In 1976, Bruce Henderson, the celebrated founder of global management consulting firm Boston Consulting Group (BCG), wrote in a memorandum to BCG Partners: “It would be nice to say that I foresaw the future and planned it as it eventually turned out. But at the beginning, for every firm, the overriding question is: Can you survive?” Henderson sensed way back in 1976 that it was not as difficult to reach the top as it was to stay there—strong and committed.
India is home to multiple enterprises that have redefined strength and commitment in their path of survival. They are not only older than the Indian democracy, but stories of their resilience spread through the landscape of 200 years of subjugation under imperial England. Take the case of the Wadia Group. Founded even before the Battle of Plassey, it was established through imperial benevolence as a marine construction company but during the freedom movement placed itself firmly against its benefactors. This is a trajectory that many other old groups, such as the Tatas, also followed. Juxtaposed with these conglomerates are a few, such as the Birlas, whose positioning since inception was nationalistic, making the history of corporate India a fascinating story.
As we train our lens on centennial Indian companies, the question we seek to answer is “What does it take to build a company that lasts 100 years?”
Government policy choices play a huge role in deciding a company's future. There are companies which are favoured by governments and benefit from their decisions. It will not be wrong to say that governments decide fortunes of these firms
S.C. GARG Former Union Finance Secretary
Dinosaurs’ Deft Drive
This story is from the August 2023 edition of Outlook Business.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the August 2023 edition of Outlook Business.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
SHANKAR PRASAD
C'EST LA VIE - MY FAVOURITE
Star Plus
Actor Keerthy Suresh's talents extend far beyond the silver screen. In a chat with Prachi Khanna, she talks about her growing interest in the world of investments - from real estate to tech to co-owning a cricket team
Shelter From the Storm
Taking care of 500-plus homeless was only the first of the challenges; the 24-year-old social worker has done more since
Saying No to Jugaad
In India, people often rely on a quick-fix approach to manage the daily challenges of taking insulin shots. But a Gen-Z innovator has other ideas
Green Skills Champion
An unexpected career choice was the beginning of efforts to demystify the conversation around climate change and raise awareness
Force of Change
An educator's journey that started in the municipal schools of Andheri West is helping bridge the learning gap among young students
An Appetite for Health
The 'food pharmer' has taken on some of the biggest names in the FMCG sector. His mission: to get consumers to read product labels
More Than Medals
India's success at the Paris Paralympics can inspire a new era of inclusivity
Checkmate
A new generation of chess elite, backed by early mentorship and building on the wins of the previous generation, is cementing India's place at the top
On A Strong Wicket
Team India has had a mixed month but a good year. This was the year Rohit Sharma and his boys brought the T20 World Cup back home
