BUSINESS TOMORROW
Ihave always believed what the iconic American President John F. Kennedy once said: “Those who look only to the past or present are certain to miss the future.” Magazines must be harbingers of change. For the past two and a half decades, Business Today has chronicled the ebb and flow of the Indian economy and the corporate sector. It has established itself as the gold standard in business journalism bagging major awards in the country for the rigour of its reportage, the depth of its analyses and the relevance of its coverage.
It had, however, become imperative that Business Today keep pace with the unparalleled change we are seeing in the technology and business arena. We are in the midst of the fourth industrial revolution. Artificial Intelligence is upturning everything from recruitment of people to sales targeting and customer care in organisations. Blockchain technology is reshaping the face of banking and finance among other industries. Robots and 3D printers are redefining our factories. The “gig economy” has changed employment patterns. Social media has become ubiquitous and is a force we all have to deal with in our lives. The older maxim of “Perform or Perish” has given way to a new one that we are coining: REBRAIN or ROT.
What served the information needs of yesterday will not be enough to prepare you for the world of tomorrow. So my brief to Group Editorial Director Raj Chengappa and Business Today Editor Prosenjit Datta was to re-imagine Business Today to make readers like you future- ready. Raj and Prosenjit, along with Group Creative Editor Nilanjan Das, then worked together to create a magazine that would stand out from the clutter of information of the Internet age, and provide insights and ideas that you won’t find elsewhere.
We have introduced new sections on technology trends, key sectors, management ideas, workplace innovations and policy changes to create an all-new magazine without losing any of our core values of rigour, analyses and prescience. The new magazine is divided into three clear sections. The Buzz keeps you updated on cutting-edge issues with snappy analysis and telling graphics. The Hub is a deep dive into policy, industry, companies and people who are making a difference. And the Breakout Zone at the back will give you tips on everything from improving your productivity to keeping yourself fit for the corporate jungle. Nilanjan worked on a radical new approach to design to make the magazine visually bolder and flexible in its grid yet elegant and engaging to read. With Business Today now more than just a magazine, he redesigned the logo to make it stand out across multiple media platforms.
The results of the exercise is what you hold in your hands today. I hope it will help you to better navigate the turbulent times we live in. I look forward to receiving your feedback.