-Contributed by Sarath Srinivasan
Often people ask me, how is what we do different from what consultants do. Although I know the answer to that question, it is often difficult to put into words. But when I use the word Venture Catalyst, it just makes sense. A Catalyst is substance which is not consumed during a chemical reaction but increases the rate of the reaction. Catalysts generally change in the course of a reaction but are regenerated. We are Catalysts and each of our engagements is a Venture - A journey on a growth path.
Without a catalyst a reaction will happen, but at a very slow imperceptible rate. For a company change is inevitable and unfortunately change often happens out of necessity and crisis rather than in a planned and proactive manner.
People within an organisation intuitively know the inherent problems. Often, they even know what kind of changes and initiatives are required for the organisation to improve and grow. Typically, this knowledge does not lead to improvement. The ingredients for change are there but the change does not happen. The knowledge is stuck in a quagmire created by the lack of focus on improving the company. Each individual tries to protect his own interests and finds no reason to spend his time in trying to improve the organisation. Very often corporations fail to create the right environment for the individual to take an interest its growth. It does not encourage it. The fear is that the "altruistic" nature of the task of improving a firm will be interpreted as inefficiency. The fear is that the benefits of the effort will not accrue to the individual.
