Indian business strategy: Eat until we burst?

Have been wanting to blog this for a while, but never got around to doing it. Sanjeev Bhikchandani, one of the most candid, outspoken and entertaining speakers I have heard, said something that almost made me fall off the chair. A reporter, apparently disturbed by their incoherent assortment of investments so far, questioned what their growth strategy really was. A normal answer would have been to actually explain what it was, and argue convincingly why it all makes sense together, even though it looks disconnected on the surface. Sanjeev, however, is different and his answer was that he doesn't spend much time on most businesses since they have strong leaders, and his time is only consumed on the larger ones, ex. naukri. And that they would continue expanding as long as they have time on their hands. WTF?

If spare time is really driving growth strategy, how about picking up a hobby or two? I think that'd serve their share-holders better.