Gurugram, September 29, 2026: As businesses increasingly operate amid interconnected disruptions spanning markets, technology, geopolitics, supply chains and changing consumer behaviour, the ability to adapt strategy in real time is becoming an important management capability. Reflecting this shift, Management Development Institute (MDI) Gurgaon’s PGDM-BM 38th Batch, as part of Samvaad 2026, is organising Samvaad X ScaNxt – NXT STEP: The Polycrisis Challenge, a national-level case competition focused on strategic decision-making in an evolving business environment.

Built around the broader Samvaad 2026 theme of “Thriving in a Polycrisis,” the competition is designed to move beyond conventional case-solving. Participants are required to analyse a business situation, identify the central strategic challenge, develop recommendations and subsequently revisit those decisions when the underlying circumstances change.

The format reflects a broader question facing management education: how should future managers make decisions when the assumptions underlying a strategy can change faster than the strategy itself? Rather than evaluating a solution only on the basis of its initial logic, the final round places emphasis on participants’ ability to recognise changing conditions, reassess their choices and communicate a revised course of action.

“Today’s business environment demands the ability to learn, unlearn and adapt quickly. The assumptions behind a decision can change rapidly, and leaders need to be willing to test, learn and reinvent rather than remain constrained by an earlier approach. NXT STEP reflects this reality by asking participants to revisit their decisions as the situation evolves,” said Amitayu Roy, Managing Director – AI Strategy & Transformation, Accenture Strategy & Consulting, and Guest of Honour at Samvaad 2026.

Simran Thapar, HR Leader, Carrier – HVAC Business, said, “Polycrisis is not simply about the number of disruptions an organisation faces; it is about how we interpret those disruptions and navigate their interconnected impact. In today’s environment, professionals cannot look at challenges only through the lens of their individual functions. The ability to combine diverse perspectives, assess uncertainty and turn a crisis into an opportunity will be increasingly important for the leaders of tomorrow.”

“Management education must prepare future leaders not only to find solutions, but also to question their assumptions when the context changes. NXT STEP brings this approach to life by placing participants in situations where they must analyse a problem, make strategic choices and then revisit those choices as new challenges emerge. The ability to think critically, remain adaptable and make informed decisions amid uncertainty is central to preparing managers for the complexities of today’s business environment,” said Prof. Chinmaya Kulshrestha, Associate Professor, Chairperson – PGDM (BM) and Area Chairperson Marketing, MDI Gurgaon. 

Bringing an academic and technology perspective to the discussion, Prof. Sangeeta Shah Bhardwaj, Chairperson – Centre on Artificial Intelligence and its application in Business, MDI Gurgaon, said, “Technology can help leaders analyse complexity and identify possibilities, but the real value lies in translating those insights into timely and effective action. For future managers, connecting technology with business context, adapting their thinking and executing under uncertainty will be critical. NXT STEP gives students an opportunity to experience this complexity firsthand and rethink their decisions as the context evolves.”

Ratan Shrivastava, Chief Guest at Samvaad 2026, said, "In business, what ultimately matters is the tangible value you create. The impact you make and the revenue or business value you bring to the table are important indicators of the value you have actually added to the organisation. In a world defined by polycrisis and constant uncertainty, understanding your core strengths and leaning into them can help you navigate your career with greater confidence, clarity, and resilience. " 

The initiative forms part of Samvaad 2026, the flagship business colloquium of MDI Gurgaon’s PGDM-BM programme, which brings together perspectives from academia and industry around contemporary business challenges. The 2026 edition, being held on September 26–27, focuses on how organisations and leaders can navigate an environment where multiple disruptions intersect and create complex, interconnected challenges.