In this episode of “The Art of Deciding,” Bruce Whitfield speaks with Lord Karan Bilimoria, a pioneering entrepreneur and the mastermind behind Cobra Beer. Together they dig into the decision-making processes that have propelled Bilimoria from a military-influenced upbringing in India to the heights of British entrepreneurship and politics.

Bilimoria shares his journey from Cambridge University, where his dissatisfaction with British beer sparked the creation of Cobra Beer. His vision was to craft a beer that combined the refreshment of a lager with the smoothness of an ale, to perfectly complement Indian cuisine. This innovative approach not only led to the establishment of a successful business but also a globally recognised brand.

His insights into decision-making are not just theoretical; they are backed by his extensive experience in business and public service, including his time as President of the Confederation of British Industry during the COVID-19 pandemic. Bilimoria is also a long standing member of the House of Lords.

Listen to gain valuable insights into Bilimoria’s unique approach to decision-making, which involves thinking widely, keeping an open mind, and acting decisively.

Key takeaways:

• He introduces the concept of luck as “when determination meets opportunity,” highlighting the need to be proactive in seizing life’s waves of opportunity.
• He contrasts the entrepreneurial mindset of “playing to win” with the bureaucratic mindset of “playing not to lose,” encouraging listeners to adopt a proactive and positive attitude towards opportunities.
• Bilimoria discusses the significance of trust and credibility in business, drawing from personal experiences where his unwavering faith in his product helped him overcome the credibility gap.

His story is one of resilience, innovation, and the relentless pursuit of excellence.

“Seeing what everyone else sees, but thinking what no one else has thought.”

References:

• Cobra Beer https://www.cobrabeer.com/
  
  
• Cambridge University https://www.cam.ac.uk/
  
  
• Confederation of British Industry https://www.cbi.org.uk/
  
  
• Harvard Business School https://www.hbs.edu/
  
  
• TED Talk by Karan Bilimoria https://youtu.be/J4yzoTClUMk?si=Q29ifNgfRHrE53W_
  
  
• House of Lords https://www.parliament.uk/business/lords/whos-in-the-house-of-lords/
• University of Birmingham https://www.birmingham.ac.uk/