As we enter the new year, we reflect on the past 12 months. It has been another momentous year, marked by a flurry of management activities designed to drive growth, improvement, and success.
We are proud to say that our efforts have paid off, and MMA has remained a relevant and vital force among management professionals. This achievement would not have been possible without the unwavering support of our members.
We extend our sincere heartfelt gratitude to every one of you. Your participation, engagement, and enthusiasm have been the driving force behind our accomplishments. We are honoured to have such a dedicated and passionate group of members as part of MMA.
As we look to the future, we are excited to build on the momentum of the past year. We will continue to work tirelessly to address the needs and concerns of our members and to promote the values and principles that have guided us thus far.
Once again, thank you for your support and commitment to MMA. We wish you and your loved ones a joyous and peaceful New Year 2025, and we look forward to an even more successful and fulfilling year ahead.
Your Action Board for 2025
The new year arrives with abundant hope and a renewed determination to transform our vision into reality. While traditional vision boards—decorated with inspirational quotes—have been a staple for manifesting-dreams, they often lack a structured approach to achieving those aspirations.
Enter the Action Board, a modern evolution grounded in cognitive psychology and intentional planning. Unlike conventional vision boards, action boards focus on actionable steps, offering a clear and practical path toward sustainable change. They enable us to not only visualize the future we desire but also inspire purposeful actions to bring those dreams to life.
As 2025 unfolds, it’s the perfect time to embrace this dynamic tool. Don’t wait—start creating your action board today! Take that first small but intentional step toward your goals and make 2025 your year of achievement and growth.
MMA Annual Convention 2025
The future of business is not what it used to be. Radical changes in the business environment and technologies are creating new winners and losers. India is entering 2025 on a confident note with high growth and moderating inflation. Optimism is in the air, and our focus should move to growth that’s more broad-based and inclusive.
In today’s unpredictable global landscape, building a resilient India is essential to achieving our vision of Viksit Bharat. In previous conventions, we have explored various aspects of India @2047, including nurturing talent, fostering innovation, and enabling business growth. As we navigate an increasingly complex world, resilience has become the cornerstone of progress. Building a resilient India demands a multi-dimensional approach that addresses the dynamic geopolitical environment, empowers small and medium enterprises, strengthens technological and skill adaptability, prioritizes mental health, and ensures inclusive growth that bridges urban and rural divides. By focusing on these critical foundations, we can equip India to thrive in the face of challenges and realize its aspirations for the future.
The MMA Annual Convention on “Foundations for Building a Resilient India”, scheduled to be held on Wednesday, 12th February 2025, at Hotel Taj Coromandel, Chennai, promises to be an insightful event. It will delve into strategies for strengthening India’s resilience across critical dimensions, enabling the nation to leapfrog into the future. The convention will also offer practical insights to help businesses remain agile and resilient amidst evolving challenges.
I would like to take this opportunity to extend my heartfelt congratulations to Mr. Lakshminarayanan, Chairman, Convention Committee, and the Convention Committee Members, along with our Knowledge Partner, McKinsey & Company, for their tireless efforts over the past few months to organize an exceptional convention featuring outstanding speakers.
The participation fee has been highly subsidized for MMA Members, making it an excellent opportunity to benefit from this premier MMA event. Kindly take advantage of this offer and register now to confirm your seat.
Click here to view the convention details and register.
The Silent Threat: Combatting Brain Rot:
Recently, Oxford University Press selected “Brain Rot” as the word of the year, surpassing other contenders like “Demure” and “Dynamic Pricing.” The choice was made based on widespread usage and public voting after shortlisting. I’m not surprised by the outcome. This term reflects the times we live in—a period dominated by our ever-increasing immersion in the virtual world.
“Brain Rot” is not a medical diagnosis or condition but a slang term that has gained prominence in recent years, particularly in relation to the surge in social media consumption. This endless flow of low-value content contributes little to our lives while significantly eroding our intellectual capabilities and mental health.
What begins as a quick scroll of 10–15 minutes on social media often spirals into an hour or more without our notice. This binge consumption leaves us feeling overwhelmed, mentally exhausted, and distracted. It fogs our thinking, shortens our attention spans, and lowers our patience with real-world interactions.
While many of us recognize this addiction or “Brain Rot” and understand the steps needed to address it, the real challenge lies in taking action. I urge you to start small: try avoiding your phone for 30 minutes before bedtime. Gradually, you can extend these time limits and develop healthier digital habits.
By taking these simple steps, you can remain agile, mentally sharp, and free from the grip of Brain Rot.
The Four-Day Week: Redefining Work-Life Balance
Tokyo is poised to offer its administrative staff a three-day weekend. Similarly, Microsoft’s experiment with a four-day workweek in Japan resulted in a significant leap in productivity, hinting that this may well be the future of work. Given the opportunity, most employees would eagerly embrace a four-day workweek—a preference backed by numerous surveys.
A better balance between work and life is shown to relieve stress, boost job satisfaction, and enhance overall happiness. For India’s workforce, the benefits could be even more profound, considering the challenges of harrowing urban traffic and other daily stressors that office goers face. These factors create the perfect environment to experiment with a four-day workweek, potentially revolutionizing productivity and well-being.
Racing to Save Our Planet: Tackling the Climate Challenge
The year 2024 is set to end as the hottest on record, marking the second consecutive year of unprecedented global warming following 2023. This escalating heat is driving extreme weather events, leading to significant human and economic losses. In light of this, the world turned its attention to the 29th Global Climate Summit (COP29), held in Baku in November. A key point of discussion was renegotiating climate finance for developing nations that are bearing the brunt of these climate impacts.
Developed countries pledged to mobilize $300 billion annually by 2035 to assist vulnerable nations. However, this commitment sparked further conflict, as developing countries demanded $1.3 trillion a year. The United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) estimates that developing nations require trillions of dollars in additional investment for both climate adaptation and mitigation.
The true test of these contentious agreements will come in February 2025, when countries are expected to submit their updated Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs)—strategic climate action plans aimed at achieving a net-zero future. The ambition and feasibility of each country’s plan will be directly tied to the financial resources available.
As 2025 unfolds, India’s response to the climate crisis will not only test its own resilience but may also serve as a model for other developing nations grappling with similar challenges.
The Art of Leadership: Thriving in Complexity
The world has become more complex and dynamic. As James Casio calls it the “BANI” world. It’s an acronym that reflects the world being Brittle, Anxious, Non-linear and Incomprehensible. Organisations indeed face multiple challenges and opportunities triggered by various crises. These turbulent instances push businesses into a whirlwind of novel situations and, therefore, it is critical for leaders to develop specific skill sets so that they can sail through and thrive in ambiguous situations. In this context, I am delighted to present in this issue three thought provoking articles—insights shared by outstanding leaders at MMA—Challenge your Limits by Lt Gen A Arun; Leading through Chaos: Opportunities in Global Crisis by Mr Sujan Saha; and The Mentor-Mentee Relationship by Mr Ganesh Chella. Please read on and get inspired. Click on the link provided in the article to watch the video.
MMA CFO Forum: A New Platform for Financial Leadership
I am delighted to share about the launch of the MMA CFO Forum, a significant milestone unveiled during the recent CFO Conclave. This exclusive platform is dedicated to fostering dialogue and collaboration among financial leaders. It aims to provide CFOs across industries with the opportunity to exchange insights, discuss emerging challenges, and share best practices that drive strategic decision-making.
The launch underscores MMA’s commitment to empowering finance professionals with cutting-edge knowledge and tools to navigate the complexities of today’s dynamic business environment. By addressing critical topics such as corporate governance, sustainability, and economic value enhancement, the forum is poised to serve as a hub for thought leadership—reinforcing MMA’s role as a catalyst for professional excellence.
Click here to view the detailed concept note
Checkmate to Mediocrity: Gukesh Becomes a Legend!
At just 18 years old, Mr Gukesh has etched his name in history as the youngest world chess champion, defeating China’s Ding Liren in a sensational match. His versatile gameplay, built on an extraordinary ability to calculate moves deeply and precisely, stood him in good stead against his seasoned opponent.
The next milestone for this prodigy would be to aim for the heights scaled by the world’s greatest chess player, Magnus Carlsen—a challenge that Gukesh seems well-equipped to take on.
Gukesh’s remarkable victory is not only a personal triumph but also a significant boost to the growth and popularity of modern chess as a sport in India.
As always, we would be happy to hear your views, comments and suggestions.
Happy Reading…. And a brilliant New Year!!!
