From CFO to CEO: A Shift from Precision to Possibility
I remember the day I stepped into the CEO’s office, not just the physical move, but the psychological shift that came with it. After years as CFO, the leap didn’t seem far. After all, I knew the business inside out. I had sat at the executive table, advised on strategy, assessed risk, and safeguarded the […]
CAGR, AAGR & The Mystery of Growing Money: A Friendly Guide to Making Sense of Growth Rates
Ever wondered what your Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) on investments is? Or how much your expenses have increased on average over the past five years? Curious about the annual compounded growth in company revenues? Or the average annual growth in your subscriber base over the last few years? These questions might sound familiar, especially […]
Greenwashing Guidelines: A Wake-Up Call for Leaders
It wasn’t long ago, during a client visit in my role as CEO & MD of a paper-based packaging company, that I sat across from the promoter of a grooming products brand, listening to a well-intentioned pitch for a new product labelled “eco-friendly”. The packaging looked the part, subtle greens, nature-inspired visuals, and a catchy […]
How The Mighty Fall: What Jim Collins Taught Me About Corporate Decline
I’ve had a front-row seat to success stories, and to the unravelling of once-great companies. Over the years, I’ve come to realize that decline rarely begins with a catastrophic event. It’s usually quieter. Subtle. It starts when confidence turns to complacency, and when ambition slips into arrogance. Jim Collins’ How the Mighty Fall resonated with […]
Corporate Governance and Boardroom Excellence: What Makes a Board Truly Effective?
Not long ago, during my final townhall as CEO and MD of Edelmann India, our Group CEO stood up to say something I’ll never forget: “Mr. Jolly, without you, the Edelmann India story would have already ended many years ago.” I was deeply moved. Not because of personal pride, but because I’ve always believed leadership […]
Mindfulness at 80 km/h: Lessons from a Traffic Light
Not so long ago, I found myself stuck in evening traffic after a long day of back-to-back meetings, boardroom negotiations, and relentless email firefights. My smartwatch buzzed with its usual instruction: “Time to stand up”. I laughed. How exactly was I supposed to stand in the driver’s seat, wedged between a bus and an auto […]