All posts by team

Mumbai, October 24, 2024: Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand (CA ANZ) and ACCA (the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants) have released the Audit and technology playbook: A practitioner’s guide, a comprehensive guide aimed at helping audit professionals adapt to the rapidly advancing technological landscape.

The development of advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning and blockchain is reshaping the audit profession. For example, Generative AI alongside increasingly sophisticated data analytics allows auditors to analyse huge amounts of data in just a few seconds, uncovering patterns that were previously invisible and providing greater confidence than traditional methods.

The playbook provides actionable strategies to equip auditors with the skills and tools necessary to navigate this digital transformation. It addresses the opportunities and risks it presents, identifies key trends and provides a framework for audit practices – particularly small and medium-sized practitioners (SMPs) – to adapt.

It also emphasises the importance of balancing technological advances with professional ethics, judgement and human oversight, and highlights the risks of over-reliance on technology.

Simon Grant, CA ANZ Group Executive – Advocacy and International, emphasised the importance of embracing new technologies while maintaining the core principles of the profession. He said: ‘Technology is opening up new possibilities in auditing that were out of reach only a decade ago. However, the human element remains as important as ever. Our professional scepticism, judgment, and ethics must remain at the forefront as we integrate these new tools into our practices.’

Mike Suffield, Director of Policy and Insights at ACCA, said: ‘Advanced technologies can allow auditors to gain deeper insights into the businesses they audit. But there’s a very real danger of relying too heavily on technology, such as through automation bias where technology subtly influences an auditor’s judgment.’

Key sections of the playbook include guidance on developing a digital strategy, investing in staff skill development, and implementing governance structures to maintain audit integrity.

The guide was informed by extensive research and roundtable discussions with members across several markets.

New Delhi, October 24th, 2024 — ASORT, a leading lifestyle and personal care brand, is excited to announce the launch of its exclusive men’s grooming range under the Mr. Huffman brand. With a strong commitment to providing high-quality, innovative products tailored to the modern man, Mr. Huffman aims to redefine grooming standards and enhance the self-care experience for men across India.

The men’s grooming market in India is seeing unprecedented growth, with the industry expected to reach a value of over by 2024. This dynamic market is rapidly expanding as more men are embracing personal care and grooming as an integral part of their daily routine. With the launch of Mr. Huffman, ASORT aims to cater to this growing demand by offering a premium range of products that combine quality, performance, and style.

Crafted with the finest ingredients, the Mr. Huffman grooming range features a variety of products designed to address the specific needs of men’s skin, hair, and beard care. From invigorating face washes to serums and moisturising creams to advanced beard oils and styling gels, the product line ensures that men can look and feel their best every day. Each item has been meticulously formulated to deliver superior results, offering effective solutions for a refreshing grooming routine.

The Indian men’s grooming market is projected to grow at a staggering CAGR of 12-14% through to 2030. This expansion can be attributed to the increasing disposable income, rising awareness about personal grooming, and a shift in consumer behavior towards premium and specialised products. ASORT’s entry into this vibrant market with Mr. Huffman is a strategic move to tap into the evolving preferences of Indian men, who are increasingly seeking high-quality and innovative grooming solutions.

“We are thrilled to introduce Mr. Huffman to the Indian market,” said Mr. Roshan Singh Bisht, Co-Founder & CEO, ASORT.com “Our goal is to provide men with products that not only meet their grooming needs but also elevate their everyday routine. With the launch of Mr. Huffman, we are proud to offer a sophisticated range of high-performance grooming products that deliver the best in quality and luxury.”

ASORT’s Mr. Huffman grooming range is now available for purchase across various online platforms. With its strong focus on quality, innovation, and customer satisfaction, Mr. Huffman is set to become the go-to brand for men who prioritize self-care and grooming.

News summary:

• Cisco launches new AI solutions to advance collaboration and empower employees with equitable and exceptional experiences.
• IT teams benefit from simplicity of deployment, management and the ability to scale in any workspace.
• Designed to help organizations reimagine work and workspaces, new innovations include Cisco Spatial Meetings to deliver 3D meeting experiences that reduce the impact of distance, Ceiling Microphone Pro to enable truly immersive and integrated audiovisual experiences, and Cisco AI Assistant features to advance employee productivity.

Fort Lauderdale, FL, Oct. 24, 2024 – Today at WebexOne, Cisco (NASDAQ: CSCO) unveiled new AI-fueled solutions to enhance employee connection and collaboration. The company announced several new innovations, including Cisco Spatial Meetings, Ceiling Microphone Pro, new Cisco AI Assistant for Webex capabilities and more.

Today, employees and IT teams want solutions that enable seamless and intelligent collaboration. From delivering enhanced meeting quality to enabling increased productivity and streamlined device management, Cisco’s new AI innovations are designed to transform work and workspaces.

“With AI baked into every part of Cisco’s product portfolio, we’re helping organizations futureproof their workspaces with solutions ready for the next generation of how and where people work,” said Jeetu Patel, Executive Vice President and Chief Product Officer, Cisco. “We’re providing our customers with intelligent, adaptable, and easy-to-manage technology that enhances experiences for their employees and customers.”

Delivering Distance Zero Experiences

In this era of distributed work, employees need experiences that make all meeting attendees feel like they’re in the same room, even if they aren’t – a concept Cisco calls Distance Zero. Cisco is leveraging AI to reimagine smart workplaces and enable equitable and inclusive meeting experiences for everyone regardless of where and how they work. New innovations include:

• Cisco Spatial Meetings: Turn any space equipped with a Cisco Room Bar Pro into a stunning immersive studio and deliver spatial video to Webex for Apple Vision Pro users – easily with a simple software upgrade. With any Room Bar Pro device and an Apple Vision Pro, users can do things like product demos, remote training, education and more with video that includes remarkable depth and dimension.
• Cisco Ceiling Microphone Pro: Capture natural conversation from anywhere in a variety of workspaces. This industry-first adaptive microphone uses AI to automatically adjusts to speaker position and changes to room configuration. Compatible with Cisco cameras and room systems, the Cisco Ceiling Microphone Pro delivers a fully integrated and immersive meeting experience that is easy to manage. Microphone set up is now faster than ever, taking minutes, instead of hours.

Managing Smart Workspaces

With the rise of flexible work, IT responsibilities have expanded alongside increased employee expectations. To address this, Cisco is empowering IT and facilities teams to streamline their work with:

• Workspace Designer: Fully automates the design and customization of workspaces. It provides a 3D view of audio and video coverage, and accelerates the time it takes to deploy video-enabled hybrid workspaces.
• Smart Diagnostics in Control Hub: Enables IT to dynamically identify and resolve meeting room issues in real time.
• ThousandEyes integration for the Desk Phone 9800 Series and Webex Calling: Helps monitor and troubleshoot in real-time, reducing downtime by tracking where call issues originate.

Advancing Employee Productivity and Engagement

To advance collaboration and increase productivity, the Cisco AI Assistant will enable users to:

• Automate workflows through integrations with enterprise apps including Salesforce, ServiceNow, Zendesk, and more.
• Integrate with Glean, enabling mutual customers to enhance discussions and speed up decision-making with its knowledge graph and connectors including Outlook, Salesforce and ServiceNow.
• Choose the Large Language Model (LLM) that best fits their needs with Amazon Bedrock.
• Share summaries and recaps across third-party platforms including Microsoft Outlook, Teams, Copilot and Slack.

Additional new capabilities to enhance employee engagement include:

• Vidcast enhancements: New features like highlights, chapters and transcripts enhance asynchronous video capabilities. AI-generated Vidcast will soon allow users to upload a PDF or PPT and automatically generate a script and voice-overs in the language and tone of their choice. This is a major time-saver and will enhance the user experience.
• AI-generated Slido polls: Meeting participants can use AI to generate Slido polls during webinars and large meetings.

Bengaluru, 24th October: White Gold, South India’s largest organized gold buyers has announced its partnership with Bengaluru Bulls – a professional Pro Kabaddi League team, as their official gold buying partner. This strategic collaboration stems from White Gold’s dedication to fostering local sports excellence and promoting talent at the grassroots level. Through this alliance, White Gold aims to empower sports enthusiasts and appreciate local talent in the sport of Kabaddi.

This collaboration will enhance White Gold’s presence across various match day promotions, digital platforms, and social media campaigns, ensuring the brand gains significant visibility. Additionally, White Gold will have the opportunity to engage in exclusive team activities and promotional initiatives throughout the season, further amplifying its reach and impact.

Speaking about this collaboration, Mr Rahul Joseph, Founder and CEO of White Gold said, “White Gold believes in the upliftment of the local sports community. A big part of our mission, being based in Bengaluru, is to elevate the culture and torchbearers of Bengaluru. This collaboration is a great deal of pride for White Gold in stabilising its footing as a trusted local brand.”

Adding further, Kirthi Muralikrishnan, CEO of Bengaluru Bulls shared, “As the CEO of Bengaluru Bulls, I am thrilled to announce our partnership with White Gold, a brand that shares our values of excellence, resilience, and innovation. This collaboration is a perfect match, as both our team and White Gold are committed to pushing boundaries and delivering quality. Together, we aim to inspire not just on the Kabaddi mat, but in every aspect of life. This partnership is a testament to the power of teamwork and determination, and we look forward to a successful journey ahead.”

With more than 50+ branches across Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu, White Gold is a prominent entity offering transparent and tech-driven gold buying options. The company purchases old and unused gold ornaments from customers and gives them an instant payment, opening avenues for the customers to reutilise their savings.

Serving over  satisfied customers and 250 members strong, White Gold aims to be a trusted financial solution provider. The brand has ambitious plans targeting  in revenue for the financial year 2024-25, White Gold continues to set new benchmarks in the industry. With this partnership, White Gold is keen on providing a push of encouragement to all sports enthusiasts across the country while also spreading awareness towards transparency, reliability, and professionalism in gold exchange.

New Delhi, October 24, 2024: Get Powered by Warehouse (GPW) is revolutionising the luxury Indian fashion & lifestyle industry by offering a one-stop solution for brands to boost sales, expand reach, and enhance brand awareness. With a global reach across 45 cities and 15 countries, GPW provides an unparalleled platform for luxury designers to showcase their collections to a wider audience and help them achieve 10x sales in a single day.

GPW’s global presence empowers Indian luxury brands to tap into international markets and connect with a diverse customer base. By leveraging GPW’s extensive network, designers can gain unmatched exposure and reach new audiences beyond domestic borders. It offers a comprehensive suite of services that cater to the unique needs of luxury Indian brands like Tarun Tahiliani, Gaurav Gupta, Raj Mahtani Couture Jewels, Manish Malhotra Jewellery, JJ Valaya, Atlantis Royal etc. With this initiative, the brands gain unprecedented exposure through its extensive network of over 3.5 lakh luxury buyers, high-value spenders, and aspirational affluents. GPW’s targeted audience ensures that brands reach the right customers who are actively seeking luxury products.

Warehouse has built strong relationships based on trust and reliability, making them the go-to partner for luxury Indian brands seeking to expand their reach and achieve their business goals. With a proven track record of success, GPW has consistently helped its partner brands achieve remarkable results. Over the years, GPW has assisted over 75 designers in generating a total revenue of INR 5,000 Crores. This impressive statistic highlights GPW’s ability to drive significant growth and deliver tangible value to its clients.

GPW’s strategic partnerships with leading luxury brands and influencers provide valuable opportunities for cross-promotion and collaboration. These partnerships allow GPW to offer brands access to a wider network of potential customers and enhance their brand visibility.

“At GPW, our mission is to help luxury designers not only navigate the challenges of excess inventory and market visibility but also to thrive in a competitive marketplace,” says Mudita Jaipuria, Founder of Warehouse. “We are committed to driving sustainable growth for our partner brands, ensuring they can recoup investments and allocate resources towards future collections. Our approach is rooted in building strong, long-term relationships with our clients, and this dedication has allowed us to consistently deliver exceptional results for the luxury sector.”

In addition to driving sales and brand awareness, GPW also offers solutions for inventory management. Designers often find themselves with excess inventory that can tie up valuable capital. GPW provides a platform where these leftover pieces can be sold at competitive prices, helping designers recoup their investment and free up resources for new designs.

Bengaluru, 24 October, 2024: Kinetic Green Energy and Power Limited Solutions, India’s premier electric two and three-wheeler manufacturer, is thrilled to announce the opening of a new dealership in Mysuru. Hindustan Enterprises Green, the dealership is owned and operated by Mr. Mangilal Padam Chand, and is situated at L397/A, L42/A, Irvin Road Laskar Mohalla, Mysuru 570001. This grand opening marks a significant milestone in the brand’s commitment to expand its presence in the Karnataka state.

The inauguration ceremony was graced by esteemed presence of Mr. Pankaj Sharma, who is the President of 2 Wheelers division at Kinetic Green. During the event, Mr. Sharma discussed the pivotal role that electric vehicles (EVs) play in addressing climate change and pollution, highlighting their importance for a sustainable future and the need for their widespread adoption.

Kinetic Green’s new dealership in Mysuru features a spacious facility, with dedicated service support. The dealership proudly displays Kinetic Green’s diverse range of electric two-wheelers, including the E-Luna, E-Zulu, and E-Zing, designed to meet the specific needs of Indian consumers. These models seamlessly blend sustainability with cutting-edge technology, offering smart, sharp, and sleek designs as standout features.

Speaking on the dealership expansion, Pankaj Sharma, President 2-Wheeler Business, Kinetic Green said, “We are thrilled to announce the opening of our new dealership in Mysuru, a key step in expanding our footprint across Karnataka. This milestone reflects our ongoing commitment to making electric mobility both accessible and mainstream throughout India. Our dedicated showroom team will assist customers with expert guidance, ensuring they receive seamless buying experience, service support & empowering customers to make informed decisions on their purchase.

Adding to the same, Mr. Mangilal Padam Chand, the owner of Hindustan Enterprises Green in Mysuru said, “We are extremely excited to partner with Kinetic Green and are grateful for the support and confidence they have shown in us. Our aim is to offer customers top-notch services and expert guidance to help them make informed decisions, while ensuring a world-class service experience. With the rapid growth of the EV market, I am confident that this dealership will play a pivotal role in promoting eco-friendly transportation solutions in Mysuru.”

NDTV today announced stellar Q2 results, achieving a 17% year-on-year (YoY) revenue growth, underscoring the company’s consistent momentum across key business verticals. This impressive performance is driven by NDTV’s enhanced content strategy, an expanding portfolio of intellectual properties (IPs), and strategic digital initiatives. NDTV’s digital presence continues to expand at an accelerated pace, reflecting its commitment to delivering high-quality news across languages. In August 2024, the Hindi platform saw a 24% rise in traffic, while the English platform grew by 41% compared to August 2023. Further
cementing its leadership in the digital space, NDTV’s English YouTube channel captured the highest viewership in the English news category in September, outpacing its competitors. This surge in audience engagement highlights NDTV’s ability to resonate with modern consumers through insightful journalism and innovative formats across platforms.

Subsequent to the Quarter, NDTV also hosted one of its biggest event IPs, NDTV World Summit 2024 – The India Century, with the Hon’ble Prime Minister, Narendra Modi delivering the inaugural address, emphasizing its importance as a platform for global collaboration, leadership, and innovation. This marquee summit brought together some of the world’s most influential leaders and visionaries to discuss transformative ideas and shape the future across industries.

Commenting on the results, Sanjay Pugalia, NDTV’s Whole-time Director and Editor-in-Chief said, “Our exceptional Q2 performance underscores our commitment to delivering insightful and actionable news to our audiences worldwide. As we continue to grow and innovate, an event like NDTV World Summit, reflects our ambition to play a pivotal role in shaping conversations that matter on both national and global stages”.

Mumbai, 24 October 2024: Orb Energy (“Orb”) has successfully installed an 800-kilowatt rooftop solar system at Esteem Industries Private Limited in Alonde, Wada, Maharashtra. This installation is set to generate over 10 lakh units of electricity annually by harnessing solar energy to meet the factory’s electricity demands. In addition to its economic benefits, the project is projected to reduce approximately 1,000 tonnes of carbon emissions (CO2e) each year, reinforcing its role as a key initiative for both cost savings and environmental sustainability.

Esteem Industries is India’s leading manufacturer of surfactants and specialty chemicals with over 30 years of experience. Given the high energy consumption typical of the chemical manufacturing sector, this solar solution offers significant cost-saving potential. The project is expected to generate approximately 3,100 kilowatt-hours of solar energy daily, covering around 80% of Esteem Industries’ daytime electricity requirements. The company is projected to recover its investment in solar energy within 2 years and 3 months, highlighting both economic and environmental advantages.

Saurabh Seth, Orb Energy’s General Manager – PV Projects, commented, “As part of our ongoing commitment to empowering SMEs and MSMEs with solar power solutions, this partnership further underscores our dedication to sustainability. Our solar installations not only bring substantial economic savings but also assist companies in meeting their social, environmental, and governance (ESG) goals.”

Orb Energy’s vertically integrated approach spans from manufacturing to installation, offering businesses a seamless transition to solar power. Additionally, Orb provides collateral-free loans to facilitate solar adoption. With over 310 megawatts of solar systems installed across India, Orb further aims to reinforce its position as a major player in India’s renewable energy sector.

India, October 24, 2024: Hudle, India’s leading sports-tech platform, has announced its listing on AdvantageClub.ai , marking a significant step in driving corporate and employee wellness through sports integration. Recognizing sports as a vital solution for today’s sedentary corporate lifestyles, this partnership reinforces Hudle’s commitment to integrating fitness into workplace environments across India.

The collaboration with AdvantageClub.ai, which boasts over 5 million users in 100+ countries and 1,000+ impressive client portfolios including BCG, Biocon, Concentrix, EY, HCL, Hexaware, Tech Mahindra, Teleperformance, Tata Steel and many more. By leveraging this extensive network, Hudle aims to transform corporate wellness programs, offering engaging sports solutions that not only boost physical health but also enhance mental well-being and team dynamics.

Suhail Narain, Founder & CEO of Hudle, said, “Through our experience managing sports venues in corporate parks and office spaces, we’ve witnessed a significant uptick in employee participation in recreational activities. Our platform has seen a strong engagement from companies in metros like Delhi NCR, Mumbai, and Bengaluru. This partnership with AdvantageClub.ai allows us to scale our impact, ensuring more employees across India have access to sports and fitness activities that promote wellness and team building right at their workplace.”

Hudle’s corporate wellness solutions offer a comprehensive approach to integrating sports and fitness into the workplace ecosystem. At the core of this approach is Hudle’s expertise in developing and managing customized sports facilities for corporate clients, for instance Smartworks Bellandur, which exemplifies Hudle’s commitment to creating tailored wellness spaces within corporate environments.

Building on this foundation of accessible sports infrastructure, Hudle organizes corporate sports events that facilitate team-building and friendly competitions that not only promote physical activity but also foster a sense of community and camaraderie among employees.

Moreover, as part of this initiative, Hudle is offering an exclusive discount of 30% (up to INR 300) on the AdvantageClub.ai platform, making sports and fitness activities more accessible to a vast corporate audience. To further expand the reach and impact of its wellness initiatives, Hudle provides scalable health and wellness solutions. Through partnerships with platforms like Alyve Health, Hudle offers sports venue listings across 40+ sports activities in 60+ cities. For instance, the “Alyve Health Plan” provides employees with access to free credits for booking sports venues on the app, making it easier for companies to implement comprehensive wellness programs for their employees.

Sourabh Deorah, Co-founder and CEO of AdvantageClub.ai, commented, “Our partnership with Hudle aligns perfectly with our mission to enhance employee engagement and well-being. By integrating Hudle’s extensive sports and fitness offerings into our platform, we’re providing our corporate clients with a powerful tool to boost team morale, improve health outcomes, and create a more dynamic workplace culture.”

Hudle’s innovative approach goes beyond booking and community engagement, offering a comprehensive digital ecosystem that connects players, optimizes venue management, and fosters a vibrant sports community within corporate settings. The company has seen successful implementations at various locations, including Smartworks Bellandur, Brookfields (Equinox Business Park, Mumbai), and Max Towers.

National, October 24, 2024 (NASDAQ: MMYT) — MakeMyTrip Limited, India’s leading travel service provider, today announced its unaudited financial and operating results for its fiscal second quarter ended September 30, 2024 as attached herewith and available at  and on our website .

Business & Financial Highlights | Q2 FY25
 

Commenting on the results, Rajesh Magow, Group Chief Executive Officer, MakeMyTrip, said,

“We are pleased to have achieved sustained growth in a seasonally slow quarter. Our unwavering focus on innovation, powered by advanced technology to deliver a differentiated customer experience, has been a key driver of this progress. We continue to be positive about the long-term outlook of India’s travel and tourism market and stay committed to further accelerating efforts to expand our supply partnerships and deepen engagement with our customers.”