After reading the 4 interesting banking fictions (If God was a Banker, Devils in pinstripes, Incredible Banker and Bankster) by Ravi Subramanian, an IIM-B alumni, I've just wanted to complete this infamous non fiction by him which was released after "If God was a Banker". This could have been a bigger hit if it is released today as a big readership base is building up for the Author.
This is a book that I finished reading in one sitting when my train back to chennai (Guruvayur Express) was stopped abruptly in between for 3 hours due to power issues at line.
As on date, this is the best self help book on career development that I've ever read. Ravi shares his real experiences with the people and situations to describe the ten commandments which are the common traits and characteristics of the people who earned a FERRARI, which is a SYMBOL OF SUCCESS, ACHIEVEMENTS, HAPPINESS and all that a person seeks in his life.
In the first 5 chapters, he describes about his encounters with the Ferrari, the car which is known as a status symbol.and the increasing demand for a better life standards from the family and the reason why he decided to write this book after reading Robin Sharma's "The monk who sold his Ferrari". The interesting statement made here is that you need to achieve the Ferrari first to let it go as Julian Mantle, the famous lawyer did in Robin Sharma's tale.
In the next 10 chapters, the 10 Commandments are discussed in detail. In 16th chapter he reveals about what he was mentioning as FERRARI - Fortune for Every Right Rigorous and Resourceful Individual, not the car.
Though the Ten Commandments are not very new, the supporting examples and situations faced by the various business leaders are adding more weight to these 10 qualities which are essential for every individual who aspire for a successful career. Despite I am not a big fan of writers who develop their own acronyms and imaginary theories, I don't mind reading the acronyms for FERRARI and ASPIRE (A Strategic Plan for Individuals which Revisits and Restates Expectations).
Ravi prescribes "Aspiring High, Staying Positive, Being a Winner & not as a Wimp who whines about the work-life balance, being honest to self, Valuing our own time and others', Striving for Perfection, Befriending Achievers, Sharing the Success, Keeping a good health and advertising your achievements" for achieving the FERRARI.
Interesting Concepts:
Most of the quotes for each chapter are carefully selected and interesting to read. "Some men see things around them and wonder Why? I dream of things that aren't, and say why not?" - George Bernard Shaw.
LFL - LEADERS, FOLLOWERS and LAGGARDS - Every organisation has a employee distribution on these categories. Leaders - 5 to 7% - People who least bothered about the 'work life balance' and do what they have to do irrespective of the organisational rules, Followers - 80% - People who satisfied with following instructions from Leaders, happy with 5 day week, limited working hours and family day initiatives , finally Laggards - 10 to 13 %.- People with great personal life and negligible contribution to work.
"You can not set different standards for your personal and professional lives. what is ethical in personal life is ethical in business too".
"People work for organisations and people leave because of the Supervisors"
How Naina Lal Kidwai aspired big? how Lakshmi Mittal was determined in acquiring Arcelor? How P.S.Jayakumar converted a small buiness which was acquired by Citibank into Citi Financial, one of the largest consumer finance company in India? Why Ian Thorpe changed his swimming coach? How Sir Alexander Fleming helped a Farmer's son suffering from pneumonia? and why a British gentlemen participates in Mumabi Marathon every year? Read the book and know.
Why readers may not like it?
On a casual glance, this book may sound like a preaching, label people as Followers and Laggards who strives for work life balance, advise to befriend achievers for personal benefits, encourage to blow your own trumpet for your achievements. The tone may be little too aggressive. So people may brand this book as "Corporate Gyaan" as they did in various book reviews on the internet and very average rating to the book.
Things I liked most
The no-non-sense approach, being blunt about what is required to be successful in current day scenario, views on integrity, ethics and importance of good health are the key things that I liked about the book. And I believe this book made a great impact around me. I recommend strongly for people who wish to have an interesting and rewarding career. If you read the reviews at various sites, don't get deceived by the poor rating for this book, since I believe the ratings were influenced majorly by Followers and Laggards.
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