SymbiNeeti 4.0

SymbiNeeti 4.0, the Management Conclave organized by the Corporate Interaction Cell at Symbiosis Institute of Business Management, Hyderabad, was an outstanding success. Centered around the theme “Orbitas: Aligning Mindsets,” the event explored the power of alignment in leadership, people, vision, and strategy.

In previous editions, SymbiNeeti has welcomed distinguished personalities such as Mr. Kishore Borra (Managing Director, Energy Tech Global), Ms. Selina David (Director, Global Talent Development, Hitachi Digital), Dr. Agna Fernandez (Associate VP & Head of Learning & Development, NSEA), Mr. Anirban Bose (Director, Zepto), Ms. Malar Vili K (Senior Director, Sutherland).

We began the event SymbiNeeti 4.0 with an inaugural ceremony by Dr. K.P. Venugopala Rao, Director of SIBM Hyderabad along with Mr. Nicholas Daniel Ross, Head Corporate Relations and MDP, Dr. Ridhi Rani, Assistant Professor, SIBM Hyderabad, Dr. Disha Pathak, Deputy Director, SCMS, and our guest speakers, Mr. Prashant Bhonsle, Founder and CEO, Kuhoo Finance Pvt Ltd, Ms. Preeti Ahuja, Global Chief People Officer, Husk Power embodying our commitment to sustainability.

Ceremonial watering of the plant by Dr. K.P. Venugopala Rao, Mr. Nicholas Daniel Ross, Dr. Disha Pathak, Dr. Ridhi Rani and the distinguished guests present for the event Mr. Prashant Bhonsle and Ms. Preeti Ahuja.

SymbiNeeti 4.0 commenced with an insightful inaugural address by Dr. K.P. Venugopala Rao, Director of SIBM Hyderabad, who set the tone for the event by exploring the theme of “Orbitas : Aligning Mindsets”. Through thought-provoking reflections, he explored the essence of aligning mindsets in today’s dynamic world. Emphasizing adaptability, collaboration, and continuous learning, Dr. Rao illustrated how true progress stems from harmonizing diverse perspectives toward a shared purpose. His address served as a powerful reminder that aligning mindsets is not merely about agreement, but about cultivating openness, empathy, and a collective drive for meaningful change.

Ms. Shambhavi Mishra, Second-in-Command of the Corporate Interaction Cell, opened SymbiNeeti 4.0 emphasising that in a world defined by constant change, success depends on adaptability, shared purpose, and aligned mindsets, turning challenges into opportunities for growth and leadership.

: Dr. K.P. Venugopala Rao giving a heartfelt commencement speech and (Right) Ms. Shambhavi Mishra ,Second-in- Command of Corporate Interaction Cell briefing about the theme “Orbitas:Aligning Mindsets”

Mr. Prashant Bhonsle, Founder and CEO of Kuhoo Finance Pvt Ltd, delivered an insightful session on the theme “Ahead of the Curve” under “Orbitas: Aligning Mindsets.” He emphasized that strategy is not a fixed roadmap but a living, evolving process shaped by adaptability and continuous learning. Through real-world examples of companies like Netflix and Nokia, he illustrated how agility and reinvention drive success. Sharing Kuhoo’s journey, he spoke about the importance of resilience in the face of challenges and how the company pivoted to create purpose-driven innovation by financing students based on their potential rather than parental income. He urged students to focus on solving complex problems, take ownership, and view data and speed as key enablers in today’s world. His message was clear: stay adaptable, embrace change, and keep evolving to stay ahead of the curve. Students appreciated his exceptional clarity, strong communication, and engaging delivery throughout the session. His dynamic approach kept the audience attentive and highly involved.

Ms. Rekha Narendra, Ms. Aruna Param, Ms. Preeti Ahuja and Mr. Moses John Wesley Makam engaging in a conversation on “The TECHtonic Shift”

The TECHtonic Shift unfolded at SymbiNeeti 4.0 with an engaging panel discussion facilitated by Ms. Rekha Narendra, Vice President and HR Head, RealPage. Joining her were distinguished panelists Ms. Preeti Ahuja, Global Chief People Officer, Husk Power, Ms. Aruna Param, Vice President and HR Head, Auro Realty, and Mr. Moses John Wesley Makam, AI Strategist and Transformation Leader, who brought diverse perspectives on navigating the seismic changes reshaping the modern workplace. The discussion explored how leadership, culture, and technology must evolve to keep pace with rapid transformation. The panellists emphasized the importance of a growth mindset, adaptability, and continuous learning in thriving amid disruption. Through insightful anecdotes, they highlighted how organisations can build resilience, foster psychological safety, and empower employees to embrace change. The conversation also delved into AI-driven transformation, reskilling, and the balance between human empathy and digital innovation. The session left the audience inspired to view disruption not as destruction, but as an opportunity to redefine the future of work with agility and purpose. The audience appreciated the panel’s structured and insightful discussion. The speakers’ confident communication, practical perspectives, and composed moderation made the session both engaging and informative.

Ms. Pratyusha Sharma on “Culture Compass”

We had the privilege of hosting Ms. Pratyusha Sharma, HR Head at Invesco, as a distinguished speaker at SymbiNeeti 4.0. Her session, titled “The Culture Compass,” offered powerful reflections on how values, purpose, and everyday behaviours shape organisational identity and performance. Drawing on the Taj 26/11 case study and her own career spanning operations to HR, Ms. Sharma illustrated how deep-rooted values, respect, integrity and “guest- first” service translate into courageous action and enduring culture. She unpacked the idea of an inner cultural compass (the “why”) that guides how organisations and individuals behave, and stressed psychological safety, inclusivity, adaptability and the discipline of asking “five whys.” Through personal anecdotes and examples from companies like Kodak and Google, she urged students to seize opportunities, earn acceptance, and connect daily work to meaningful purpose. Ms. Sharma left the audience with a clear message: culture isn’t posters on a wall, it’s lived through choices, and when aligned with purpose it becomes the true differentiator for people and organisations. The audience commended her ability to connect deeply with the audience and maintain active engagement. Her clarity of thought and confident presentation left a lasting impression.

: Dr. Sailaja and Mr. Madhav Das engaging in a Fireside Chat on “The Foresight Lens”

The Fireside Chat, “The Foresight Lens” at SymbiNeeti 4.0 featured an insightful conversation between Dr. Sailaja, Director- HR, Learning & Growth, Kaarya IT Solutions, and Mr. Madhav Das, Associate VP, People & Culture, Zeta Global. Centered on foresight, adaptability and strategic growth, the chat explored how leaders must be comfortable with ambiguity in a VUCA world and use a foresight lens to align purpose, culture and strategy. Drawing on examples from government-led AI initiatives in Telangana to corporate culture-building at Zeta, the speakers stressed culture as a “way of life,” the need for multiple touchpoints to communicate values, and the importance of reskilling, empathy and early adopters in technology adoption. The dialogue encouraged students to focus on direction over fixed destinations, embrace learning agility, and anticipate future disruptions as opportunities to lead with resilience and purpose. The audience praised their articulate delivery and strong command over the subject. Their balanced engagement and practical insights made the fireside chat insightful and relatable.

Ms. K Navya, Student Lead, Corporate Interaction Cell of SIBM Hyderabad, delivered a vote of thanks before calling the event to a close.

SymbiNeeti 4.0 was enriched with powerful narratives, diverse perspectives, and thought- provoking insights that inspired participants to realign their vision and values with purpose. Each session encouraged introspection, fostered critical thinking, and challenged conventional ideas, enabling students to understand the power of aligned mindsets in driving meaningful change. The event empowered participants to embrace transformation with clarity, adaptability, and confidence, truly reflecting the spirit of Orbitas – Aligning Mindsets.

The overall feedback for the event was overwhelmingly positive, reflecting a high level of satisfaction among students. Participants appreciated the event’s well-structured flow, diverse lineup of accomplished speakers, and the engaging mix of discussions, case examples, and real- world insights. Many students noted that each session offered valuable takeaways on adaptability, culture, and leadership in an evolving business landscape. The interactive nature of the talks encouraged active participation and deeper reflection on personal growth and professional direction. Overall, students described SymbiNeeti 4.0 as an enriching and inspiring experience that not only broadened their managerial perspective but also reinforced the importance of aligning purpose, mindset, and action in the pursuit of meaningful success.

Ms. K Navya, Student Lead, Corporate Interaction Cell of SIBM Hyderabad, delivered a vote of thanks before calling the event to a close.