The Morning Brief

In this conversation, Arun Kumar Parameswaran, Executive Vice President and MD for Salesforce South Asia, shares insights from his 30 years in the industry. He discusses the transformative power of the agentic enterprise, where AI agents and humans collaboratively redefine business operations. Topics include the shift to intent-centric design, the importance of trust, and how unified data can lead to auditable decisions. Arun highlights significant opportunities for Indian businesses in areas like hyper-personalization, fraud detection, and instant commerce, emphasizing the future's reliance on human-AI partnerships.

Purvi Jothani, an employment law expert and founder of LawQuest, joins Vandana Gurnani, Secretary of the Ministry of Labour and Employment, to discuss India's major labour law reforms. They explore the consolidation of 29 laws into four, the impact of the new 50% basic pay rule, and parity for fixed-term employees with permanent staff. Jothani highlights recognition for gig workers, while Gurnani addresses compliance challenges and the government's push for universal social security. This insightful conversation provides guidance for both employers and workers navigating the new landscape.

Join Prashant Jain, co-founder and CIO of 3P Investment Managers, as he shares insights from his extensive career in fund management. He discusses whether today's market valuations are echoing historical bubbles and expresses his preference for large caps over small and mid caps. Jain warns of potential pitfalls in consumer and manufacturing stocks and analyzes the recent surge in IPOs. He also explores the implications of the AI boom and provides his expectations for the future of Indian equities, advocating for a diversified investment approach.

Grant Lee, Co-founder and CEO of Gamma, shares insights on his innovative design and AI-native productivity platform. Frustrated by tedious slide formatting, he transformed presentations with a writing-first approach that gained traction in India and Asia. Grant discusses Gamma's expansion plans, the role of AI in user experience, and the importance of a lean, collaborative work culture. He also addresses hiring challenges due to visa issues and emphasizes the essential skills for a future heavily influenced by AI.

Harish Bijoor, a business and brand strategy specialist, and Lloyd Mathias, a marketing veteran and angel investor, delve into the emerging landscape of women's cricket post-World Cup victory. They discuss the historical imbalance in brand investments favoring men’s cricket and advocate for impactful storytelling to engage fans. Mathias emphasizes the need for standalone sponsorships and year-round engagement strategies, while Bijoor highlights international equity gaps. Together, they explore the exciting potential for women's cricket to carve out its own identity and thrive.

Nandini Piramal, Chairperson of Piramal Pharma, and Arjun Juneja, COO of Mankind Pharma, delve into the future of India's pharmaceutical industry. They discuss Piramal's transformation focusing on CDMO and hospital generics, and Mankind's journey to innovation in obesity treatment. Topics include the importance of quality in manufacturing, the challenges of global regulatory scrutiny, and the need for a quality-first culture. They emphasize strategic partnerships and share ambitious visions for 2047, aiming for leadership in the evolving pharma landscape.

Jessica Rajan, a business reporter for The Economic Times, and Manu Toms, an analyst from ET Prime, dive into the turmoil surrounding Byju’s insolvency. They discuss the intense bidding for key assets like Aakash and Great Learning, led by Ranjan Pai and UpGrad. Legal challenges and allegations of mismanaged funds complicate the situation. The power of the Glass Trust looms large, controlling the fate of creditors. The conversation paints a picture of distress and opportunity in the edtech landscape.

Sidharth Yadav, the founder of Stride Run Club in Bengaluru, explores the rise of run clubs as vibrant social spaces in urban India. These gatherings provide connection in a world where loneliness is prevalent, especially among Gen Z. Sidharth shares insights into how these clubs transcend fitness, becoming inclusive environments that foster community and safety. He discusses the appeal for brands and social media’s role in promoting these local networks, shining a light on a new cultural shift towards morning rituals and real-life interactions.

Patrick Wendell, Co-founder and VP of Engineering at Databricks, shares insights from his journey starting the company from a UC Berkeley research project. He explains how early, bold bets on cloud-managed software are setting the stage for AI's future. Wendell also highlights India's dual role as a significant talent hub and growing market for Databricks. Discussions include the real economics of the AI boom, competitive salary demands, and the importance of profitability over valuations in driving sustainable growth.

Dr. Christine Fair, a Georgetown scholar specializing in South Asian security, and Dr. John Horgan, a psychologist who studies terrorism, delve into the unsettling rise of white-collar extremism. They explore how trained professionals are blending into traditional role models of militancy and the implications of online radicalization. Key topics include the psychology behind lone actors, the challenges posed by mixing ideologies, and the need for better preparedness within India's institutions to combat evolving terrorist threats.