Those Who Stood The Test Of Time
The year 2020-21 will always be remembered for the uncertainty that prevailed in the realms of business, trade and rising oil prices. It will also be remembered as the year that united companies, corporations, businesses and people, to collectively tackle the menace of the global pandemic and its fallout on lives and livelihood. This globally coordinated response also showed some unique leadership traits that spelt out what successful companies of the 2020s look like.
In this backdrop, we bring out the BW Real 500 list of companies, many of which have emerged stronger and more resilient through this test of fire. Their growth numbers are a testimony to the fact that opportunities can be found in the direst of situations. The BW Real 500 ranking comes when businesses in India are coping with multiple challenges like rising inflation, amidst signs of economic recovery and growth in investments and employment. We showcase how companies took on the Covid challenge and began to outsmart it towards the end of FY 2021.
We highlight how top-ranking companies continued to create opportunities and assets. We share thoughts of business leaders on what took priority in their growth strategies, the results of which are seen clearly in their company balance sheets. The BW 500 list takes into account revenue, income and assets created by companies in the financial year 2020-21. Asset creation, as we know, is the backbone of any economy and has been the focus of policymakers over the past few years, being the fulcrum that drives jobs and economic growth.
The BW Real 500 ranking this year reveals that some companies have shown a marked improvement across several key balance sheet parameters including revenue, profits and assets. In size and scale, the top 50 companies in the current BW Real 500 list account for more than 63 per cent of the total assets and income of all the 500 companies. Indian companies are focusing on increasing growth rates and putting their assets to the best use. As always, the BW Real 500 list continues to capture and reflect the overall growth story of India Inc. There are several positive indicators of growing confidence among corporations that point to a better year ahead. There are also several indicators that point to where future growth will come from.
In this issue, we have also documented some takeaways of my interview with Union Minister Bhupender Yadav on his book The Rise of the BJP, coauthored with economist Ila Patnaik. There are some interesting nuggets here on how the BJP looked at digitisation, not only in its outreach but also for aspects such as a membership drive. Much was discussed in this conversation that gives us an inkling of how the BJP’s thought process has changed with the times, leading to its current position.
Our regular writers offer a mix of anecdotes and thoughts that we believe will greatly benefit you in your everyday decision making.
