business fundamentals

Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang emphasizes operational rigor, learned from washing dishes, as crucial for hyper-growth, debunking the myth that only engineering brilliance and funding suffice. He advocates for first principles thinking and meticulous attention to mundane tasks, arguing that this foundational discipline builds resilient, scalable tech companies capable of sustainable excellence.

Companies often chase numbers for hyper-growth, overlooking a critical step. Airbnb's early success stemmed from understanding users one by one, not just data. This intimate approach built trust and loyalty. Focusing on individual experiences creates sustainable growth. This customer-centric model is key for brand representation and long-term success in any industry.

AI is driving a fundamental shift in business, forcing companies like Lowe's and Barclays to reimagine customer experience, employee productivity, and business processes. Lowe's uses AI assistants for store associates and customers, seeing significant improvements in engagement and sales. Barclays leverages AI for faster decision-making in banking and is now exploring end-to-end process reinvention and new business opportunities.

As AI's influence grows, leaders face the challenge of integrating it across operations and strategy. UC Berkeley Executive Education's 3-month online program equips mid-level and senior professionals with the skills to navigate AI and GenAI, fostering informed decision-making and driving organizational growth without requiring a technical background.

HSBC initiates SRF coverage with a buy, citing strong growth potential in specialty chemicals and performance films. Jefferies is bullish on Grasim, expecting increased capital availability for growth. Nomura sees Adani Ports expanding its marine business significantly in Europe. CLSA maintains a hold on Tata Power, believing the worst is over.

IIM Jammu's new-age EMBA degree empowers working professionals to enhance managerial and leadership skills without career interruption. This two-year blended program offers structured learning, peer collaboration, and faculty insights, preparing individuals for advanced roles. With a focus on practical application and industry relevance, it's designed for career advancement.

Panic buying of fuel is causing a short-term slowdown in Odisha's automobile sector, with dealers reporting a significant drop in enquiries and bookings. Uncertainty over fuel availability is making potential buyers, especially first-time owners, hesitant to make purchases, impacting both car and two-wheeler sales.

Union education minister Dharmendra Pradhan may have to face privilege proceedings in Rajya Sabha. Congress leader Jairam Ramesh submitted a notice, accusing Pradhan of lowering Parliament's dignity with remarks about a parliamentary committee post the NEET-UG 2026 paper leak. Ramesh stated the minister's comments showed contempt for Parliament and its committees.

From AI labs to decision simulations, institutions are integrating AI, data analytics, and simulations to prepare future-ready leaders

Top leaders like Bill Gates and Warren Buffett learned a crucial lesson by working behind a Dairy Queen counter. This hands-on experience revealed operational realities often missed by senior management, highlighting how distance from the ground floor can compromise decision-making. Leaders must actively seek firsthand understanding to avoid blind spots and improve workflows.

Responding to queries from TOI readers as part of Mission Admission campaign, vice-chancellor of Osmania University, Kumar M, says the future will belong to students who can adapt and are willing to learn

Microsoft is doubling down on improving its consumer products, including Windows and Xbox, to boost user engagement. CEO Satya Nadella highlighted efforts to enhance quality, address core user needs, and win back fans.

Producer Adi Shankar predicts Indian cinema will soon dominate global blockbusters, citing its strength in emotional storytelling and original content. He believes India's confidence in its unique identity, rather than imitating Hollywood, is key to its success. Shankar also criticizes repetitive franchise filmmaking, suggesting audiences now crave authenticity and creative vision over mere spectacle.

A significant $55 million donation revitalised the Mid-Manhattan Library, transforming it into the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Library. This renovation shifted focus from book storage to community needs, creating dynamic spaces for learning, interaction, and professional development. The redesigned library now serves as a vital, free democratic hub for ordinary New Yorkers.

GitLab is undergoing a significant restructuring, including layoffs, to adapt to the 'agentic era' of software engineering. CEO Bill Staples announced plans to flatten the organization, empower smaller R&D teams, and embed AI agents into workflows. The company is also re-evaluating its global footprint and making architectural bets to prepare for machine-scale workloads.

Organizations are navigating a profound transformation in work, driven by AI, talent shortages, and evolving expectations. Jobs are being rebuilt around human-AI collaboration, and AI is becoming a core operational layer. Workforce models are shifting to hybrid talent ecosystems, emphasizing continuous learning and human skills for long-term relevance.

A young boy named Matthew Berger found important fossils in South Africa. These fossils, named Australopithecus sediba, showed a mix of ape and human features. The discovery challenged existing ideas about human evolution. It revealed that our ancestors' development was more complex than previously understood. This find continues to offer new insights into our deep past.

PayPal is planning to lay off approximately 4,760 employees, or 20% of its workforce, over the next two to three years as part of a significant cost-cutting initiative. This move aims to accelerate AI adoption, streamline operations, and refocus on core business areas like checkout, with the company expecting at least $1.5 billion in gross savings.

India celebrates National Technology Day on May 11, honoring scientific achievements and innovators, a tradition initiated in 1999 to commemorate the 1998 Pokhran-II nuclear tests. Prime Minister Narendra Modi highlighted technology's role in building a self-reliant India and empowering talent. CXOs emphasized AI's transformative impact and the democratization of advanced audio experiences.