Xavier Institute of Social Service (XISS), Ranchi, organised a Leadership Talk on Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) on 7 December 2024. Mr Rajesh Sahay, Partner Enterprise Consulting, Flipcarbon, and an esteemed alumnus of PGDM PM, Batch of 1990 delivered an insightful talk on the topic ESG. Dr Joseph Marianus Kujur SJ, Director, XISS, Dr Amar Eron Tigga, Dean Academics, Head of all Programmes, Ms Revati Sahay, Mr Shreyash Rajgharia, Faculty Members, and students across the four programmes attended the session. 

Director, XISS welcomed the guest speaker with a memento, stole and sapling and thanked him for taking up the topic on ESG with the students helping them become industry relevant professionals. Later, Mr Sahay opened his talk with two important messages for the students relevant in today’s world. The first one being, ‘How is one is able to envision the future and prepare themselves’ and the second ‘How does one create a USP’. During the talk, he pointed out how the VUCA (Volatility, Uncertainty, Complexity, and Ambiguity) World is transitioning into a BANI (Brittle, Anxious, Non-linear, and Incomprehensible) world. He emphasised on the business opportunities in today’s time like mental wellbeing being a rising business. He talked about the climate change concern across the globe, the movement of demographics in present context, and how a growing economy means a growing population. He also touched upon the supplementary points of technology, evolving consumer relationships with a 360-degree positive outlook. and the paradox of it all, focusing on thought provoking questions like ‘Are you aligned to the goal of the planet or restricted to yourself’?

The core messages from the talk included:

1. Thinking Mode
   • Are you considering this in the context of a mutual fund or as a broader business strategy?
2. Vision for the Future
   • Can you envision the next 25 years and work proactively toward the future?

Key Focus Areas

1. Creating a Unique Selling Proposition (USP)
   • Establish a belief or identity that sets the business apart from others.
2. Navigating VUCA to BANI Transition
   • Transition from a Volatile, Uncertain, Complex, and Ambiguous (VUCA) world to a Brittle, Anxious, Nonlinear, and Incomprehensible (BANI) framework.
3. Reverse Mentoring
   • Begin reverse mentoring programs within a business context to leverage diverse perspectives.
4. Mental Well-being as a Business Capability
   • Prioritise mental well-being as an emerging and essential business capacity.
5. Demographic Shifts
   • Analyse demographic movements and adapt to the resulting changes in consumer behaviour and workforce dynamics.
6. Waste Management as a Profitable Business Opportunity
   • Recognise waste management as one of the most profitable and sustainable businesses in the current context.
7. Exponential Computing Power
   • By 2050, computing power will surpass human cognitive capacity.
   • It will become accessible and affordable—how can your business leverage this?
8. Evolving Customer Needs
   • Customisation: Offer tailored experiences and products.
   • Well-being: Ensure a 360-degree positive outlook on physical, mental, and emotional well-being.
   • Digital Integration: Adapt or face limitations if businesses fail to embrace digital transformation.
   • Ethical Practices: Fulfil brand promises to maintain trust and credibility.
9. Addressing Business Paradoxes
   • Understand and navigate conflicting trends in the current business environment.
10. Global Alignment
    • Align business objectives with broader global goals, such as sustainability and equality.
11. Restoring Flora and Fauna Without Greenwashing
    • Commit to genuine environmental restoration and avoid misleading customers about green initiatives.
12. Universalisation and Commercialisation
    • Explore avenues for making products and services universally accessible while maintaining commercial viability.
13. Creating Impact
    • Strive to make a meaningful impact in every endeavour.
14. Neurodiversity
    • Embrace and integrate neurodiverse talents into the workforce for innovation and inclusivity.
15. BRSR Reporting Maturity Assessment
    • Understand and navigate the Four Stages of ESG Reporting:
    • Formative Stage
    • Emerging Stage
    • Established Stage
    • Leading by Example

Green Skills for the Future

• Carbon Footprinting
• Environmental Law
• Sustainability Reporting
• Radiation Safety
• Renewable Energy Expertise

Further, a Q&A session also took place where students raised question on the topic. Dr Amar Eron Tigga, gave the vote of thanks and expressed gratitude to our guest speaker and all attendees present for the talk. His concluded saying that XISS students must begin to envision and think at the level of CxO (C level Executives) for their professional development.