**Zomato’s Deepinder Goyal Discusses Leadership Challenges at Blinkit**
Deepinder Goyal, the founder and CEO of Eternal, which oversees the food delivery platforms Zomato and Blinkit, recently shared insights into the leadership dynamics following Zomato’s acquisition of Blinkit in 2022. In a conversation with podcaster Raj Shamani, Goyal revealed that he once considered asking Albinder Dhindsa, Blinkit’s founder and CEO, to step down due to concerns about his leadership fit for the organization.
Goyal emphasized the objective approach taken during the acquisition process, stating, “I was even at a point of asking Albi to leave because he was not the right leader for the organization.” Blinkit, formerly known as Grofers, was founded by Dhindsa in 2014 and was primarily operating on a next-day delivery model before Zomato acquired it for approximately ₹4,447 crore in an all-stock deal.
The acquisition faced scrutiny, particularly regarding the transaction’s pricing and Goyal’s perceived conflict of interest, given his long-standing relationship with Dhindsa from their school days. At the time, Blinkit was transitioning to a rapid 10-minute delivery model, which added to the challenges in their working relationship. Goyal recounted moments of tension, stating, “I told him you will not be able to cut it. This happened twice during that timeframe, and we started the transition.”
Goyal described his coaching style as a method he calls “rock bottom,” where he pushes individuals to confront their limitations. “All of us have this armor. When patient coaching runs out, I penetrate this armor. Me being angry is also because I care,” he explained. He uses this approach with individuals he believes have significant potential but are struggling to progress, noting a success rate of four out of five in helping them overcome their obstacles.
Despite the initial backlash surrounding the Blinkit acquisition, Goyal expressed confidence in the service’s potential, stating, “I had never personally experienced a service that was as addictive as Blinkit. The kind of convenience that we were getting was crazy. I knew this would become a business and people would love it.”
Following the acquisition, Zomato’s stock experienced a significant decline of around 75%. However, Blinkit has since emerged as a leading player in the quick commerce sector, becoming the largest business for Eternal in terms of net order value.
In conclusion, Goyal’s reflections on leadership challenges and the evolution of Blinkit highlight the complexities of navigating acquisitions in the fast-paced food delivery industry. As the companies continue to collaborate, the future of Blinkit looks promising, with Goyal’s strategic vision at the helm.
**FAQ**
**What challenges did Deepinder Goyal face with Blinkit’s leadership?**
Goyal considered asking Blinkit CEO Albinder Dhindsa to step down due to concerns about his leadership fit during the transition following Zomato’s acquisition.
