CII – FBN 2nd Next Gen
Beckoning the next-gen family businesses at CII-FBN 6 – 8 November 2014
Mr. Lakshyaraj Singh Mewar of Udaipur, Trustee, Maharana of Mewar Charitable Foundation was the gracious host of the CII – FBN II Next Generation (NXG) International Convention 2014. The convention was held at Sabhagaar Conference Hall, The Durbar Hall, Fateh Prakash Palace Convention Centre, The City Palace, Udaipur from 6th November to 8th November 2014. The theme of the event was ‘Managing Paradoxes in the Family Business – enabling the Next Gen to apply their Intellectual, Emotional and Spiritual Quotient’.
Lead Faculty of the Convention was Mr. Albert Jan Thomassen, from Netherlands, a specialist on governance and succession issues of enterprising families. He conducted the key sessions over the two days. Mr. Jan regularly moderates and facilitates workshops, education programmes and family meetings. Apart from his work for FBNed he is also a moderator for the recently launched New Leaders Circle by FBN’s Next Generation Committee as well as member of the management committee of European Family Businesses.
The international convention, organised by the India chapter, drew participation of young family business leaders from the age bracket of 18-40. The convention provided a powerful platform to Next Generation Family Business leaders from across the country to discuss some of the most pressing issues concerning their role in Family Business. Attention was focussed on diverse themes of interest to young business leaders, with sessions focusing on Governance and Succession, Leadership focusing management, Innovation, Marketing, and Spirituality in Family Business etc. There were panel discussions on topics like ‘Entrepreneurship within the Family Business’ and “Women and Emotions in the Family Business’.
The 1st day began with the registration at Sabhagaar Conference Hall, The Durbar Hall, Fateh Prakash Palace Convention Centre, The City Palace, Udaipur organized by Ms. Pooja Jha, Deputy Director, Confederation of Indian Industry, New Delhi. Mr. Lakshyaraj Singh Mewar of Udaipur, Trustee, Maharana of Mewar Charitable Foundation along with Ms. Vrinda Raje Singh, CEO – JCI; Mr. Raju Mansukhani, Consultant, Media and Communications, MMCF and Dr. Mayank Gupta, Deputy Secretary MMCF - Development registered as MMCF delegates. They coordinated meetings with young business leaders like Mr. Arjun Chowgule, Chowgule Group of Companies; Mr. Gaurav Ghatge, ED, Ghatge Logistics and Dr. Rania Labaki Facilitator; and the Team from SAP.
In the evening the delegation experienced the Kartik Poornima Celebration 2014 where the renowned Kathak danseuse Ms. Uma Sharma and her troupe performed at Jagmandir in the light of the full moon.
The 2nd day’s morning session started with the opening remarks of Mr. Arjun Chowgule, Chairman – NextGen, CII FBN India Chapter. Followed by a special address by Mr. Lakshyaraj Singh Mewar of Udaipur, Trustee, Maharana of Mewar Charitable Foundation. Dr. Albert Jan Thomassen, Executive Director, FBN Netherlands (FBNed) devoted the first of his sessions to enumerating the paradoxes in the personal and professional lives of the Next Generation. Brief exercises and interactions made for a lively session.
In the 2nd session the International case study was presented by Mr. Petri Tuomela, Founder - me2we Finland Ltd. The case study was moderated by Dr. Albert Jan Thomassen.
Lunch was held at Satkaar Banquet Hall, Fateh Prakash Palace, The City Palace, Udaipur. The post-lunch Session was a panel discussion focusing on Entrepreneurial Family. It was moderated by Mr. Gaurav Ghatge, Committee Member, CII FBN India Chapter Next Gen Committee and Executive Director of Ghatge Logistics Pvt. Ltd., Pune. Panellists were Mr. Ravi Shroff, Executive Director, Excel Industries Ltd.; Mr. Rishabh Shroff, Principal Associate, Amarchand & Mangaldas & Suresh A. Shroff & Co. and Mr. Ajmal M Habeeb, Managing Director, Unity Care & Health Services Pvt Limited.
It was followed by a presentation of Mr. Subhomoy Sengupta, Vice President, General Business, SAP India Pvt. Ltd. The session on Leadership and Innovation was conducted by Mr. Bhawani Singh Shekhawat, management consultant from Bangalore. Dr. Albert Jan Thomassen concluded the day with his closing remarks. A visit to ‘The Innovation Express’ was organized by SAP at The Promenade, The City Palace, Udaipur.
The 3rd day began with the opening remarks and summary of proceedings of Day 2 by Mr. Ritum Jain, Committee Member, II FBN India Chapter Next Gen Committee and CEO, Safechem Industries. Barclays Wealth and Investment Management shared their insights on ‘Next Gen – redefining the Family Business Dynamics’ with presentations by Mr. Satya Bansal, Chief Executive Barclays Wealth & Investment Management, India. After lunch, there was the Panel Discussion on ‘Women – the Shakti of Family Business’. It was moderated by Mr. Arjun Chowgule and the panel members were Ms. Caroline Lubbers, Entrepreneur and chocolate connoisseur, Fine Flavour Chocolate; Mrs. Shohini Mukherjee, Director, SSP Pvt. Ltd. and Ms. Sneha Redla, Assistant Manager, Aarvee Associates Architects Engineers & Consultants Pvt. Ltd. The session on ‘Spirituality for Next Gen’ held by Mr. Dinesh Ghodke, Faculty, Art of Living & Director Outreach, Sri Sri University (SSU). Dr. Albert Jan Thomassen final session and closing remarks brought into perspective the IQ, EQ and SQ facets discussed over the two days. Mr. Gaurav Ghatge presented the vote of thanks and hoped that the next convention would be as inspiring. A gala dinner at the Jagmandir Island Palace, Udaipur brought to an end the three-day Convention.