Anand Mahindra: The Visionary Behind Mahindra Group

The value of vision in a business

The trend of start-ups and businesses began long ago when the 1990 economic crisis hit the foundation of India. Today, there are several start-ups that are spreading their wings across the nation and even overseas! People are coming together to build a future that is a beautiful amalgamation of their ideas, innovation, solutions, and vision. Shark Tank India is one such platform that has successfully managed to cherry-pick the most deserving talented individuals who now have a voice that has helped them establish their businesses and transform their aspirations into reality. The reason why some businesses manage to succeed as opposed to others despite strong ideas, is the presence of a reliable vision. One aspect of business acumen is vision, the ability to think or imagine beyond the conventional barriers that can possibly pose a threat to the foundation of your venture. It is the ability to foresee the opportunities,  this dynamically evolving market has to offer. Vision guides you to calculate the risks and the solutions to meet them while ensuring that your position in the market remains unshakable despite the cut-throat competition and changing choices. As a result of this, a business becomes more powerful and long-lasting. A business without a vision is similar to a country without any aspirations to grow. In such cases, the growth is stagnant and the organisation comes to a painful halt. This is the breeding ground for competitors to grow. A successful business therefore demands a successful vision and here is one such inspiring story of the visionary- Anand Mahindra!

About Mr. Anand Mahindra

Mr. Anand Mahindra is known for his varied interests in filmmaking, photography and Blues music. He was the driving force behind the establishment of the Mahindra Blues Festival which is held in Mumbai, annually and was also popularly regarded as the first-ever Blues Music festival of India. His keen interest in arts and culture encouraged him to promote these activities through various initiatives such as the Mahindra Excellence in Theater Awards and Mahindra Sanatkada Lucknow Festival. Additionally, he strongly supports the need to study Humanities in order to build a generation that has the capability to solve global problems with new-age solutions. To support the cause he also donated a whopping $10 million to the Harvard Humanities Center. This was later renamed to Mahindra Humanities Center at Havard in his honour.

Mr. Mahindra has also been actively inclined towards his services to Humanity and this was the reason to started the project Nanhi Kali which was built with the intention of supporting primary education for all those Indian girls who are underprivileged and are deprived of their basic rights to quality literacy and education. Therefore, he is the Chairman-for-life and board member of Naandi Foundation, which works towards socio-economic development in India.

Education and his decision to join the business 

After completing his schooling in India, Mr. Anand Mahindra moved to Harvard University and pursued his degree in Film and Photography. However, later, he went on to earn his master’s degree from Harvard Business School which was the building bock of his excellence at running a business. Once he completed his education at Harvard, he moved back to India and decided to contribute actively to the family business. After entering Mahindra and Mahindra, it was a new beginning for him as well as the company. After he joined the business, he was able to take it to new heights by entering into several other sectors such as hospitality, real estate, Information Technology and much more.

Global expansion and Mr Mahindra’s role in It

After utilising his business acumen and putting his vision to life, Mr Anand Mahindra’s decisions regarding the company propelled it to the global platform. They went on to sign acquisitions of several international companies such as SsangYong Motor Company and Peugeot Motorcycles. This was a way for him to showcase his exceptional vision and dedication to the company. This not only skyrocketed the numbers of the business but the diversification carved the name of the company internationally on several platforms making it a popular name. The two most significant factors that drove his vision and excellence were innovation and sustainability. These two were such strong values that they significantly contributed to the company’s massive growth domestically as well as globally.

Challenges on the way

In a journey like this that envisions a company’s success, will naturally be filled with challenges. However, despite all the challenges that were taking shape in the market due to the competitive businesses that were rising at a fast pace, Mr. Mahindra was absolutely reliant and adaptable. He stood by the company like no other individual could have ever in the most challenging times of economic downturns and market fluctuations when nothing was crystal clear and the consequences of any decision were absolutely unclear. In such difficult circumstances also, Mr. Mahindra was able to take the company forward for he had the ability to adapt the approach that helped him keep a strong and stable vision for the company’s future position.

The net worth of Mr. Anand Mahindra

As per Forbes, Anand Mahindra’s Net Worth stands at 200 crores USD (2021).

About the Mahindra Group

Mr. Anand Mahindra, a popular billionaire of India is better known as the Chairman of the Mahindra Group, Mahindra & Mahindra Limited and Tech Mahindra Limited . His hard work and vision significantly contributed to the exponential growth of the company domestically as well as internationally. The company has branched into several industrial sectors that include:

• Information Technology

• Automobiles

• Agriculture

• Aerospace

Additionally, the company has also spread its wings and shared its vision through several acquisitions. Here is a list of acquisitions by the company, The Mahindra Group:

• Meru

• Carnot

• Metalcastello

• Origin Group

• Schoeneweiss

• Swaraj Tractors

• Pininfarina S.p.A.

• Sampo-Rosenlew

• Peugeot Motorcycles

• Erkunt Traktr Sanayii

• Holiday Club Resorts

• Satyam Computer Services

• Reva Electric Car Company

Mr. Anand Mahindra has successfully served as a part of several influential organisations while sharing his valuable knowledge and expertise with the others on board to make an influential change in society. Here is a list of those organisations:

• UN Global Compact Board

• The Reserve Bank of India Board

• World Bank Group’s Advisory Board for Doing Business

•  Global Board of Advisors of the Council on Foreign Relations

Sectors Mahindra Group has entered into

These are the sectors that Anand Mahindra and Group stepped into over the past decades.

1. Automotive

2. Farm Equipment

3. Financial Services

4. Information Technology

5.  Infrastructure Development Services

6. Steel Trading

7. Education

8. Hospitality

Mr. Anand Mahindra’s Awards and Recognitions 

Mr. Anand Mahindra has won many more such awards that he achieved for his unshakable faith in the growth of his business and the determination he showcased towards his work! These are some of those recognitions.

The Timeline of Mahindra Group 

Conclusion: Final Words

The success story of every entrepreneur teaches abundant lessons. Mr. Anand Mahindra was the driving force and the reason why Mahindra Group was elevated from building jeeps and trucks to acquiring the position of a multinational company. They went on to acquire several international brands as well that significantly contributed to their image domestically as well as internationally. Today, the company produces Utility Vehicles, Multi Utility Vehicles, and Sports Utility Vehicles. When you read such inspiring stories, you relaise the worth of holding a strong vision and working with absolute dedication toward them. If you wish to work and build something exceptional, you must always follow the three most important values: dedication, perseverance, and hard work. Following successful leaders such as Mr. Anand Mahindra will also broaden your vision and the ability to think beyond conventional ideas to come up with modern-day solutions to the rising problems in our society!

Dream big and All the Best!

Frequently Asked Questions

Q.1 Is Anand Mahindra also related to Kotak Mahindra?

Yes, apart from the Mahindra Group, Mr. Anand Mahindra is also a co-promoter of the Kotak Mahindra Bank.

Q. 2 What is the educational background of Mr. Anand Mahindra?

Mr. Anand Mahindra completed his schooling at Lawrence School, Lovedale, and then went on to study filmmaking and architecture at Harvard University where he graduated magna cum laude in 1977. He also pursued his degree from Harvard Business School before coming back to India and joining the business.

Q.3 What social work does Mr. Anand Mahindra endorse? 

Mr. Anand Mahindra is the Chairman of the Board of Naandi Foundation, India’s leading NGO focused on educating girls. He also offers support to small-scale farmers.

Q.4 What are the leadership qualities that Mr. Anand Mahindra has?

Here are some of the leadership qualities that Mr. Anand Mahindra has that have helped him succeed exponentially in his business:

• Empathy

• Vision

• Commitment

• Resilience

• Dedication

• Risk-Taking

• Business acumen

• Self-belief

Q.5 Who is the CEO of Mahindra Group right now?

Dr. Anish Shah is the Group CEO of the Mahindra Group and the Managing Director of Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd.