The Future of Workspaces - Vision 2030 / write up on CREDTECH - Pune Chapter 2025

 

CREDTECH - Pune Chapter 2025

The Future of Workspaces - Vision 2030

On Friday, April 4, 2025, I had the pleasure of attending the above-mentioned event at The Ritz Carlton, Pune. While the venue itself exudes elegance, the arrangements for this symposium surpassed all expectations. It was undoubtedly one of the most well-organized events I've attended in recent years across various venues. A big round of applause to Sunanda for managing everything seamlessly from Bengaluru and ensuring its grand success.

From the moment we arrived at this 7-star venue, the experience was delightful. We were welcomed with an elaborate high tea, and several promotional stalls-especially Tata Mybistro's engaging tea and coffee tasting-elevated the ambiance.

As the networking buzz began, business executives in their finest attire mingled gracefully. Some panelists casually discussed their topics in smaller groups while soft background music played. The well-lit stage, adorned with dynamic branding and advertisements, added to the event's sophistication.

At exactly 4 PM, the symposium commenced with the National Anthem. What a powerful way to begin a business gathering! The instrumental version used was beautiful, and standing in honor of our nation added a unique energy to the atmosphere. This was followed by the traditional lamp-lighting ceremony with the presence of distinguished speakers, sponsors, and, of course, Sunanda.

Then came a moment that felt straight out of a movie-a charismatic, Bollywood-hero-like figure, with a white beard, tattoos, and casual attire, took the mic. But the moment he began speaking, the entire room was captivated. He didn't remain on stage; instead, he roamed among the audience, engaging us with his informal yet insightful keynote. With a charming smile and distinctive delivery, Mr. Venkat-Global Head of Real Estate for Capgemini (covering 55 countries and managing 43 million sq. ft.)-took us on a thought-provoking journey.

Originally from a pharma and life sciences background, his transition into real estate was, as he jokingly put it, an "accident" (though he didn't reveal the details!).

Highlights from Mr. Venkat's Keynote:

- Workplace behavior has evolved-hybrid models are now the norm.

- Employee expectations have shifted from "Can I take leave?" to "Can I bring my pet to work?"

- Post-COVID, organizations have had to rethink everything-design, architecture, operations-to cater to these changing needs, all while staying within budget and square-foot constraints.

- Balancing employee expectations with inclusivity, regional laws, and deadlines is no easy feat-yet Venkat has excelled by always staying ahead of the curve. Interestingly, many of the trends we see post-pandemic were initiatives he began implementing back in 2016.

- Key enablers include AI, collaboration tools, and data analytics, combined with cultural adaptability and mental health awareness.

- The importance of continuous learning and understanding local nuances was a recurring theme.

Frankly, I can't do full justice to his keynote here-but if you're in this domain, you must meet him or at least check out his LinkedIn profile.

Panel Discussion 1: Technology Meets Design - Visualization 2030

Moderated by Venkat (still standing and smiling throughout!), this session explored the evolution of office design by 2030.

Key insights included:

- Fluid and compact office layouts.

- Enhanced integration of AI with a human touch-because some things, like negotiations, still require personal presence.

- The growing significance of sustainability, green offices, and design evolution.

- The CRE leader's role has expanded-from project oversight to addressing deep employee expectations and workplace well-being.

- Green clauses are becoming standard in all new projects.

- Though AI is a driving force, adapting to its fast-paced evolution remains a challenge.

- The panel also briefly touched upon the potential impact of recent U.S. policy changes on global business operations.

Panel Discussion 2: Pune - The Rising Global Capacity Center (GCC)

This session focused on positioning Pune as a top destination for GCCs.

Discussions revolved around:

- Improving local infrastructure and shifting mindsets to elevate Pune on the global map.

- Encouraging political support for policy reform and infrastructure development.

- Promoting inter-company dialogue and collaboration-something often missing in other hubs.

- Embracing and promoting Indian culture and design within office concepts, rather than merely following Western trends.

- With the right push, GCCs can be powerful enablers of regional growth.

The panel was brilliantly led by Nitin Deshpande Sir, whose insights were both thought-provoking and practical.

Panel Discussion 3: Electric Vehicles - The Benefits That Matter

Led by Srinivasa Prasad, this session asked the pivotal question: Who drives the EV revolution? The panel explored government roles, corporate responsibilities, and individual accountability.

Major takeaways:

- Corporate and public adoption of EVs is rising, but infrastructure development is key.

- Initiatives like EV-based employee transport are already underway.

- Statistics around CO2 emissions highlight the urgent need for EV adoption.

- India must reduce its dependency on Lithium and Cobalt imports (currently reliant on China) and build domestic capabilities.

- Battery disposal and sustainability must be addressed through innovation and regulation.

- A collaborative approach among stakeholders is essential for scalable success.

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The symposium concluded with a sense of inspiration and purpose. Panellists were felicitated, and the event wrapped up with a delicious spread courtesy of The Ritz Carlton. It truly felt like a "Thank God It's Friday" moment!

A heartfelt thank you to CredTech-and most especially to Sunanda-for making this event an unforgettable experience.

- Sharad Puranik