The pace of digital transformation across sectors, while revolutionary, presents critical challenges with regard to securing an organisation’s digital assets

At recent sessions of the India CFO Forum across cities, which were run in collaboration with Microsoft India, panellists from diverse industries, together with renowned cyber-security expert Amit Dubey, led discussions on how businesses can build resilience in the face of growing cyber-threats. They also looked at the CFO’s role in this process. This podcast summarises the discussions

Companies are embracing more environmentally conscious business strategies. Aside from being good for the planet, this Remakes good business sense. Not only does it help shape a positive image of the company among younger generations of workers, who seek to work with sustainable corporations, but increasingly, it is an important factor for investors. 
At a recent IMA India CEO Forum session in Pune, run in collaboration with Radiance Renewables, Anirban Ghosh, Chief Sustainability Officer, Mahindra Group and S Manikkan, Co-Founder and Director of Radiance Renewables, discussed the business needs and opportunities around ESG, and the long run sustainability of such strategies. This podcast offers a summary of the session along with a fuller commentary on the subject.

Several initiatives provide platforms for engagement in further strengthening the bilateral relations between the US and India. Amongst them is India’s membership of the Quad, the Clean Energy Agenda Partnership 2030, the Indo-US Initiative on Critical Technology and finally, I2U2 -  a four-nation pact including UAE, Israel, USA and India. 
There are five key drivers to Indo-US relations. Most significant among them is India’s powerful diaspora, comprising strong lobbies with influence and wealth. Several Indian-Americans now hold critical positions in the administration and Congress, and head some of America’s largest corporations. India's Prime Minister, Mr Modi has shrewdly exploited this to India’s advantage. 

This podcast  narrates Adit Jain's latest essay on Indo-US relations, which could, with a bit of luck, emerge as the defining partnership of the 21st century. 

Study after study reveals a dismal record for mergers and acquisitions (M&A), with most merged entities failing to achieve the projected synergies. A primary reason for this is the failure of acquiring companies to create and implement a comprehensive post-acquisition integration process that minimises the clash of competing cultures.

At a recent India CFO Forum session in Pune, S Krishnakumar, MD and CEO of Shriram Pistons & Rings, decoded the challenges and risks involved in mergers and acquisitions and shared some dos and don’ts to keep in mind. This podcast offers a brief summary of the session. 

In life, as in the work place, individuals are different, with distinctive strengths and frailties. It would appear pointless to try and straighten out failings especially of a sort that are ingrained in the very character, personality or instinctive capability. Leaders, therefore, play to people’s strengths. That’s where they get the biggest bang for their buck. 
This podcast provides a perspective on leadership attributes. 

India’s growing importance on the global stage is the result of a culmination of several factors. At the forefront of these are the extensive economic reforms undertaken by the administration of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

At a recent joint session of IMA India’s CEO and CFO forum, Sanjeev Sanyal, member of the Prime Minister’s Economic Advisory Council and Secretary to the Government of India, walked us through some of the key economic policies implemented so far and what lies ahead. 

This podcast offers a brief summary of the session along with a fuller commentary on the subject.

Defying expectations, the Indian economy continues to grow strongly, with the latest GDP numbers beating forecasts and lead indicators painting a rosy picture. Consumer markets, though, are a mixed bag. In our recent interactions with our CEO and CFO Forum members from consumer-related businesses, the view that emerges is one of a multi-track market that is K-shaped in parts. It is also a space that is seeing major, longer-term structural changes. 
This podcast summarises some of the key takeaways from these discussions, including a short-to-medium-term outlook for demand.

There are three essential considerations on whose premise the country’s economic policy would be ascertained. 
First, above everything, is the issue of macroeconomic stability. This specifies a clear mandate to the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) to ensure that inflation remains within a band of 2-6%. Second, the importance of accumulating foreign exchange reserves. Third, the government will focus on supply-side issues, rather than demand and therefore, seek investment driven growth. This podcast explains.

Every building occasionally needs a new coat of paint. Similarly, a brand – which is really a business’s public face – sometimes needs to be refurbished to maintain or enhance its appeal. In essence, rebranding involves reimagining the company’s marketing strategy, such as by changing its name, design aesthetic, product portfolio or logo. This sounds deceptively easy; the reality is quite different. Before embarking on a rebranding mission, business leaders must be cognizant of the risks involved. This podcast explores the right (and wrong) reasons to rebrand