Goafest 2024 | Adaptability and Innovation: The Cornerstones of Future-Ready Agency
Another Knowledge Seminar presented by Malayala Manorama in association with MIQ, titled Adaptability And Innovation: The Cornerstones Of A Future-Ready Agency featured a distinguished panel of industry leaders. Among them were Anusha Shetty, Chairperson & Group CEO of Grey Group, India; Jitendra Dabas, Chief Operating Officer & CSO, India, Head of Effectiveness, APAC, McCann WorldGroup and Babita Baruah, Chief Executive Officer of VML India. Steering the discussion was Dheeraj Sinha, Group CEO for India and South Asia at FCB Group India. In this dynamic session, the panellists explored the vital role of adaptability and innovation in shaping the future of agencies, where the next generation is concerned.
Dheeraj posed the critical question, “What questions should we be asking wherein talent is concerned?” Arun responded by highlighting the need for inclusive environments, asking, “Are we creating agencies where younger people are comfortable and thriving?” Anusha, then, addressed the generational shift in workplace expectations, stating, “I hear from senior leaders about culture missing. But the truth is GenZ is the largest workforce today and they want flexibility; 85% of GenZ wants a hybrid work situation. Are we as seniors ready to accept this?” She emphasised the importance of adapting to the needs of younger employees.
Additionally, Babita added,
“Simple things like setting younger people up for success and fostering a sense of belonging are crucial. Allowing expression and embracing them is key.” The discussion underscored the need for senior leaders to evolve and create supportive, flexible work environments for the new generation.
Drawing from their wealth of experience, the panel discussed strategies to hone talent and manage remuneration for the next generation; this would ensure that a lot of us stay agile and ahead of the curve in an ever-evolving industry landscape.
Read more: Celebrating Adaptability: Highlights from Day 3 of Goafest 2024
Goafest 2024 | Trust or Bust: Thriving in the Digital World
The third Knowledge Seminar titled, Trust or Bust: Thriving in the Digital World, was presented by Malayala Manorama with Knowledge Partner – ASCI, which brought together a distinguished panel of experts. Among them were Amit Doshi, Chief Marketing Officer at Britannia; Falguni Vasavada, Professor at MICA and Digital Creator; Paras Sharma, Director of Global Partnerships at Meta; and Sharan Hegde, Finance Content Creator and Co-founder and CEO of 1% Club. Steering the conversation was Manisha Kapoor, CEO & Secretary General of ASCI.
In this informative and interesting session, the panel offered insights into navigating the idea of trust through the complexities of the digital landscape. Amit began by stating,
“Trust between a consumer and a brand is now a two-way street.” He also emphasised the exponential importance of listening to the conversations in which a brand is involved. Additionally, in response to Manisha, Sharan stated that finance content creators play a crucial role in demystifying complex financial topics and offering accessible advice to consumers. He noted that financial scams have existed for ages and believes that the realm of content creation and digital following has only begun to address financial awareness. “Building trust is relatively easy, but once it’s lost, it can be gone forever due to one bad move or piece of news. Therefore, the focus should be on maintaining and nurturing that trust consistently,” he added.
With discussions ranging from building trust in online platforms to leveraging digital innovations for business success, the session provided invaluable perspectives on how organisations can thrive amidst the challenges and opportunities presented by the digital age. Through shared experiences and expert analysis, attendees gained a deeper understanding of the evolving dynamics of trust and authenticity in the digital realm.