Global geopolitics is in a state of turmoil unseen in decades. Europe and the Middle East are at war and there is a risk of these conflicts spreading. National security and energy supplies are therefore of real concern. Adding to the worry is the escalating rivalry between America and China, and the fact that rising nationalism is creating new barriers to flows of people, goods and investment across borders. At recent sessions of the India CEO Forum in Pune and Bangalore, Pramit Pal Chaudhuri, South Asia Practice Head for the Eurasia Group and former Foreign Editor of the Hindustan Times, outlined how geopolitical factors will impact businesses over a medium-to-long-term horizon. This podcast summarises these discussions.

As global temperatures rise inexorably, governments and companies are coming around to the concept of net-zero. Simply put, net zero means cutting emissions to a bare minimum and then absorbing and/or durably storing the residual emissions, leaving ‘zero’ in the atmosphere. What, though, does making such a commitment mean in practical terms – from either a national or a corporate perspective? What can businesses do to move in this direction, and how can they benefit from doing so?

At a recent joint session of the India CEO and CFO Forums in Delhi, Jayant Sinha, a two-term Member of Parliament, and Chairperson of the Standing Committee on Finance, provided insights from both a policy and business standpoint on this issue. He also discussed how the net zero development model may unfold across various sectors, and the steps that leading businesses can take in this sphere. This podcast summarises these discussions.

At a recent India CEO Forum session in Chennai, Dilip Sawhney, Regional Vice President of Rockwell Automation, provided a perspective on how digitisation and automation are impacting the manufacturing sector. This podcast summmarises the discussion.

The use of consultants, towards the formation of business strategy, has had mixed results. Some companies claim they were a game changer, whilst others strongly disagree. It’s hard to conclude authoritatively with numerical evidence, either way. But what is clear is that they charge a lot. What is not clear though is whether what they do cannot be done internally.

Companies have begun to internalise the strategy process, through the formation of a dedicated team, as this paper explains. For many, it has worked beautifully.

A retirement age of between 58 and 62 years, leaves a decade for active engagement. Some prefer to use this freedom, from regimented employment, to pursue personal interests and leisure. Still others seek to remain professionally involved by lending their skills and knowledge, acquired over decades, for the benefit of others. It is a win-win, where the individual monetises her experience and an organisation, gains from it in a cost effective manner.

Lending time to boards of other companies is enriching both professionally and financially. CEOs and function heads could actively pursue these opportunities - not necessarily with large public listed companies, but rather with the mid-sized owner managed ones. The attached paper explains. I hope you would find it in order.

Forward premiums, play a critical role in foreign exchange markets. They are the difference between the spot rate and the forward exchange rate. They represent either a premium or a discount at which a foreign currency is valued in the forward markets, when compared to its current value. Premiums, consequently, provide insights into the market’s outlook, investor sentiments and the likely direction of exchange rate movements.

Forward premiums are, in addition, influenced by market expectations and risk perceptions. When interest rate differentials between the United States and India narrow, it tends to reduce the attractiveness of holding rupee forward contracts, leading to a decrease in the forward premium. This podcast explains.

Gen Z are different to their bosses. Their job is only a small part of their identity and they make that abundantly clear in the work place. They value empathy at work and frequently consider it a precondition. Their bosses, on the other hand, do not place as high a value on this attribute.

They want to feel respected rather than solely measured for productivity, which is what most companies prefer to focus on. Contrary to popular perception, studies have shown that Gen Z do want job stability and financial security. Many are active investors in financial markets as the primary platform for wealth creation, as opposed to the brick-and-mortar investments in homes and real-estate, preferred by their parents. This podcast explains.

At our recent Q4FY24 India CHRO Forum Dialogue in Mumbai, Jaspreet Bindra delved into the influence of AI and Gen AI on business operations and societal dynamics. Following this insightful discussion, Rajesh Mani elaborated on the crucial role played by CHROs in shaping the organisational culture. This podcast summarises these discussions in greater detail.