Elephants and Cheetahs: The Beauty of Operations by Saral Mukherjee

• Author: Saral Mukherjee
• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• Genre: Business Strategy, Operations Management
• Publisher: Penguin Random House India
• Publication Date: 1 January 2021
• Pages: 416
• Series: IIM Ahmedabad Business Books

Description

Elephants and Cheetahs: The Beauty of Operations by Saral Mukherjee, an associate professor at IIM Ahmedabad, delves into the intricate world of operations strategy using metaphors inspired by nature. Drawing from his popular elective course at IIM Ahmedabad, Mukherjee challenges conventional operations management perspectives by introducing the idea that organizations, like individuals, possess a "soul." He prompts business leaders to reflect on two existential questions: Does the organization I manage have a soul, and if so, what strategic choices enable its synthesis? And, do I have a soul, and if so, who am I?

The book is structured into four parts:

• Part I explores the concept of operations systems with souls and how constraints contribute to their complexity.

• Part II delves into understanding a firm’s strategy and its impact on transformations, interactions, and organizational culture.

• Part III characterizes the metaphors of elephants (representing cost leadership) and cheetahs (symbolizing time responsiveness), addressing aspects like cost-cutting, design, quality, flexibility, and risk minimization.

• Part IV celebrates the beauty of operations beyond the traditional view of merely executing tasks, emphasizing the creation and existence of meaningful systems.

Mukherjee's approach infuses emotion and passion into the field of operations, often perceived as dry or purely quantitative. By integrating insights from literature, arts, and nature, he offers a fresh perspective on operations strategy, making it accessible and engaging for both students and professionals.