Page 59 - NITI - Navigating Indian Traditions in Industry

staying grounded in core values and vision. The Matysa Purana also emphasizes
the preservation of knowledge and wisdom for future generations, highlighting the
importance of organizational learning and the sharing of expertise. In the business
world, this could be seen as fostering a culture of continuous innovation, knowledge-
sharing, and adaptability to ensure long-term success and sustainability, especially
when faced with disruptions or market shifts. The core lesson from the Matysa Purana
is that strategic foresight, adaptability, and the ability to weather storms are essential
for enduring success.

Strategic Lesson: Crisis Management and Early Warning Systems

The Matsya Purana tells the story of how Lord Vishnu, in the form of Matsya, warned
the sage Manu about an impending deluge and guided him to build a boat to save
the sacred scriptures, life, and civilization. This teaches the importance of foresight
and crisis preparedness in management. Organizations must develop early warning
systems to detect potential risks and take proactive steps to mitigate them before
they escalate into full-blown crises. Effective crisis management also involves rapid
response and preparedness to navigate through challenging times.

Corporate Example: Toyota’s Response to the 2011 Recall Crisis: Toyota faced
a major recall crisis in 2011 when millions of cars were recalled due to safety concerns.
The company’s quick, transparent communication, along with its commitment to
fixing the issues, reflected effective crisis management. Toyota’s ability to identify the
problem early, take responsibility, and resolve it swiftly allowed the brand to maintain
consumer trust despite the crisis, demonstrating the value of foresight and crisis
readiness.

13. Lessons from the Brahma Purana (Visionary Leadership and Creation of
Organizational Culture)

The Brahma Purana, one of the ancient texts that provides a deep understanding
of the universe’s creation, preservation, and dissolution, offers valuable insights for
modern businesses. The cyclical process of creation (Srishti), preservation (Sthiti), and
dissolution (Pralaya) is a key theme that can be applied to strategic management.
In business, this translates to a threefold approach: the creation phase represents
innovation and new product development; the preservation phase focuses on
sustaining core operations, ensuring that the business continues to run efficiently and
profitably; and the dissolution phase encourages businesses to adapt, shed outdated
practices, and embrace transformation. Just as Brahma, the creator, is responsible for
the emergence of new life and ideas, businesses must nurture innovation and creativity.
The preservation phase mirrors a company’s need to ensure that its foundational

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