At the centenary celebrations of Clube Tennis de Gaspar Dias in Panaji, renowned chartered accountant Santosh Kenkre delivered a thought-provoking talk on what truly drives entrepreneurial success in today’s competitive world. A respected figure in Goa’s financial and business circles, Kenkre used the platform to underscore a vital message: long-term success is built on the pillars of reputation, quality, and discipline — not shortcuts or gimmicks.
“Gimmicks may work in the short term. In the long run, it is quality that sells. Reputation is what keeps you in the game,” Kenkre stated emphatically, pointing to brands like Tata as a shining example of consumer trust and brand loyalty. “If Tata does something, we buy it blindly,” he added, emphasizing the irreplaceable value of trust.
Kenkre, who has served as chairman of the Goa State Co-operative Bank and head of the Goa Economic Development Corporation, also addressed Goa’s cultural discomfort with marketing. “In Goa, we are almost apologetic if not timid in advertising or marketing,” he said, urging local entrepreneurs to shed their hesitation. “Only if your products sell, will you get the money. To sustain a business, as a result of competition, you have to advertise or do marketing.”
He drew inspiration from political and corporate leaders alike. Recalling a 2013 meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, then Chief Minister of Gujarat, Kenkre highlighted five lessons learned in just five minutes — open-mindedness, time management, relationship-building, public relations, and delegation. “These are qualities every entrepreneur must develop,” he said.
From the corporate world, Kenkre invoked the wisdom of Infosys founder NR Narayan Murthy. “Growth was never planned as an ambition, but came from steady increments in quality,” Kenkre paraphrased, driving home the point that quality and fair pricing are the ultimate business formula.
Beyond grand strategies, Kenkre found lessons in everyday systems, too. He noted that households — particularly those run by women — demonstrate some of the most efficient standard operating procedures (SOPs). “The multitasking and systems run by women in our households are unmatched. Businesses have much to learn from that discipline,” he said, drawing applause from the audience.
His lecture served as both a mirror and a guidebook — reflecting what Goan entrepreneurs may lack in marketing confidence but also pointing toward a path of value-based growth rooted in reputation, trust, and discipline. As Goa steps into new economic possibilities, Kenkre’s words offer a grounded, time-tested roadmap for sustainable success.
