It Happened In India

It happened in India is a autobiography by Kishore Biyani (KB as he is called by his friends). KB is called the Badshah of Indian Retail business. I wont use the word market coz after reading the book you will realize it for sure that its not just a market, its a full fledged business with all the basic ingredients mixed and served well.

This book to a certain extent appears like a mouthpiece of Pantaloon and KB. But then in the core, it also talks about how a common marwadi ladka from a Mumbai neighbourhood became the King of Retail in India. The book is not just about the success of KB and Pantaloon in business but the toil and efforts behind getting there. The dreams, visions and ideas - that made retailing in India such a profitable and challenging proposition. Not many dare to challenge to go to a country of 7 million bania shops [plus almost same number of suppliers and middlemen] and open a super/hyper market/mall.

Its a nice feel good read which does not lack in the stimulating feelings. It talks about dreams not just as dreams but in terms of risks and efforts. Positive or Negative - the results are not that important.

Here is one of my favorite line from the book:
"The movie taught me that the most important thing is to never get too attached to any idea, project or concept. One has to dispassionately evaluate every business decision and realise that not all initiatives are going to be successful. It is important to accept failure and to distance oneself from an idea or project if it doesn't work."

ps: I would really suggest everyone reading this book. If you are an MBA aspirant then read it for some inspiring tells about how businesses are run.