From Quantum Leaps to Corporate Excellence: The hmtv Business Excellence Awards 2025: Panel with a Call for Disruption

The finale of the high-powered GCC panel discussion at the hmtv Business Excellence Awards (BEA) 2025 provided a rapid-fire assessment of the industry's digital transformation journey, capping off the segment with a clear mandate for corporate disruption before seamlessly transitioning to the evening’s main event.

The AI Implementation Thermometer

In a rapid-fire segment designed to gauge the current state of artificial intelligence (AI) adoption across Global Capability Centres (GCCs, the panellists were asked to rate AI implementation on a scale of 1 to 10. The answers revealed an industry that is still nascent in its AI journey but poised for rapid acceleration:

• Gave a score of 5, but optimistically stated the potential to reach 8.
• Rated the implementation at 5, moving toward 6.
• Acknowledged the current state as 4, but declared an ambition to reach 8 in two years, underscoring the aggressive acceleration plans within the sector.
• Placed their organisation at 5, with a definite plan to move to the "next level."
• Gave a score of 3, arguing that while customer-centric AI is prevalent, the industry needs to focus more on employee-centric AI to mature. He added a thought-provoking closing remark, noting the critical importance of fostering community.

The New Mantra for Innovation: CAU and DAU

Bringing the thought-provoking panel to a close, a speaker urged the industry to abandon complacency and embrace continuous, self-generated change. Moving beyond the traditional "Business as Usual" (BAU), the speaker introduced two essential new operating principles for innovation:

CAU (Chaos as Usual): The need to intentionally break existing structures to create new pathways.

DAU (Disruption as Usual): The mandate to consistently introduce major shifts to stay ahead of the curve.

The message was clear: “Create your own disruption if you really want to innovate.”

A Moment of Honour and Transition

The spirit of innovation that laid the foundation for India’s global technology standing was powerfully invoked during the event, a true pioneer: B.V. Naidu. Widely revered as the man behind the IT disruption in Karnataka—a visionary who spearheaded the establishment of STPI (Software Technology Parks of India) in Bangalore—his influence was felt across the panel, serving as a guiding light for the discussion on GCC excellence and digital foresight. The panellists, many of whom have built their careers on the bedrock of the IT ecosystem he helped create, acknowledged him as a mentor and an inspiration. Mr Naidu’s enduring legacy is the blueprint for creating competitive global tech hubs, and his spirit of proactive, disruptive leadership continues to motivate the next generation of entrepreneurs honoured at the hmtv Business Excellence Awards, proving that true excellence always traces back to a foundational vision.

Following the intense discussion, the panellists were celebrated for their invaluable contributions. As the panel was thanked and felicitated, the focus shifted to the highest echelons of government leadership. The Union Minister of Civil Aviation, Shri Kinjarapu Ram Mohan Naidu, and the IT and E&C Minister of Telangana, Shri Duddilla Sridhar Babu, were welcomed to the dais, signifying the government’s immense recognition of the corporate excellence being celebrated.

The event then moved to its most anticipated segment: the hmtv Business Excellence Awards (BEA).

The Purpose and Spirit of the BEA Awards

In introducing the awards segment, the organisers briefly reflected on the platform’s legacy. Since 2017, the BEA awards have been dedicated to recognising organisations and leaders who embody vision, innovation, resilience, and impact. The awards platform honours trailblazers who are actively shaping growth, advancing technology, and contributing meaningfully to the development of the Telugu states.

The integrity of the recognition was heavily emphasised, with Shri Seshadri Vangala, Founder and Chairman, IFIN Global Group, underscoring that every award presented “has undergone a rigorous multi-stage evaluation process” led by an esteemed jury.

Jury members and organisers then took the stage to elaborate on the painstaking selection process:

A Robust Selection: One speaker noted the sheer volume, stating, “this was the biggest task to all when we had 80 applications when they came to us, challenging… with almost meetings and more importantly, there was a young team…”

Due Diligence and Mock Interviews: Another member confirmed the intensity of the scrutiny, revealing that the jury went through "each application form" and that "mock interviews been done over there" to ensure only the most deserving were selected.

Inspiring the Future: Shri Rajasekhar Reddy, former President of Credai Hyderabad, highlighted the role of the awards as an "inspiration for the future generations," thanking the IT companies and GCCs for being the indirect "employment generator[s]" and backbone for the housing industry.

The organising team proudly highlighted hmtv’s own commitment to excellence, noting that the channel was the “first Telugu channel to be in Davos,” a global platform that further elevates the corporate narrative of the region.

The consensus from the jury was a tribute to the dynamism of Hyderabad, which has seen the evolution of the real estate sector and the flourishing of IT, Pharma, Life Sciences, and an accelerating wave of GCCs—a triumph made possible by consistent government support. The hmtv Business Excellence Awards 2025 thus stood as a powerful celebration of this combined success and a catalyst for future brilliance.