Strategic Talks & Leadership Sessions:In today’s fast-changing business world, theoretical knowledge alone is not enough to prepare future leaders. That’s why institutions like Sona School Of Management are reshaping management education by bringing real-world exposure directly to the classroom. Through dynamic leadership sessions and strategic talks featuring influential industry experts, SSOM is fostering decision-makers who are not only academically sound but also practically sharp.
From decoding the strategic implications of military operations to learning business resilience from leading entrepreneurs, students at Sona are consistently engaged in sessions that challenge their thinking. Two recent standout events—”Operation Sindoor” and “Thriving in Business”—perfectly highlight SSOM’s commitment to transformative education grounded in real-world relevance.
Sona School Of Management
Sona School Of Management is pushing the envelope of traditional learning by integrating leadership values and strategic thinking into its core curriculum. These events aren’t just lectures—they’re immersive experiences designed to expose students to the complex realities of business, policy, and leadership. From defense strategy to entrepreneurship, students are learning how high-pressure decisions, innovation, and ethical foresight play critical roles in real-world success. The school’s recent sessions demonstrate how curated expert engagements can help shape agile and informed future leaders.
Overview Table: Key Highlights from Recent SSOM Events
| Event Title | Date | Speaker | Key Takeaways |
| Operation Sindoor Strategic Talk | June 13, 2025 | Air Marshal M Matheswaran | Geopolitical strategy, crisis leadership, defense tech, and economic implications |
| Thriving in Business Leadership Talk | April 16, 2025 | Mr. Karthikeyan B | Business agility, innovation, resilience, and entrepreneurial mindset |
“Operation Sindoor” Strategic Talk (June 13, 2025)
Held at the Sona PG Auditorium and presented in collaboration with the Madras Management Association (Salem Chapter), this event brought a unique blend of defense strategy and business thinking to SSOM. Air Marshal M Matheswaran, a veteran of the Indian Air Force with four decades of strategic military experience, led this powerful session.
Students were introduced to geopolitical strategy, including how military decisions affect international diplomacy, regional stability, and even economic outcomes. The talk addressed India’s strategic military doctrine, the technological edge in defense systems like Sukhoi-30MKIs, and how leadership in military contexts mirrors business crisis management.
Key lessons from this session included:
- Leading decisively under pressure
- Leveraging technology for strategic advantage
- Understanding macroeconomic impacts of national actions
- Viewing global politics as a critical influence on business operations
This event helped students understand how macro-level factors such as national security and defense influence economic conditions and market dynamics—a valuable perspective for any future business leader.
“Thriving in Business” Leadership Session by Mr. Karthikeyan B (April 16, 2025)
Part of SSOM’s “Lights On leadership series,” this session welcomed Mr. Karthikeyan B, Executive Director of Thriveni Earthmovers and MD of Thriveni Car Company. With a background in heavy machinery and automotive sectors, he shared real-world experiences navigating industry challenges.
Karthikeyan focused on managing dynamic business environments, fostering innovation, and instilling ethical leadership. His advice on cultivating an entrepreneurial mindset was especially impactful. He discussed how businesses must adapt rapidly, remain resilient in crises, and make tough decisions while staying aligned with long-term goals.
What students took away from this session:
- Building organizational resilience through foresight and adaptability
- Encouraging innovation with strong ethical foundations
- Balancing risk and opportunity in a competitive marketplace
- Using personal stories to inspire a purpose-driven leadership approach
By linking theory to practice, this event showed how leadership evolves beyond the boardroom—into values, vision, and execution.
Bridging the Gap Between Academics and Industry
What makes Sona School Of Management stand out is its focus on preparing students for real-time decision-making. Through sessions like these, SSOM seamlessly connects classroom theories with actual strategic execution in both business and national contexts.
Whether it’s understanding how global politics can impact oil prices or learning to guide a startup through financial uncertainty, SSOM’s leadership events give students practical models for strategic thinking, adaptability, and execution.
This also highlights the importance of interdisciplinary learning. A fighter pilot’s view on decision-making under pressure and an industrialist’s narrative about corporate resilience may seem vastly different, but both equip students with tools to lead confidently.
Leadership Lessons That Stick
Beyond academic learning, these sessions impart leadership traits that stay with students long after graduation:
- Strategic foresight in high-stakes environments
- Emotional intelligence during moments of organizational stress
- Clear communication even under pressure
- Decisiveness rooted in ethical thinking
Each speaker at SSOM doesn’t just offer insights—they deliver lived experiences. This helps students relate, reflect, and refine their leadership skills.
Encouraging Entrepreneurial Thinking
Entrepreneurship is more than starting a company—it’s about identifying problems, seizing opportunities, and innovating solutions. Through Mr. Karthikeyan’s session, SSOM students learned how to apply this mindset in different industries, not just startups.
With a growing focus on family business management, manufacturing leadership, and innovation, SSOM prepares its students to lead across sectors—be it family enterprises or large corporations.
Keeping Students Future-Ready
SSOM’s events ensure students stay informed about global trends—from geopolitical tensions to disruptive technologies. This exposure helps them:
- Stay ahead in their industry
- Understand broader market movements
- Anticipate challenges before they arise
Whether it’s a war impacting global trade or a tech breakthrough disrupting supply chains, SSOM students are better prepared to respond proactively.
FAQs
1. Why does SSOM host strategic talks and leadership sessions?
To provide students with real-world insights, bridge classroom theories with industry practice, and build critical thinking skills.
2. What was “Operation Sindoor” about?
It refers to India’s cross-border defense strategy, and the session highlighted its geopolitical, economic, and business implications.
3. Who can attend these sessions?
While primarily for SSOM students, some events—especially those in collaboration with bodies like MMA—may include external participants.
4. What was the focus of the session by Mr. Karthikeyan B?
He emphasized business agility, resilience, ethical leadership, and entrepreneurial thinking.
5. How do these events help students in the long run?
They offer exposure to real challenges, teach crisis leadership, promote innovation, and prepare students for dynamic business roles.
Final Thought and Call to Action
The strategic events at Sona School Of Management prove that world-class education is more than textbooks and exams. It’s about dialogue, exposure, and transformation. Through talks that dissect geopolitics or sessions that redefine business leadership, SSOM molds confident, well-rounded leaders ready for any challenge.
If you’re a student, alumnus, or aspirant, make it a point to participate in upcoming SSOM events. These aren’t just sessions—they are stepping stones toward your leadership journey. Stay connected. Be informed. Take the lead.
