XIM Bhubaneswar Hosts Annual Business Conclave ‘Stratonomics 2024’ 

By Chittaranjan Beura

Bhubaneswar, Nov. 5: Xavier Institute of Management, Bhubaneswar (XIMB) held its much-anticipated annual business conclave, ‘Stratonomics 2024,’ on November 3, organized by CONSTRAT: The Consulting and Strategy Consortium of XIMB. This year’s theme, “Evolving Strategic Paradigms: Equipping for Tomorrow’s Challenges with Future-Ready Strategies,” attracted industry leaders who shared their expertise on shaping adaptable and resilient business strategies.

The event featured distinguished speakers, including Mr. A L Jagannath, Director of Marketing & Partnerships, IME, Thoughtworks; Mr. Santosh Kevlani, Vice President – Monetisation & Partnership, Myntra; Ms. Aditi Mishra, Associate Director, Enterprise Service Management, PepsiCo; Mr. Aroop Mohapatra, Vice President, IndusInd Bank; and Mr. Biswajit Panda, Senior Vice President, India GCC Head, NielsenIQ. Prof. Francis Thomas Castellino moderated the conclave, facilitating insightful discussions that inspired students to consider future-ready strategies.

Mr. Jagannath emphasized the importance of connecting deeply with customers, saying, “We cannot build a successful brand unless we communicate and understand our hypothetical customers.” He highlighted the need for a unique brand proposition that resonates in today’s market, where adapting to shifting customer trends and staying original are key.

Reflecting on the theme “Disrupt or Get Disrupted,” Mr. Kevlani underscored the necessity of foresight in strategic decision-making, adding, “Sometimes it is essential to be careful about who will disrupt us next.” He advocated for tools such as white space analysis, global trends tracking, and competition mapping to identify emerging opportunities and challenges.

Ms. Mishra shared her perspective on the value of introspection and learning from industry peers, advising, “The strategies to equip for our future lie in learning from the past, gaining from our industrial peers, and trusting our leadership values.” She also emphasized the role of storytelling in communicating impactful strategies.

Mr. Mohapatra focused on the critical role of execution in strategic success, noting, “Once a decision is made, the real test lies in implementing it effectively.” He spoke about the responsibilities of leading a large financial organization, pointing to resilience and discipline as essential traits in India’s competitive banking sector.

Mr. Panda rounded out the discussion, emphasizing that a robust strategy goes beyond cost control to encompass holistic growth, remarking, “Effective strategy must address financial, industrial, and operational aspects while nurturing a positive company culture.”

The event concluded with a lively Q&A session led by Prof. Castellino, where students posed thoughtful questions that added depth to the discourse. Harshi Mertia, Coordinator of CONSTRAT, delivered the vote of thanks, acknowledging the speakers and participants for their contributions.

‘Stratonomics 2024’ left attendees with a powerful message: building a successful future demands a deep customer connection, an ability to adapt to market disruptions, and a commitment to resilient, well-rounded growth strategies.