startup eco-system by iSPIRT and B-school professors from Stanford and Duke.

For the first time in the Indian ecosystem, evangelists and academia come together to design a program that will give maximum returns to the participants. With iSPIRT’s experience conducting Bootcamps and Roundtables across the country, and the experience of faculty from the Stanford and Duke school of businesses, the program has basically been handcrafted for Indian startups. You’ll know when you’re there.

2. Three day residential kick off event

Infosys Mysore has been kind enough to volunteer the space and infrastructure necessary for a program of this scale. The three day residential kickoff camp will take place at one of Indian tech hubs. This is followed by a year-long engagement with each Startup to help them achieve their goals.

3. Focus on category leadership

#PNgrowth is designed for the company which has already done the hard yards and  has potential to ascend from profitability to category leadership. The program will help organisations get past this transition without losing sight of the goal, which is to become category leaders in their space.

4. The best mentors in the country

#PNgrowth has the advantage of being able to bring into the program some of the best mentors in the country. With iSPIRT’s(Mavens) network of India’s most successful entrepreneurs who have been there, done that, some of these mentors at #PNgrowth is like a who’s who of the Indian startup scene. 

5. Months of follow-up through remote hangouts and peer-based learning

And lastly, the program is a long term investment. The aim, which is category leadership, will be achieved through several months of follow-on remote coaching, mentorship and peer-based learning. You will have direct contact with mentors and will be able to ask them questions as and when they arise for you. This isn’t just rare for the ecosystem. It’s unprecedented.

Now that we’ve said our bit, do come over, look at our entire program, and decide. We would love to see you in Mysore! apply now, before you miss the Mysore bus.