Alchemy 2017 becomes the Platform for the Dialogue on Change
Symbiosis Institute of Business Management (SIBM) Bengaluru recently hosted its Annual Management Conclave, Alchemy 2017 – a two-day event wherein esteemed speakers from various sectors of the industry participated in panel discussions and gave keynote speeches, that centred around the theme for the year, ‘Vivartanam Bharate’, translating into transforming India. India is standing on the precipice of change. In the last few years, the country has witnessed a tectonic shift in the geo-political landscape. But, will it be able to sustain its growth in this financially progressive and technologically driven environment? Alchemy 2017, addressed this burning issue.
In all, there were Four Keynote Speakers and Three Panel Discussions: ‘Technological Singularity’, ‘Bankable India?’ and ‘Good and Simple Tax?’. The Keynote speakers and Panelists were:
Day 1
Keynote Speaker #1: Mr. C Rammanohar Reddy, Reader’s Editor, Scroll.in
Mr. C Rammanohar Reddy spoke passionately about how Financial Inclusion is going to be the tool to ensure fiscal consolidation. He rightfully said, “Access to credit at the right time is the first step towards financial inclusion.” Mr. C Rammanohar Reddy also mentioned that Financial Inclusion, should not just remain confined to the head of the household, it needs to reach women as well in order to make it truly inclusive.
Keynote Speaker #1: Mr. C Rammanohar Reddy, Reader’s Editor, Scroll.in
Mr. C Rammanohar Reddy spoke passionately about how Financial Inclusion is going to be the tool to ensure fiscal consolidation. He rightfully said, “Access to credit at the right time is the first step towards financial inclusion.” Mr. C Rammanohar Reddy also mentioned that Financial Inclusion, should not just remain confined to the head of the household, it needs to reach women as well in order to make it truly inclusive.
Keynote Speaker #2: Mr. Rajat Jain Founder, PadUp Ventures Pvt. Ltd., Exec. Vice Chairman, Neva Garments Ltd., Non Exec. Director, Xerox India
Mr. Jain, spoke about innovation and how it is the key to success. He said, “What is it that makes you a successful entrepreneur? First and foremost is a unique idea.” He urged the students to follow their passion and blaze their own path and not be afraid to make their own choices.
Mr. Jain, spoke about innovation and how it is the key to success. He said, “What is it that makes you a successful entrepreneur? First and foremost is a unique idea.” He urged the students to follow their passion and blaze their own path and not be afraid to make their own choices.
Panel #1: Technological Singularity
Mr. Rohit Kumar Pandey, Co-founder and CEO, SigTuple
Mr. Naveen Yeri, Head of Consumer Risk Advanced Analytics, Wells Fargo
Mr. Sambath Margabandhu, Vice President, Polaris Consulting and Services Ltd.
Mr. Padmanabhan Babu, MD and CEO, LogiLink, India.
Mr. Bhupendra Bhate, CDO, L&T Technology Services.
Mr. Rohit Kumar Pandey aptly said, “AI will act as an enabler that will serve to improve the efficiency of doctors.”
Mr. Rohit Kumar Pandey, Co-founder and CEO, SigTuple
Mr. Naveen Yeri, Head of Consumer Risk Advanced Analytics, Wells Fargo
Mr. Sambath Margabandhu, Vice President, Polaris Consulting and Services Ltd.
Mr. Padmanabhan Babu, MD and CEO, LogiLink, India.
Mr. Bhupendra Bhate, CDO, L&T Technology Services.
Mr. Rohit Kumar Pandey aptly said, “AI will act as an enabler that will serve to improve the efficiency of doctors.”
Mr. Naveen Yeri spoke about the grassroots levels adapting AI for it to be successful, he said, “Middle management will first have to adapt for AI to be incorporated in the banking sector.”
Mr. Sambath Margabandhu, in support, said, “Adaptability is the next new thing.”
Mr. Padmanabhan Babu commented, “Important thing to address is, does AI help me drive my sales growth?”
Mr. Bhupendra Bhate said, “Before using AI, we need to understand the domain of that industry”,
Panel #2: Bankable India?
Dr. Susheela Venkataraman, former Technology Head at Asian Development Bank.
Prof. Ravi Kumar, Placement Head, SIBM Bengaluru
Mr. Tamal Bandyopadhay, Consulting Editor of Mint.
Mr. Ravinder Beniwal, President, Aditya Birla Idea Payments Bank
Dr. Susheela Venkataraman, former Technology Head at Asian Development Bank.
Prof. Ravi Kumar, Placement Head, SIBM Bengaluru
Mr. Tamal Bandyopadhay, Consulting Editor of Mint.
Mr. Ravinder Beniwal, President, Aditya Birla Idea Payments Bank
Prof. Ravi Kumar started off the discussion saying that “Deposit penetration has become the key driver for financial inclusion.”
“Digital and Financial Inclusion go hand in hand.”, said Dr. Susheela Venkataraman, emphasising the role of technology in bringing about transformation.
“For Financial Inclusion, we need to make bank products friction free.” said Mr. Ravinder Beniwal.
Mr. Tamal Bandyopadhay, highlighted the focal points for making Financial Inclusion a reality, he said, “Financial Inclusion has to be profitable to be viable and not from charity or CSR activities.”
Day 2
“Digital and Financial Inclusion go hand in hand.”, said Dr. Susheela Venkataraman, emphasising the role of technology in bringing about transformation.
“For Financial Inclusion, we need to make bank products friction free.” said Mr. Ravinder Beniwal.
Mr. Tamal Bandyopadhay, highlighted the focal points for making Financial Inclusion a reality, he said, “Financial Inclusion has to be profitable to be viable and not from charity or CSR activities.”
Day 2
Keynote Speaker #3: Mr. Sunder Madakshira, Head-Marketing, Adobe India
Mr. Madakshira highlighted the significance of digitisation, and said “Question for companies is not whether they’ll become digital, it’s when they’ll become digital.” He added, “Digital world offers more opportunities than it takes away.”
Mr. Madakshira highlighted the significance of digitisation, and said “Question for companies is not whether they’ll become digital, it’s when they’ll become digital.” He added, “Digital world offers more opportunities than it takes away.”
Keynote Speaker #4: Mr. S.R. Raghavendra Rao, Ex-head CMI Airports Planner, Airports Authority of India
Mr. Rao inspired the students with his profound words. He said, “Ability and attitude together in the proper proportion is what is needed.” He also congratulated SIBM Bengaluru for providing the students the exposure to such stalwarts from the industry.
Mr. Rao inspired the students with his profound words. He said, “Ability and attitude together in the proper proportion is what is needed.” He also congratulated SIBM Bengaluru for providing the students the exposure to such stalwarts from the industry.
Panel #3: Good and Simple Tax?
Mr. Abhay Dadhich, AVP Finance – Business, SPAR India
Mr. Raviraj Rodriguez, Head Supply Chain, Wildcraft
Ms. Aparna Bhatnagar, CEO, Green and Goods Store
Mr. Aravindran Ramachandran, Independent Consultant
Mr. Abhay Dadhich, AVP Finance – Business, SPAR India
Mr. Raviraj Rodriguez, Head Supply Chain, Wildcraft
Ms. Aparna Bhatnagar, CEO, Green and Goods Store
Mr. Aravindran Ramachandran, Independent Consultant
Mr. Aravindra Ramachandran began the discussion by saying that, “Several issues that have come up relating to people not compiling with the GST norms.”
Mr. Abhay Dadhich rightfully said, “GST will be beneficial in the long run, but for now consumer is paying more. I agree that GST should have been implemented, but the government could do a better job in rolling out the tax reform.”
Ms. Aparna Bhatnagar corroborated by saying “GST shouldn’t be about meeting the deadline but how to achieve it smoothly.”
“Post GST, regional differentiation by firms on the basis of taxes is passé.” said Mr. Raviraj Rodrgiuez who spoke extensively about the various advantages of GST. He added “The larger discussion is, if you want the country to be tax compliant, GST is the way to go.”
All in all, every speaker edified the students with their expert insights which will certainly help them adapt to the ever-changing landscape of the country and find their way to success. The management students gained a fresh perspective
Hardik Nikhare, coordinator Conferences and Events Committee, said “We live in a dynamic environment, a VUCA world, as some of the speakers said. What we tried to do with this theme, ‘Vivartanam Bharate’, was to bring the experts on stage and encourage students to be part of this transformation rather than just being a mere witness to it.”
Hardik Nikhare, coordinator Conferences and Events Committee, said “We live in a dynamic environment, a VUCA world, as some of the speakers said. What we tried to do with this theme, ‘Vivartanam Bharate’, was to bring the experts on stage and encourage students to be part of this transformation rather than just being a mere witness to it.”