Thanks to Jeroen Nijland, former NFIA Director, who gifted me The Trusted Advisor back in 2017. That book—and many conversations since—taught me something simple yet profound: the smartest people in the room are often the best listeners. Especially in cross-border business development, listening isn’t just polite—it’s strategic. In this post, I want to walk you through three proven frameworks...
Introduction The Trusted Advisor by David H. Maister, Charles H. Green, and Robert M. Galford is a powerful exploration of how professionals can build lasting trust with clients. The book dives deep into the psychology of advisory relationships, revealing why being right isn’t enough—and how being human builds loyalty. In this post, I’ll unpack the book’s core ideas, takeaways, and case studies...
Introduction Corporate Chanakya by Dr. Radhakrishnan Pillai is an enlightening exploration of leadership, strategy, and management through the timeless wisdom of Chanakya (also known as Kautilya). This book reimagines the 4th-century BCE political and economic treatise Arthashastra for today’s corporate leaders, entrepreneurs, and managers. Whether you’re running a startup, leading a...
During my tenure at UK Trade & Investment (UKTI), we had a clear mandate—to double UK-India bilateral trade from £12 billion to £24 billion in five years. Back then (2012), this felt like a stretch target. Today, we’re aiming for $130 billion by 2030. It’s a reflection of how close, complex, and commercially relevant the UK-India relationship has become. And now, as of May 6, 2025, the UK and...
Fed’s meeting minutes. It’s always stimulating to read the Fed’s meeting minutes.There’s a certain understated drama in them. The kind where a few lines quietly hint at how the world’s biggest central bank might steer the economy. For someone like me, who often lives between economic headlines and strategic footnotes, these documents are pure gold. And let’s be honest—Fed rate cuts, or even...
I’ve been around sales for a while—though, truth be told, I’ve rarely called it that. At the Department for the UK, I spent a lot of time convincing UK companies to enter the Indian market by using UKTI services. At the Netherlands Foreign Investment Agency (NFIA), it was about telling the Dutch story—strategic location, talent, and tax—without sounding like a brochure. And in my consulting work...
Why Storytelling Matters in Business Effective storytelling for business is essential. Research indicates that stories are 22 times more memorable than facts alone. Whether pitching to investors, marketing products, or leading a team, mastering business storytelling techniques can dramatically improve results. Pixar’s Story Framework: Emotional Connection That Converts...
A New India on the Global Stage This is an India determined to play on the big stage, even changing the stage itself where necessary to advance its interests. I picked up Why Bharat Matters with keen interest, drawn by Dr S. Jaishankar’s reputation for candid diplomacy—such as his remark that Europe needs to rethink its global perspective. I anticipated a book that would reject conventional...
I have today completed the Advanced Valuation and Strategy— M&A, Private Equity, and Venture Capital course offered by Erasmus University Rotterdam on Coursera. I must say that it is one of the most thought-provoking courses I’ve taken in a while. Led by Professor Han Smit, the course covered more than just financial models — it introduced concepts like real options, game theory, and expanded...
Introduction Last year, I explored the Indian healthcare landscape for a Dutch medtech company that was evaluating market entry. Their solution focused on optimising warfarin dosages for thrombosis patients — a niche, high-impact segment. Although the company eventually shifted priorities and paused the India expansion, the research offered some powerful insights into the potential of India as a...
