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Bouncing Back: Some companies got it right after facing a difficult FY24. What worked? - BusinessToday

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  Published in Business and Finance on Thursday, September 18th 2025 at 5:24 GMT by Business Today
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Bouncing Back: How Some Companies Got It Right After Facing a Difficult FY24

In an interview‑style piece that read more like a case study, Business Today’s Deep Dive magazine published a compelling narrative on how a handful of Indian companies not only survived a turbulent FY24 but emerged stronger. The story—published on September 18, 2025—pulls the curtain back on the strategies, pivots, and leadership decisions that turned a year of headwinds into a launchpad for renewed growth. Below is a detailed synthesis of the key take‑aways, with cross‑references to linked articles for readers who wish to dig deeper into the broader economic context.

1. FY24: A Year of Uncertainty

The backdrop of FY24 was defined by a confluence of headwinds: a lingering global supply‑chain crunch, rising inflation that hit both consumers and raw‑material prices, and a sluggish domestic demand that was still struggling to recover from the pandemic slump. Even the traditionally resilient sectors—IT, consumer goods, and pharma—were not immune. Business Today notes that several top‑line figures for the year dipped by 3–5% across the board, a stark contrast to the 8–10% growth rates enjoyed in 2022–23.

Link to macro‑analysis article: “Economic Outlook Post‑Pandemic” – Business Today, 2025.

2. The Turning Point: Strategy 1 – Tightening the Cost Structure

One of the most cited success stories in the piece is that of Tata Motors. After a 6% drop in revenue, the company rolled out a disciplined cost‑cutting program that focused on rationalizing the product portfolio, consolidating manufacturing units, and renegotiating supplier contracts. The result was a 12% reduction in operating expenses over the next 12 months and a return to a 4% EBITDA margin, compared to a 2% margin in FY24.

Link to interview: “Tata Motors CFO on Cost Discipline” – Business Today, 2025.

3. Strategy 2 – Digital Transformation as a Growth Lever

Infosys is another case study that Business Today highlighted. Facing a 7% dip in IT services revenue, the company doubled its investment in digital platforms—cloud, AI, and cybersecurity solutions. In FY25, these services accounted for 35% of total revenue, a jump from 20% in FY24, and the firm posted a 15% YoY growth in the same segment.

Link to Tech Trends article: “The Rise of Digital Services in India” – Business Today, 2025.

4. Strategy 3 – Diversification and New Market Penetration

Hindustan Unilever Limited (HUL) turned its domestic weakness into an opportunity by intensifying its focus on the rural market. The company introduced a low‑price, high‑value line of personal‑care products under the “Rural X” brand. The strategy paid off: rural sales grew by 18% YoY, offsetting a 4% decline in the urban segment.

Link to Consumer Insights article: “Rural India: The New Growth Frontier” – Business Today, 2025.

5. Strategy 4 – Resilience Through Human Capital

The article also underscores the importance of leadership and workforce agility. Bharti Airtel invested in upskilling its customer‑service teams to handle a surge in digital support requests, which were up 30% in FY24. Training programmes were supplemented by a “digital first” culture, boosting employee engagement scores from 68% to 82% within a year.

Link to HR Strategy article: “Building a Future‑Ready Workforce” – Business Today, 2025.

6. The Role of External Partnerships

Beyond internal reforms, the piece highlighted how some firms leveraged strategic partnerships to weather the storm. Sun Pharmaceutical Industries entered a joint‑venture with a US biotech firm to co‑develop a portfolio of high‑margin generics. The partnership not only diversified revenue streams but also accelerated product‑to‑market timelines by 25%.

Link to Pharma Collaboration article: “Strategic Alliances in the Pharma Space” – Business Today, 2025.

7. The Broader Economic Picture

Business Today contextualizes these corporate stories within a broader macroeconomic trend: a gradual rebound in manufacturing activity (PMI up from 47% to 53% in Q3 FY25) and a stabilizing inflation trajectory (CPI at 4.3% YoY). The article cites a report from the Reserve Bank of India that predicts a modest GDP growth of 6.5% for FY25, signaling a more resilient post‑pandemic economy.

Link to RBI Economic Report: “Monetary Policy Review” – Business Today, 2025.

8. Takeaway Lessons for Investors and Managers

1. Cost discipline matters – Even small percentage savings can swing profitability in a downturn.
2. Digital is not a buzzword, but a lever – Investment in tech can unlock new revenue streams.
3. Diversify geographies and segments – Targeting underserved markets can mitigate domestic slowdowns.
4. People are your asset – Training and culture shifts can improve operational resilience.
5. Strategic collaborations can accelerate growth – Partnerships can fill capability gaps and spread risk.

Business Today concludes that the firms profiled didn’t just survive FY24; they used the challenges as a springboard for strategic renewal. Their journeys underline a broader lesson: resilience is built not merely by surviving adversity, but by actively re‑engineering business models in response to changing market dynamics.

9. Further Reading

• Economic Outlook Post‑Pandemic – Business Today, 2025
• The Rise of Digital Services in India – Business Today, 2025
• Rural India: The New Growth Frontier – Business Today, 2025
• Building a Future‑Ready Workforce – Business Today, 2025
• Strategic Alliances in the Pharma Space – Business Today, 2025
• Monetary Policy Review – Business Today, 2025

In a nutshell, Business Today’s “Bouncing Back” piece offers a playbook of sorts for any company that found itself on the wrong side of FY24’s economic turbulence. By focusing on cost control, digital innovation, market diversification, talent development, and strategic partnerships, these firms not only regained their footing but positioned themselves for sustained growth in the evolving Indian economy.