Why 'Jugaad' is Overrated in Indian Startups?
it needed to be said
Hey hey,
It’s Tuesday, and we’ve got just what you need to keep your momentum going. Grab your coffee, dive into today’s newsletter, and let’s tackle the business world one step at a time. From industry trends to actionable tips, we’re here to help you power through the week!
So, let’s start the day with a positive thought:
Success usually comes to those who are too busy to be looking for it
When you're deeply engaged in meaningful work, you're less distracted by worrying about success, allowing you to stay productive and make consistent progress.
Plus, success takes time, and constantly checking for results can be discouraging. By staying busy, you're letting success unfold naturally without rushing the process.
With that in mind, let’s get started…
🎯 Top Headlines of the Day
Germany to offer 90,000 skilled visas for Indians each year amid crisis
Paytm Q2FY25: net profit rises to ₹930 crore, revenue drops 34%
Adani's Ambuja to acquire 46.8% stake in Orient Cement for ₹8,100 crore
📊 Market Pulse
Today’s top-performing stocks are:
Today’s low-performing stocks are:
The ‘Jugaad’ Trap
You know jugaad, right? That magical Indian word that means "I’ll fix this with whatever I’ve got"? It’s pretty much a badge of honor for every entrepreneur here. Tight budget? Use jugaad. Impossible deadline? Jugaad to the rescue!
But here’s something we don’t often talk about: jugaad might actually be holding your startup back.
Yep, I said it. Why?
Let’s dig in!
📌 Quick Fixes, Long-term Problems
Sure, jugaad solves problems quickly – duct tape solutions for leaking pipes, metaphorically speaking. But what happens when you scale? That “quick fix” turns into a band-aid that can’t hold up under the pressure of growth.
Indian startups often pride themselves on doing more with less, but the over-reliance on these makeshift solutions can create weak foundations, prone to collapse when it matters most. Think about it: How many times has your temporary hack turned into a long-term headache?
📌 Jugaad ≠ Really About Being Smart with Money
We like to think jugaad equals frugality, but let’s not confuse being cheap with being smart. Startups sometimes get so caught up in saving money that they end up spending twice as much later. You save a little now, but pay a lot more when things go wrong.
For example, you take shortcuts on tech infrastructure to launch quickly. But what happens when the demand doubles, and your makeshift system can’t handle it? You end up spending more on emergency fixes.
📌 Jugaad Might Be Killing Innovation
Ironic, isn’t it? We think jugaad is the ultimate hack for innovation, but in reality, it can actually slow you down. Why? Because when you’re always focused on just “making it work,” you’re not giving yourself room to dream bigger, to build better.
The startups that really win are the ones that think beyond jugaad. They invest in proper systems, plan for scalability, and focus on the long game, not the short-term fix.
So, What’s the Smarter Move? Enter: Frugal Innovation
Here’s where things get interesting. Frugal innovation isn’t about doing everything cheaply. It’s about doing things efficiently and sustainably. Instead of relying on jugaad, focus on these:
Build Scalable Systems: Lay down systems that can grow with you instead of constantly patching things up.
Think Long-term: It’s tempting to solve today’s problem quickly, but will that solution hold up when you grow? Plan for tomorrow.
Embrace Failure: Sometimes, you need to let things break and learn from it. Fixing things properly the second time around might save you from constant firefighting.
Real Success Story Without ‘Jugaad’
Tata Motors didn’t just slap together a cheap car when they made the Nano. They re-engineered the entire idea of what a car could be. They weren’t looking for a quick fix - they were looking for something scalable and long-lasting. And look what they pulled off!
Don’t get me wrong - there’s something magical about jugaad. We’re all proud of that creative, resourceful spirit. But let’s not make it our default strategy.
That’s it for today, folks! We will be back again next week with more valuable insights about ‘Bharat in Business.’ Till then, stay informed!
