Mindmine Summit 2008

As a result of 17 years of reforms, the baggage from the past had been shed and Indian firms now had the confidence to look global and Asian counterparts in the eye. The growing ambitions of Indian firms had caught the attention and captured the imagination of both strategic and private equity interests from overseas. De-risking through exports was now a rule, rather than an exception. At another level, the inorganic route had become an integral part of the strategy of Indian firms to quickly gain in scale and size.

Yet important challenges remained, even as Indian companies sought to re-orient themselves. There was the challenge of growth on an international scale. There was the challenge of setting and maintaining global standards of efficiency, productivity and customer service. There was the challenge of competition from Asian neighbours and entrenched host companies. Most important was the transition challenge from family-driven company to a corporate company.

Meanwhile within India, firms faced challenges distinctly unique to this country. The infrastructure deficit was still daunting; red tape was still endemic—and yes, Indian managers still had to rely on their jugaad and intuitiveness to remain competitive.

At another level, Indian firms were coming under increasing pressure from the government to share the burden of inclusive growth and development. As the world changed, as India’s aspirations grew, as Indians sought a new identity for themselves, Indian businesses faced a New Agenda. They needed to rediscover and reinvent themselves in not one, but several different ways.

Third Mindmine Summit on February 7 and 8, 2008 at Hotel ITC Maurya, New Delhi was appropriately themed “Re-inventing Indian Business: Agenda for Today”. The 2008 edition looked closer at the human, social and business dynamics that would be driving India in the next decade and beyond.

Over the course of a day and a half, summit participants listened to, interacted and discussed with and met a galaxy of high-profile thought leaders and practitioners who addressed various facets of India’s journey, both within and outside. With the top-of-the-line resources lined up for the summit, the event created the same impact in the print and television media as previous summit did.