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The Elephant Catchers [Paperback] Subroto Bagchi
`Unlike an operation to catch rabbits, trapping an elephant calls for expertise over enthusiasm. Those who hunt rabbits are rarely able to rope in elephants.? Many organizations, even those that may have a brilliant start, falter in their attempts to achieve transformational growth in their later phases. In The Elephant Catchers, Subroto Bagchi distils his years of on-the-ground learning to explore why this happens, and what such organizations and their people must do to climb to the next level and beyond. Through a combination of engaging anecdotes from his experiences as co-founder, and subsequently Chairman, of Mindtree Ltd, and insightful stories from our everyday world, Bagchi demonstrates a crucial point: Organizations with real ambition to get to the top need to embrace the idea of scale and then ensure that it systematically pervades every aspect of its functioning. In doing this, he leads you to evaluate: ? Is your organization?s infrastructure designed to evolve and ultimately mimic the simultaneity of a living organism? ? Are you constantly nurturing and renewing your brand identity or letting it stagnate and decay? ? Does your sales force have as many hunters as it has farmers? Or is it dominated by a grizzly who just waits for the salmon to land in its mouth? ? In a fiercely competitive environment, are you really `stepping out of the box? and learning from unusual sources? ? Are leaders in your organization truly building capacity or merely solving problems? Practical advice on real issues, from how to deal with consultants to the question of succession, words of caution on strategy traps and M&As, and invaluable insights into a whole range of growth-related issues ?The Elephant Catchers has it all. Engaging, wise and thoroughly accessible, this book is a must-read for everyone in every organization seeking breakout success.'
- GenresBusiness
276 pages, Paperback
First published August 15, 2013
46 people are currently reading
278 people want to read
About the author
Subroto Bagchi
20 books100 followersSubroto Bagchi is best known for co-founding MindTree in 1999 where he started as the Chief Operating Officer. MindTree is among India’s most admired companies across industries. In 2008, Bagchi took on the role of Gardener at MindTree.
In this new role, Bagchi spends one-on-one time with the Top-100 leaders at MindTree on their ‘personal-professional’ issues to expand leadership capacity and build readiness for taking MindTree into the billion-dollar league. In addition, Bagchi works at the grassroots by making himself available to its 45 Communities of Practice that foster organizational learning, innovation and volunteerism within the organization.
Bagchi has written extensively in leading newspapers and magazines, and spoken at industry platforms and educational institutions the world over. His Businessworld column - Arbor Mentis - and Times of India column - Times of Mind - were widely read and discussed. Many of these are archived at www.mindtree.com/subrotobagchi.
His first book, The High Performance Entrepreneur was released in 2006 as a Penguin Portfolio publication to great critical acclaim. His second book, Go Kiss the World was released in 2008 as a Penguin Portfolio. Mark Tully hailed it as “a remarkable story of courage, integrity and enterprise”.
In this new role, Bagchi spends one-on-one time with the Top-100 leaders at MindTree on their ‘personal-professional’ issues to expand leadership capacity and build readiness for taking MindTree into the billion-dollar league. In addition, Bagchi works at the grassroots by making himself available to its 45 Communities of Practice that foster organizational learning, innovation and volunteerism within the organization.
Bagchi has written extensively in leading newspapers and magazines, and spoken at industry platforms and educational institutions the world over. His Businessworld column - Arbor Mentis - and Times of India column - Times of Mind - were widely read and discussed. Many of these are archived at www.mindtree.com/subrotobagchi.
His first book, The High Performance Entrepreneur was released in 2006 as a Penguin Portfolio publication to great critical acclaim. His second book, Go Kiss the World was released in 2008 as a Penguin Portfolio. Mark Tully hailed it as “a remarkable story of courage, integrity and enterprise”.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews
September 21, 2020
Mindtree has scaled up unlike others in the space that they operate in 2 decades. Using very simple words, the author draws on his years of experience building the organization from a group of 10 founders to the listed big player that it is today. He suggests many successful ways employed by him for breaking that organization's inflection point of growth or 'scaling up'. There is significant value in this book to be drawn for both budding entrepreneurs and early employees in organizations looking for breakout success. This would be a relatable book for anyone working in any organization even remotely related to implementing technology.
June 27, 2014
Mr. Subroto Bagchi, has once again lived up to his expectation of providing insights into the idea of 'scaling up'. The structure & presentation of this book remains true to his personality & previous works.
His books unlike other management books is highly focused and pointed. There is no scope of "gyaan", interpretation of which can be subjective. The language used is amazingly simple & thus easily understandable for an uninitiated person as well.
The real life examples of how to deal with uncomfortable situations in business has its relevance not only in the business, but in life itself. The one key takeaway from the book for me is the power of lateral thinking & how ideas are always around us, but we fail to recognize them. It can range from deriving your marketing strategy from how elephants & rabbits are caught to inspiring your software team to be agile like the way doctors are in trauma care.
All in all, If you've heard about Mr. Bagchi, & you have liked his previous works, in all probabilities, you will love this book too.
P.S. I always had a hunch that you are more of ninja than a thought leader Mr. bagchi :)
His books unlike other management books is highly focused and pointed. There is no scope of "gyaan", interpretation of which can be subjective. The language used is amazingly simple & thus easily understandable for an uninitiated person as well.
The real life examples of how to deal with uncomfortable situations in business has its relevance not only in the business, but in life itself. The one key takeaway from the book for me is the power of lateral thinking & how ideas are always around us, but we fail to recognize them. It can range from deriving your marketing strategy from how elephants & rabbits are caught to inspiring your software team to be agile like the way doctors are in trauma care.
All in all, If you've heard about Mr. Bagchi, & you have liked his previous works, in all probabilities, you will love this book too.
P.S. I always had a hunch that you are more of ninja than a thought leader Mr. bagchi :)
June 17, 2016
Being a consultant myself, I don't fully agree with the author on his opinions of consultants and what value they bring to the table.
But apart from that, this book is a good read with interesting anecdotes and stories that deconstruct some important points about entrepreneurship.
I'm confident that a budding entrepreneur would derive significant value from the book.
But apart from that, this book is a good read with interesting anecdotes and stories that deconstruct some important points about entrepreneurship.
I'm confident that a budding entrepreneur would derive significant value from the book.
May 29, 2018
I am a sucker for fiction, it is very rare for me to get hooked on a non-fiction, genuinely enjoy reading it, and finish it off in a day. The Elephant Catcher is one of those very few books. It is a must read for any entrepreneurial spirit looking out to scale. The book covers various aspects of the organization; the internal message of mission and vision, scaling of people and ideas, brand image, the true concept of CSR, and the list goes on. It doesn’t preach about clichéd managerial rules and principles, it goes beyond that. Various case studies are put forward, the author constantly gives example of how Mindtree went through various stages of growth. Many short and simple stories are narrated to explain great ideas, I loved the way author has put forward his thoughts. Reading this book felt like good investment of time. If you are stuck on your way to growth and are looking for some way out through learning, this one might be a good pick.
October 8, 2020
Elephant catchers 🐘vs the Rabbit catchers 🐰! Only a good storyteller can explain you business strategy with a metaphor like that.
From scaling business to building strategy, from stellar boards to hiring & firing, from CSR to catching the big fish, from consulting pitfalls to branding needs, the book is filled with anecdotes from Mindtree which give insight into what takes an organisation to the next level.
P.S. : I loved the ‘Pedigree’ metaphor too, it is so apt! Check out https://www.livemint.com/Industry/DSF...
From scaling business to building strategy, from stellar boards to hiring & firing, from CSR to catching the big fish, from consulting pitfalls to branding needs, the book is filled with anecdotes from Mindtree which give insight into what takes an organisation to the next level.
P.S. : I loved the ‘Pedigree’ metaphor too, it is so apt! Check out https://www.livemint.com/Industry/DSF...
March 10, 2025
Absolutely loved reading it.
Building and running a business is glorified today in the media, but the truth about the struggles, the decision making and challenges that businesses face is something which is rarely spoken about.
This is one book which made so much sense and gave me a lot of insight into how businesses are run. I have personally faced a lot of these and it’s great to learn how a company like Mindtree has worked through these.
I just wish I read this book before, would have been super useful my business journey.
Building and running a business is glorified today in the media, but the truth about the struggles, the decision making and challenges that businesses face is something which is rarely spoken about.
This is one book which made so much sense and gave me a lot of insight into how businesses are run. I have personally faced a lot of these and it’s great to learn how a company like Mindtree has worked through these.
I just wish I read this book before, would have been super useful my business journey.
January 19, 2019
This book is a wonder in management, the use of simple words with his own experience in Mindtree and the way he has related each point with his journey in entrepreneurship in truely magnificent. A good read for all layman to understand management from an entrepreneur's view. Truely understood each and every point the author made in this book.
July 31, 2019
The Elephant Catchers by Subroto Bagchi acts as a pathway for Salespeople and Professionals alike in today environment. Subroto Bagchi has in simple terms explained in how to approach a deal, how to negotiate and break the ice with the client and be honest about your abilities and shortcomings with the client. It is an excellent read sales and marketing persons.
April 5, 2020
If anyone want to be understand the fundamental of of scalling the enterprise this book will help to broaden the view. As the name suggests elephant catchers it will help like that.
But before anyone interested to entrepreneurship I would like to suggest that first read the book high performance entrepreneurs..
But before anyone interested to entrepreneurship I would like to suggest that first read the book high performance entrepreneurs..
April 6, 2021
A good book for management students and those interested to understand and put in practise a professional life with a vision of personal and organisational scaling up. I understand this book and perhaps all other books of Mr.Bachi are rendered on the real life situations and how it were dealt with the good moral insight and deep vision.
January 23, 2019
Concise, precise ,informative and honest. Gives confidence that small entrepreneurs can think big and make it big through lot of hard work , perseverance and a little bit of common sense mixed with passion.
June 23, 2017
Good book as it's candid but not very interesting and sounds little boring.
December 4, 2017
Makes excellent reading! Useful for both salaried IT professionals as well as wannabe entrepreneurs.
January 15, 2018
Reasonably good read.
September 26, 2018
Preachy and generic, some good points scattered here and there. Skip this one!
March 1, 2019
Journey of a mid-size IT company. Good analogy of winning one-off projects (rabbit catching) vs. enterprise deals (elephant catching). Walked out of GE deal as staff augmentation can cripple your core business model
June 14, 2019
The book opens up d mental pores to think about scaling up our current work. Small is not beautiful.
January 22, 2020
A must read for anyone who wants to build organizations that scale! Real life lessons from someone who has build a lasting castle from specs of sand..
May 23, 2025
It is always a pleasure reading stuff written by Mr.Bagchi
October 27, 2013
Hunting a Rabbit is easy, but catching an Elephant is difficult. It requires expertise planning. This is the theme of the book. Subroto Bagchi, one of the cofounders of Mindtree has used this phrase as an analogy to the growth of a firm. There are lot of startups. A lot of them fail immediately. But among the startups that cross the initial struggle, a few survive the phase of Scaling. Based on his experience of scaling up Mindtree, Subroto Bagchi has outlined all the strategies that would be required by startups that succeed.
The book is full of analogies and examples. The author takes four chapters to explain what 'Scale' is and how people often misinterpret scale. He wonderfully depicts how 'Elephant Catchers' function and how how they are important for any organization. He has divided the book into five parts apart from a separate part on introduction. The five parts deal with Scaling the Business, Intellect, Reputation, People and Scaling against Adversity.
In the first part, the author writes widely on how emotions work, how it is important to identify proper salesmen and the dangers of Joint Ventures and Mergers & Acquisitions. He then says how important Equity is and how many people make the mistake of selling Equity for unnecessary spendings. He shares an event where a Newspaper approached him to give Equity and in return they would promote the company and also avoid publishing negative news (It pulled down my already poor views on Media. It looks like we have to take into account the relationship of Media with the company before accepting).
After that, Subroto Bagchi writes about how to deal with Consultants in order to get good results. He also writes about the importance of dealing with Media, where one careless sentence in an hour interview can be made as the headline. He also writes a bit about CSR and the way companies exploit society and give donations back and say they are for the society. He says firms should inculcate CSR in the way they function.
In the next part about people, the author writes about Hiring and firing people. He says often times firms forget about the culture of the firm their new executive is from. He says most times firing is not done on time and it creates problems. He also says the founder cannot be behind everything. Trusting the respective people is important and they are specialists in their zone. He also compares the Hindu mythology of Brahma, Vishnu and Siva as to how each role should be taken by specialist and not by the same person.
In the end he looks back into 9/11 events and says how Mindtree survived the phase. He writes, 'When Extraordinary events overtake us. It is time to do the ordinary things extraordinarily well'
The book was very short and crisp. With all the examples and analogies, the contents register in the minds of a reader easily. It is a must read book for any person who wish to become an Enreprenur or a person who has started an small firm.
The book is full of analogies and examples. The author takes four chapters to explain what 'Scale' is and how people often misinterpret scale. He wonderfully depicts how 'Elephant Catchers' function and how how they are important for any organization. He has divided the book into five parts apart from a separate part on introduction. The five parts deal with Scaling the Business, Intellect, Reputation, People and Scaling against Adversity.
In the first part, the author writes widely on how emotions work, how it is important to identify proper salesmen and the dangers of Joint Ventures and Mergers & Acquisitions. He then says how important Equity is and how many people make the mistake of selling Equity for unnecessary spendings. He shares an event where a Newspaper approached him to give Equity and in return they would promote the company and also avoid publishing negative news (It pulled down my already poor views on Media. It looks like we have to take into account the relationship of Media with the company before accepting).
After that, Subroto Bagchi writes about how to deal with Consultants in order to get good results. He also writes about the importance of dealing with Media, where one careless sentence in an hour interview can be made as the headline. He also writes a bit about CSR and the way companies exploit society and give donations back and say they are for the society. He says firms should inculcate CSR in the way they function.
In the next part about people, the author writes about Hiring and firing people. He says often times firms forget about the culture of the firm their new executive is from. He says most times firing is not done on time and it creates problems. He also says the founder cannot be behind everything. Trusting the respective people is important and they are specialists in their zone. He also compares the Hindu mythology of Brahma, Vishnu and Siva as to how each role should be taken by specialist and not by the same person.
In the end he looks back into 9/11 events and says how Mindtree survived the phase. He writes, 'When Extraordinary events overtake us. It is time to do the ordinary things extraordinarily well'
The book was very short and crisp. With all the examples and analogies, the contents register in the minds of a reader easily. It is a must read book for any person who wish to become an Enreprenur or a person who has started an small firm.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 20, 2014
A very good read especially for those who want to know how to scale up the operations of their company. This book could be useful, even if you are not in a senior position. Some of the quotes which impressed me:
- Companies do not scale themselves; it is the people who take it to the next step.
- A strategy is most effective when it is presented as a simple idea that touches the chord and then moves people into action.
- Unlike an operation to catch rabbits, trapping an elephants call for expertise over enthusiasm.
- Your customers may begin their relationship with you based on trust and certain personal connect, but as the initial years go by, they begin to build critical dependence on how you manage your internal affairs. They demand process maturity and vertical expertise.
- Elephant catchers (by elephant catchers, author means people with expertise) are hard to come by. The best among them always work for the king.
- Just as you need the first-rate, hungry, lean, combative hunters to win logos, you also need the steady farmers who will cross-sell other products and services, seek adjacency while exploring customer needs and make the relationship stick.
- Sales is not witchcraft; it is a science just as much as it is an art. It must be managed with the same discipline as product development, manufacturing and servicing. A sales organization that is built right can alone scale contribute to the success of the organization.
- It does not take technology to create great things, it takes people...
- I am thankful that I knew how to treat my equity with respect... If you build a company of some consequence, your equity is, in reality, significantly more valuable than cash.
- The board represents wisdom; the management team brings in the intellect and the capacity to execute. Without wisdom intellect can only achieve so much and can even be destructive.
As the readers can understand from the above, the book covers almost every aspect of a growing organization. There is much more. I suggest you read the book if you, at least in part, are concerned about scaling your company to greater heights.
- Companies do not scale themselves; it is the people who take it to the next step.
- A strategy is most effective when it is presented as a simple idea that touches the chord and then moves people into action.
- Unlike an operation to catch rabbits, trapping an elephants call for expertise over enthusiasm.
- Your customers may begin their relationship with you based on trust and certain personal connect, but as the initial years go by, they begin to build critical dependence on how you manage your internal affairs. They demand process maturity and vertical expertise.
- Elephant catchers (by elephant catchers, author means people with expertise) are hard to come by. The best among them always work for the king.
- Just as you need the first-rate, hungry, lean, combative hunters to win logos, you also need the steady farmers who will cross-sell other products and services, seek adjacency while exploring customer needs and make the relationship stick.
- Sales is not witchcraft; it is a science just as much as it is an art. It must be managed with the same discipline as product development, manufacturing and servicing. A sales organization that is built right can alone scale contribute to the success of the organization.
- It does not take technology to create great things, it takes people...
- I am thankful that I knew how to treat my equity with respect... If you build a company of some consequence, your equity is, in reality, significantly more valuable than cash.
- The board represents wisdom; the management team brings in the intellect and the capacity to execute. Without wisdom intellect can only achieve so much and can even be destructive.
As the readers can understand from the above, the book covers almost every aspect of a growing organization. There is much more. I suggest you read the book if you, at least in part, are concerned about scaling your company to greater heights.
November 10, 2014
Mr Bagchi has addressed some very key issues in a very simple and lucid manner. While he has addressed this book towards the start ups, however, it makes a lot of sense to the operating managers also. As most of the concepts are from his own experiences, it does not read like a text book theory.
His views on strategy is quite blunt and forces one to accept that strategy sessions lacks energy as there is no emotional appeal. The reference of trying to cross oceans on bamboo bridges is also quite telling on the belief that strategy executors have on their own strategy.
I liked the cat and dog story in terms of getting unlikely breakthroughs. That is a story which I am not going to forget fast. His views on the importance of having a well designed sale team is very interesting and am sure tech start ups could well learn from that. The same goes with his very apt views on exchanging equity as a mode of currency.
Where I could identify with his views the most was the approach towards consultants. Having spent close to about 20 yrs in corporate life, I have come across this situation where the senior management is in awe of the them while the operating team loathes them. The result is two teams operating at counter purpose. To see that in the best form, just put in an outcome based remuneration formula. The review meetings in such cases do not appear any less exciting than a WWF event (the wrestling one not wild life)
Mr. Bagchi's view on M&A is also quite drawn from real life events and all the cautions he has advised are relevant. However, the challenge today, especially for the those in the emerging technology area, is that innovations will not necessarily come from inside. Open innovation is one option to keep an organisation going and for that M&A will be necessary.
The ending reference to the Hindu trinity of Brahma, Vishnu , Mahesh is a great comparison and a thought provoker.
I enjoyed reading the book. I would recommend the book for those looking for some very practical concepts of running and growing a business.
His views on strategy is quite blunt and forces one to accept that strategy sessions lacks energy as there is no emotional appeal. The reference of trying to cross oceans on bamboo bridges is also quite telling on the belief that strategy executors have on their own strategy.
I liked the cat and dog story in terms of getting unlikely breakthroughs. That is a story which I am not going to forget fast. His views on the importance of having a well designed sale team is very interesting and am sure tech start ups could well learn from that. The same goes with his very apt views on exchanging equity as a mode of currency.
Where I could identify with his views the most was the approach towards consultants. Having spent close to about 20 yrs in corporate life, I have come across this situation where the senior management is in awe of the them while the operating team loathes them. The result is two teams operating at counter purpose. To see that in the best form, just put in an outcome based remuneration formula. The review meetings in such cases do not appear any less exciting than a WWF event (the wrestling one not wild life)
Mr. Bagchi's view on M&A is also quite drawn from real life events and all the cautions he has advised are relevant. However, the challenge today, especially for the those in the emerging technology area, is that innovations will not necessarily come from inside. Open innovation is one option to keep an organisation going and for that M&A will be necessary.
The ending reference to the Hindu trinity of Brahma, Vishnu , Mahesh is a great comparison and a thought provoker.
I enjoyed reading the book. I would recommend the book for those looking for some very practical concepts of running and growing a business.
February 24, 2014
Written in classic Subroto Bagchi style. Simple and easy to understand.
When I picked up this book, I felt that I will get an idea about the mindset that an organisation should have (or can have) for acquisition of the big customers and ideas on how to move from a small organisation to the one that can catch elephants (as its customers).
The book however appears to have little insight of this nature. I thought Subroto Bagchi did not have enough content to write this book. I was impressed with Subroto's writings after I read 'The professional' and hence picked up this book. While it is a good book, I think it could have been much better!
When I picked up this book, I felt that I will get an idea about the mindset that an organisation should have (or can have) for acquisition of the big customers and ideas on how to move from a small organisation to the one that can catch elephants (as its customers).
The book however appears to have little insight of this nature. I thought Subroto Bagchi did not have enough content to write this book. I was impressed with Subroto's writings after I read 'The professional' and hence picked up this book. While it is a good book, I think it could have been much better!
March 10, 2014
The Elephant Catchers is more of a guide for an entrepreneur to run his business. Book talks all the do's and don'ts that an entrepreneur should keep in his mind.
Subroto Bagchi with his past experiences explains why it is important to scale up the business and how important is the equity of your firm is and shouldn't be given away just to anyone.
My review is that for all the budding entrepreneurs please read it this will certainly help you out.
Subroto Bagchi with his past experiences explains why it is important to scale up the business and how important is the equity of your firm is and shouldn't be given away just to anyone.
My review is that for all the budding entrepreneurs please read it this will certainly help you out.
June 12, 2014
It was an okay read. The key learnings of startups and their growth story told through the lens of Mindtree Consulting, where the author was the COO.
Some parallels to mythology and history are interesting. The one thing I will carry from the book are the 4 types of workers in an organization - ninja,though leader, rainmaker, coach..
Go for it in case you are interested in learning how the IT startups run and grow through their nascent stages, before reaching maturity..
Some parallels to mythology and history are interesting. The one thing I will carry from the book are the 4 types of workers in an organization - ninja,though leader, rainmaker, coach..
Go for it in case you are interested in learning how the IT startups run and grow through their nascent stages, before reaching maturity..
November 21, 2013
An amazing read that every leader in an organization that is looking to scale should read.
The concepts shared are so down to earth and not many teach or discuss them in public.
A detailed review available at http://chettysmusings.blogspot.com.au...
The concepts shared are so down to earth and not many teach or discuss them in public.
A detailed review available at http://chettysmusings.blogspot.com.au...
November 16, 2013
My boss gave me his copy of this book and 1 week to read it. But I needed only 4 days. It's a light read touching upon several aspects of scaling up with a liberal sprinkling of examples. Written in an easy-to-understand style, Bagchi succeeds in instilling an interest to read up more on certain concepts.
August 3, 2020
A candid overview of a set of corporate strategies that are simple to imbibe and easy to follow. Subroto Bagchi has once again demonstrated that fundamentals matter more than sophistication and easy prevails over the esoteric.
April 8, 2015
Very interesting read. Author talks out of his own personal experience of growing Mindtree from being a start-up to a publicly listed mid-sized organization.
What I liked in the book at my blog below :
http://madhavi-ravanan.blogspot.in/20...
What I liked in the book at my blog below :
http://madhavi-ravanan.blogspot.in/20...
October 29, 2013
The book is a great read for people running organizations or executives handling things for an organization. Gets into very specific issues of scaling organizations and running them.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews