“Finance is not merely about making money. It’s about achieving our deep goals and protecting the fruits of our labour. It’s about stewardship and therefore about achieving the good society.” — Robert J. Shiller
The week gone by has been momentous — Walmart acquired home-grown Flipkart, thus paving the way for the dominance of Indian retail by two MNC giants (Amazon being the other). The Swadeshi Jagran Manch was, however, quick to dub the deal as “against national interest”, and as something that will kill Make in India, as the global behemoth is known to majorly source from Chinese companies.
The birth and mind-boggling growth of Flipkart was a tribute to Indian genius — two IITians saw an opportunity with the advent of the Internet era, especially with Net penetration in Tier II and Tier III cities, and rural India.
The journey that began in a decrepit two-room house in Bangalore has now a world-class office that can fit in 12 football fields, replete with latest amenities. With the added financial muscle, the company will be of one of the hottest properties here.
By the time you read this issue of BW Businessworld, the fate of Karnataka (incidentally home to Flipkart) elections would have been decided. No matter what the final outcome is, it will have a bearing on national politics. For the BJP, the state is crucial — it’s the party’s gateway to south India. For the Congress, it’s doubly crucial — it’s the only large state controlled by the party today.
This issue of BW Businessworld, however, is on a different subject altogether. We celebrate the finest CFOs and technology leaders in what has now become an annual, much sought-after issue.
Like in the Flipkart-Walmart deal, CFOs play a key role in a company’s evolution. The CEO may be the face of the company, but it’s the CFO who takes key decisions, takes care of the financials, and ensures that the company enjoys a good run.
In the recent past, CFOs have had to deal with the aftershocks of demonetisation and also contend with the stresses of transitioning to a GST era. If that were not enough, they now have to lead the transition to the new accounting standards, and usher in fresh auditors under the renewed auditor-rotation rules.
In today’s world, similarly, the role of technology leaders is of utmost importance. They undertake digital transformation and ensure that the companies keep pace with the latest technological breakthroughs of the times.
Together, then, they are the “changemakers”.
This annual offering of BW comes in association with YES Bank. It is keenly awaited by the industry, the communities of CFOs and CEOs, and our readers.
This issue of BW Businessworld also comes with its regular offerings and special stories.
In one such important interview, MEA Secretary Dnyaneshwar Mulay says that every district would soon have a passport office.
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Happy reading!