Winning

‘Gyaan’! The first impression that any typical MBA grad would get about Winning – another addendum to Welch’s ‘Straight from the Gut’. And after GE Money proudly announced that anyone sitting for their interview needs to go through this book (during the pre placement talks), I got a bit more eager to lay my hands on it.

Believe me, in no way is the book an anticlimax to its title. Welch’s proprietary no-nonsense, precise and dominating style keeps one bombarded with surprises. Thanks to the amazing layout that makes the book a 20-30 minutes read J. Every chapter hangs independently like a ripe mango from a full grown tree, ready to be plucked from the branch closer to your side.
Enriched with personal anecdotes, I personally found – Candor, budgeting, The right job and Work-Life balance the most amusing of all the chapters. Every word of them is worth imbibing.

The pointers are so precise and to the point that their elaboration gives an impression of repetitiveness at times. Though it does not seem to be a business Encyclopedia as claimed by Warren Buffet, it is definitely a job well done.

Interestingly, Welch shares his views on the one of the hottest topic being debated currently in India i.e. Quota in the private sector. His views seem to resonate through the Indian Industry on Manmohan Singh’s call for affirmative action.

“Winning companies (read countries) are meritocracies.
Quota undermines meritocracies. They artificially push some people ahead, independent of qualifications. That can be demotivating to the top performers who are passed over, and it doesn’t do much for results.”

My take on the book is 7.25 on a scale of 10. Hope you would enjoy it too.