Page 49 - The Indian EYE 092526

Business Strategy with Hirav Shah SEPTEMBER 25, 2026 | The Indian Eye 49

“WhatsApp University Won’t

Run Your Business!”

Smart entrepreneurs do not act on every new idea they receive. They pause, investigate, compare

options, calculate the downside, and then decide

clear answers, do not turn that infor-
mation into action.
As Hirav Shah advises, “Never re-
ject information immediately, but never
accept it blindly. First filter it, then verify
it, and finally validate whether it is right
for your business.”
Smart entrepreneurs do not act
on every new idea they receive. They
pause, investigate, compare options,
calculate the downside, and then de-
HIRAV SHAH cide. That small pause between re-
ceiving information and taking action
can protect years of hard work, capi-
ake up in the morning, tal, and reputation.
sip your tea, and open
WWhatsApp — “Try this The Real Cost of WhatsApp University
The scariest thing is not the ab-
business trick, become a millionaire sence of knowledge — it is the pres-
in 3 months.” “Follow this formula, The scariest thing on WhatsApp is ence of wrong knowledge.
success guaranteed.” “A real story of not the absence of knowledge — it is the presence of wrong knowledge (file photo) Many entrepreneurs fail miser-
some investor — share it.” ably — not because they didn’t work
This is WhatsApp University.
Free, fast, and disposable. does not make it true. As Hirav Shah swer to “what should I do?” will nev- hard, but because they made deci-
er be found in a forwarded message.
says, “A forward is not a fact. It is just a
sions based on unvalidated, forward-
The real question is — can this
forwarded wisdom actually run a message that nobody stopped.” Hirav Shah believes, “Clarity comes ed, generic, outdated advice.l./ your
Two — Context is missing. Ama-
when you understand the problem
business, calculate the possible risks,
business? zon’s strategy does not apply to a mid- deeply, validate your options, and align and seek expert validation for import-
The answer is clear: No.
size Indian SME. Trying to copy Elon your timing.” ant decisions. As Hirav Shah says,
Knowledge and Decision — Two Very Musk’s risk-taking ability — without Third Pillar: Validation — Not “Information may create interest, but
Different Things the capital, team, or market — is a Impulse. Every major business deci- only validation should create action.”
As Hirav Shah puts it, “What recipe for disaster. Generic advice sion — partnership, investment, ex-
comes on WhatsApp is not knowledge does not fit a specific business. pansion, product launch — demands Conclusion: Stop Being an Information
Collector. Become a Decision Maker.
— it is information. And information Three — The timing is wrong. A validation. As Hirav Shah explains, India’s entrepreneurs are bril-
can never replace a decision.” 2019 success story is useless for the “Validation does not mean blindly liant. Hardworking. Passionate.
The real game in business is not 2025 market. The economy changed, agreeing. It means a 360-degree per-
But hardwork needs the right direc-
about information — it is about val- consumer behaviour changed, com- spective, worst-case analysis, and con- tion. Passion needs the right decision.
idation. That means asking: “Is this petition changed — but the same firmation of the right timing.” Scroll WhatsApp — for enter-
information right for my situation, my message keeps circulating. Hirav Before You Follow Any Business Advice, tainment, for inspiration. But busi-
market, this specific moment?” — the Shah warns, “Outdated advice in a Apply the 5 Question Test ness decisions must not come from
ability to ask that question is everything. fast-moving market is not just useless Before acting on any WhatsApp there. They must come from strategy,
Wheat available cheap is infor- — it is dangerous.”
mation. But “should I buy it right Real Business Decision — 3 Pillars message, social media tip, podcast ad- data, validation, and expert clarity.
As Hirav Shah concludes: “A
vice, or success formula, ask five sim-
now?” — that is a decision. A deci- First Pillar: Data — Not Emo- ple questions: business does not move forward by for-
sion needs context, clarity, and very tion. “I felt so”, “I had heard”, “It 1. Who is the original source? warding messages. It moves forward by
often, expert validation. came on WhatsApp” — this is not the 2. Is the information supported by making the right decision.”
WhatsApp University can never
provide that validation. language of business decisions. As Hi- facts or data?
rav Shah states, “Real data, real num- 3. Does it apply to my industry, busi-
The Three Biggest Mistakes of a bers, real market research — these three ness size, and financial position? Hirav Shah is the Global Business
Forwarded Message alone move a business forward.” 4. Is it still relevant in the current mar- Strategist, Game Changer, and Author
One — The source is unknown. Second Pillar: Clarity — Not ket? of 19+ books—trusted worldwide for
“Some IIM professor said so” — Confusion. The biggest problem in 5. What could happen if this advice validating big decisions of entrepre-
which professor? When? For what sit- business is not a shortage of decisions proves wrong? neurs, sportsmen, and entertainers.
uation? Just because it was forwarded — it is a shortage of clarity. The an- If these questions do not have Email : Business@hiravshah.com

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