Reflections on a very special interaction with Shri Ratan Tata, Chairman Tata Sons and Dave Calhoun, CEO Nielsen on a host of topics including leadership, winning in emerging markets and India’s global footprint.
By Piyush Mathur, President, India Region, Nielsen
If Nielsen’s Consumer 360 event in Delhi delivered a volley of powerful insights on the Indian market place, a more intimate conversation later in the day was a chance to catch our collective breath and hear from two of the most transformative leaders I’ve ever met.
The first is known throughout the world as one of the great global leaders. Shri Ratan Tata, as the chairman of Tata, is one of the most influential businessmen on the planet. When partnered with Nielsen’s seasoned CEO David Calhoun, we had quite a conversation underway. I was lucky enough to be the one asking the questions. A handful of India’s leading executives also got a front row seat.
The topics discussed, truly ran the gamut but economic growth in emerging markets was core to the conversation.
Calhoun was of the opinion that India was certain to benefit from its large population, saying that domestic demand would drive growth and that the subcontinent would not be export dependent in the way a number of developed economies currently are. He said this positioning would be especially beneficial during times of a financial downturn in a very coupled global economy.
