· 3 min read
illuminem summarises for you the essential news of the day. Read the full piece on The Wall Street Journal or enjoy below:
🗞️ Driving the news: A growing number of business leaders in South Asia are turning to astrologers for guidance on major corporate decisions—from launching new ventures to choosing office locations
• The trend, particularly pronounced in India, sees executives aligning strategy with planetary movements, with some even hosting religious ceremonies to bless business sites
🔭 The context: Astrology has deep cultural roots in South Asia and remains widely respected across social classes
• In the corporate sphere, its influence is most visible among family-run enterprises and SME owners, who often blend traditional beliefs with modern business practices
• The integration of astrology into business planning reflects a longstanding interplay between spiritual guidance and economic decisions in the region
🌍 Why it matters for the planet: While astrology itself has limited direct environmental implications, its role in shaping corporate choices—from infrastructure investment to product focus—can indirectly affect sustainability outcomes
• For instance, aligning decisions with celestial cycles may influence timelines for clean energy adoption or location planning with environmental risks in mind
• However, such approaches may also sideline data-driven assessments and risk-informed sustainability planning
⏭️ What's next: As South Asian economies continue to modernize, the coexistence of traditional belief systems with formal business protocols may persist
• This dynamic raises questions about how cultural practices shape corporate governance and transparency, particularly as regional firms attract international investors with different expectations
• Regulators and market participants may seek greater clarity on how such influences affect decision-making
💬 One quote: “We don’t just look at the numbers—we also look at the stars,” said Ashish Bansal, a New Delhi-based commodities exporter whose operations now focus almost entirely on white rice, a color deemed auspicious for his astrological chart
📈 One stat: 98% of Ashish Bansal’s business is now devoted to exporting white rice, a strategic pivot made under astrological guidance
See on illuminem's Data Hub™ the sustainability performance of Sattva Consulting and its peers: Khaitan Legal Associates and Larsen & Toubro Limited
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