2025-26

Dr. Hema Harsha Delivers Session on Indian Business Law and Intellectual Property Rights

Dr.  Hema Harsha, Associate Professor at Birla Institute of Management, Bengaluru, delivered a comprehensive session exploring key areas of Indian business law for the PGDM students. She began with the Indian Contract Act, 1872, highlighting the essentials of enforceable agreements, the elements of a valid contract, and legal remedies available in case of breach.
 
Dr. Harsha then provided an overview of the Companies Act, focusing on company formation, the significance of the Memorandum and Articles of Association, directors’ responsibilities, and the legal rights of shareholders. She emphasized the importance of well-drafted legal documentation—including contracts, resolutions, and constitutional documents—for ensuring corporate clarity and compliance.
 
The session concluded with an in-depth discussion on Intellectual Property Rights (IPR), covering trademarks, copyrights, patents, industrial designs, and trade secrets. She explained the procedures for registration, the scope of protection, enforcement mechanisms, and the strategic role of IPR in protecting innovation and enhancing business value.
 
The session offered students valuable legal perspectives relevant to the business world and reinforced the importance of legal literacy for future managers and entrepreneurs.

Shri. C.K. Sabareeshan Delivers an Insightful Session on ESG and the Role of Independent Directors

On June 28, 2025, Shri. C.K. Sabareeshan, Independent Director at BPL Ltd. and Panasonic Appliances Ltd., delivered an engaging session for the PGDM 2024–26 batch on the topic “ESG – Responsibilities and Role of Independent Directors.”
 
Shri. Sabareeshan elaborated on the crucial role independent directors play in upholding ethical governance, providing constructive oversight, and acting in good faith. He discussed ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) reporting standards and highlighted the practical challenges organizations face while implementing ESG frameworks.
 
Drawing from real-life corporate cases such as ICICI, Wells Fargo, and Satyam, he emphasized the importance of sustainable business practices. The session shed light on the relevance of ESG in managing carbon footprints, waste, and renewable energy, while aligning business strategies with stakeholder expectations.
 
The session offered students valuable insights into how corporate governance and ESG go hand-in-hand in today’s dynamic business environment.

Workshop on Stress Management and Work-Life Balance by Dr. Ashish Mohan

Dr. Ashish Mohan, Founder and Principal Consultant at Interactive Management Development and Fellow – BMW Foundation Herbert Quandt, Berlin, Germany, conducted an insightful workshop for the PGDM 2024–26 batch on the topic "Stress Management and Work-Life Balance" on June 27, 2025.
 
The workshop featured interactive discussions centered around real-life workplace challenges, enabling students to grasp the critical importance of maintaining mental well-being in a professional setting. Dr. Mohan emphasized the increasing relevance of work-life balance in today’s demanding and fast-paced corporate environment.
 
A key highlight of the session was a case study involving a manager navigating toxic work culture, stress, and burnout. This case offered students a realistic view of how such challenges can affect both professional performance and personal health.
 
The session also included a personality assessment exercise, helping participants gain deeper self-awareness. Dr. Mohan concluded the workshop with practical strategies for managing stress, maintaining focus, and building resilience through discipline, motivation, and self-reflection.

Workshop on Value-Based Selling by Mr. Varun Kumar, Intel Corporation

Mr. Varun Kumar, Segment Lead – Edge Computing Group at Intel Corporation, Bengaluru, conducted an engaging workshop for the PGDM 2024–26 batch on the topic "Practical Approach to Value-Based Selling with Real-Life Case Studies" on June 26, 2025.
 
Drawing from his rich experience in sales, Mr. Varun shared valuable insights into the real-world challenges of engaging with customers and building a successful career in sales. He emphasized the importance of a practical approach to value-based selling and discussed key pricing methodologies that drive sales effectiveness.
 
A key highlight of the session was his introduction to the MEDDPICC sales qualification framework, equipping students with a structured tool for professional sales strategy and execution.
 
The workshop was highly informative and helped bridge the gap between academic knowledge and industry practice, offering students a clear understanding of modern sales approaches and value-driven client engagement.

Redefining HRM for Bharat @100: A Dialogue on Inclusive and Agile Workplaces at SDMIMD

On June 21, 2025, Dr. Mousumi Sengupta, Dean – International Relations & Professor – HRM & OB at SDMIMD, delivered an insightful talk on “Inclusive, Agile, Digital: Redefining HRM for Bharat @100” The session emphasized the need for a transformative HR approach aligned with India's evolving workforce and digital future.

The talk was followed by a panel discussion on “Building a Culture of Psychological Safety: The Role of HR Team and Leaders” featuring:

  • Dr. Sunil MV, Assistant Professor – Systems & General Management, SDMIMD
  • Mr. Pavan Kumar, Alumnus, SDMIMD
  • Mr. Goutham B M, Head – HRIR, Radico
  • The discussion was moderated by Mr. Rinto C.A, PGDM student at SDMIMD.
The session shed light on the strategic role of HR in fostering inclusive, resilient, and psychologically safe workplaces in modern organizations.

Driving Digital Transformation through Reverse Mentoring: Insights at SDMIMD

On June 20, 2025, Dr.Nanda Kishore Shetty, Associate Professor – Marketing at SDMIMD, delivered an engaging talk on “Application of Reverse Mentoring at Corporate India with Special Reference to Tata Steel – Driving Digital Transformation at Tata Steel’s Marketing & Sales Department: A Change Initiative.” The session highlighted how reverse mentoring can serve as a catalyst for digital transformation in traditional business environments.

This was followed by a panel discussion on “Driving Digital Transformation in Sales & Marketing in Large Indian Conglomerates” featuring perspectives from:

  • Dr. Keerthan Raj, Associate Professor – Marketing, SDMIMD
  • Mr. Shamanth Nanda, Alumnus, SDMIMD
  • Mrs. Ashwini B. Thammaiah, Country Head & Board Member, iSOCRATES Inc. & MADTECH.AI Inc.
  • The discussion was moderated by Ms. Vidyashree P, PGDM student at SDMIMD.
The session offered rich insights into how legacy firms can embrace digital tools and innovative practices to stay competitive in evolving markets.

Generative AI in Operations: Exploring the Road Ahead at SDMIMD

On June 19, 2025, Dr. Anand Ellur, Associate Professor – Operations & Quantitative Methods at SDMIMD, delivered an insightful talk on “Use of Generative AI in Operations and Supply Chain Management.” The session delved into how emerging AI technologies are transforming operational efficiency and supply chain dynamics.

The talk was followed by a panel discussion on “Have Companies Started Leveraging AI and Gen AI in their Operations and Supply Chain Management? If Yes, How? If No, What Should Be the Roadmap (Use Cases)?”, The panel included:

  • Dr. Anand Sasikumar, Assistant Professor – Operations, SDMIMD
  • Mr. Kaustubh Sinha, Manager – Customer Success and Tech Account Management, Zycus, Bengaluru & Alumnus of SDMIMD
  • Dr. Navin Shankar Patel, Convenor, CII IT Panel, Mysuru & In-charge, AI Automation Initiative at Infosys, Mysuru
  • The discussion was moderated by Mr. Naren P.S, PGDM student at SDMIMD.
The session offered valuable perspectives on the current adoption and future roadmap of AI in operational strategies, supported by real-world use cases.

Fintech and Financial Inclusion: Insights from Experts at SDMIMD

On June 18, 2025, Dr. K Riyazahmed, Associate Professor – Finance at SDMIMD, delivered a talk on “Fintech for Financial Inclusion: The Indian Story.” The session explored how technological innovations are bridging gaps in access to financial services across India.

A panel discussion followed on “Ways, Means, and Strategies for Financial Inclusion through Fintech in India” featuring a distinguished lineup:

  • Dr.Sriram Mahadevan, Associate Professor – Finance, SDMIMD
  • Mr. Kiran Kumar MV, Consultant – Fintech and Finanalytics, Ex-HSBC & Alumnus of SDMIMD
  • Mr. Rishu Kumar, National Product Manager – Home Loan, Ujjivan Small Finance Bank
  • The discussion was moderated by Mr. Amith M Kamath, PGDM student at SDMIMD.
The session provided practical insights and strategic perspectives on leveraging fintech to promote inclusive growth in India’s financial ecosystem.

AI and Ethics in Decision-Making: A Thought-Provoking Session at SDMIMD

On June 17, 2025, Dr. Mohamed Minhaj, Professor – Systems & Dean – Academics at SDMIMD, delivered an engaging talk on “Beyond Automation: How Agentic AI Is Redefining Work.” The session highlighted the evolving role of intelligent systems in shaping the future of work.

The talk was followed by a panel discussion on “Ethical Use of AI for Decision-Making: Navigating the Grey Zones” featuring a diverse panel:

  • Dr. Srilakshminarayana Gali G, Associate Professor – Quantitative Methods, SDMIMD
  • Mr. Madan Mohare, Consulting Head – Data & Analytics, Younion, Bengaluru & Alumnus of SDMIMD
  • Mr. Rajath Agarwal, Industry Expert
  • The discussion was moderated by Mr. Kartik V Shastri, PGDM student at SDMIMD.
The session offered rich perspectives on the responsible integration of AI in decision-making processes, emphasizing the need for ethical frameworks and critical oversight.

Geopolitics and Indo-US Relations: Expert Insights at SDMIMD

On June 16, 2025, Dr. Prasad S N, Director of SDMIMD, delivered an insightful talk on "Geopolitics and its Strategic Implications".

The session was followed by a thought-provoking panel discussion on "Trump’s Policies – Future for Indo-US Relations".

The panel featured diverse perspectives from academia, industry, and alumni:

  • Dr. Kannadas S, Associate Professor – Accounting & Finance, SDMIMD
  • Mr. Harinath Gopalaswamy, Founder & Director, Fintelligence, Bengaluru & Alumnus of SDMIMD
  • Prof. Sukumar Rangachari G.F, Mentor, IIMB NSRCEL, Bengaluru
  • The discussion was moderated by Mr. Mohammed Parvez Ali, PGDM student at SDMIMD.
The session offered valuable insights into the evolving dynamics of global politics and its implications for India-U.S. relations.
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