The Art of Enduring: How Great Companies Turn Crisis into Opportunity
A new publication titled The Art of Enduring examines how five notable Indian firms transformed crises into opportunities, establishing businesses that can flourish over time. Authored collaboratively by Saurabh Mukherjea and Salil Desai, the book delves into how some of India’s top companies navigated numerous disruptions from 2015 to 2025, including demonetisation, the introduction of GST, the COVID-19 pandemic, trade conflicts, and global supply-chain challenges. It is set to launch on September 14 under the ‘Business’ imprint of Penguin Random House India.
The authors indicated that in The Art of Enduring, they revisit the continued achievements of the companies showcased in 2016 and reveal five additional Indian enterprises that have triumphantly navigated significant challenges to develop strong franchises.
Identifying the Top Performers
Mukherjea and Desai initiate their assessment by studying India’s 500 largest firms, pinpointing those that outperformed the nation’s GDP while yielding returns on capital exceeding 15 per cent annually over a span of one and a half decades. The five companies chosen for the final showcase are Bajaj Finance, Titan, Dr Lal PathLabs, Divi’s Laboratories, and Tata Elxsi.
Lessons from Enduring Institutions
Through the narratives of these five organisations, the authors investigate what empowers a company not only to endure disruption but to convert it into a lasting advantage. They examine the frameworks, cultures, leadership decisions, innovations, brands, and strategic resources that enable exceptional businesses to thrive amidst changing circumstances.
Highlighting Key Figures
The book also places emphasis on the individuals driving these companies, featuring entrepreneurs such as Arvind Lal and professional managers like Bhaskar Bhat, Rajeev Jain, and Om Manchanda. It aims to redirect focus from the glorified image of celebrity founders to what the authors label as India’s “quiet compounders,” businesses that have achieved success over decades through institutional robustness, discipline, intellectual capital, and unwavering execution.
Core Insights into Corporate Greatness
The Art of Enduring acts as an examination of Indian enterprise and the essence of corporate excellence. It poses a deceptively straightforward question: What strategies do great companies employ when faced with adversity? The answer is rooted in the book’s principal concept: the most remarkable companies do not await tranquillity; they cultivate a relationship with time, according to the publishers in their book description.
Mukherjea has authored four bestselling titles, including The Unusual Billionaires, Coffee Can Investing, and Diamonds in the Dust, which he co-wrote with Desai. The Art of Enduring is priced at Rs 699 and is currently available for pre-order online.