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Portfolio Book of Great Indian Business Stories: Riveting Tales of Business Leaders and Their Times
How did Dhirubhai Ambani build a polyester plant in record time?
What made J.R.D. Tata launch India's first airline?
How did Vijay Mallya wrest control of Shaw Wallace from Manu Chhabria?
Why did Bhai Mohan Singh fall out with his favourite son and lose control of Ranbaxy?
The Portfolio Book of Great Indian Business Stories contains excerpts from a selection of the finest business books published by Penguin Portfolio. This anthology features snippets from the lives of some of the most eminent business leaders India has seen-M.S. Oberoi, Ratan Tata, Aditya Birla and Rahul Bajaj, among others. There are tales of outstanding successes, crushing failures, extraordinary challenges and relentless determination, some of which chronicle the times when these legends were just simple businessmen trying to make a mark. The grit and ruthless persistence of these men defined who they were and the legacies they left behind.
What made J.R.D. Tata launch India's first airline?
How did Vijay Mallya wrest control of Shaw Wallace from Manu Chhabria?
Why did Bhai Mohan Singh fall out with his favourite son and lose control of Ranbaxy?
The Portfolio Book of Great Indian Business Stories contains excerpts from a selection of the finest business books published by Penguin Portfolio. This anthology features snippets from the lives of some of the most eminent business leaders India has seen-M.S. Oberoi, Ratan Tata, Aditya Birla and Rahul Bajaj, among others. There are tales of outstanding successes, crushing failures, extraordinary challenges and relentless determination, some of which chronicle the times when these legends were just simple businessmen trying to make a mark. The grit and ruthless persistence of these men defined who they were and the legacies they left behind.
399 pages, Paperback
First published May 15, 2015
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
September 12, 2020
An anthology of inspirational accounts of how some of the biggest and most respected corporate houses and brands in India started, particularly in the nascent stage of post independence, this book had lessons galore in the field of management, delivered in a witty and anecdotal style.
The fluid narration of Vijay Mallya's obsession to acquire one company, Shaw Wallace, over two decades, burning huge amounts of money, sets the conversational tone of the book. And thereafter goes on to describe how before the Tata-Mistry battle of today was preceded by another management contention : the Russi Mody-Tata conflict, where a young Ratan Tata had to earn his managerial spurs post decisively resolving the then Telco's highly incendiary labour strikes incited by one Rajan Nair. Finally, the turnaround story of Tanishq impressed that innovation is not without challenges and requires conviction and true belief in own undertakings.
The fluid narration of Vijay Mallya's obsession to acquire one company, Shaw Wallace, over two decades, burning huge amounts of money, sets the conversational tone of the book. And thereafter goes on to describe how before the Tata-Mistry battle of today was preceded by another management contention : the Russi Mody-Tata conflict, where a young Ratan Tata had to earn his managerial spurs post decisively resolving the then Telco's highly incendiary labour strikes incited by one Rajan Nair. Finally, the turnaround story of Tanishq impressed that innovation is not without challenges and requires conviction and true belief in own undertakings.
August 16, 2016
I found the book interesting as it has assembled really great instances from great corporate houses of India. Some of the stories covered in the book are
1. Bhai Mohan singh fight with his son Dr singh for Ranbaxy
2. Aditya Vikram Birla's story of businesses expansion outside India
3. Reliance story to create the polyester plant etc
My learning would be that a business needs strong conviction and support from the promoters. A business goes through ups and downs and its own life cycle similar to a human life cycle. I am really inspired by xerxes desai story of Tanishq brand. The jewelry business was almost on the verge of closure but the vision of Mr desai wins.
1. Bhai Mohan singh fight with his son Dr singh for Ranbaxy
2. Aditya Vikram Birla's story of businesses expansion outside India
3. Reliance story to create the polyester plant etc
My learning would be that a business needs strong conviction and support from the promoters. A business goes through ups and downs and its own life cycle similar to a human life cycle. I am really inspired by xerxes desai story of Tanishq brand. The jewelry business was almost on the verge of closure but the vision of Mr desai wins.
April 17, 2020
The strength and perseverance of great men create the foundation of great business which create the economy of a nation. The book is a collection of stories of great business leaders from India in relation to certain events of their lives. The Kingfisher story, the Ranbaxy chaos, the Tanishq brand , the TCS journey of opening the doors of software exports in India and many more.
All the stories have things we can learn from , the “never give up attitude” of the Tatas starting from Jamsetji Tata to Ratan Tata, the vision of the Birlas of taking India to the world , the focus on service by the Oberoi’s , the dark side of Vijay Malay of Kingfisher and the squabbles of the Singh brothers of Ranbaxy.
A book from which we can learn and apply the values of running and building business in a country like India. Read and be inspired.
All the stories have things we can learn from , the “never give up attitude” of the Tatas starting from Jamsetji Tata to Ratan Tata, the vision of the Birlas of taking India to the world , the focus on service by the Oberoi’s , the dark side of Vijay Malay of Kingfisher and the squabbles of the Singh brothers of Ranbaxy.
A book from which we can learn and apply the values of running and building business in a country like India. Read and be inspired.
June 28, 2018
An uneven collection of excerpts from many books on Indian business houses and their histories, but the stories are fascinating for those familiar with India in the last 40 odd years. The chapters about the Tata businesses are amongst the best.
December 14, 2022
Great book for entrepreneurs to understand some of the stories of great businesses and great leaders. A must read for budding entrepreneurs
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews