Game Changers issue 25

ABHIJIT KULKARNI Founder of Wealth Planet

Q Being a well-known fund manager in your field, your reputation is key for you. How do you defend against unfounded online criticism?

In my opinion, online platforms are for education and should be used to inform others. If someone is criticising or blaming anyone then the online platforms or any other media should allow it only after the final judgement or conclusion from the highest legal authority of that country. Otherwise it will be easy to criticise anyone and to ruin reputation of any person or business because it’s a free tool and most important thing is, people get attracted towards negativity very fast at first without checking the facts. Very rarely they want to hear the other side. So, if something happens with me online, I won’t go into debate through that platform as it will give a topic of discussion for people who has lots of time for it. Every country has given you a legal right to defend and you should respect it. Once you win it in that way, only then you can expose such kind of persons.

Q Is it common for competitors to carry out negative PR tactics on you?

It is very common nowadays and we can’t control it because as I said above, these platforms are free to use and negative minds are also free to spread such things. Being in the financial markets, it becomes very sensitive to protect yourself from negativity. But the more you try to protect yourself; more it becomes sensitive. So, the best way is to focus on doing your job in honest way. We can’t control others. We can control only what we do.

Q What ways can you defend yourself from these tactics?

Respect the law of your land and defend through it. That’s the best thing one can do. Debating, blaming, accusing through social channels is not the solution at all. If you are honest and if the truth is on your side, you will fight with the most dignified manner.

Q Many people advocate not fighting back against such slurs. What is your opinion?

Only 2 possibilities can be there. Either they are not 100% honest with their truth or they might be fearful of losing their reputation in society. Because many people think that if they take a legal path and people around them comes to know, their reputation will not remain the same in the society.

Q Do you feel that the more popular you are, the more likely you are to get hit pieces about you?

disclaimers, past track record does not guarantee future returns, in a same way we can’t guarantee anything. But again, the only thing in our hand is keep going and delivering our very best every day.

Yes. That’s true. And that’s the nature. We used to hear from childhood that ‘the tree that bears the sweetest fruits gets the maximum number of stones’. Fortunately, in my childhood I heard something even more fantastic from my superhero Mr. Sachin Tendulkar. He said ‘If someone throws stones at you, convert it into a milestones’. So, it all depends on perception.

Q Does having a successful track record serve as way to defend you against criticism?

It will vary from client to client. Because it will totally depend on their nature and how they react to criticism. As we always used to mention our

Q Do you think that websites and social media platforms should take some form of responsibility for what can be unfounded claims? Of course yes. As I mentioned above, it should not allow anybody to post about anyone, to blame on anyone or to criticise anyone unless and until he or she has proved it in the highest legal authority of his/her country.

Q Does the action of people acting in a nefarious fashion make you produce less content? Is it like a form on online bullying?

I won’t say less content but yes, it encourages me to post a very precise content. I never stopped myself to share knowledge through my social media channels and as I always mention, social media or any other media should be used to literate others as much as possible. It is the best medium to give free knowledge. But unfortunately, it has become a gossip hub with lots of negativity.

Q Could you give any tips for others who are under attack?

If your product is strong, don’t get distracted by the criticism and allegations. Let the lawyers do their job for you and truth will win in its own way. It sounds spiritual but that’s the truth at the end and that is – Karma Works.