Skip to main content

The Consolidators - Prince Mathews Thomas

"True leadership is about transforming vision into reality and inspiring others to achieve their fullest potential."

The book chronicles the life and business journeys of Ajay Bijli, Abhishek Khaitan, Priya Paul, Vikas Oberoi, T.S. Kalyanaraman, Mithun Chittilappily and Rituraj Sinha.



The author has chosen second-generation entrepreneurs as the subject of his books. The ones who took over from their fathers, known, established faces of their respective fields with huge expectations. Though it is a relatively easy entry for them, the picture is not as rosy as it seems. 
Ajay Bijli's story, for instance, is a masterclass in resilience and vision as he revolutionized the Indian cinema experience with PVR Cinemas. Abhishek Khaitan's journey illustrates the power of strategic thinking in the highly competitive liquor industry. Priya Paul’s narrative is a beacon of innovation and creativity in the hospitality sector, while Vikas Oberoi’s tale is one of meticulous planning and execution in real estate.




They have had their own share of struggles to keep up the expectations and the establish their own space in the businesses they took over. Also interesting to read is the acquisitions and new capacities built by these individuals.

At SIS, which went for an IPO last year, the power balance between Uday Singh and Rituraj Singh the scion of the SIS group makes for an insightful read. How they have neatly set the boundaries and led the company to great growth makes for a good read. Also interesting is the Chubb deal. That an acquisition into an unknown territory was not only made into a successful buy but also eventually turned into a cash cow to cushion further acquisitions.

The book is well researched but it leaves you hungry for more. Perhaps more depth could have been added to the stories.

Thomas doesn't merely recount success stories; he offers a deeper understanding of the trials and tribulations that these entrepreneurs faced. The book serves as both an inspiration and a practical guide for aspiring entrepreneurs, emphasizing the importance of perseverance, adaptability, and strategic vision.

'Each of these seven entrepreneurs has taken his or her family business to newer, greater heights. These are compelling stories, each a lesson for other aspiring entrepreneurs' Harsh Mariwala

Pages - 260
Publisher - Penguin
Available in - hardback
Publishing year - 2017

Prince Mathew Thomas’s journalistic prowess is evident in his engaging writing style, which captures the essence of each entrepreneur’s journey with clarity and empathy. 

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Does India need communal parties?

I think, it was Tan's post on this blog itself, Republic Day Event, where this question was raised. My answer. YES. we need communal parties even in Independent, Secular India. Now let me take you, back to events before 1947. When India was a colony of the British Empire. The congress party, in its attempt to gain momentum for the independence movement, heavily used Hinduism, an example of which is the famous Ganesh Utsav held in Mumbai every year. Who complains? No one. But at that time, due to various policies of the congress, Muslims started feeling alienated. Jinnah, in these times, got stubborn over the need of Pakistan and he did find a lot of supporters. Congress, up till late 1940's never got bothered by it. And why should we? Who complains? No one. But there were repercussions. The way people were butchered and slaughtered during that brief time when India got partitioned, was even worse than a civil war scenario. All in the name of religion. And there indeed was cr...

Debate : Do the ends justify the means...

Note : Give it all a fair thought before you jot down... Flaming and religion-bashing will not be tolerated. Your participation is gladly appreciated. I dunno if you folks remember this incident; a couple of yrs back, the UPSC exam had a question where the emainee had to assert his views on *revolutionary terrorism* initiated by Bhagat Singh. As is typical of the government, hue and cry was not far behind... Anyway, let us look at some facts -   Bhagat Singh was an atheist, considered to be one of the earliest Marxist in India and in line with hi thinking, he renamed the Hindustan Republican Party and called it the Hindustan Socialist Revolutionary Party. Bhagat Finally, awaiting his own execution for the murder of Saunders, Bhagat Singh at the young age of 24 studied Marxism thoroughly and wrote a profound pamphlet “Why I am an Atheist.” which is an ideological statement in itself. The circumstances of his death and execution are worth recounting. Although, Bhagat Singh had a...

Cutting people off isn’t strength—It is a trauma response

Your ability to cut people off and self-isolate is not a skill you should be proud of—It is a trauma response Summary Cutting people off and self-isolating may feel like a protective shield, but it is often rooted in unresolved or unhealed trauma and an inability to depend on others. While these behaviors seem like self-preservation, they end up reinforcing isolation and blocking meaningful connections. Confronting these patterns, seeking therapy, and nurturing supportive relationships can help break this unhealthy cycle. Plus, a simple act like planting a jasmine plant can symbolise the start of your journey towards emotional healing. Why do we cut people off and isolate? If you’re someone who prides themselves on “cutting people off” or keeping a tight circle, you might believe it’s a skill—a way to protect yourself from betrayal, hurt, or unnecessary drama. I get it. I’ve been there, too. But here’s the thing: this ability to isolate yourself is not as empowering as it may seem. In...