Chanakya/ Kautilya Niti in Management

A brief introduction of Chanakya

Chanakya is the greatest known kingmaker, strategist and thinker in the history of our nation

In Discovery of India, Jawaharlal Nehru has called, Chanakya the Indian Machiavelli

Continued…Born around 350 BC , he was responsible for creation of Arthshastra and Nitishastra.

He was a teacher inTaksasila, and was responsible for the Downfall of Nanda Kingdom & creation of Mauryan Empire.

Even though modern Management has developed since the 1950s, this science was being practiced in India for over 2000 years

Management Topics in Arthashastra

•Principles of Management•Management Education•Accounting systems•Corporate Governance•Time Management•Leadership Skills•Contracts•Selection of Employees•Consulting •Strategic Management•Handling competition•Expansion of Territory etc

Some of Chanakya’s sutras

1. Before you start some work , always ask yourself 3 questions:

Why I am doing it, what the results might be , and will I be successful. Only when you think deeply , and find satisfactory answers to these questions go ahead .

2. Once you start a work on something , don’t be afraid of failure and don’t abandon it. Keep working sincerely

3. The biggest guru mantra is : never share secrets with anybody , it will destroy you.

4. If a person is an expert of a particular field , he should be

employed in doing work in that area only.

5. Take all the decisions on the basis of acquired knowledge and past experience.

6. Be vigilant about your competitors’ efforts and progress.

Sample of Verses related to Management Topicsin‘Kautilya’s Arthashastra

Wealth Creation“Wealth will slip away from the

foolish person, who continuously consults the stars; for wealth is the star of wealth; what will the stars do? Capable

men will certainly secure wealth at least after a hundred

trails”

Corporate Governance

“In the happiness of the subjects lies the benefit

of the king and in what is beneficial to the subjects

is his own benefit”

HUMAN RESOURCE MANAGEMENT ACCORDING

TO CHANAKYAQualities Relating to employee selection , what

a’trainable’ employee should be like:

• Desire to learn• Effective listening Ability• Ability to reflect(think from all angles)• Ability to reject false views• Intentness on truth not on any

person

HANDLING OF PEOPLE

•Sama (counselling)•Dama (means dana or offering of gifts)•Danda (punishment)•Bheda (creating a split)

“After ascertaining the relative strength or weakness of powers, place, time, revolts in rear, losses, expenses, gains and troubles, of himself and of the enemy, the conqueror should march”

SWOT ANALYSIS

SIX STRATEGIES TO DEAL WITH STRATEGY /COLLABORATION

Sandhi (Treaty –Agreement-Peace)

Vigraham (Confrontation-Competiton- War)

Asanam (Staying put –Stand off- Status Qou-Waiting for proper time)

Sharanam (Seeking shelter)

Yaanam (Moving – Marching-Acquiring new strategies)

Dwaidhi Bhaav (Dual policy)