The Corporate Birbal by Vivek Vaidya is a lesson in corporate strategy and innovation presented in a unique format. It derives knowledge from the stories of Birbal applied effectively to different business situations, making it an intriguing and informative read.
The story centers around Sid, an I.I.M. graduate who establishes his start-up, Creativity Unlimited, and sets out to change the face of digital marketing. His first challenge is to convince clients of the transforming nature of the marketing landscape. He does this by borrowing Birbal’s wisdom and winning clients with the help of his unconventional team of recruits, whom he affectionately calls ‘Buddies’. Sid tries to attract investors to take his company to new heights. His devotion to the company ultimately takes a toll on his personal relationships. As the company grows, investors develop a vision that differs from Sid’s and he is ousted from it. This becomes a life-changing experience for him.
Over time, in Sid’s absence, the changes in management at Creativity Unlimited result in rather drastic consequences. Sid returns and tries to woo back L.T.R., one of their biggest clients who is struggling because the young generation cannot connect with their products. Will Birbal be able to assist Sid and save Creativity Unlimited and the day?
The language is simple and contemporary and anyone who has worked in corporate will find the situations relatable. The simplicity and wealth of information in the Birbal stories astound the reader. The book isn’t heavy on jargon which makes it a breezy read. It focuses on different aspects of corporate culture, corporate politics, and the behind-the-scenes actions that impede decision-making. Practical examples in branding make it easy to envisage. If I had to nitpick, it would have been great to include more Birbal stories in the middle part of the book which focuses more on Creativity Unlimited’s turmoil and politics in Sid’s absence.
The Corporate Birbal touches on leadership, innovation, making effective pitches, personal growth, and resourcefulness, but packaged in the form of a story which makes it engaging. The wisdom of yesterday resolves the challenges of today to build a strategy for tomorrow. This is the kind of book that should be part of a B-school curriculum corporate strategy course.
