Jennifer Garvey Berger’s Leadership Sessions Inspire Indian

Jennifer Garvey Berger's India Visit Sparks Leadership Transformation Amid Business Complexity

By Nishang Narayan

Published on February 25, 2025

Cultivating Leadership, a global leader in leadership development, hosted two exclusive leadership sessions in collaboration with the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) in New Delhi and Mumbai. Led by renowned leadership expert Dr. Jennifer Garvey Berger, the sessions gathered India’s top business leaders to explore new approaches to navigating complexity and redefining leadership in today’s fast-changing corporate environment.

The event marked a special milestone—celebrating 15 years of CII's Leadership Centre of Excellence and its ongoing efforts to shape visionary leaders for Indian industry.

A Timely Discussion on Complexity in Leadership

With businesses facing rapid market shifts, technological disruptions, and evolving workforce dynamics, the sessions provided a crucial opportunity for leaders to rethink conventional leadership models. Through engaging conversations, interactive exercises, and real-world case studies, attendees explored strategies to embrace complexity rather than resist it.

Shweta Anand Arora, Director of Cultivating Leadership, India, highlighted the significance of this shift, stating,
"Complexity is not a challenge to be solved but a reality to be embraced. Jennifer’s insights have provided Indian leaders with practical tools to navigate uncertainty with confidence, shaping a more resilient and forward-thinking leadership culture."

Jennifer Garvey Berger on Leadership in an Uncertain World

Jennifer Garvey Berger, who has worked with global giants like Google, Microsoft, and Novartis, delved into the mental traps leaders often face and how they influence decision-making. Her two-hour workshops focused on adaptability, systemic thinking, and collaboration—critical skills for future-ready leaders.

Reflecting on her experience, Jennifer shared,
"The diversity in the room was incredible. Leaders from different industries came together, eager to learn and share. It was inspiring to see how deeply they engaged, embracing different perspectives and fostering meaningful conversations."

Industry Leaders Emphasize the Need for Leadership Evolution

Avijit Bhattacharya, Member of the CII National Committee on Leadership and HR & CHRO at Tata Capital Limited, reinforced the urgency of redefining leadership in today’s volatile world.
"With rapid technological disruption, economic uncertainty, and geopolitical shifts, traditional leadership models are struggling to keep pace. Leaders must embrace complexity, foster innovation, and build resilience to drive long-term success."

A Strategic Partnership for Leadership Development in India

Building on the momentum of these sessions, CII and Cultivating Leadership have signed an MoU to co-develop leadership programs for Indian corporates. This collaboration will focus on high-impact interventions, engaging global experts, and leveraging technology-enabled learning to equip Indian leaders for future challenges.

The sessions attracted top executives from leading organizations, including BCG, Apple, Godrej Agrovet, Samsonite, CP Plus, Hindalco, Kotak Mahindra Bank, Grant Thornton, Diageo, Deloitte, and many more—demonstrating the widespread industry interest in evolving leadership paradigms.

With Cultivating Leadership’s recent expansion into India through a joint venture with The Core Questin, these transformative events mark the beginning of a broader movement to reshape leadership development in the country.

Six Ways to Celebrate the Festive Season the Reserve Way at Phulay Bay, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve

By Author

Published on December 29, 2025

Phulay Bay, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve, invites discerning travellers to celebrate the festive season in an atmosphere of timeless rituals, refined gastronomy, and serene natural beauty along the untouched shores of the Andaman Sea. This year-end, the ultra-luxury retreat presents six thoughtfully curated experiences that blend cultural authenticity, culinary excellence, and meaningful moments of celebration.

The festive journey begins with a sacred traditional Buddhist monk blessing at Sala Srichan, coinciding with Phulay Bay’s 16th anniversary of warm hospitality. As the sun sets over the sea, guests are welcomed with cocktails followed by a special anniversary dinner inspired by the four elements—Earth, Water, Air, and Fire—artfully crafted by Michelin-starred Executive Chef Christian Herrgesell.

Christmas Eve at Phulay Bay is marked by one of the resort’s most enchanting traditions, as Santa arrives by long-tail boat at sunset. The day unfolds with a festive breakfast, engaging children’s workshops, and culminates in an elegant Christmas Eve dinner under the stars at Jampoon, where classic holiday flavours are reimagined with a tropical twist.

On Christmas Day, the celebration continues with “Gifts from the Grove,” a showcase of handcrafted ornaments by local artisans, family-friendly activities, and a vibrant Christmas Buffet and Market Fair on the Pool Lawn. Guests can enjoy gourmet food stations and a lively festive ambience beneath the night sky.

For those seeking an elevated culinary experience, the Intimate Champagne Pairing Evening on 28 December offers an exclusive dinner for just 20 guests at Sala Srichan. A refined four-course menu is paired with exceptional Ruinart champagnes, creating an evening of elegance, artistry, and indulgence.

New Year’s Eve transports guests back in time with “A Night of Siam,” inspired by the era of King Rama VI, when Western elegance merged seamlessly with Siamese grace. The evening features sunset cocktails, a grand gala dinner with cultural performances, and transitions into a beachfront countdown party with live DJ music and fireworks illuminating the Andaman Sea.

As midnight approaches, celebrations move to the sandy shores of Chomtawan Bar, where festive cocktails, energetic music, and a spectacular fireworks display welcome 2026 in signature Phulay Bay style. The festivities conclude on a serene note with a New Year’s Day brunch at Jampoon, followed by the traditional Thai monk offering ceremony, Tak Bat—a meaningful ritual symbolising gratitude, generosity, and new beginnings.

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A First for Indian Hospitality: Taj Exotica Goa and Tata Power Champion Clean Energy Storage

By Author

Published on December 28, 2025

In a landmark step towards sustainable luxury, Taj Exotica Resort & Spa, Goa has partnered with Tata Power to implement one of the most advanced Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) in the Indian hospitality sector. This initiative marks Tata Power’s first BESS deployment in the hospitality industry and positions Taj Exotica Goa as the first hotel in India to adopt this pioneering clean energy solution.

With an approximate storage capacity of 2 MW, the BESS project represents a significant milestone in IHCL’s decarbonisation journey under Paathya, aligned with the Tata Group’s Aalingana vision for climate-positive growth. The installation has been executed by Tata Power following detailed technical feasibility studies, with an investment of approximately ₹3.50 crore and projected annual savings of around ₹1.50 crore, while substantially reducing dependence on diesel-based power generation.

Commenting on the initiative, Ms. Sheetal Singh, Area Director – South Goa and General Manager, Taj Exotica Resort & Spa, Goa, said:
“Sustainability is at the core of our ethos at Taj Exotica, Goa. The BESS project is an exemplary step in modernising the way hospitality manages energy. By reducing diesel dependence and enhancing power reliability, we are embracing innovation that directly contributes to a greener, more resilient future for our hotel and our community.”

The system is expected to reduce nearly 2 lakh litres of High-Speed Diesel (HSD) annually, leading to a substantial drop in carbon emissions and operational costs. Beyond financial and environmental benefits, the BESS improves power quality, minimises generator runtime, and significantly lowers air emissions.

Given Taj Exotica Goa’s multi-source power ecosystem, comprising grid supply, diesel generators, and solar energy, a sophisticated interlocking and protection system was jointly developed with Tata Power. This includes automated source prioritisation logic, prevention of backfeed and overload, real-time monitoring, advanced safety cut-offs, thermal and surge protection, emergency shutdown protocols, and manual override operations.

To ensure uninterrupted guest comfort and electrical stability, comprehensive safety simulations and load-bank tests were conducted. The physical installation was completed in mid-November 2025, followed by full-load testing, where the system demonstrated stable discharge curves and precise switching performance.

The engineering team, led by Mr. Athen Chellappa, Area Director Engineering – Goa, carried out extensive simulations of power outage scenarios. These validated automatic diesel generator synchronisation, priority-based charging from solar and grid sources, interlocking accuracy, changeover timings, and internet connectivity critical for cloud-linked operations. The system is further supported by an interactive digital dashboard offering real-time energy flow visibility, battery health diagnostics, predictive maintenance alerts, and detailed historical reports on consumption and savings.

Summarising the impact of the project, Mr. Ranjit Phillipose, Senior Vice President – Operations, IHCL Goa, stated:
“The BESS project at Taj Exotica Resort & Spa, Goa is not just an engineering achievement—it is a defining moment in our sustainability journey. By embracing cutting-edge technology and reducing our reliance on fossil fuels, we are setting new benchmarks for responsible luxury. This initiative reflects our belief that the future of hospitality is clean, resilient, and climate-conscious, and we are proud to pioneer that change.”

With this breakthrough collaboration, Taj Exotica Goa and Tata Power have set a powerful precedent for the Indian hospitality industry, demonstrating how innovation, sustainability, and luxury can seamlessly converge to shape a cleaner and more resilient future.