ISA to host the first Global CEO conference on 'Navigating a VUCA World'

The current state of the economy is a growing concern for business drivers not just in India but around the world. In these trying times, it has become ever so important for global leaders to come together, identify common concerns and obstacles, and collectively figure solutions to supersede them.

With this objective in mind, the Indian Society of Advertisers is hosting the first ever global CEO conference on ‘Navigating a VUCA World’ on 30th October in Mumbai. The goal of this conference is to sharply dissect the tough times we are facing in the current economic situation, and to find out how organizational processes and practices need to be recast to deliver in this new VUCA (Volatile, Uncertain, Complex and Ambiguous) world.

VUCA acronym is commonly used to describe the volatile, uncertain and complex situations in the environment around us. It reflects the emerging ideas, strategic leadership and decision-making processes that companies apply during the difficult times.

Mr. Paul Polman, CEO – Unilever Global, keynote speaker at this conference, will share his thoughts on how business leaders can navigate through these tough economic situations. His views on the subject are thought provoking and widely acclaimed in the corporate world. The session will also feature Mr. Rahul Bajaj – Chairman, Bajaj Auto Limited in conversation with Mr. Paul Polman.

Other key speakers at the event include Mr. R. Gopalakrishnan - Director, Tata Sons, Mr. Manu Anand, President India and South Asia, Mondelez International, Managing Director, Cadbury India, Mr. Marten Pieters, MD & CEO – Vodafone India, Mr. Ravi Kant – Vice Chairman, Tata Motors, Pawan Munjal, MD & CEO, Hero Motocorp and Sanjay Behl, CEO (Lifestyle Business), Raymond amongst other corporate luminaries.

Hemant Bakshi, Chairman - ISA and Executive Director, Home & Personal Care, HUL, said, “The global CEO conference is being organized at an opportune time. In a VUCA (Volatile, Uncertain, Complex and Ambiguous) World, things have become highly volatile and uncertain. The dynamic and ever changing environment has posed unpredictable challenges and opportunities to businesses. Every crisis is an opportunity.  Good times eventually follow difficult times, and companies come out stronger during such crisis. 2013 is a VUCA year. It is a year in which leadership with an inspiring vision is required to succeed.”

Elaborating further, Ms. Paulomi Dhawan – Treasurer & Events Committee Chairperson, ISA, said, “As responsible corporates, we need to understand the best practices of leading business in the VUCA World. ISA is constantly looking at ways and means to narrow the gap between the world of CEOs in India and overseas. The Global CEO Conference will bring some of the best thought leaders in the world under one roof to share their valuable experiences with everyone. We believe the day long sessions will throw up some very interesting and relevant insights from some of the sharpest minds in the business world and will be a great platform for learning and debate.”

The 'Navigating a VUCA World’, a one-day conference is likely to see the presence of veritable who’s who of the Indian corporate leadership.