Review of "Doglapan" : Hard Truth about Life and Startups
Mode: Audible
Doglapan, authored by Ashneer Grover, the former co-founder of Bharat Pe, is an interesting part-biography that offers readers an extended glimpse into his extraordinary life journey. From humble beginnings as a middle-class boy to becoming one of India's most talked-about startup boys, Grover takes us on a thrilling ride through his experiences at prestigious institutions like IIT and IIM, and his stints with the startup world like Grofers and Bharat Pe.
One of the highlights of the book is its detailed account of Ashneer's tenure at Bharat Pe, shedding light on what led to his eventual ouster and the so-called issues raised by the board and exposed in the media. Despite facing hurdles, Grover's inclusion in Shark Tank and his publicly quoted statements about the reality of startups in India, the Indian tax laws, etc have thrust him into the spotlight, elevating him to celebrity status, all while navigating the aftermath of his experiences at Bharat Pe.
For those seeking insights into the startup world, this book may pique your interest. However, as you delve into its pages, you'll find that it reads more like a heartfelt confession than a typical success story. It becomes evident that Grover was determined to express his side of the narrative, providing a candid and unfiltered account of what transpired at Bharat Pe. In Doglapan, Grover pulls no punches, sparing no one from scrutiny, including his co-founders (some were his close friends), his recruits at Bharat Pe, and even the board of directors.
More importantly, he delves into the world of venture capitalists, bankers, lawyers, and the media, painting a vivid picture of their impact on entrepreneurs. His unabashed critique of these professions as sucking the most from one's life and finances, offering little in return, challenges conventional wisdom. He later gives advice not to consider VCs and investors as God or someone above the company. Instead, treat them as vendors who provide capital - great thought!
Grover's experiences at BharatPe provide valuable lessons for those seeking to venture into the startup world, exposing the complexities of working with investors and venture capitalists. One of the book's standout aspects is Grover's fascinating perspective on recruitment, particularly in the competitive IT field. His idea of relocating the IT team to Dubai and pampering them with luxurious amenities to prevent poaching showcases his innovative thinking. I can't help but admire this approach, secretly hoping companies I work for adopt such strategies.
The narration is straightforward and hard-hitting sometimes. I don't think there is anything that he has kept out of this book including the interesting episodes while shooting for Shark Tank. There are episodes of interaction with Bollywood stars and also controversial personalities like Vijay Mallya and the owner of PC Jewellers. Infact, there is enough material in the book to script a movie.
Doglapan was Ashneer Grover's medium to share his experiences, both the highs and lows, and provide an unfiltered account of his journey. His willingness to lay bare his experiences, frustrations, and emotions makes this a compelling read for anyone interested in entrepreneurship or just knowing what it takes to handle a fast-growing start-up with international investors. However, readers should consider the fact that it is one person's perspective on past events and may have personal biases.
