Mysuru: By 2030, nearly 800 million people will be seeking employment globally, posing a major challenge for govts and the formal employment sector alone. Grassroots initiatives and co-creation models will be crucial to bridge this gap, said Shamanth SN, director, Rakuten India, and co-chairman of the International Business Expert Committee at the Bangalore Chamber of Industry and Commerce.Delivering the keynote address at a meet organised by the SDM Institute for Management Development (SDMIMD), Shamanth shared analytical insights drawn from Japan’s business environment. He noted that local municipalities there create innovation hubs that serve as strong platforms for diverse sectors. Venture capitalists, strategic investors, and angel investors actively contribute to these ecosystems. Citing Japan’s Keiretsu model, he explained how established industries collaborate with start-ups, helping new businesses grow and scale.Reflecting on the current start-up landscape, Shamanth observed that many start-ups shut down within two to three years of inception, largely because they build products and business models without fully understanding market needs. He stressed the importance of rigorous testing and validation before scaling.SDMIMD director S N Prasad said case studies occupy a unique niche in management education by promoting critical thinking, collaborative problem-solving, and innovative approaches.At the valedictory session, Sankarshan Basu of the Indian Institute of Management Bangalore highlighted how rigorous case analysis strengthens managerial insight and applied learning.
