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What

I did

not learn

in

B-School


Insights for New Managers

Every year, top performers join management ranks in their companies. As they assume their new roles, managers often receive inadequate training on adopting the right mindsets and behaviors to succeed. Combining his experience as Founder and CEO of MAQ Software with research by leading management thinkers such as Peter Drucker and Henry Mintzberg, Rajeev Agarwal offers insights on key issues faced by managers, including:

  • Motivating team members
  • What does a manager do
  • Why are we so busy
  • How to delegate
  • Training a team
  • Providing feedback
  • Retaining employees
  • Does pay matter

Whether you are a recent MBA graduate or an aspiring manager, What I did not learn in B-School provides useful tools to set you on the path to managerial success.


Pages, loaded with insights for every manager and aspiring manager

Words spanning twelve chapters, including many useful tools and worksheets

References to a wide variety of authoritative works about business and life

Years of work gathering in-depth research, management tools, and practical advice

Foreword by Arjun Malhotra

In conversations with fellow managers, one remark surfaces over and over again: ‘Nothing prepares you for your first day on your first job.’ Whether you’ve earned your MBA degree from an Ivy League business school or from one of the top trinity of Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs), or you chose to skip an MBA programme altogether, it has no bearing on your level of preparedness for your career. The place, the people, the demands and the nuances of a workplace are all strange new elements you must gradually decipher.
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Book Reviews


A fast and breezy read, you will enjoy the many examples, rules and chapter summaries that are provided to make it a handy reference for anyone keen to practice management lessons in their careers and their lives.

Endorsements

These endorsements are from industry leaders who were kind enough to share their thoughts on the book.  


Advances in the software industry continue to accelerate at an astonishing pace. India has been at the forefront in helping companies worldwide implement software-driven innovations. With exciting advances in Artificial Intelligence, Cloud, and Mobile computing, the industry is challenged yet again to adapt quickly. More than ever, managers will play a critical role in developing and adopting new technologies. This book is an excellent guide full of useful insights for managers looking to stay ahead. Highly recommended!

Tech Hahindra
C.P. Gurnani Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer Tech Mahindra

This book takes the reader through the roller-coaster ride of a manager’s life, from hiring, retaining, and motivating teams, to managing time effectively while growing as an individual. The book demystifies this process with an assured touch and genuine sensitivity.

HCL
Arjun Malhotra Co-Founder HCL Technologies and Headstrong

To build and scale a company, an entrepreneur needs to build a strong culture that is backed by a strong set of management practices. Rajeev does a fabulous job of providing useful tools in this book for entrepreneurs to use and keep in mind as they build teams and leaders. Using his personal experiences and observations, Rajeev has addressed critical issues without the usual buzzwords and complexity. I strongly recommend this book for every leader.

Madrona Group
S. Somasegar Managing Director Madrona Venture Group

This authentic and inspiring book will help many young managers advance in their careers. Many leadership development departments will use this book to supplement their own training programs. A must-read for new managers to develop skills and to gain additional perspective on life in management.

Wipro
Ankur Prakash Vice President of New Growth and Emerging Markets Wipro

This book will help new and aspiring managers develop the skills necessary to reach their full potential. The author has an approachable style and offers practical guidance that I think readers of all levels of experience will appreciate.

Microsoft
Neel Mahapatro Corporate Vice President Microsoft Corporation

We shared the author’s first book, What I Did Not Learn at IIT, with our new engineers. The book helped them easily integrate into our company. I look forward to sharing the next book, What I Did Not Learn in B School, with our team leads and managers. I am certain that the insights in the new book will help our teams improve project execution and management.

Optimus Information
Vipul Kulshrestha Co-founder and Head of India Operations Optimus Information

Having evaluated thousands of engineers for the industry, we found that just a bit of counseling takes them much further in their career.  This book should be a required reading for MBA programs. For MBA graduates, this book will act as a mentor and will provide them with useful tools. A great resource!

E
Aseem Marwaha Director eLitmus Evaluation

This engaging book will make a big difference for managers. The chapters in the book are so clear that even a person who is not into reading will be tempted to read the book.

Deloitte
S.V. Nathan Chief Talent Officer Deloitte India

Very practical and addresses real issues in our business. All managers should read the book to set realistic expectations for themselves and their teams.

Sopra Group
Sunil Goyal Chief Operating Officer Sopra Group India

Great leaders ask powerful questions! I cannot but help comment that the style of this book by Rajeev is like that of a great leader. Rajeev leads and draws you in through a series of questions. Most chapters are by way of questions (almost like a mentor in the form of printed words) and the answers are varied as well as contextual. Finally, Rajeev reflects on issues we constantly battle as we often lead with personal leadership styles, which may vary. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this rollercoaster ride into the world of management practice in one’s journey to lead.

TATA
R. Mukundan Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer Tata Chemicals

Revenue growth and more importantly, sustained business growth is difficult and requires exceptional leadership. In order to scale a business, it is critical that the leadership team grow and develop. Using his experience from building a sustained growth company, the author shares insightful and important management practices that are supported by relevant research. To dominate their markets, business leaders should share this book with their management teams. A great contribution to the entrepreneurial community!

Pure
Brian Brault Founder and Chief Executive Officer PURE Room

In my work with thousands of companies worldwide, very few scale up to any significant size. One practice that is essential across successful scale up companies is that they grow their leadership teams at multiple levels.  This book is a great resource for growing leadership teams in sustained growth companies. As a Gazelles growth company, MAQ Software has implemented key management techniques explained in the book. I highly recommend this book to industry leaders to share with their teams to grow their businesses.

Gazelles
Verne Harnish Founder and CEO Gazelles

Managers play a critical role in the success of companies. For companies to win, significant investments in training and growth of managers is needed. This book will help new managers develop perspective on their organization, their role and their teams. I strongly recommend managers to review this book to gain valuable insights.

Conquering Chaos book
Ravi Venkatesan Philanthropist, Mentor, and author of bestseller 'Conquering the Chaos - Win in India, Win Everywhere'

Key Takeaways


Know Your Organization

Managers’ roles vary depending on the size and structure of their organizations. Knowing your organization is a key to managerial success.

Know Your Style

Managers must work effectively with a variety of personality styles. Understanding your personality style as well as the personality styles of your peers and subordinates is crucial to managing effectively.

Manage Your Time

Mastering your time is accomplished by leading an integrated life. Integrated life views family, work, community, and health as part of the same picture, not as opposing forces.

About the Author

As the founder and the Chief Executive Officer of MAQ Software, Rajeev Agarwal focuses on adopting the latest software engineering techniques to utilize emerging technology platforms. Rajeev was a finalist for the Ernst and Young Entrepreneur of the Year award. He has grown MAQ Software to more than 500 engineers worldwide. Inc., a leading U.S. business magazine for mid-market companies, inducted MAQ Software into its ‘Hall of Fame.’ MAQ Software has been listed as one of the fastest growing companies in America nine times – a rare achievement.

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The author donates his proceeds from this book to support girls’ education in India.


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