Mr Ashok Purandutt, the author of Entrepreneurial Sins, is a consultant based at Pune. Mr. Purandutt has a vast experience in the service as well as entrepreneurial sector which makes him ideally suited to write this book. There are a host of managerial books in the book shop but for a lay reader interested in practical solutions, the managerial jargon used in such books is a big deterrent. This book, written in story form for easy understanding and remembrance, answers all questions in a simplistic everyday language.

Prima facie, the book is a story about the Aiyyar brothers who start off a manufacturing venture named VeeThree under the able guidance of the author. The brothers hail from a conservative ‘service minded’ family in Pune and have all the apprehensions and naiveté of a budding entrepreneur. The author plays the role of their consultant as well as mentor. It is interesting to read the growth of the new enterprise under the author’s guidance and about the Aiyyar family itself. The domestic pressures faced by the brothers, their successes, the way they get cheated in business, the human tendency of greed which results in the tragic death of Srimaali, one of the three brothers – all these situations are portrayed realistically and without fanfare. The simple matter of fact first person narration makes the story more believable and life like.

But the main purpose of the book is to guide the budding entrepreneur and it is in this respect that the book is absolutely brilliant. The author has used easily understood first person narrative to create a Bible for any budding entrepreneur in India. The book does not have pedantic prose full of managerial jargon with nebulous solution but guides the reader in easy to understand language. Since the guidance is through the medium of story telling, it doesn’t require one to be a Management guru to understand the context. It deals with almost all dilemma faces by the entrepreneurs and offers realistic solutions.

The book starts from the ‘why’ of becoming an entrepreneur and gives a step by step guidance to the entire process. The guidance is meticulous and practical. The sheer breadth of advice from entrepreneur – turned author is stupendous. Almost every facet of entrepreneurship is covered in a practical way by means of the core story. The book can guide you from the beginning to the successful culmination of your enterprise – from how to make a business plan, set up the manufacturing unit, expansion, cash flows and everything in between. Practical check off lists and tables have been given wherever needed.

If you are an entrepreneur or dream to be one, this book is not only a ‘must read’ but also a ‘must have’ since you will be well served referring the book from time to time.

Nadeem Sani
Ex Indian Naval Officer and Graduate of 6 months residential programme from IIM Ahmedabad