Praise for the Book
‘The Learning Factory is a book full of anecdotal stories that offers different teachings and lessons for students, business professionals, as well as those curious about the Tata way of business. This first hand narration of interactions and incidents with Tata leaders gives a new insight into the group’s leadership and strategy and helps better understand its value-driven business’ – RATAN TATA
In The Learning Factory, Arun Maira narrates people-centric episodes that bring alive the values of the Tata Group, standards that combine the high-velocity practices as well as the old-fashioned principles that make the Tata Group the giant it is today. With insightful stories of conduct that are as practically implementable as they are inspiring, this is a blueprint for the individual as well as the business that seeks success through its community of leaders, workers and thinkers.
Founded in 1868 by Jamshetji Tata, the Tata Group symbolizes the great Indian story of hope, growth and phenomenal success. The group played the role of a nation builder in post-independent India. Its companies were headed by legendary chairpersons, all of whom firmly believed in the importance of continuously learning and growing. What can we learn from the individual stories that come together to form this inspiring narrative? Like all great successes, this isn’t one story—it is many accounts that are so powerful that the whole is much greater than the sum of all its parts.
“I would like to share my stories of what I learned from these masters. This book is not a history of the Tata Group: many fine books have been written about it. These are firsthand stories, with insights I gained into the arts of value-driven leadership, and the building of values-based institutions.”- Arun Maira
About the Author
ARUN MAIRA was part of Tata Administrative Service for twenty-five years and worked at various important positions in the Tata Group till 1989. He was the CEO of Tatab Industries from 1977 to 1979 in Malaysia. He was a board member of Tata Motors from 1981 to 1989. He was resident director from 1981 to 1986 and executive director in corporate office from 1987 to 1989. He played a key part in the Tata Motors’ successful entry into the light commercial vehicle (LCV) segment. After leaving the Tata Group, he worked with Arthur D. Little in the US for ten years where he was leader of the Global Strategy and Organisation Practice and managing director of Innovation Associates. In 2000, Arun Maira returned to India and held the position of chairman of Boston Consulting Group till April 2008. He served as a member of India’s Planning Commission from 2009 to 2014. Arun Maira is a thought leader and an author of several books on organizational and societal change. He has served on the boards of several companies, civil society organizations and education institutions. Presently, he is the chairman of HelpAge International.
Releasing on 26th October, 2020
HB| 499| 272pgs
