Souvik Saha
In a room full of industry leaders, one message quietly stood out above all — the future of business isn’t just about scale or speed, it’s about trust, adaptability, and the courage to evolve.
At the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) Eastern Region’s annual conference in Kolkata, conversations moved beyond boardroom jargon and into something more real: how businesses can survive, grow, and stay relevant in a world that refuses to slow down.
It Starts With Trust, Not Just Strategy
The opening session, “Building Empires that Last,” didn’t talk about overnight success. Instead, it focused on longevity.
Dr. Sanjiv Goenka put it simply — without efficiency, businesses cannot compete. But beyond numbers and systems, he pointed to something deeper: confidence and trust from stakeholders, which, according to him, remains the real foundation of any lasting enterprise.
Shobana Kamineni added a sense of urgency to the discussion. “If you don’t move with time, you stagnate,” she said — a reminder that even the biggest companies are not immune to irrelevance. She highlighted how growth is now spreading beyond metros, especially in healthcare, where smaller cities are becoming powerful hubs of change.
Growth Isn’t Just Expansion — It’s Mindset
Sanjiv Puri introduced the idea of the three Vs — vision, value, and vitality — but what resonated most was his emphasis on culture. In his words, culture often matters more than strategy, because it shapes how decisions are actually executed.
R Mukundan built on that thought, stressing that leadership today is not about authority, but about earning trust over time. And in a fast-changing world, transformation is no longer optional — it’s continuous.
Meanwhile, Chandrajit Banerjee highlighted a quiet gap in India’s growth story — the lack of strong R&D focus — while also expressing confidence that India’s real potential lies in its districts, not just its metros.
Startups Are Moving Faster — and Thinking Differently
If the first session was about legacy, the next was about speed.
In “Building at Speed: The Startup Playbook,” founders and leaders spoke about how decision-making itself is evolving.
Mehul Mohanka pointed out that traditional communication slows companies down — and that quick, clear conversations are now a competitive advantage.
Akshay Ghulati captured the mood of the times: “The world is in chaos,” he said, but added that survival today depends on how fast you can respond and adapt to new technologies.
Sibabrata Das brought in a refreshing perspective — that growth often depends on mindset more than resources. According to him, thinking in terms of limitations is what truly holds companies back.
Where Business Meets Creativity and Culture
The final session shifted gears — from industry to influence.
Actor and producer Huma Qureshi spoke not like a celebrity, but like a creator navigating her own journey. She reflected on finding her voice in an industry that often tries to define you, and described “soft power” as something that comes naturally, not something you manufacture.
Tom Moody, with his global cricketing experience, highlighted how the IPL has become a symbol of India’s cultural confidence. For him, it’s not just cricket — it’s a reflection of India’s energy and authenticity on a global stage.
Vikram Malhotra brought the conversation into the future, talking about AI’s growing role in storytelling. According to him, technology is now levelling the playing field, allowing Indian creators to compete globally with fewer limitations than ever before.
A Bigger Picture Emerging
By the end of the conference, one thing was clear — India’s growth story is no longer just about expansion. It’s about how businesses think, adapt, and connect.
The leaders on stage didn’t just talk about profits or scale. They spoke about trust that needs to be earned daily, cultures that shape outcomes, and the courage to change before it’s too late.
In a world that’s constantly shifting, that might just be the real competitive advantage.
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