MAM
Not just Bill Gates, several top CEOs expect normalcy only by 2022
MUMBAI: A few days back, during an interview given to Polish newspaper Gazeta Wyborcza and television broadcaster TVN24, Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates talked about the possible timeline in which the world will return to normalcy. During the interview, Gates predicted that the world will be completely back to normal from the Covid2019 pandemic by the end of 2022. And now, a new survey conducted by KPMG has suggested that most of the CEOs of the world's most influential companies do not expect a return to normalcy this year.
Return to normalcy in 2022
The survey involved 500 CEOs from 11 key markets (Australia, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Italy, Japan, Spain, the UK, and the US) and it tried to shed light on the CEOs’ views on business growth resumption post the Covid pandemic, their views on vaccine distribution, their top-of-mind organisational risks, and business transformation priorities going forward.
According to the survey, 45 per cent CEOs believe that 'return to normal' will not happen this year, and they expect normality to resume in 2022. The lack of Covid vaccine distribution among their workforces is one of the major reasons that made these business leaders predict a realistic timeline that is needed to achieve a possible return to normal.
One-third of the CEOs (31 percent) who took part in the survey anticipated a return to normal this year. Interestingly, 24 per cent of those surveyed revealed that their business has changed forever due to the coronavirus outbreak.
55 per cent CEOs claimed that the perceived pace of vaccination distribution is prominent. These CEOs stated that they are very much concerned that not all of their employees will get inoculated, and it could negatively impact their business operations.
61 per cent of the company owners revealed that they will wait for a successful vaccine rollout before asking their employees to return to the office. 90 per cent of the CEOs intend to ask employees to report to the company if they get vaccinated.
CEOs adopting new strategies
In the changing world of business due to the Covid outbreak, most of the CEOs made it clear that their primary goal is to ensure the safety of the workforce. 26 per cent of the CEOs say they will cut down on international travel until the end of the pandemic.
Just 17 per cent of the CEOs who took part in the survey revealed that they are planning to downsize the company's physical footprint. 57 per cent of those interviewed plan to conduct customer engagement and queries predominantly via virtual platforms such as chatbots, telephone, web, and social media.
Digitisation is a new trend that is happening in the world of business due to the Coronavirus outbreak.
"A sizeable majority of leaders have reported acceleration of new digital business models and revenue streams (69 per cent) and to develop a seamless digital customer experience (56 per cent). This year, CEOs plan to spend more on digital technologies than last year, with 52 per cent prioritising data security measures, 50 per cent focusing on customer-centric technologies, and 49 per cent committed to digital communications, such as video conferencing and messaging capabilities," states the study report.
Brands
YFLO appoints Tania Nijhawan as president for 2026-27 term
Dentist-entrepreneur to lead women’s body amid rising focus on leadership
NEW DELHI: Young FICCI Ladies Organisation (YFLO), the women’s arm of FICCI, has appointed Tania Nijhawan as its president for the 2026-27 tenure, effective April 2026, at a time when conversations around women’s leadership in India are gaining fresh momentum.
A cosmetic and paediatric dentist with over 15 years of experience, Nijhawan is the founder of Udana Wellness, a multi-speciality clinic in Vasant Vihar known for its focus on advanced treatments and patient-centric care. She also serves as director at Nijhawan Group and is an active investor in start-ups across health, wellness and hospitality, including Nuts For Us.
Her academic credentials include advanced training from global institutions such as New York University, the University of Southern California and University College London, shaping her multidisciplinary approach across dentistry and wellness.
YFLO has long positioned itself as a platform for leadership, entrepreneurship and professional growth, bringing together women across industries to drive dialogue and collaboration. Under Nijhawan’s leadership, the organisation is expected to sharpen its focus on cross-sector engagement and meaningful, future-facing conversations.
Speaking on her appointment, Tania Nijhawan said, “YFLO has always stood for meaningful engagement and forward-thinking dialogue. I look forward to building a platform that not only encourages exchange of ideas but also actively supports emerging voices and creates opportunities for collaboration across sectors.”
She added, “The Women’s Reservation Bill, which seeks to reserve 33% of seats for women in the Lok Sabha and State Legislative Assemblies, is not just a policy shift, it is a generational opportunity. It acknowledges the urgent need for women to have a stronger voice in shaping the nation’s future. True progress lies not just in representation, but in enabling women to lead with agency, confidence and impact.”
As president, Nijhawan will focus on curated programming, high-impact industry conversations and initiatives that bring together women across disciplines. Her theme for the year, “Lead With Your Light,” signals a push towards purpose-led leadership and greater confidence among emerging voices.
Her appointment marks a new chapter for YFLO, one that aims to align leadership, enterprise and policy at a time when women’s voices are increasingly central to India’s growth story.
