Riding the Tiger: How to Execute Business Strategy in India

by Wilfried Aulbur, Amit Kapoor

How can one survive in a market which is volatile and uncertain? What strategies have worked and not worked in the past? What does it take to be successful in India? What are the successful strategies applied by the likes of HUL, Godrej, Adani Ports and redBus? So what does it take to Ride the Tiger? Sound flexible strategy, operational excellence and dedication to customer-centric innovation. But what does that really mean? How have successful Indian companies managed challenges in an extremely price-sensitive market? In this book, Wilfried Aulbur and Amit Kapoor look at successful, and sometimes not-so-successful, strategies, operations and innovations in India. They have distilled lessons from their decades of practical work experience in the country. From large family conglomerates like Tata and Godrej to newer additions like Adani, from MNCs like Maruti Suzuki to start-ups in Bangalore and Gurgaon the book explores key learnings from all four kinds of companies in an Indian context and provides useful insights into how business is done in India.

Genres: India

432 pages, Hardcover

Published November 15, 2016

Reviews

[Nikita Agarwal · Rating 5 out of 5]

A brilliant book with carefully selected case studies covering a wide range of industries to illustrate the range of challenges a company in India can face. The writing is engaging (for a business book) and is easy to read.

The authors, in 2015, are optimistic about the Modi government implementing the 'Make in India' campaign, business friendly policies and land and labour reforms. Reading the book in 2019 reminded me of my excitement as the BJP came in power and my disappointment at them not being able to implement a single policy to boost manufacturing, export or attract foreign investment

Some of the case studies are deceptive- such as the one about 'Chotukool' that leaves out the part about the product being one of Godrej's biggest failures. I would recommend further reading and research into case studies readers find interesting

Overall this book is an excellent read full of valuable information. The authors' are experienced and insightful. The book is an excellent addition to the library of a business leader in India

[Samuel Premkumar · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fantastic analysis of business and the process of doing business in India. Picked up the book to see how a person of foreign origin looks at or learnt from India and I must say it was fantastic. Must compliment the author for his keen observation power as to how India operates at micro level. All the examples were on Indian companies which are household names and it connects immediately as against foreign examples like Starbucks or Amazon etc.
The book is a source of valuable insights and is a must read for any aspiring Indian manager. The book is a fast read, smooth flowing and written in simple English.
If at all I have to tell one negative point, it's on the font size of the text in the graphs and appendices.

[Brick&rope · Rating 3 out of 5]

Reads exactly like what it is ... a collection of consulting case studies, written in a dry consulting style, with a loose framework dropped on top of it.

On the plus side, the case studies are truly diverse and illuminating. These aren't areas of the Indian economic landscape that you would have necessarily thought a lot about. And there is much to learn here. Just don't expect to be entertained while you are at it.

[Phool Chand Jangir · Rating 4 out of 5]

Both the authors have done a tremendous research for the book. All the case studies that it contains are thorough and meticulous. It shed light on the Indian economy of post liberalisation till post 2014. However I had to google some economic Jargons and terms because I come from a technical background. After reading this book I believe Indian economy is an intricate subject to criticize unless you are an expert of it.

[Bredo Erichsen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This eas a good book. Gave me a lot to thinlk about and many valuable examples.