On the second day of the “Insight: The DNA of Success” event on Friday, Nitin Paranjpe, non-executive chairman of Hindustan Unilever Ltd (HUL), said the company accelerated its growth by expanding its distribution network rather than waiting for a breakthrough product. He recounted how a proposal to add 500,000 new stores—initially seen as unrealistic—triggered new energy, ideas, and a shift in organisational mindset. Within weeks, internal discussions changed, and teams identified ways to make tangible progress. By September, the target appeared achievable, and HUL ultimately met the goal within the year. Paranjpe highlighted the broader lesson that fear of failure often limits creativity and prevents individuals from reaching their potential. Rohit Bansal, co-founder of Titan Capital and AceVector, spoke about his entrepreneurial journey and his continued identification as an entrepreneur despite his role as an investor. He emphasized the importance of resilience, noting that many founders succeed because they persist slightly longer and push harder at key moments. He also described his long-standing partnership with Kunal Bahl, noting that aligned commitment and shared decision-making have been central to their approach. The Sadhguru Academy’s annual leadership intensive is being held from November 27–30 at the Isha Yoga Center in Coimbatore, drawing over 200 participants from more than 20 countries. The program features business and academic leaders across four days.
'Extraordinary happens when fear disappears': Nitin Paranjpe shares account of Unilever’s 5-lakh store leap
