Daybreak

Ola's ride-hailing business is in a tailspin, plummeting market share and frustrated investors raise red flags. Bhavish Aggarwal’s unwavering focus on Ola Electric has left the cab sector in limbo. Talks for a merger with Rapido fizzled out, highlighting diverging priorities. Despite significant leadership churn and declining revenue, Aggarwal maintains tight control, raising concern among early investors trapped by exit clauses. Can new ventures like AI shopping tools revive the core ride-hailing service or are the challenges insurmountable?

Uncover the thrilling rivalry between Doms and ITC in India's stationery market. Doms is surging forward, with its IPO catalyzing explosive sales growth and an ambitious product lineup. Discover how Doms thrives on in-house manufacturing, strategic acquisitions, and innovative marketing strategies. The company's focus on product perfection, from dent-proof geometry boxes to a child-focused ecosystem, sets it apart. With aspirations for global reach and a sizable new manufacturing facility, Doms is on a determined path to dethrone ITC.

LG's record-breaking IPO saw massive investor enthusiasm, driven by its strong consumer electronics dominance. The company’s long-term relationships with retailers, built on trust and generosity, face challenges as it shifts towards premium products. This transition could test its foundational loyalty. Employee stability is highlighted as a strategic asset compared to rivals, while LG's focus on offline retail ensures partner trust and foot traffic. Can LG maintain its core values while navigating the high-stakes world of luxury sales?

The discussion dives into Accenture's drastic restructuring and job cuts under new leadership, sparking a talent boom for the Big Four firms. These companies are rapidly hiring seasoned tech executives to strengthen their AI and transformation capabilities. The shift highlights a growing emphasis on digital services over traditional consulting. Moreover, rising competition is threatening Accenture and IBM, as the Big Four leverage existing relationships to secure large tech deals. All this unfolds against a backdrop of changing market dynamics and geopolitical influences.

The hike in H-1B visa fees took many by surprise, but it opened doors for GCC employees to rise. With Indian talent in focus, discussions arise on the shifting power dynamics in tech and innovation. The podcast delves into how global capability centers are transitioning from execution to strategic roles, though challenges remain. Will disruptions in immigration policy favor India's ambitions? Tune in to explore this evolving landscape and its impact on the industry.

Meesho is gearing up for a high-profile IPO, built on a cash-first model thriving in small-town India. Over 75% of its orders are still cash on delivery, fostering trust but tying up cash flows. As investor concerns rise, Meesho collaborates with Razorpay to shift towards prepaid payments. They aim to enhance user experience and offer incentives for digital adoption. The challenge remains: can they convince loyal cash-clients to embrace digital solutions without losing their trust?

Discover how AI copilots are transforming India's call centre landscape, assisting agents round the clock. Major firms are prioritizing workflow data over labor, shifting towards a model that could redefine BPMs into analytics powerhouses. Explore the rise of agentic AI, capable of managing end-to-end workflows autonomously. The human cost of automation looms large, as India trains technologies that might replace its own workforce. Unexpected adoptions, like in fertility clinics, reveal a surprising trust in AI. Buckle up for an amazing journey into the future of work!

Is the AI revolution losing momentum? This discussion explores the surprising stagnation in software growth despite the hype around AI. Insights reveal a flat landscape in app development and questions over the underwhelming launch of GPT-5. Furthermore, experts raise alarms about the economic risks of an AI bubble and the social impact of technological advancements on worker stability. The conversation urges a deeper societal reflection on AI's future and its potential to exacerbate inequality.

Discover how Dreamfolks Services revolutionized airport lounge access in India, linking banks and travelers. Now, Adani is taking charge, consolidating control over lounges, duty-free shops, and food courts. Allegations suggest they pressured banks to bypass aggregators like Dreamfolks, marking a significant shift in airport commerce. The podcast explores the impact on independent operators and the transformation of the Mumbai Airport as a case study, shedding light on the changing landscape of airport retail and hospitality.

In this conversation, Megha Jose, CEO of Fortune Wealth Management and founder of Thryve, shares insights on 'Lazy Girl Investing.' She discusses overcoming financial shame and embracing investing as a simple, learnable skill. Megha explains how to get started in just three minutes, advocating for automated systems like index funds to achieve consistent growth. She emphasizes measuring investments against annualized returns and rethinking the stock market as owning businesses rather than mere transactions. Her approach encourages guilt-free spending while ensuring prudent debt management.