FOR MILLENNIA, philosophers thinkers and have pondered on the reason for life. Why do we exist? Are we here to fulfil some mission and, if so, what is that? Does life have a goal or are humans on earth as a random occurrence? Does existence have a larger goal or are we programmed to merely seek to survive and procreate, as biologists may aver? If the survival instinct is built into our DNA, what explains altruism or the willingness to sacrifice one's life to save others? Mahatma Gandhi said, "Find purpose and the means will follow", implying the need for each individual to discover or create a purpose.
In corporate circles, the buzz word now is purpose. Overtaking its cousin, vision, Purpose (with an emphatic upper-case P) is the key word in the business lexicon. Objectives and goals, though sometimes considered similar if not synonymous - with vision are now mundane and so last-century. Purpose, many leaders feel, is the magnet that draws investors, customers, and talent, while driving valuation. Little wonder, then, that much effort goes into crafting and refining the organisation's purpose which is its raison d'etre. It also answers, for the corporate, the question we started with, articulating why the organisation is here.
AN EXISTENTIAL CONUNDRUM
For individuals, the question is a deeply existential conundrum, at one level. Deep thinkers and worriers suffer many a sleepless night trying to find a satisfying answer. For some, the purpose is doing good; for many, it is doing well. For a few unfortunate souls - the searchers the answer is elusive; to most, though, there are too many other pressing, here-and-now concerns, to spend mental energy worrying about such philosophical matters.
Denne historien er fra February 11, 2023-utgaven av Businessworld India.
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Denne historien er fra February 11, 2023-utgaven av Businessworld India.
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MEMORIES & IMPRESSIONS
Ratan Tata was an exceptional human being. He was a visionary leader, esteemed industrialist, and a humanitarian, who left an indelible mark on India and the world.
The Robotaxi Market
The robotaxi market is shaping up to be a high-stakes battleground as tech giants and automakers race to transform urban mobility.
And the Nobel Prize Goes to AI
The recent Nobel Prize T awards to AI pioneers affiliated with Google have sparked a broader conversation about Big Tech's influence on research and the limitations of traditional prize categories.
Ola Electrified
Once considered a trailblazer in India’s electric vehicle (EV) ecosystem, Bhavish Aggarwal’s Ola Electric now faces a major accountability crisis.
Sharp Slide in Industrial Output on Eve of Deepavali
India’s index of industrial production (IIP) saw a sharp reversal in August, contracting by 0.1 per cent, in stark contrast to the 4.7 per cent growth in July, mostly because of significant contractions in mining and electricity generation.
Heralding the Solar Era with Sustainable Electrification
RAJEEV KASHYAP on the economics of solar power, the hurdles in scaling it, and much more
A WELL-GREASED MACHINE
The OmniBook X14 laptop runs on first-generation Snapdragon X Elite, which bets big on Al-enabled productivity and battery life, but falls short when it comes to overall experience, says Deep Majumdar
DO NOT LETA HEALTH CRISIS RUIN YOUR FINANCIAL HEALTH
For a family of four living in a metro, it is recommended to opt for a family floater health insurance plan with a sum insured of at least Rs 15-20 lakh
Disruption Ahead: Beyond Organisation Charts and Structures
ALBERT EINSTEIN FAMOUSLY said, “We cannot solve our problems with the same thinking we used when we created them.
Dr. Rahul Shivajirao Kadam: A Visionary Leader Blending Sustainability, Innovation, And Social Empowerment
We are on the stage of global warming, and these technologies not only help prevent further damage but also leave behind a better environment for future generations.