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. 
Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Also read

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 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 fact, i...
1 comment
Read more

Punjab’s stilt-plus-four real estate rule 2025: Game changer or urban chaos? | circle rate hike explained

When the Punjab Cabinet approved the Unified Building Rules 2025, allowing stilt-plus-four floor construction across 40-ft-wide roads, it sparked both celebration and anxiety. For homeowners, it opened a new chapter of vertical prosperity. For urban planners, it may have unlocked Pandora’s box. Add to that a steep rise in circle rates up to 67% in Mohali and you have the perfect cocktail for a cityscape revolution. Is Punjab’s stilt-plus-four policy a game changer or a warning sign for urban chaos? Punjab’s 2025 building rule reforms are rewriting its urban DNA. With stilt-plus-four floors now permitted on 250 sq yd plots and higher circle rates in force, Punjab’s real estate market is at a crossroads. Is this the dawn of new opportunities or the slow death of livable cities? The answer lies somewhere between ambition and chaos. Urban transformation often begins with good intentions and ends in gridlocks. Punjab’s new stilt-plus-four policy and simultaneous circle rate hike hav...
Post a Comment
Read more

Who the F Are You? by Harinder Singh Pelia — A sharp, kind kick to become unignorable | Book review

In this impatiently kind review I walk you through Harinder Singh Pelia's Who the F Are You?  a short practical guide to finding your unfair advantage and making it impossible to ignore. The book pairs a Minimum Viable Self framework with bite sized exercises and honest case studies. If you want clarity without theatre, this book gives you a plan. Have you ever felt invisible despite working hard? What is the book about in a few lines? The book's central promise is simple: find your unfair advantage, sharpen it and make it impossible to ignore. Pelia lays out a five step process built around the Minimum Viable Self framework. Rather than offering lofty pep talk, the book gives short exercises, prototypes and feedback loops so readers can test how they show up. It is candid, occasionally blunt, and emphatically practical. Harinder Singh Pelia’s Who the F Are You?  was published in 2025 by Penguin, the hardback spans 206 pages and wears its intent on its sleeve. The co...
Post a Comment
Read more