Afleveringen
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Zomato’s recent announcement that it will be rebranding its parent company as ‘Eternal’ raises an important question: Why do companies change their names? Typically, an organisation’s name is one of its most valuable assets, being instantly recognisable, carrying its history and shaping consumer perceptions. Yet, businesses do frequently change their names. Whether driven by consideration around strategic growth, crisis management or shifting consumer sentiment, this can be a high-stakes decision.
This podcast explores the key drivers behind corporate renaming, backed by real-world examples and lessons on what determines success or failure.
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Traditional strategic plans are based on long-term goals and market forecasts. However, in a world of disruption, companies must adopt more agile approaches that allow them to pivot quickly. Methodologies associated with software development, emphasise flexibility, enabling companies to continuously evolve. Rather than relying on a single forecast, businesses are using scenario planning. This involves conceiving different future outcomes and preparing for them in advance.
In the business world, companies that have thrived are often the ones that have adapted swiftly to shifting circumstances. Adaptability, allows them to pivot and innovate, in response to new challenges, ensuring their survival in the face of uncertainty. This podcast explains.
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Zijn er afleveringen die ontbreken?
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We expect the US dollar to gain in value against a basket of global currencies, as higher inflation in America will force policy makers, in its central bank, to keep a hawkish stance on interest rates. With higher yields, therefore, capital will be attracted back to lower risk returns offered in the US treasuries, with a consequent sell off in emerging market bonds and equities. Moreover, The S&P 500 index, which tracks the stock performance of 500 of the largest companies listed on stock exchanges in the United States, fell from around 6100 in end January 2025 to 5800 at the beginning of March.
Inflation, which the United States Federal Reserve assumed had been tamed, has demonstrated a new spark of energy and seems to be edging upwards again. So, the interest rate cuts factored in, previously by markets, are now open to question. It’s a double whammy. In January America’s “core” consumer-price index, which strips out volatile food and energy costs, jumped by 5.5% at an annualised rate.
This podcast explains.
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India’s road sector is on a transformative path. Propelled by the Bharatmala Pariyojana – an ambitious plan to construct 34,800 km of new highways and expressways – the country’s highway network expanded by 60% in the decade to 2024. However, roadblocks remain, clouding both the near- and the long-term view. In the current fiscal year, owing to a host of issues (including national elections), the government is likely to fall well short of its target of building or upgrading 13,000 km of highways. From a longer-term perspective, it remains a challenge to ensure strong private-sector participation in the sector.
After experimenting with various models of public-private partnership (PPP), the government has now returned to the tried-and-tested Build-Operate-Transfer (BoT) model, albeit with revised norms that help address past inefficiencies and attract private participation. We spoke to several industry leaders to arrive at a clearer, ground-level view of the pluses and minuses of the current approach. On the whole, despite continuing challenges, they are optimistic about the sector’s long-term potential.
This podcast summarises our findings,
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The 2025-26 Union Budget came at a time of moderating domestic growth and heightened global uncertainty. At a recent joint session of the India CEO, CFO, CHRO, CMO, ISF and CFO NxT Forums, AK Bhattacharya, Editorial Director of the Business Standard, provided a medium-term outlook for the Indian economy. He assessed the Budget’s key policy announcements and their impact on India’s growth trajectory. Further, he examined the prospects for reforms and fiscal consolidation, as well as the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead. This podcast summarises these discussions.
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As climate changes intensify, consumers across segments are demanding sustainable alternatives – and the automotive industry is no exception. Clean(er)-fuel options make up a rising share of India’s passenger vehicle market and this trend is expected to only strengthen in the years ahead.
This research was developed in partnership with Ayvens a leading sustainable mobility player, under the agegis of IMA’s India Sustainability Forum (ISF). It examines the current market dynamics in terms of consumer demand, manufacturer preferences and government policy, aiming to identify which of the three broad types of ‘green alternatives’ – compressed natural gas (CNG), hybrid and electric vehicles (EVs) – are likely to come out ahead in the longer term.
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We often think of Indian weddings as the most traditional of social events, steeped in age-old rituals and elaborate ceremonies. However, a closer look reveals that they serve as a powerful lens to understand broader socio-economic shifts shaping the country. With the youngest of the Millennials and the oldest Gen Zs now of marriageable age, the wedding industry reflects evolving consumer preferences that go beyond mere expenditure, touching aspects such as financial independence, personalisation, sustainability and the influence of digital trends.
As this podcast argues, the ‘Great Indian Wedding’ is no longer just a cultural milestone but a complex interplay of tradition and aspiration, offering valuable insights into shifting behaviours across allied sectors, including hospitality, tourism, retail and technology.
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Public policy is crucial in shaping business outcomes, especially in dynamic markets like India. For businesses, anticipating and adapting to policy changes is a strategic necessity. From evolving compliance frameworks to the impact of geopolitical shifts on regulation, engaging with public policy is vital to an organisation’s long-term success.
At a recent India CEO Forum session in Chennai, Rameesh Kailasam, CEO of IndiaTech.org, shared insights on navigating the complex interplay of public policy and business strategy. He focused on how to forecast policy changes, mitigate regulatory risks and leverage opportunities to influence policy in favour of industry. This podcast summarises these discussions.
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India’s landmark Digital Personal Data Protection (DPDP) Act is a big step towards establishing a culture of data privacy. Sixteen months after the law was notified, the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology released draft rules under the Act, offering clarity on its implementation, including the formation of the Data Protection Board (DPB) to handle breaches and impose defined penalties. With a tangible timeline for implementation of the Act in place, the contours of the final regime under the DPDP becoming clearer and the strong penalties for non-compliance enshrined in the DPDP, it is the need of the hour for Indian businesses to understand the key tenets of the act and prepare to adhere to them.
At recent India CEO Forum sessions Arun Prabhu, Partner and Head - Technology & Telecommunications at Cyril Amarchand Mangaldas, shed light on the changes that will flow from the DPDP and what corporates must do to prepare for it. The podcast summarises these discussions.
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IMA recently held its Q4 FY25 CHRO Dialogue in Mumbai, with sessions on M&A and ESG. Leading the first session, we had Tarun Varma, Global Chief Human Resources & Sustainability Officer at Tata Consumer Products Limited (TCPL), discussing the Tata Group’s approach to M&A, and how cultural integration is such a crucial success element in any merger. Dr Sujiv Nair, Global Chief Human Resources Officer at Re Sustainability, led the second session, highlighting how CHROs can play a critical role in driving ESG initiatives. This podcast summarises these discussions.
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Artificial Intelligence (AI) is transforming the Finance function by enhancing efficiency and improving decision-making capabilities, with Generative AI driving an even greater shift than previous technologies. AI-powered financial planning and analytics can drive growth, streamline operations and add value, but CFOs must balance innovation with control and risk management.
At a recent India CFO Forum session in Bangalore, Dr Phaphul Chandra, Professor of Artificial Intelligence and Director at Atria University, explored real-life applications and best practices for implementing AI in Finance, and shared some key considerations around change management. This podcast summarises these discussions.
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India’s journey toward mass prosperity hinges on addressing the critical challenges of employment, employability and education. These three pillars form the foundations of economic growth and social development, shaping the nation's trajectory in an increasingly competitive global landscape.
At a recent joint session of the India CEO and CHRO Forums in Bangalore, Manish Sabharwal, Vice-Chairman of Teamlease Services, outlined key strategies for improving employability, expanding access to quality education and generating meaningful employment opportunities. He explored the interplay between these ‘E’s’, identifying structural reforms, policy initiatives and actionable strategies that can unlock India’s full potential.
This podcast summarises these discussions.
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Donald Trump's election and the announcements made since are sending shockwaves around the world. The leadership transition in Washington DC will have far-reaching ripple effects, influencing global economic and political dynamics. Key considerations include changes in US monetary policy, potential tariff hikes and their effect on other currencies. Domestically, the rupee, which was stable for much of last year, saw a sharp depreciation in December.
At recent India CFO Forum sessions across the country, Manoj Goel, Managing Director & Head of Corporate Sales, Markets & Securities Services for HSBC India, examined the impact of Mr Trump’s presidency, global currency trends, the Rupee’s outlook under new RBI leadership and key priorities for CFOs in the coming year. This podcast summarises these discussions.
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DeepSeek is claimed to have been trained at a cost of approximately $6 million, significantly less than the $100 million for models like OpenAI's GPT-4. It appears to achieve similar performance with less advanced chips, challenging the notion that only the most expensive hardware is essential for cutting-edge AI.
DeepSeek's emergence has rattled markets, causing significant losses for major tech companies like Nvidia. This is due to the perception that less resource-intensive AI development is possible, potentially reducing the market for expensive chips. On 27 January, the tech-heavy Nasdaq fell more than 3% in a broad sell-off that included chip makers and data centres around the world.
China’s emergence as a tech power is now at near parity with that of America, as this podcast explains.
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As a consumption-driven economy, India’s overall GDP growth is tied strongly to how its households spend. While the national accounts data provide a once-in-a-quarter snapshot of overall spending growth, the government’s periodic Household Consumption Expenditure Surveys allow for a deeper (if imperfect) view of spending trends across states, the urban-rural divide and by consumption category. The latest survey round, covering 2023-24, reveals some important developments in terms of overall spending, as well as regional and category-wise trends. This podcast highlights some of the key insights from the survey.
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In recent years, global trade has faced major geopolitical headwinds, including trade wars and economic decoupling, particularly between the US and China. The Covid-19 pandemic disrupted supply chains, exposing vulnerabilities and catalysing localised production. Rising protectionism has led to a spike in tariffs and other restrictions, undermining free trade principles, and today, the WTO’s dispute resolution mechanism lies broken. Technological competition and sanctions have further complicated global trade relations while climate policies and divergent sustainability goals are reshaping trade priorities. Donald Trump’s re-election only adds new complexities to the equation.
At a recent India CEO Forum session in Hyderabad, Ambassador Syed Akbaruddin, Founding Dean of the Kautilya School of Public Policy, provided a medium-term outlook for world trade, with a focus on the strategic imperatives for India and businesses operating in the country. This podcast summarises these discussions.
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Transfer pricing (TP) has become a critical area of focus for companies and regulators, evolving significantly since its formal introduction in 2001. At a recent India CFO Forum session in Pune, Vijay Iyer, Transfer Pricing Leader at Ernst & Young India, covered recent trends in India’s transfer pricing audit environment, current and expected issues in litigation and some recommended best practices for dispute mitigation and resolution, including the use of MAP and APAs. This podcast summarises these discussions.
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With the world’s finite natural resources depleting rapidly, the circular economy offers a more sustainable model by prioritising resource efficiency, reuse and regeneration. It significantly reduces waste, minimises pollution and curbs greenhouse gas emissions, helping combat climate change.
At a recent online session of the India Sustainability Forum, Dr Sujiv Nair, Global Chief Human Resources Officer at Re Sustainability, explored the concept of the circular economy, emphasising its transformative potential. The discussion highlighted actionable strategies for resource efficiency, waste minimisation and value creation across industries. This podcast summarises these discussions.
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Starting this year, organisations across the world will experience another generational shift as Gen Alpha – today’s teenagers, born between 2010 and 2020 – begin to enter the professional realm. These digital natives have grown up completely immersed in technology, from AI-powered toys to virtual classrooms. Their experiences, shaped by pandemic-era disruptions and the ubiquity of social media, have cultivated a unique set of skills, values and expectations. Raised in a world shaped by rapid technological advancements, environmental challenges and unprecedented global connectivity, Gen Alpha is poised to redefine how we work, collaborate and innovate.
This research update explores the defining traits of Gen Alpha, the values they bring to the workplace and some future-proofing strategies that can help better equip CXOs to lead their organisations into this new era of work.
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Last month, Donald Trump secured a decisive victory in the US presidential elections, marking the start of a transformative new era in American and global politics. IMA ran a series of sessions of the India CEO and CFO Forums, across cities, examining the impact of this landmark event. We hosted three recognised authorities on the subject: Pramit Pal Chaudhari, Head of the South Asia Practice at the Eurasia Group; Suhasini Haider, Diplomatic Editor at The Hindu; and Ambassador Ajay Bisaria, Distinguished Fellow at the Observer Research Foundation. These sessions delved into the implications of Donald Trump’s second presidency for geopolitics and the world economy.
This podcast synthesises the insights we garnered from our three experts. - Laat meer zien
