Nov 06, 2005 08:43 PM
3214 Views
(Updated Nov 06, 2005 08:43 PM)
“There'll be room for small companies and there will be niches. But it's all about access to an infinite amount of information, and whoever can get organized and present that information or data - whether news, information, entertainment or basic communications –is going to prosper.”-
Michael Powell
Being a relatively new member of MS I had practically no information on Faisal. So, my main aim of watching the interview with him on Yong Turks on CNBC was to find out what the CEO of MouthShut would sound like when he opened his mouth. And he did not disappoint. Agreed, neither is he as eloquent or witty as say JRD Tata was nor does he have a magnetic personality a la Narayan Moorthy.
In fact, at first glance this reticent and soft-spoken guy seemed more like the boy next door rather than the head of a successful dotcom company. But once Anita and he got talking one could see why he was where he was. He does not intimidate, he talks to the point and he makes sense.
On being asked why the site was christened MouthShut he said this site was to provide a platform to the Indians who have a tendency to keep their mouth shut instead of expressing their opinions on a thing. I would like to put it another way. Indians did talk and criticise things all and sundry but they did not have the proper medium to vent their anger. MS has provided them with the appropriate medium.
With his comfortable yet businesslike attitude and casual yet professional stance he instils confidence in the members providing the right atmosphere for them to openly give their views on any subject they want. (Of course, the MS filters ensure that the reviews do not contain offensive or foul language).
And the fact that he actually read a couple of reviews on MS before he purchased a mobile shows how seriously he takes his members’ review.
The programme was a perfect balance as it juxtaposed Faisal the businessman with Faisal the family man and he came up trumps in both the categories. With a spic and span office and well oiled administration machinery he has ensured happy employees. And the joy and contentment on his kids’ faces proves that he is a competent father as well. All is well in Faisal’s family and in the MS family as well. The only worrying factor is the impending possibility of selling MS. Granted he did not directly refer to it saying that MS is looking for partners but the disguised probability of sale under the garb of partnership still looms large. Do us a favour, Faisal. Do not hand over the control of our friendly neighbourhood site to an alien party. MS is your baby. And nobody, however loving, will understand your child better than you yourself.
