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The Making of Hero: Four Brothers, Two Wheels and a Revolution that Shaped India
From the by lanes of Kamalia and the rugged landscapes of Quetta in India of the 1940s and what became Pakistan, they escaped to the Partition-ravaged cities of Amritsar, Agra and Delhi, with little more than the shirts on their backs. From here, four of the six Munjal Brothers built their business, part by part. There was no grand vision of building a world-scale enterprise; their aim was simply to survive. Hero began with trading and then manufacturing bicycle parts, evolved into bicycles, mopeds, automotive parts and motorcycles & scooters, and today Hero and its successors encompass service businesses and infrastructure. Thirty years after starting, Hero Cycles became the world s largest bicycle maker in 1986. In the next fifteen years, in 2001, the motorcycle venture became the world s largest, and both pole positions are held firmly even today. This is an authentic Make in India story about overcoming many the ravages of time, global competition and even business history. It follows the lives of the four Munjal brothers who lived together and scripted a revolution on two wheels without any formal education or resources. In parallel, it s also the story of how India s agrarian economy, with limited means of transportation, took wings on this two-wheel revolution. Driven by family values and Indian wisdom, yet pioneering in its thinking and best practices, Hero firms today are renowned for placing mutually beneficial relationships at the core of their business philosophy. The book captures the Family Spirit that brought together employees, customers, channel partners, suppliers and communities and created success, welfare and well-being for millions. A rare story of a value-driven organization creating exceptional value for society.
264 pages, Hardcover
Published January 5, 2020
45 people are currently reading
345 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
February 9, 2022
Sunil Munjal is youngest son of Brijmohan Munjal, founder of Hero Group. The book starts from Pre Partition era and combines historical snippets along with happenings in the Munjal family which helps reader with the context. Starting with Hero cycles and then graduating into Hero Honda Joint venture, the book talks in details about the Japanese Partnership, the well known JIT inventory management system of Hero before it came into mainstream, the maintenance of dealer relationships and role of elders in the family. Talking passionately about Hero cycles and various milestones on the way to ensure fist mobility to rural and urban household, a sense of pride can be observed. The story moves to parting of ways with Honda to form the Hero Motocorp and thought process of long drawn succession plan. A very well written book on the earliest Make in India brand of holding various Guiness records, Hero Group.
August 12, 2020
1999 – My boss sanctioned a bike for me. It was left to me to decide the make and model. I had no doubts about what I wanted. I went to Majestic Motors in Bengaluru and booked a Hero Honda CD 100. Yes, the bike of the Fill it, Shut it, Forget it fame.
2007 – Taj Palace, New Delhi. We were at a Board dinner hosted by Mr Sunil Kant Munjal. At some point, I got to introduce myself to Mr. Brijmohan Lal Munjal, founder of The Hero Group. I also added for good measure that I am the proud owner of a Hero Honda CD 100. His immediate response – You made the right choice. (I know - I haven’t sold my bike, even though I don’t have it with me anymore.) I spent quite some time with him that evening, with lots to learn. One thing I remember very vividly is how he described his approach to building relationship with their dealers at Hero. He said he (and his wife) would make it a point to visit their dealers during their moments of happiness and joy but DEFINITELY during their moment of grief.
2020 – Covid-19 induced lockdown made me start reading The Making of Hero, a book authored by Mr Sunil Kant Munjal – someone who I have had the fortune of working closely with, at ISB. Reading the book was illuminating at multiple levels – what does it take to build a global brand in India, how did the name of the company come to be Hero, some simple management principles practised by the founders (like the one mentioned above) that forged relationships with stakeholders beyond business and so on. Two other takeaways that stand out for me – the professional manner in which the Hero group managed the separation from Honda and the mature way of restructuring of family business with no washing of dirty linen in public.
Reading books are an easy way to get a ringside view into some great action and at a fraction of the real cost. So, what are you reading today?
2007 – Taj Palace, New Delhi. We were at a Board dinner hosted by Mr Sunil Kant Munjal. At some point, I got to introduce myself to Mr. Brijmohan Lal Munjal, founder of The Hero Group. I also added for good measure that I am the proud owner of a Hero Honda CD 100. His immediate response – You made the right choice. (I know - I haven’t sold my bike, even though I don’t have it with me anymore.) I spent quite some time with him that evening, with lots to learn. One thing I remember very vividly is how he described his approach to building relationship with their dealers at Hero. He said he (and his wife) would make it a point to visit their dealers during their moments of happiness and joy but DEFINITELY during their moment of grief.
2020 – Covid-19 induced lockdown made me start reading The Making of Hero, a book authored by Mr Sunil Kant Munjal – someone who I have had the fortune of working closely with, at ISB. Reading the book was illuminating at multiple levels – what does it take to build a global brand in India, how did the name of the company come to be Hero, some simple management principles practised by the founders (like the one mentioned above) that forged relationships with stakeholders beyond business and so on. Two other takeaways that stand out for me – the professional manner in which the Hero group managed the separation from Honda and the mature way of restructuring of family business with no washing of dirty linen in public.
Reading books are an easy way to get a ringside view into some great action and at a fraction of the real cost. So, what are you reading today?
May 26, 2023
A decent read on the journey of a brand. You can see and feel that it's more of a tribute than information, but that's expected when a son writes for his father.
July 15, 2025
The book is a compelling no-holds barred narrative of four brothers who migrated to Punjab in India under the duress of partition and built one of India's largest business houses. The Grit, travails the value systems on which HERO was founded makes for a very compelling read. The tumultuous journey of HERO and its metamorphosis from a small cycle repair shop to venturing into the manufacturing of cycles gradually evolving to mopeds and becoming the famed largest motorcycle manufacturer in the world is very nicely chronicled by the Patriarch's youngest sibling Mr. Sunil Kant Munjal.
It's heartening to note that HERO was way ahead in its thought process pioneering processes like Just In Time (JIT), Supply Chain Management (SCM) and the concept of triple bottom line (Profit, People, Planet) that are well-fabled now, and are the stuff of Case Studies. HERO created for itself a Blue Ocean and aimed at the Bottom of the Pyramid in an era when such things were unheard of.
More than anything, the book is a revelation of the mindfulness of the family patriarchs who could envision, and had the discipline and perseverance to turn their dreams into fruition. Actions, it's said, speak louder than words. This is evident from the groups interest in promoting education and a sustainable interest in taking Indian forms of Art to the world through the Serendipity Arts Foundation.
A must-read for every student to understand the toil that goes into building a world-class enterprise.
It's heartening to note that HERO was way ahead in its thought process pioneering processes like Just In Time (JIT), Supply Chain Management (SCM) and the concept of triple bottom line (Profit, People, Planet) that are well-fabled now, and are the stuff of Case Studies. HERO created for itself a Blue Ocean and aimed at the Bottom of the Pyramid in an era when such things were unheard of.
More than anything, the book is a revelation of the mindfulness of the family patriarchs who could envision, and had the discipline and perseverance to turn their dreams into fruition. Actions, it's said, speak louder than words. This is evident from the groups interest in promoting education and a sustainable interest in taking Indian forms of Art to the world through the Serendipity Arts Foundation.
A must-read for every student to understand the toil that goes into building a world-class enterprise.
September 23, 2021
"हीरो की कहानी "
मुंजाल परिवार की सफलता की कहानी जिसे लिखा है सुनील कांत मुंजाल जी ने जो की बृजमोहन लाल जी के छोटे बेटे है। बहुत दिनों के बाद ऐसी किताब के साथ राब्ता हुआ जिससे बहुत कुछ मिला। ये किताब खास कर ओमप्रकाश जी (चाचा जी ) और बृजमोहन लाल (पापा जी ) के आस पास ज़्यादा घूमती है किस तरह से उन्होंने अपने लाइफ में शुन्य से आसमान तक की उचाई प्राप्त की। आज़ादी के पहले से लेकर अब तक की जर्नी इस किताब में मिलेगी।
बृजमोहन लाल जी जो की परिवार के पहले ऐसे व्यक्ति थे जो क्वेटा (बलूचिस्तान) में ब्रिटिश ऑर्ड्नन्स फैक्ट्री में क्लर्क के पद पर नौकरी ज्वाइन की वो भी दिहाड़ी मज़दूरी के बजाय महीने के वेतन पर। उसके बाद से लेकर हीरो साइकिल फिर मोपेड और हीरो-हौंडा फिर हीरो तक का सफर तय किया।
इसे पढ़ने के बाद लगा जीवन ऐसे ही भरा पूरा होना चाहिए। एक ऐसा परिवार जिसने पैसे से ज़्यादा मानव या मानवता को वैल्यू दिया, डीलर्स हो,उनके फैक्ट्री में काम करने वाला वर्कर या उनके साथ ३ पीढ़ियों से काम करने वाला चार्टर्ड अक्काउंटेंड हो सभी उनके साथ एक खूबसूरत रिश्ते के साथ काम करते थे।
काफी लम्बे समय तक मुंजाल भाई अपने सभी कर्मचारियों को उनके पहले नाम से जानते थे। चूँकि कंपनी छोड़कर जाने वालों की शंख्या कम थी, इसलिए मिलनसारिता माहौल शायद थोड़ा ज़्यादा आसान था। इस तरह वो फैक्ट्री के फ्लोर में जाकर वर्कर्स से मिलते थे, बात करते थे और व्यवहार प्रोफेशनल से ज़्यादा पर्सनल तक विकसित करते थे।
बाकी बहुत कुछ जानने के लिए कमाल की किताब "हीरो की कहानी " पढ़िए।
मुंजाल परिवार की सफलता की कहानी जिसे लिखा है सुनील कांत मुंजाल जी ने जो की बृजमोहन लाल जी के छोटे बेटे है। बहुत दिनों के बाद ऐसी किताब के साथ राब्ता हुआ जिससे बहुत कुछ मिला। ये किताब खास कर ओमप्रकाश जी (चाचा जी ) और बृजमोहन लाल (पापा जी ) के आस पास ज़्यादा घूमती है किस तरह से उन्होंने अपने लाइफ में शुन्य से आसमान तक की उचाई प्राप्त की। आज़ादी के पहले से लेकर अब तक की जर्नी इस किताब में मिलेगी।
बृजमोहन लाल जी जो की परिवार के पहले ऐसे व्यक्ति थे जो क्वेटा (बलूचिस्तान) में ब्रिटिश ऑर्ड्नन्स फैक्ट्री में क्लर्क के पद पर नौकरी ज्वाइन की वो भी दिहाड़ी मज़दूरी के बजाय महीने के वेतन पर। उसके बाद से लेकर हीरो साइकिल फिर मोपेड और हीरो-हौंडा फिर हीरो तक का सफर तय किया।
इसे पढ़ने के बाद लगा जीवन ऐसे ही भरा पूरा होना चाहिए। एक ऐसा परिवार जिसने पैसे से ज़्यादा मानव या मानवता को वैल्यू दिया, डीलर्स हो,उनके फैक्ट्री में काम करने वाला वर्कर या उनके साथ ३ पीढ़ियों से काम करने वाला चार्टर्ड अक्काउंटेंड हो सभी उनके साथ एक खूबसूरत रिश्ते के साथ काम करते थे।
काफी लम्बे समय तक मुंजाल भाई अपने सभी कर्मचारियों को उनके पहले नाम से जानते थे। चूँकि कंपनी छोड़कर जाने वालों की शंख्या कम थी, इसलिए मिलनसारिता माहौल शायद थोड़ा ज़्यादा आसान था। इस तरह वो फैक्ट्री के फ्लोर में जाकर वर्कर्स से मिलते थे, बात करते थे और व्यवहार प्रोफेशनल से ज़्यादा पर्सनल तक विकसित करते थे।
बाकी बहुत कुछ जानने के लिए कमाल की किताब "हीरो की कहानी " पढ़िए।
May 20, 2021
𝗛𝗲𝗿𝗼 𝗸𝗶 𝗞𝗮𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗶: 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗮𝗿 𝗕𝗵𝗮𝗶𝘆𝗼𝗻 𝗞𝗮 𝗔𝘂𝗱𝗵𝘆𝗼𝗴𝗶𝗸 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗸𝗮𝗮𝗿
𝗛𝗶𝗻𝗱𝗶 𝗘𝗱𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻
Published by: @manjulpublishinghouse
हीरो ग्रुप की स्थापना से लेकर आज तक की साहसिक और निर्णायक यात्रा की कहानी है। एक ऐसे परिवार की कहानी जिसने शारीरिक और आर्थिक रूप से विभाजन का दर्द झेला है, जिसने अपनी ईमानदारी और मेहनत से हर मुश्किल दौर को हराया। 1940 के दशक में उन्हें कमालिया से अमृतसर, आगरा, और दिल्ली आना पड़ा। ये शहर बँटवारे के दर्द से उजड़ चुके थे। और अंत में वे लुधियाना में बस गए। उस वक़्त शरीर पर पहने कपड़ों के अलावा उनके पास कुछ नहीं था। यहीं से, छह मुन्जाल बंधुओं में से चार ने तिनका-तिनका करके अपना कारोबार खड़ा किया। विश्व-स्तरीय उद्यम विकसित करने का कोई बड़ा सपना नहीं था। उनका मक़सद स़िर्फ अपना अस्तित्व बनाए रखना और परिवार के लिए जीवनयापन के साधन जुटाना था।
एक कमाल की कंपनी और परिवार की अद्भुत कहानी है। मुझे कभी नहीं पता था कि हीरो ग्रुप के पास इतना समृद्ध इतिहास और विरासत होगी। कमाल की सोच, सामंजस्य और मेहनत का अद्भुत तालमेल।
मूल्यों और प्रतिबद्धता के माध्यम से एक पारिवारिक व्यवसाय को कैसे पेशेवर बनाया जाए, हीरो की कहानी इसी सिद्धांत पर आधारित है। यह किताब उन सभी के लिए है, जो दूसरों को प्रेरणा देना चाहते हैं, अथवा स्वयं प्रेरित होना चाहते हैं।
#readwithak
#themakingofhero
#herokikahani
𝗛𝗶𝗻𝗱𝗶 𝗘𝗱𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻
Published by: @manjulpublishinghouse
हीरो ग्रुप की स्थापना से लेकर आज तक की साहसिक और निर्णायक यात्रा की कहानी है। एक ऐसे परिवार की कहानी जिसने शारीरिक और आर्थिक रूप से विभाजन का दर्द झेला है, जिसने अपनी ईमानदारी और मेहनत से हर मुश्किल दौर को हराया। 1940 के दशक में उन्हें कमालिया से अमृतसर, आगरा, और दिल्ली आना पड़ा। ये शहर बँटवारे के दर्द से उजड़ चुके थे। और अंत में वे लुधियाना में बस गए। उस वक़्त शरीर पर पहने कपड़ों के अलावा उनके पास कुछ नहीं था। यहीं से, छह मुन्जाल बंधुओं में से चार ने तिनका-तिनका करके अपना कारोबार खड़ा किया। विश्व-स्तरीय उद्यम विकसित करने का कोई बड़ा सपना नहीं था। उनका मक़सद स़िर्फ अपना अस्तित्व बनाए रखना और परिवार के लिए जीवनयापन के साधन जुटाना था।
एक कमाल की कंपनी और परिवार की अद्भुत कहानी है। मुझे कभी नहीं पता था कि हीरो ग्रुप के पास इतना समृद्ध इतिहास और विरासत होगी। कमाल की सोच, सामंजस्य और मेहनत का अद्भुत तालमेल।
मूल्यों और प्रतिबद्धता के माध्यम से एक पारिवारिक व्यवसाय को कैसे पेशेवर बनाया जाए, हीरो की कहानी इसी सिद्धांत पर आधारित है। यह किताब उन सभी के लिए है, जो दूसरों को प्रेरणा देना चाहते हैं, अथवा स्वयं प्रेरित होना चाहते हैं।
#readwithak
#themakingofhero
#herokikahani
January 24, 2022
I have read some Biographies and Memoirs of entrepreneurs and businessmen, I can't say that it is the best written but it is informational and definitely a not to miss for Indian entrepreneurs.
In this book author has tried his best to describe the vital aspects of their family organization.
One of them is family itself, this book gives an insight into the working of a family behind a world class business.
Family, relationships, Innovation, cost effective and lean business methods are the important learnings from this book.
I do not compare things and people in my life and that's what I do in books. So this book is a beautiful collection of learnings for future entrepreneurs to get inspired from the most innovative and honest business family.
अंत में मैं लेखक को यह सब समाज के लिए प्रस्तुत करने के लिए बहुत-बहुत धन्यवाद देना चाहूंगा।
In this book author has tried his best to describe the vital aspects of their family organization.
One of them is family itself, this book gives an insight into the working of a family behind a world class business.
Family, relationships, Innovation, cost effective and lean business methods are the important learnings from this book.
I do not compare things and people in my life and that's what I do in books. So this book is a beautiful collection of learnings for future entrepreneurs to get inspired from the most innovative and honest business family.
अंत में मैं लेखक को यह सब समाज के लिए प्रस्तुत करने के लिए बहुत-बहुत धन्यवाद देना चाहूंगा।
November 29, 2023
The book gives a glimpse into 'Hero' brands humble beginnings as a bicycle parts provider into the largest two wheeler manufacturer, which was led by 4 brothers with Bridgemohan munjal acting as a visionary. One interesting fact I liked was Hero's Just in time process of managing inventory which they pioneered even before they new the name and it's negative working capital cycle model. This led to collaborating with the Japanese who saw similar values with the Hero group for motorcycles. However, the book is written based on writings collected by the author from related people and I felt everything was projected in a positive manner about the group. The book would have been more insightful if the author shared insights and challenges into how they were preparing for the future by innovation.
September 22, 2020
This #book attempts to chronicle the evolution of the Brand Hero, the largest Cycle and Motorcycle manufacturer in #India
📗Must read for those who wish to an entrepreneurial plunge or already doing a business.
📗 Somewhere along the line the book turns into a biography of late Brijmohanlal Munjal, who was instrumental in steering the brand to high growth.
📗 The story of Munjals is an inspiring one as after partition they came to #Indian side of #Punjab and set up such a large business brick by brick with preservance and hard work.
📗 The book surely keeps you wanting for more as their are lot of stories to the #Hero story.
📗Must read for those who wish to an entrepreneurial plunge or already doing a business.
📗 Somewhere along the line the book turns into a biography of late Brijmohanlal Munjal, who was instrumental in steering the brand to high growth.
📗 The story of Munjals is an inspiring one as after partition they came to #Indian side of #Punjab and set up such a large business brick by brick with preservance and hard work.
📗 The book surely keeps you wanting for more as their are lot of stories to the #Hero story.
December 13, 2022
Typical Indian business biography. Reminded me of Bhujia Barrons, the biography of the Haldiram group.
Almost nothing is written about the detailed challenges the org faced from time to time which actually should be appealing to a reader of such books.
At the same time, too much is written about ethics, principles, culture of the family, etc which makes it look like that it has been written to glorify the Munjal family only.
Almost nothing is written about the detailed challenges the org faced from time to time which actually should be appealing to a reader of such books.
At the same time, too much is written about ethics, principles, culture of the family, etc which makes it look like that it has been written to glorify the Munjal family only.
July 20, 2023
Wonderful 100 years of Hero family’s journey. The great indo pak partition, mass migration, violence, massacre, refugee, religion, poverty, holding families, followed aryasamaj, entered bycycle businesses, becoming world no.1 in bycycles, entered motorcycles business and became world no1, work culture,smooth family partition, four brothers growing together, creating history, 3 of them passed away in span of few months in their nineties. Great journey to read.
May 29, 2021
Good and interesting book to read. Not only this book teaches you the business strategies but also inspire you to get started and own what you want in life. As the book ecplains how hero became brand, it emotionally touches you. It also put light on parallel history. Overall, you learn about hero, history, business and motivation all at one place.
January 6, 2022
Satisfied reading
Gives complete picture of industrial india from partition to present. Had lot of insights into the working structure of family business development.Good read for anyone who is trying to get information about Hero motors thinking on future ( shareholders). awaiting to see how ev battle within family ends.
Gives complete picture of industrial india from partition to present. Had lot of insights into the working structure of family business development.Good read for anyone who is trying to get information about Hero motors thinking on future ( shareholders). awaiting to see how ev battle within family ends.
August 21, 2020
Nice book, could the pain of partition, pre independence era of India.
And also the values and future thinking BM Munjal.
Most importantly family values and brand
Loved the book, thank you sir for writting this book and providing insite of your father journey.
And also the values and future thinking BM Munjal.
Most importantly family values and brand
Loved the book, thank you sir for writting this book and providing insite of your father journey.
September 13, 2020
Names and location was hard to consume, but the authenticity of the book and how family owned companies can run smoothly is a gold nugget for me.
Some parts weren't helping, but overall it was a good biography style reading.
Some parts weren't helping, but overall it was a good biography style reading.
December 29, 2020
I read this to write a detailed review for work. Since it is written by a family member, it sounded more like a narration. There was little of storytelling. It sounded authentic and had a voice of being humble and accepting of past. There was optimism and intention of continuity. Read rh
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 30, 2021
One more book
This is journey or the growth of organization. Good to know that. I wasn't aware of any facts shared in the book. WRT, the founders, it was like fairy tale. Biographies should have some real time problems and how they solved it. This book lacks that.
This is journey or the growth of organization. Good to know that. I wasn't aware of any facts shared in the book. WRT, the founders, it was like fairy tale. Biographies should have some real time problems and how they solved it. This book lacks that.
June 4, 2021
Book is good. But at many places it felt writer is patting his back. They did good, I don't deny it, maybe writing and editing might be improved to write it more humbly.
June 25, 2022
A breezy read. The last 2-3 chapters are especially nice to read. They provide a mini MBA in terms of learnings, principles and ideals to live by.
September 7, 2022
Usual chest thumping, little to learn about the business except That The Japanese didn’t do one bit. It was all Hero.🙂
September 10, 2022
Lessons from an Indian organization that is a world leader, a family owned business that survived through tough times https://www.anuradhagoyal.com/the-mak...
January 3, 2023
Well documented history of hero motors
September 12, 2023
Extremely well documented on the group and it’s founders . In fact a book meant for all in business and students of management.
January 3, 2024
Good insights into the hero motocorp and Indian cycle and bike industry. Lacked in a few areas but overall a good one time read if you like reading about Indian businesses and entrepreneurship
August 1, 2021
A short and interesting book on the story of the Hero empire in India, with interesting lessons on building a lean and sustainable multi generational business.
Definitely recommend reading it to anyone who is interested in the history of Indian industries and in management.
My only complaint is that the book could have been longer as there were definitely aspects of the Hero history that deserved more material in the book.
Edit : Bumped this down from a 4 star to 3 star - there is nothing specifically amazing or great about this book. It’s a good book, don’t get me wrong. Just not great/4-star worthy.
Definitely recommend reading it to anyone who is interested in the history of Indian industries and in management.
My only complaint is that the book could have been longer as there were definitely aspects of the Hero history that deserved more material in the book.
Edit : Bumped this down from a 4 star to 3 star - there is nothing specifically amazing or great about this book. It’s a good book, don’t get me wrong. Just not great/4-star worthy.
September 22, 2022
Well written. Detailed and Inspiring. You get to understand all the backstory of Hero brand which contributed a lot in Indian automobile sector and also in general a respected brand overall
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