Global Business in the Age of Destruction and Distraction

When a crisis like a pandemic sweeps through societies, it upends critical structures in health, economics, socioeconomics, institutional cultures, communities, and everyday life. This book examines how a world already stressed by rampant change reacts to a global crisis. It draws on experts that foresee a growing economic inequality as the tech-savvy pull further ahead of those with less access to digital tools, training, or aptitude. Some anticipate big technology firms that will exploit their market advantages and weaponize tools that erode the privacy and autonomy of their users. Some predict that changes exacerbated by the pandemic will result in significant portions of the population benefiting from reforms aimed at racial justice and social equity as critiques of current economic arrangements, and capitalism itself, gain support and policymaker attention. The authors examine the complexities and realities of a world filled with distraction and how focus is diverted during a time of primary technological revolution. These patterns are destroying old thinking models and establishing new paradigms. This conversation takes time to investigate voice, tools, and strategies for coping and remaining relevant in the middle of the whirlwind.

1 - Forced into the Future
2 - Distraction versus Traction
3 - Destruction of Traditional Concepts
4 - Zoom, Gloom, and Workroom
5 - Business of Disruption
6 - Continuous Learning, Deep Work, Deep Thinking
7 - Universities as Hubs for Culture
8 - Return on Education
9 - Dance of Disruption
10 - Being Sane in Insane Times
11 - The Failure Gym
12 - A New Math of Belief Over Proof
13 - Computers Were Once People Too
14 - Distraction is the New Addiction
15 - Control Junky or Chaos Monkey
16 - Leading with Spiritual Energy
17 - Leadership in an Age of Distraction and Disruption
18 - Balladeers and Thinkers
19 - Reinventing by Looking Forward
20 - Humans in the Future Workforce

Mahesh Joshi is a Global Business Executive with three decades of global business experience in senior management roles, including as Managing Director at MAN Energy Solutions USA, Chief Executive at Larsen & Toubro Valves, President of Centrifugal Compression at Cameron, Group President, Energy at Circor, and General Manager for Heavy Industrial Products at Ingersoll Rand. He has a Master's in International Strategy and Diplomacy from London School of Economics, an MBA from Murray State University, and a Mechanical Engineering Degree from Delhi Technological University. He has also attended the Oxford Advanced Management and Leadership Program, Harvard business school for Advanced Management Program, and Nirma Institute of Management MBA programme. Mahesh is the host of the radio show Global Business with Mahesh Joshi on VoiceAmerica.com. Gaurav Rastogi is an entrepreneur with over twenty years of executive experience. As a professional he has held executive roles at large companies and has founded an AI start-up. As a Board Mentor he works with business leaders that are driving business reinvention and sales transformation. Mr Rastogi holds an MBA from IIM Ahmedabad and a Mechanical Engineering undergrad degree from Delhi Technological University. He is the author of three business books and several podcast episodes on the future of work. He is a Board Member and Dean at Hindu Community Institute which has a program to teach and practice Karma Yoga. J. R. Klein has been active in social impact finance for more than 40 years. He is an author, thinker, and artist with expertise in organizational structure, cultural sensitivity, pragmatic leadership, planning, and social impact. He has an MBA and has continued his post-graduate education at Harvard Business School and Saïd Business School, University of Oxford. He has been awarded three master level qualification - post graduate awards in Performance Measurement (HBS), Strategic Perspectives (HBS), and Advanced Management and Leadership (Oxford).