Every entrepreneur's story is different; each follows a unique path to success. Even so, Hari Khemka stands out because of the sheer range of his entrepreneurship. From textiles and paper to household goods, metals, steel, IT (hardware and software), real estate, sound technology, education and, finally, surveillance solutions, he has been there and done that. Spurred on by a financial crisis, and guided by no godfather but his own instincts, Hari Khemka started his business at the age of nineteen and crafted his own success story, one which will resonate with every aspiring Indian. Today, his brand CP Plus is the youngest and fastest brand to enter the club of Top 4 Surveillance Brands in the world and the Top 2 in Asia. It is this incredible story that finds its way into his book, On the Move, capturing the journey of Hari Khemka as a relentless entrepreneur, peppered with some amazing anecdotes of his business failures and triumphs.

Here's a conversation with the 'relentless entrepreneur' himself, to figure what keeps him on the move, upwards and onwards:

Q: From Chandni Chowk to being India’s number one security and surveillance solutions company, how would you sum up your journey?

Hari Khmeka: I'd sum it up in three words: perseverance, passion and self-belief. Put your heart and soul into your work, meet every challenge head-on, never lose sight of your goal and always be true to yourself. That's my formula for success.
Q: The title of the book focuses on the word ‘relentless’. Tell us the secret to the ‘relentlessness’ in your attitude.

Hari Khemka: 'Relentless' means being persistent, unabating, ceaselessly intense. In my view, to get you where you want to be, mere ambition is not enough. It takes sheer grit and determination, hard work and sacrifice - in other words, a relentless pursuit of your self-defined goals.
Q: In business, as the saying goes, the right time to enter is critical for success. Your book focuses a great deal on the right ‘exit time’. Can you explain the philosophy behind this?

Hari Khemka: Defining a clear market exit strategy calls for as much if not more attention than the research you put in while starting the business. Nothing affirms the importance of having a solid exit strategy more than Abhimanyu’s demise, as described in the Mahabharata. A brilliant warrior and scion of the master archer, Arjun, he broke  into the all-but impenetrable defense formation dubbed the 'chakravyuh', but couldn't exit it and lost his life as a result. As comparisons go, that may sound a  bit extreme, but the point is that a businessman who doesn’t have a well-defined exit strategy might well incur heavy losses.

Q: The book talks about the ‘Marwari spirit’ of entrepreneurship. How important is it to inculcate it in the next generation of Marwaris? Would you rather teach your grandchildren Mundi than send them to a business school?

Hari Khemka: The Marwari 'esprit entrepreneurial' or spirit of entrepreneurship is well-known. The community's success derives from its business acumen, adaptability and unique methodology. For instance, the accounting system popularized by the Birla family, known as the 'daily padta', is quite remarkable.

I believe Marwaris have an innate knowledge of business, transmitted across generations, either through observational learning or instruction – and that's not the kind of knowledge you can get from a business school. The success of Marwari business practices – at all levels, be it local or international – speaks for itself. So, I can say with confidence that the Marwari school of thought is as relevant today as in the past.

Q: As per the book, you put relationships above everything in business and life. Does that help when hardcore business decisions are to be made, especially in these times of transactional exchanges?

Hari Khemka: I believe relationships are not just about who you know, but how well you know them. Close, genuine contact with people can contribute to your business. When you’re trying to get ahead in business and in life, you will help others and they will help you. What goes around, comes around.
Q: Philanthropy is one of the core values of Marwari society. How do you pursue it from a company’s point of view? Is it restricted to the mandatory 2% CSR rule?

Hari Khemka: I believe that giving back is a way of reinforcing our own personal values and living in a way that is true to our own ethical beliefs. As a Marwari , I  regard philanthropic work as a duty and hope that my modest efforts will give some comfort to those who need it.

Q: Your book has kickstarted the debate of a generalist vs a specialist. In your business journey, you are known to enter a trade, learn the tricks, master the trade and create successful enterprises. Would life be any different had you stayed a specialist, working in a single trade? What path do you recommend?

Hari Khemka: In my view, a broader approach and wider understanding can help in making better decisions. A generalist can see the big picture and think out-of-the-box. Overall, generalists tend to have more transferable skills. It’s precisely because I'm a generalist that I've managed to acquire a bouquet of skills and deploy it successfully in growing my business. If I had worked in a single trade, my life would have been a lot less interesting, active and successful, so I'd always recommend generalist approach.

Q: When you hire new employees for your organization, what core qualities do you look for?

Hari Khemka: I always look for an employee who fits in with the company culture and the core values of the organization. A work ethic is essential, because we need people who are hard-working, dedicated and determined to give their best. 

Q: The book ends with you now spending time on Golf and philanthropy. If an opportunity comes now for a new business venture, would you get back into action again?

Hari Khemka: As they say, learning is a never-ending journey. Learning new things keeps you mentally alert, active and constantly appreciative of the wonders of the world. So, my answer is an unqualified 'yes' - if an interesting opportunity presents itself, I would definitely take it.

Read more about the inspiring journey of Hari Khemka in his book, On the Move, available here: https://amzn.to/376NZD2