The Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Kashipur successfully organised its prominent management conference ‘Disha 2026’, bringing together distinguished industry leaders, strategic decision-makers and management scholars to deliberate on evolving paradigms in corporate strategy, market resilience and enterprise-wide transformation.

The conference commenced with a panel discussion titled “Rethinking the Legacy: When Should Organisations Disrupt What Already Works?” The session explored the balance between operational stability and strategic innovation, workforce adaptation and technological leadership. Moderated by Mr. Dhruv Chowdary, Senior Associate Consultant, NeenOpal Inc. and alumnus of IIM Kashipur, the panel examined how organisations can reassess legacy business models while navigating rapid changes in digital infrastructure and data-driven ecosystems.

The second panel discussion, “Disrupting Before You're Disrupted: Staying Ahead of Changing Markets,” focused on sales, marketing, technology, Global Capability Centre (GCC) leadership and strategic priorities. The session explored how contemporary businesses can anticipate industry shifts and respond proactively to secure sustainable market leadership.

Mr. Dhruv Chowdary, Senior Associate Consultant, NeenOpal Inc., highlighted the importance of cross-functional learning and said, “With cross-function learning, you don't have to be an expert in a product if you are able to understand how to position your product.” Referring to a recent study, he noted that by 2030, AI might displace 90 million jobs while creating 170 million new jobs.

Ms. Krishma Singla, Global Head of Managed Services, Data and Analytics, BNY, emphasised that professionals today need to combine technological proficiency with domain specialisation. She highlighted the importance of experience in developing judgement while stressing that curiosity is essential for leaders seeking to challenge established patterns.

Mr. Parag Pulliwar, Operations Head, PIP Global, spoke about the importance of learning from failure and understanding market acceptance. He emphasised that organisations need to adapt their approach based on market realities and changing expectations.

Ms. Swati Sharda, Chief Revenue Officer, HT Media Group, said that AI would not simply change the learning curve but redesign it by enabling faster contextual understanding. She emphasised that while experience provides judgement and certainty, curiosity is essential for breaking established patterns, adding that the transformation should become a people’s movement rather than merely a technology movement.

Mr. Shitij Sablania, Consultant – Strategic Initiatives, Niveshan Technologies India Private Limited, highlighted the need for organisations to develop resilient decision-making ecosystems amid continuous market disruption and global supply-chain shocks. He stressed the importance of strategic clarity, robust human resource frameworks, calculated risk-taking and alignment of core business operations with long-term sustainability goals.

Mr. Amit Khanna, Vice President – Sales, DS Group, emphasised the importance of identifying market signals at an early stage to anticipate major disruptions. He highlighted emerging opportunities such as rural growth as well as supply-chain vulnerabilities, stressing the need for businesses to respond swiftly to changing market conditions.

Mr. Himanshu Aggarwal, Chief Marketing Officer, Vedanta Ltd Nicomet, Vedanta Resources Plc, highlighted rapidly changing customer expectations and the growing importance of hyper-customisation. He emphasised the need to combine globalisation with localisation, strengthen startup-corporate collaborations and invest strategically in innovation centres to address challenges such as battery supply shortages and e-scrap recycling.

Mr. Rahul Agarwal, Vice President – Information Technology, MakeMyTrip, said that disruption can serve as a catalyst for growth and market expansion. He highlighted the role of search algorithms and data-driven insights in understanding consumer behaviour and identifying market shifts. Referring to disruptions such as the COVID-19 pandemic and supply shortages, he emphasised that businesses need to adapt rapidly, leverage data and capture emerging market opportunities rather than halt operations.

Mr. Sudhir Dasamantharao, Chief Executive Officer, Adani Enterprise GCC, Adani Group, highlighted the relationship between disruption and new opportunities. He emphasised that leaders must anticipate disruption and act proactively, while maintaining resilience alongside efficiency and ensuring that organisations are prepared with alternative strategies.

The conference concluded with an interactive exchange between panel members and management scholars, providing an opportunity for participants to engage with industry leaders on contemporary business challenges and emerging trends.

Participating organisations included NeenOpal Inc., BNY, PIP Global, HT Media Group, Niveshan Technologies, DS Group, Vedanta Resources, MakeMyTrip and Adani Group.

Through initiatives such as Disha 2026, IIM Kashipur continues to strengthen its engagement with industry and bridge academic learning with contemporary management practice, helping prepare future business leaders to navigate increasingly complex and rapidly evolving economic landscapes.