Book Review of “Corporate

Chanakya” by Radhakrishnan Pillai.

Introduction
In our school going days, we had studied about chanakya’s use of
leadership skills for governance. The work of chanakya’s is well
documented in his book, Kautilya's "Arthashastra".

Radhakrishnan Pillai show us a pioneer of economics and political science

in India, Chanakya was one of the most brilliant, tactful and shrewd
economists and strategists of the Mauryan Era. Building the entire Mauryan
Empire can be attributed to Chanakya's witty principles and out of the box
strategies. The modern day world is a witness to innumerable business
empires, which need effective management to remain at par with growing
competition. The author of this book makes use of the aphorisms or sutras
proposed in Chanakya's book called Arthasastra (Economics), in the
management and functioning of modern day businesses.

About the Author

Having done extensive research on Chanakya's Arthashastra,
Radhakrishnan Pillai has come to be known Chanakya Pillai. He works as a
teacher, author and a management trainer. Radhakrishnan Pillai is a
seasoned professional with more than twenty years’ experience in the
publishing, tourism and sports domain. At present, he is the head of the
Chanakya Institute of Public Leadership, University of Mumbai. His works
include Corporate Chanakya on Management and, Corporate Chanakya on
Leadership.

 Paperback: 340 pages

 Publisher: Jaico Publishing House; First edition (2 August 2010)
 Language: English
 ISBN-10: 8184951337
 ISBN-13: 978-8184951332
Insider to the book
The Seven Pillars of business
The Strong foundation is the key for a successful business. Your vision,
your commitment, your purpose, all these forms are the important pillars
of an organization, the most essential part of any building.

Seven elements are-

1. The King (The Leader)

2. The Minister (The Manager)

3. The Country (The Market/ Client / Customer)

4. The Fortified City (Head Office)

5. The Treasury

6. The Army (The Team)

7. The Ally (Friend/ Consultant)

Looking at the seven pillars, when these are built into the firms practices,
then only an organization’s shoulders can be strong enough to take any
responsibility and face all challenges. While building them do not forget to
imbibe that vital ingredient called VALUE.

Business today has to overcome challenges with respect to changing needs

in operations, business models and business environment. There are
unexpected and unhealthy competition with dynamic changes in business
environment. The book broadly demonstrates the success formulas and
principles used by Chanakya to overcome difficulties for today’s corporate
world.

The book has classified the modern management under 3 principles.

 Leadership
 Management
 Training.
Leadership
“When a leader was once asked how to develop the skill of quick decision-
making, he answered, “Be around people who are not afraid of making
mistakes.”
― Radhakrishnan Pillai, Corporate Chanakya

The leadership chapter deals with use of leadership qualities, decision-

making, people management and use of power.

Management
“Management is all about focusing on how to take your organisation
forward.”
― Radhakrishnan Pillai, Corporate Chanakya

The Management chapter deals with fundamentals and control required for
execution or operations related to any corporate world.

Training
“Peter Drucker, the father of modern management once said, “Initially
delegation is not easy. It gives a feeling of insecurity. However, one realises
that it leads to freedom.”
― Radhakrishnan Pillai, Corporate Chanakya

The Training chapter deals with behavioural aspects which is required to

learn to use functions in any Organizational situation.
Bottom line Conclusion
“Before you start some work, always ask yourself 3 questions

Why am I doing it?

What the results might be?

And Will I be successful?

Only when you think deeply and find satisfactory answers to these
questions, go ahead.” – Chanakya

The book tries enough to answer the question ‘Do ancient Indian principles
of management and spirituality for the contemporary corporate scenario
work?’ in an affirmative way. This book is actually trying to provide
solutions for our modern day management problems with our own tried
and tested ancient methods.

As a conclusion, I want to say that this book is a masterpiece. This book

enlighten us about how chanakya's principles still find relevance in our
modern world. 'Corporate Chanakya on Successful Management' is a must
read for students in B-Schools as well as budding business practitioners.

Be a “KING MAKER”

- Book review by Ankit Chowdhury

Master of Business Administration (M.B.A)
Techno India University