HT Smartcast Spotlight

Neeraj Govil, Chief Operating Officer, APEC, Marriott International on Building Culture & Growing Talent within the organization

India is one of Marriott International’s fastest-growing markets. But scaling isn’t just about opening more hotels, it is about growing & nurturing talent at the same pace. In this Mint vodcast, journalist Mugdha Kalra speaks with Neeraj Govil, Chief Operating Officer, APEC, Marriott International, on how the company is aligning culture, leadership, and talent development with rapid expansion in India. From building leadership pipelines and enabling career mobility, to redefining productivity, nurturing women in hospitality, addressing employee wellbeing and responding to Gen Z expectations, the conversation explores what it really takes to grow sustainably in a people-driven industry. Key themes discussed include: * How culture becomes a distinctive advantage for Marriott  * The mindset shifts from long hours to healthier work-life balance  * Building leadership pipelines from within * How is Gen Z reshaping workforce expectations?  As India’s hospitality sector evolves, the real differentiator will not just be scale, but the ability to build talent and culture consistently. Listen to the full conversation.

Trendspotting to Top Shelf: Inside Pernod Ricard’s Premiumization Playbook

What does it take to build a premium brand that lasts decades and transcends borders? In this episode, host Sarthak sits down with Jean-Etienne Gourgues, Executive Vice President, Global Brands at Pernod Ricard to unpack the “seduction of the senses” behind some of the world’s most iconic spirits.   From unique, timeless storytelling formats to decoding some of the latest consumer and market trends in India and across the globe and highlighting India’s strategic role as the company’s second-largest market, Jean-Etienne offers behind-the-scenes insights into how the company’s legacy of premiumization and innovation ensures its brands continue to stand out in a highly competitive industry.

Nutrition Control: The Next Step in Diabetes Management

We may have just observed World Diabetes Day, but diabetes doesn’t follow a calendar, it demands attention every single day. With the “right nutrition in the right proportion” along with physical activity and 6-8 hours of sleep, diabetes can be managed far more effectively. The ‘Nutrition Control: The Next Step in Diabetes Management’ episode, brought to you by Abbott and HT Media, explores the scientific view on diabetes management and how structured nutrition and lifestyle can improve health outcomes for people living with the condition.

Construction Waste & the Circular Economy: How Citizens Shape Sustainable Cities

From homes to highways, construction waste quietly shapes our cities. In this episode, Sarthak Kaushik sits down with Rahul Tiwari to unpack why construction and demolition waste isn’t just a municipal concern but it’s a shared civic responsibility. Discover how responsible disposal fuels the circular economy, cuts urban pollution, and plays a crucial role in building more sustainable cities.

AI's Inflection Point in Partnership Lending (ft. Manish Kumar Gupta of L&T Finance Ltd.)

Indian lending is at an inflection point. In this episode, Manish Gupta, Chief Executive – Urban Unsecured Assets, Payments & Digital Partnerships at L&T Finance, joins Vipul Mahajan, CBO, Yubi to discuss how partnership-led lending and AI are reshaping scale, risk, and governance in India. From regulatory shifts and co-lending structures to explainable AI, operating model changes, and the future of creditworthiness, this conversation looks at what lenders must get right to grow responsibly in the next phase of credit.