Many give us knowledge, some inspire us, but very few spur us to dream BIG. This book relives late Professor C K Prahalad’s dream life – from a boy who studied in a Tamil-medium school among the poor in Coimbatore, and went on to do MBA at IIM Ahmedabad, doctorate at the Harvard Business School and sat on the boards of several large global corporations. Yet, this is not a biography. It is a mélange of untold stories of the profound impact CK had on global and Indian business leaders, CEOs, executives, students and teachers and while doing so, looks at the timeless lessons he left behind for future generations. This book is for those who get excited and inspired by how path-breaking ideas and deep insights on leadership, strategy and behavior change the way we run our lives and businesses. It’s for those who believe that the world’s most difficult problems like poverty can be addressed by asking simple questions and finding innovative solutions for solving them. Readers could find rare stories of how CK transformed the mindsets of frightened Indian business leaders after 1991 reforms into formidable global players riveting. It’s fascinating how he also greatly influenced the direction and growth of India’s information technology sector. To those who have heard CK talk and have read his books, he seemed tough and distant. This book demystifies the man and makes him eminently accessible.
Anand Mahindra, Chairman, Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd said“The C K Prahalad book has been wonderfully compiled and is a fitting tribute to him. It was a pleasure being able to make a small contribution for the book.”
Narayana Murthy, former Chairman, Infosys Ltd said: “Very well written. Congratulations.”
Marshall Goldsmith, Author of the New York Times bestsellers, MOJO and What Got You Here Won’t Get You There. Thinkers 50’s Ten Most-Influential Business Thinkers in the world said:“CK Prahalad was not only the most influential business thinker in the world. He was the mentor behind many of today’s top business thinkers. He ranks with Peter Drucker as one of the most important management thinkers in history. His story is the story of how he changed the world. Please read this book! It is the story of a person who was a legend in his field and a hero to me. I learned so much from CK, this will help you do the same.”
S Ramadorai, Vice Chairman, Tata Consultancy Services said: I have reviewed CK's contribution and influence on Indian IT. What you have captured and the manner it has been presented makes for very interesting reading and I must compliment you for that.
Subroto Bagchi, Chairman, Mindtree Ltd and best-selling author said:“A fitting tribute to the greatest management Guru India has ever produced. Tells you the story of how one man shook Indian business leaders from their reverie of satisfactory under-performance to claiming their true entitlement.”
Rama Bijapurkar, thought leader on Indian consumer behavior and best-selling author said: ‘If you ever wondered—or never imagined - how just one man, with just the brilliance of his mind could make the world think differently, again and again, read this book. This book is a most interestingly written story about one of the world’s greatest business thinkers. It will inspire and educate anyone who wants to make a difference to their company, society or country.”
Rajan Kaicker, Executive Chairman & Managing Director, FranklinCovey Training & Consulting LLPsaid:“I did read your book and found it very rewarding.”
Ashok Soota, Executive Chairman, Happiest Minds Technologies Ltdsaid:“You have really done your research most diligently and your have given a perspective of multiple ways in which CKP added value to his customers and the wide variety of leaders who have benefited from his advice.”
