Humaniteneur!

How often do we hear the term, 'Midlife crisis'? How often do we see people around us feeling whatever they are doing is worthless? Some of us feel we are destined for great things in life but for some reason are stuck with losers or somehow aren't able to make it large. It's a common feeling amongst many and one may suffer bouts of it at some point in life.

On a closer look, we get frustrated because we want to accomplish multiple things in life at the same point in time. We want to travel but can't because of work / kids. We want to invest in shares and then compromise and invest in debt market fearing future. We want to travel around the world but little money in pocket or can't take time off job.

Another question which I very frequently come across by my friends is that, should I become an entrepreneur? My question to them had always been - "Which need of humans / targeted segment are you planning to fulfill?" Of course, needs could be created but that's a separate topic. People who want to start a business of their own are of two types, 1. Entrepreneurs (Capitalists) and 2. Humaniteneurs (Utopians) 

What is the difference you might ask, Entrepreneur sees an opportunity, takes risk and sells a product / service at a premium to make profits.

Humaniteneur identifies a need of humans, takes risk and sells a product or Service at marginal profit to quench the needs of the needy.

Ever wondered why Corporate businesses are infested with so many corrupt practices. You may ask me for examples:

1. Satyam scam:The Satyam Computer Services scandal is a corporate scandal that worked in India in 2009 where chairman Ramalinga Raju confessed that the company's accounts had been falsified

2. Enron scandal: Andersen, the company's auditor, has admitted to an “error of judgment” in its treatment of the debt of one of Enron's off-balance-sheet vehicles; these vehicles led to an overstatement of profits by almost $600m over the years 1997-2000

3. Volkswagen emissions scandal: The car maker was fined after it was found that they intentionally programmed to reduce emissions during laboratory tests only

Do you see a pattern, Entrepreneurs or capitalists are driven by profits. Some of them do not even bother about their shareholders' money let alone customers. Else, scandals of these magnitude wouldn't have rattled the system. Governments world over had to bring in stringent laws to avoid such frauds. Some of these companies and its leaders are so myopic with their vision, that Governments had to mandate, Corporate Social Responsibility so that communities get benefited in some way. Do not see it in a negative sense. Of course, they propel economy, create jobs, pay taxes etc., My point here is solely that, the 'focus' of the business remains Profit-centric. Fear of competition and greed are some of the primary concerns.

Humaniteneurs on the other hand, either invent something for the benefit of the greater good or innovate and bring incremental change to existing products / services and make them available for public consumption. 'Focus' of Humaniteneurs remains solely on the 'need' of the end users. Fear of not able to meet the requirements is a major concern. It can also be observed that, 'Satisfaction' is a by-product for these businessmen.

I would like to quote two examples. There could be many:

Arunachalam Muruganatham, is the inventor of a low cost sanitary  pad making machine. I do not think his focus was to make money but to provide a pad to his wife.

 and

Achenyo Idachabe turned water hyacinth into usable products and helped some communities in Nigeria have a better livelihood.

In short, if you have a mid-life crisis and want to turn into entrepreneurs, do not get involved in infinite loop of Capitalism and increase your woes. but get on to a Merry Go Round of being a Humaniteneur. 

Sources: 

http://www.economist.com/node/940091

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Satyam_scandal

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Volkswagen_emissions_scandal