The Ambuja Story
How a Group of Ordinary Men Created an Extraordinary Company
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Narrated by:
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Adwait Karambelkar
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Written by:
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Narotam Sekhsaria
About this listen
'I had never seen a cement plant in my life. I had no idea about limestone deposits or the cement industry in Gujarat. And I had never negotiated an industrial agreement. Yet, in the next few weeks, I would need to be ready for a substantive meeting with Gujarat government officials.'
The year was 1983. A cotton trader, still in his early thirties, began to dream big. His aspiration was to become an 'industrialist'. The venture he was about to embark on was uncharted territory for him. He knew nothing about cement, limestone or anything remotely associated with it.
In the era of Licence Raj, where everything from production to consumption was controlled by the government, Narotam Sekhsaria saw the huge potential in cement and its role in a growing nation. Trusting his instinct, he started Ambuja Cement and went on to create one of the most successful cement companies in the world.
Told by the man himself, The Ambuja Story is a tale of grit, determination, honesty and integrity. For a cement company, it's a unique case study that broke many stereotypes, such as cement production can't be an environmental friendly activity, good cement can't be cheaper and it's difficult to market a product as boring as cement.
Narotam Sekhsaria's vision for Ambuja wasn't just limited to financial success; he undertook community development around all Ambuja plants to a whole new level. Ambuja's work in women empowerment, skill development, health and education created new benchmarks for the industry long before corporate social responsibility became mandatory in India.
The Ambuja Story provides a new perspective on business and life, inspiring the next generation of entrepreneurs to scale greater heights.
PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.
©2021 Narotam Sekhsaria (P)2022 HarperCollins PublishersPeople who bought this also bought...
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What listeners say about The Ambuja Story
Average Customer RatingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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- Rakshit Tiwari
- 18-06-23
A very solid and well detailed biography
As someone fascinated by entrepreneurship and business strategy, I found this book to be a treasure trove of insights. The author skillfully explains complex concepts in a way that's easy to understand, making it accessible to both industry professionals and those new to the subject. It was refreshing to read about the company's emphasis on sustainability and quality, showcasing their commitment to making a positive impact.
What sets "The Ambuja Story" apart is its ability to bring the human element to the forefront. Through personal anecdotes and interviews, the author effectively portrays the passion and unwavering dedication that drove Ambuja Cement's success. It's a testament to the power of teamwork, integrity, and inclusive leadership, reminding us that ordinary people can achieve extraordinary things.
Regardless of your background, whether you're in the construction industry or not, this book is a must-read. It not only provides valuable lessons in entrepreneurship but also offers a valuable perspective on building a successful and socially responsible organization. "The Ambuja Story" has truly left an indelible mark on me, and I wholeheartedly recommend it to anyone seeking inspiration and a deeper understanding of business success.
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- Rishabh Makrand
- 25-12-22
A journey of an Industrialist
Ending the year with such a nice book.. Values, Ethics, believe is what makes the brand.. any good thing takes time to reach its place.
Thanks for lot to Narottam Sekhsaria for sharing his journey with us.
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- Placeholder
- 25-07-22
The patriarch of India's Cement Industry
This book is a treasure, it travels through India's industrial liberalization story, a gr8 work
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- Anonymous User
- 04-07-22
Inspiring and giving goose bumps!!!
Would like to thank Mr Narotam Sekhsaria, for scripting this book. As rightly said by his daughter it’s a great learning for young entrepreneurs. I would also thank Mr Adwait Karambelkar for narrating it very well.
Mr Narotam ji, has taken same efforts in meticulously scripting “The Ambuja Story” as he has taken to build it!!!!
And I am lucky to have got to savour the story. So well narrated by Adwait, that I felt as if I was witnessing the entire story unfold infront of my eyes.
Thank you Mr Narotamji from the bottom of my heart.
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- Travelmonk
- 04-07-23
Great insights
Great insights on being an entrepreneur when India was opening up & how inspiring and trusting people gets the best out of them. Excellent read
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- Komalassaril R.
- 26-08-23
incredible journey to witness
I'm so charged and extremely proud to hear ambuja story how it started and grown one best cement company in India. There is immense key takeaways from this audiobook to learn and imbibe in one life. life is like river with twist and turn, you can't change the course of river, but you could learn how to steer in it to reach your destination, goals of life. Be positive through lows of life, and be detached to outcomes as nothing ever last forever.
Narottam best decision to hand over company to best hand and his decision with truest, best interest of his employees shows how normal human can be transformed to great man.
I love every chapter of this book. thanks to Narottam near and dear who help to get this book documented and make it a reality for readers like me.
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- APPAS
- 30-12-23
What a journey!!!!
One of the best books that i have read so far. Kudos to The way it was narrated,
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- pradeep
- 16-04-22
Awesome
A Must read for budding entrepreneurs. Enjoyed reading it. Nicely narrated as well by Adwait
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- Rohit Jayas
- 06-02-23
Brilliant Read!!
Inspirational life story of Ambuja Team! loved every bit of it..What and amazing grit and trust demonstrated as a Team on every initiative.. great narration as well..Thankful to the entire team and publishers for bringing such an inspirational life story out! Thanks!
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- Rajeev Gupta
- 10-12-24
Amazing storytelling!
A successful trader (Narottam Sekhsaria) ventures out to start a cement manufacturing company. He has no knowledge of cement but ends up establishing one of the best cement companies in the world. This book is the story of that journey in his own words. In the end, I was left with the feeling that if India had more enterprenuers like him, India would be a completely different place.
Very well-written and well-narrated. The best entrepreneur journey I have read up till now. Interesting all the way and will keep you glued till the last page.
A recommended read not only for budding entrepreneurs but for everyone who has quality, environmental protection, honesty, innovation, philanthropy as his values.
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