I have recently finished reading "Failing to Succeed" by K Vaitheeswaran. Of late, it's been taking me longer to read a book than I originally plan, thanks to the pulls and pressures of my day job.
Having known Vaithee for almost two decades, I was eagerly looking forward to reading this book. Having been a colleague, customer and friend, I can claim to have some first hand familiarity with the author.
Through this book, he recounts his journey of setting up the first e-commerce marketplace in India and the ups and downs that he went through. The book is written in an autobiographical style and to those who know Vaithee it feels like he is talking to you in his own inimitable style as you read the words. His story comes straight from his heart and is marked by candor, courage, confidence and the highest standards of probity. To someone who knows Vaithee this is not a surprise.
The book is a must read for anyone with interest in not just e-commerce but just about any form of business or "start-up". The first hand learnings from the Fabmart/Fabmall/Indiaplaza journey are invaluable. The story is lined with the struggle, the obstacles, the reverses and the determination to stay true to his beliefs. The only reasons why Indiaplaza is not around today and is not the biggest marketplace in the country is because it was before its time and did not get the kind of funds that later entrants in the fray had access to. But the principles of business, the priorities, the focus on the right metrics are something that are eternal to any business.
Happy reading!!
Having known Vaithee for almost two decades, I was eagerly looking forward to reading this book. Having been a colleague, customer and friend, I can claim to have some first hand familiarity with the author.
Through this book, he recounts his journey of setting up the first e-commerce marketplace in India and the ups and downs that he went through. The book is written in an autobiographical style and to those who know Vaithee it feels like he is talking to you in his own inimitable style as you read the words. His story comes straight from his heart and is marked by candor, courage, confidence and the highest standards of probity. To someone who knows Vaithee this is not a surprise.
The book is a must read for anyone with interest in not just e-commerce but just about any form of business or "start-up". The first hand learnings from the Fabmart/Fabmall/Indiaplaza journey are invaluable. The story is lined with the struggle, the obstacles, the reverses and the determination to stay true to his beliefs. The only reasons why Indiaplaza is not around today and is not the biggest marketplace in the country is because it was before its time and did not get the kind of funds that later entrants in the fray had access to. But the principles of business, the priorities, the focus on the right metrics are something that are eternal to any business.
Happy reading!!
