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Invest in Proprietary Data for Competitive Advantage

Harvard Business Review

The key lies in developing and exploiting "proprietary data" — data that you and you alone possess. One retailer develops an insight into customer behavior and others follow suit. It is vital to develop a deep understanding of what is essential for the future. But don't avoid this avenue on that score alone.

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How to Fund Indian Start-Ups

Harvard Business Review

India has numerous small retailers and service providers who are shining examples of scrappy entrepreneurship at its best, but the information technology startups that are my primary interest typically require outside funding. Using IT services to generate cash and develop customer intimacy, it is entirely possible to build products.