Gowra Bits & Bytes (GBB), a leaf off the recognized Gowra Group is an End to End Systems Integration firm and is known today for its innovations in service delivery methodologies, strategic planning and service implementations all at par with the international standards.
While this IT power house is affiliated with the big guns of the industry like Microsoft, IBM, Lenovo, APC and NetCORE, it aims at pushing the bar higher to reach a Global Benchmark as an IT Infrastructure consulting firm.
The company is headed by the ambitious Founding and Managing Partner Subbaram Gowra. Here at, he leaves us with an impression of his visionary outlook.
Q. Kindly give our readers an introduction to your business.
We are a 10 year old Technology company based out of Hyderabad – Andhra Pradesh started with an annual turnover of 2 lakhs(INR)/annum in the year 2000 & now we are a 20 Crore+(INR)/annum entity with a recently opened office at Vizag-Andhra Pradesh just few days ago.
Although we started our company by addressing personal computing needs (Desktops/Laptops), we are now an End to End systems Integration company & slowly getting transformed into an IT Infrastructure consulting firm.
Q. Kindly give us a brief description about yourself.
I am a 34 year old self-motivated entrepreneur with a vision & Long term Goal of taking my company (GBB) to a 100+ Crore Entity in 5 years along with a Global Footprint.
My educational background consists of a Bachelor of Pharmacy from Gulbarga University, an MBA from Osmania University and an executive education from ISB (Indian School of Business).
Apart from that, I have also achieved the Blade Champion Status from IBM in the year 2007.
IBM recognized me as Best Partner in the South for 3 consecutive years. I also earned a place in the ‘Top 100 Channel partners’ – a listing put together by the leading Industry Magazine Channel world for the year 2009-10. In 2009, we upgraded a partnership of three months with Microsoft to a Gold certified one with the firm.
Q. What ignited the spark in you to (start a new business venture) or (to make significant changes in an existing business)? How did the idea for your business come about?
Just Passion towards technology & nothing more.
Q. How important have good employees been to your success?
Today Employees are the key & without them you just end up dreaming about your vision
Q. What three pieces of advice would you give to college students who want to become entrepreneurs?
Have a strong Passion towards the Vision/Mission & never let it go.
Q. If you had the chance to start your career all over again, what would you do differently?
Implement the best of wisdom from day one.
Q. What would you say are the top three skills needed to be a successful entrepreneur?
Strong financial edge; Transparency & Knowledge of their respective Industry
Q. How long do you stick with an idea before giving up?
I wouldn’t give up at all.
Q. How many hours do you work a day on average?
12+ hours/day
Q. How has being an entrepreneur affected your family life?
Yes of course, it has! Good fortune brings with itself a lot of compromise. But a binding family is accommodative of that.
Q. What motivates you?
Passion, Passion & Passion towards my Vision
Q. How do you generate new ideas?
Brainstorming with likeminded friends.
Q. What is your greatest fear, and how do you manage fear?
My greatest fear is watching good employees getting lured by competition. However, I manage my fear by motivating them constantly. That is the general norm in any big company.
Q. What are your ideals?
Persistence & commitment
Q. How do you define success?
When one achieves all long/short term Goals much faster than the assigned deadlines.
Q. What is the best way to achieve long-term success?
By sticking to your commitments made to whom so ever.
Q. Where did your organizations funding/capital come from and how did you go about getting it? How did you obtain investors for your venture?
I started with the help of my Family Ventures and so it was never a problem as we are part of a 100+ years Business Group.
Q. How do you build a successful customer base?
As said we have never missed on the commitments made to customers
Q. How did you decide on the location for your business?
I utilized the existing space in our Group Company (HQ) to its optimal best.
Q. Do you believe there is some sort of pattern or formula to becoming a successful entrepreneur?
Strong Passion towards one’s Vision & standing by the commitments made.
Q. If you could talk to one person from history, who would it be and why?
I’d like to meet Chanakya of Magadha Kingdom as he was not only a mentor to his king but a true Visionary.
Q. Who has been your greatest inspiration?
My Grandfather
Q. What book has inspired you the most? (OR what is your favorite book?)
“Simply Fly” by Capt.Gopinath (Air Deccan)
Q. What is your favorite aspect of being an entrepreneur?
Freedom
Q. To what do you most attribute your success? What would say are the five key elements for starting and running a successful business?
Passion, Vision, Goal, Commitment & Never say Die attitude
Q. What has been your most satisfying moment in business?
When we as a team secured our first Server consolidation order way back in the year 2008
Q. What do you feel is the major difference between entrepreneurs and those who work for someone else?
Entrepreneurs are self-motivated & employees are to be motivated most of the times.
Q. How do you go about marketing your business? What has been your most successful form of marketing?
Well, Marketing has to be persistent & it’s a process & not a onetime activity
Q. What kind of culture exists in your organization? How did you establish this tone and why did you institute this particular type of culture?
We are a lean & Flat Organization which has been the same since inception as this helps in being responsive for every situation as this would even quickly resolve things
Q. In one word, characterize your life as an entrepreneur.
Passionate
Q. What are some of the biggest mistakes you’ve made?
Could not scale up & grow as expected
Q. How can you prevent mistakes or do damage control?
Simple- By not repeating them
Q. What are your hobbies? What do you do in your non-work time?
Wildlife, Travel & Adventure
Q. What makes you happy?
When ideas convert into business
Q. What sacrifices have you had to make to be a successful entrepreneur?
Family, Family & Family
Q. Excluding yours, what company or business do you admire the most?
IBM & Virgin Atlantic
Q. Where do you see yourself and your business in 10 years? 20 years?
100+ Crore Entity & having a Global Footprint
Q. If you were conducting this interview, what question would you ask?
I think you have covered everything.
