Pranam In an age where cybercrime is becoming more sophisticated and frequent, no business—regardless of size or legacy—is immune. A recent, devastating example of this is The Knights of Old (KNP) , a 158-year-old UK-based logistics and transport company that became the latest casualty in a growing wave of cyberattacks. The Fall of a Logistics Giant Earlier this year, KNP suffered a severe cyber incident that forced the company to cease trading and shut down operations permanently. The attack was traced back to the Akira ransomware gang , who managed to infiltrate the system by guessing a weak employee password . Once inside, they encrypted critical data and locked down company systems. Despite KNP paying the ransom, the data was not recovered. The result? Nearly 700 employees lost their jobs , and a once-thriving century-old enterprise was reduced to a cautionary tale. KNP’s fate isn't a rare anomaly. Cyberattacks are now a daily threat , growing not only in volume but in c...
The Architect and The Sailing Master: Navigating Your Family Business with Discerning Wisdom (Vivek Buddhi)
Pranam In the heart of every Indian family business lies a unique soul—a vibrant confluence of legacy, values, ambition, and, often, complex interpersonal dynamics. It’s not just an enterprise; it’s a parivaar (family), a viraasat (legacy), and a dharma (duty) all rolled into one. When storms hit—be they market downturns, succession dilemmas, or internal discord—seeking external guidance is not a sign of weakness, but of profound wisdom. But a critical question arises: What kind of guide do you need? The modern world offers two distinct labels: the Consultant and the Mentor . Many business owners find themselves trapped in this binary choice, often hiring one when they need the other, or worse, needing both but not knowing it. At VCS , we believe this is a false dichotomy. The most effective guidance, especially for the nuanced world of family businesses, is not about choosing one over the other. It is about embracing a h...