Quote of the Day by Narayana Murthy : ‘Every company has to identify what I call its strategic resources, and make sure that it grabs as much of its strategic resources as possible’
He lamented that even top gold medalists from IITs often struggled when pursuing research at global institutions like MIT or Harvard University because the Indian system fails to link theory with real-world.
- Aug 23, 2026,
- Updated Aug 23, 2026 7:30 AM IST
“Every company has to identify what I call its strategic resources, and make sure that it grabs as much of its strategic resources as possible,” a quote by Narayana Murthy, co-founder of Infosys.
This quote by N. R. Narayana Murthy, the co-founder of Infosys, means a business must find its most valuable core assets—such as top talent, unique technology, or strong leadership—and secure as much of them as possible to win.
Who is Narayana Murthy
N R Narayana Murthy is an Indian billionaire businessman, software engineer, and the iconic co-founder of Infosys, one of India's largest multinational information technology companies. Often hailed as the "Father of the Indian IT sector," he played a pivotal role in pioneering India's global outsourcing model and putting the country on the international technology map.
In 1981, Murthy co-founded Infosys along with six other software professionals with an initial capital investment of just ₹10,000 (roughly $250 at the time), which was famously borrowed from his wife, Sudha Murty. Under his leadership, Infosys became the first Indian-registered company to list on the NASDAQ exchange in 1999, setting a benchmark for financial transparency and corporate governance in India.
Beyond business, Murthy is known for advocating corporate social responsibility and practising a relatively modest personal lifestyle despite his immense wealth. Through the Infosys Foundation and private family foundations, he heavily funds initiatives in rural development, education, healthcare, and arts and culture across India.
When was this quote said by Narayana Murthy?
N. R. Narayana Murthy shared this insight during a presentation at the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania.
He was explaining how Infosys grew from a small startup into a world leader in IT consulting by treating human intellect, technology, and execution processes as its main strategic resources.
What does this quote mean?
This quote highlights a foundational rule for business growth: a company must lock down the critical assets that drive its competitive advantage. In a service-oriented or knowledge-driven economy—like the software industry where Narayana Murthy built Infosys—the most vital strategic resource is human intellect and top-tier talent.
By capturing the market's best minds and building robust systems around them, a company creates a barrier that competitors cannot easily replicate, ensuring its long-term survival and market leadership.
“Every company has to identify what I call its strategic resources, and make sure that it grabs as much of its strategic resources as possible,” a quote by Narayana Murthy, co-founder of Infosys.
This quote by N. R. Narayana Murthy, the co-founder of Infosys, means a business must find its most valuable core assets—such as top talent, unique technology, or strong leadership—and secure as much of them as possible to win.
Who is Narayana Murthy
N R Narayana Murthy is an Indian billionaire businessman, software engineer, and the iconic co-founder of Infosys, one of India's largest multinational information technology companies. Often hailed as the "Father of the Indian IT sector," he played a pivotal role in pioneering India's global outsourcing model and putting the country on the international technology map.
In 1981, Murthy co-founded Infosys along with six other software professionals with an initial capital investment of just ₹10,000 (roughly $250 at the time), which was famously borrowed from his wife, Sudha Murty. Under his leadership, Infosys became the first Indian-registered company to list on the NASDAQ exchange in 1999, setting a benchmark for financial transparency and corporate governance in India.
Beyond business, Murthy is known for advocating corporate social responsibility and practising a relatively modest personal lifestyle despite his immense wealth. Through the Infosys Foundation and private family foundations, he heavily funds initiatives in rural development, education, healthcare, and arts and culture across India.
When was this quote said by Narayana Murthy?
N. R. Narayana Murthy shared this insight during a presentation at the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania.
He was explaining how Infosys grew from a small startup into a world leader in IT consulting by treating human intellect, technology, and execution processes as its main strategic resources.
What does this quote mean?
This quote highlights a foundational rule for business growth: a company must lock down the critical assets that drive its competitive advantage. In a service-oriented or knowledge-driven economy—like the software industry where Narayana Murthy built Infosys—the most vital strategic resource is human intellect and top-tier talent.
By capturing the market's best minds and building robust systems around them, a company creates a barrier that competitors cannot easily replicate, ensuring its long-term survival and market leadership.