Sunday, May 31, 2015

RETHINC, my latest book, is out




My latest book is out- Rethinc: what's broke at today's corporations and how to fix it, published by Random House. Here's the blurb:


Corporations are crucial to society’s well-being. Yet, not many have chosen to adapt themselves to the expectations of employees and society at large in the times in which we live. In RETHINC, Prof Ram Mohan identifies three main problems that ail companies and proposes ways in which these can be combated. Most companies are still run from the top and make very little attempt to involve employees at lower levels in decision-making.  Executive compensation has spiralled up steeply in recent years because the process of setting it is seriously flawed. Boards of directors are ineffective and have abetted the cult of the charismatic CEO who is expected to work wonders. 

RETHINC contends that the solution lies in the near-total dismantling of hierarchy or the ‘boss-less’ organisation. In such an organisation, the structure is flat, employees operate through self-driven teams, there is peer review, freedom to express oneself, power rests on one’s contribution and not one’s title and the organisational purpose goes beyond the making of profit. There are limits on variable pay linked to performance and pay is more egalitarian. Board effectiveness is ensured through a very different process of selection of independent directors. The office of CEO is demystified and it is the system that is the star, not any individual. Once all this is done, we will have an achieving organisation that is also a humane organisation- an organisation in which employees are raring to get to work every day.  


I do hope the book gets managers and students at B-schools thinking seriously about running corporations very differently from the way they are run today. 

Praise for the book:


A compelling read for corporate chieftains and observers alike. This book is certain to make both participants in the corporate world and students of management sit up and take notice.
- M Damodaran, former chairman, SEBI

It takes courage to take on Holy Cows, and conviction to state a contrarian view. Prof. Ram Mohan lacks neither.
R Seshasayee, Executive vice chairman, Hinduja Group India  
Provocative and engaging, the book should be read by all who are groping for a better society through more humane corporations
 -Prof P N Khandwalla, former director, IIM Ahmedabad 




 

6 comments:

Anonymous said...

Dear Sir,

Many Congratulations...will try to get it on Kindle.

Thanks & Regards,

T T Ram Mohan said...

Thanks, anonymous

TTR

K.R.Srivarahan said...

Incidentally, INC stands for Indian National Congress also which is equally broke. I hope you will author a book for the revival of Congress too because in the absence of an effective, ethical opposition, our country's future will be bleak.

T T Ram Mohan said...

Mr Srivarahan, Interesting point, I hadn't thought of it!

I don't think we need to worry too much about the Congress. It's basically a strong organisation and,much as the media and much of the public may scoff at Rahul Gandhi, I believe he and his colleagues have it in him to refashion the party. The BJP is, of course, helping out by getting mired in controversy.

-TTR

Leon said...

Hi prof
Read the kindle version and thoroughly enjoyed the book specially for putting across your views with utmost clarity.
What's odd in India is that media is perpetuating the myth of know it all leader which fuels the narcissism in each of us.
Bertolt brecht was right after all " Sad is the land that needs heroes or my take is "Sad is the company that needs messianic leadership
Leon

T T Ram Mohan said...

Thanks Leon for your generous words. You are right about leadership, I couldn't have put it better. I wish I had come across Brecht's quote earlier, I would have put in my book. Not just the media but also B-schools perpetuate the myth of the Great One who will lead us to Paradise.

-TTR