Business and Economy

Brand First, Milk Always: The Essential Guide to Building a Modern Indian Dairy Brand

India is not just the world’s largest milk producer; it contributes over 24% of global milk output, with an annual production exceeding 230 million tonnes. Valued at over ₹13 lakh crore, India’s dairy sector is growing steadily, driven by rising incomes, urbanization, and health-conscious consumers. Yet, in this vast and thriving market, only a handful […]

Brand First, Milk Always: The Essential Guide to Building a Modern Indian Dairy Brand Read More »

Improving Operating Margins: A CEO’s Playbook in Challenging Times

As a CEO, you’re never operating in a utopia. There will always be constraints. Tight budgets. Volatile input costs. Fierce competition. Stakeholder expectations. And the ever-present pressure to do more with less. In such an environment, improving operating margins isn’t just a finance team’s job. It’s a strategic imperative—and often, a litmus test for leadership.

Improving Operating Margins: A CEO’s Playbook in Challenging Times Read More »

The Futility of a Turkey Boycott: Why Trade, Even with Adversaries, Is in India’s Interest

In an age of instant outrage, calls for economic boycotts often arise from public sentiment and social media campaigns, especially when a country appears to take a hostile stance toward India. Turkey has faced such backlash in recent years—largely due to its statements on Kashmir and its military ties with Pakistan, including supplying drones. While

The Futility of a Turkey Boycott: Why Trade, Even with Adversaries, Is in India’s Interest Read More »

Dairy: Protected Today. Competitive Tomorrow?

On May 6, 2025, the long-awaited Indo-UK Free Trade Agreement (FTA) was signed. The deal—years in the making and shaped by shifting political and economic winds—marks a milestone in Indo-British economic relations. And why not. It promises zero-duty access for British automobiles, whisky, and select machinery, while opening the UK to Indian textiles, pharma, and

Dairy: Protected Today. Competitive Tomorrow? Read More »

Life’s 4Ps: A Framework for Growth beyond Strategy

When Philip Kotler introduced the 4Ps of marketing — Product, Price, Place, and Promotion — it offered businesses a clear, strategic lens to position themselves effectively in the market. But over time, life has a way of introducing its own framework — one that’s less about selling a brand and more about building a foundation.

Life’s 4Ps: A Framework for Growth beyond Strategy Read More »

The power of yes

March 2025. A photo appeared from nowhere in my gallery, stopping me in my tracks. It was just an airport banner—one of the many you pass by, barely registering. But this one lingered. Lufthansa. Terminal 2, Munich Airport. “Every story ever told started with a yes.” Fourteen words, and suddenly, I was no longer where

The power of yes Read More »

How to Feed the World: A Sustainable and Equitable Approach

Introduction Feeding the world is one of the greatest challenges of our time. Despite significant advancements in food production, nearly 735 million people faced hunger in 2022, according to the FAO. Vaclav Smil, in his book How to Feed the World, provides an analytical framework to understand the complexities of global food security, emphasizing agricultural

How to Feed the World: A Sustainable and Equitable Approach Read More »

Organization Churn for a Creamy Future

Just over a decade ago, in 2014, I made a significant move in my career—venturing into the dairy industry to lead a mid-sized company known for its strong supplier network and uncompromising focus on quality. However, what it lacked was a strong consumer connect, a distinctive brand identity, and visibility beyond its local base in

Organization Churn for a Creamy Future Read More »

From Volume to Value: A Comparative Look at Growth Metrics in the U.S. and Indian Dairy Industries

A recent LinkedIn post by Corey Geiger, Economist & Author, caught my attention, highlighting a significant shift in the U.S. dairy industry—milk production is no longer the primary metric for growth; instead, milk components such as butterfat and protein are driving progress. This shift challenges conventional wisdom, particularly in India, where total milk production remains

From Volume to Value: A Comparative Look at Growth Metrics in the U.S. and Indian Dairy Industries Read More »

Future is She, Accelerating Action for Women’s Leadership

Moderating the Future is She, Season 4 was my honour – an event that was not just a discussion but a movement. Organized by The Times of India, Pune, as part of their International Women’s Day initiatives, this panel brought together stellar participants who shared clear insights on how we can truly accelerate action for

Future is She, Accelerating Action for Women’s Leadership Read More »