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What three IPAs, and the evidence so far, suggest about where the real change lies Over the last few years, AI has started to change the daily work of many industries, and investment promotion is no exception. In my experience, a typical FDI professional once spent roughly half their time on groundwork: building, cleaning and maintaining contact databases, then shortlisting companies by reviewing...
Eric Lamarre, Kate Smaje, Rodney Zemmel — McKinsey & Company Digital and AI transformation is not a one-off project — it’s a permanent shift in how companies work, innovate, and compete.In Rewired, McKinsey distils a decade of transformation experience into a six‑capability model that organisations must build in parallel to succeed: Business-led Roadmap Talent Operating Model...
Last week, I had an insightful meeting in Chennai with a Dutch technology solutions provider specialising in Business Process Management (BPM), digital consulting, and AI & data-driven platforms. The conversation revolved around how European firms with strong domain expertise can meaningfully contribute to India’s digital transformation journey. On my return, I happened to listen to the...
While researching the changing landscape of global energy and geopolitics, I came across Daniel Yergin’s book, The New Map: Energy, Climate, and the Clash of Nations. The book provides a detailed map of how nations are being redefined by their energy strategies and the shifting global order. About the Author Daniel Howard Yergin (born February 6, 1947) is a renowned American author, economic...
Introduction The Good Indian Employee’s Guide to Surviving a Lala Company by Rajiv Gupta is a humorous yet eye-opening look into the inner workings of Indian family-run businesses. These “Lala companies”, as colloquially called, dominate India’s business landscape but come with their own quirks, power structures, and unwritten rules. The book offers practical survival strategies for employees...
While researching how AI is redrawing the map of international business, I picked up Competing in the Age of AI by Marco Iansiti and Karim R. Lakhani—driven by both curiosity and urgency. I wanted to understand how AI transforms technology, how it changes the way companies are structured, how they lead, and how they stay accountable in a fast-changing world. As I read, I started grouping insights...
Introduction What if the economic models we were taught are outdated and harmful for the future we want to build? Kate Raworth’s Doughnut Economics urges us to let go of last century’s obsession with endless growth and adopt a framework that puts both people and the planet at the heart of economic thinking. This book is talking about changing the very shape and purpose of economics. Through the...
Introduction In March 2018, I was in Mumbai for a team meeting with Stans Kleijnen, who was then the Executive Director of the Netherlands Foreign Investment Agency (NFIA) in India. During a casual conversation after our session, Stans pulled out a copy of How India Works by Aarti Kelshikar. “This,” she said, “perfectly captures what we face every day working in India’s complex yet fascinating...
Introduction Kautilya’s Arthashastra is a thought-provoking exploration of ancient statecraft, economic management, military strategy, and political philosophy. Written over 2,000 years ago by Kautilya (also known as Chanakya), the adviser to Emperor Chandragupta Maurya, this classic dives deep into the mechanics of power, prosperity, and governance. Its insights into leadership, espionage...
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...
