IIM SIRMAUR - PGPEXLSM and Industrial Relations Committee IIM Sirmaur, in collaboration with the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) has recently organised - 'Innovate for Impact: Driving Sustainable Growth through Digital Transformation and Smart Manufacturing' at the Indian Institute of Management Sirmaur. Students had an amazing opportunity to connect with the industry leaders in the webinar. Each speaker brought a unique and powerful perspective on how technology, leadership, and business strategy must come together to drive real impact. Mr. Sandeep Chatterjee Shared a strategic leadership lens on aligning Industry 4.0 investments with long-term business and sustainability goals. Highlighted the critical role of governance, prioritization, and value realization beyond technology. Emphasized the cultural and leadership shifts needed to scale digital transformation successfully. Mr. Atul Kharate Brought strong operational insights on how Industry 4.0 is reshaping shop-floor decision-making. Explained how Lean principles and smart manufacturing complement each other for sustainable outcomes. Offered practical guidance for MBAs aspiring to create value in operations and consulting roles. Mr. Kishan Kona Explored how data, analytics, and AI can balance operational excellence with sustainability objectives. Discussed real challenges in scaling digital transformation and the business role in overcoming them. Stressed the importance of dashboards and KPIs as tools for faster, smarter managerial decisions. Mr. Gulshan Kumar (Saini) Provided a clear view on how automation drives energy efficiency, waste reduction, and sustainability. Outlined key considerations for building a strong ROI case for smart factory investments. Highlighted the skills MBAs need to collaborate effectively with engineering and automation teams. Special thanks to our Chief Guest, Mr. Rakesh Kumar Jha, for sharing his valuable insights on Industry 4.0, smart manufacturing, and modern operations, setting a strong strategic context for the discussion. Thank you to Mr Abhishek Kr Mishra, the Confederation of Indian Industry delegate, for contributing important perspectives on smart manufacturing and industry adoption, adding great value to the overall conversation. A big thank you to Dr. Mohita Gangwar Sharma, Professor and Dr Manish Sarkhel, Assistant Professor from the Indian Institute of Management Sirmaur, and all the speakers, delegates, and participants, for making this session engaging and impactful. Looking forward to more conversations that connect technology, operations, and sustainable growth.
