Hari Mann
January 20, 2025
The Trump administration: what it means for the business balance between productivity and values
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Events described in this article are accurate as of the publication date.
After this article was published, Vivek Ramaswamy announced his intention to step back from the Department of Government Efficiency.
In the wake of Trump’s inauguration, Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy are poised to lead the new Department of Government Efficiency. The billionaire entrepreneurs – already powerful figures in business – will ascend to new levels of influence. Hari Mann, Dean of Faculty at Hult Ashridge Executive Education, shares his analysis.
Trump’s inauguration positions both Musk and Ramaswamy as influential voices within his administration, shaping policies that will ripple through global markets. In particular, the appointments give new urgency to the discussion around balancing operational efficiency and values-driven strategies. They represent distinct perspectives on achieving this balance.
Musk’s restructuring of X (formerly Twitter), emphasizing swift cost-cutting and productivity, illustrates the challenges of prioritizing efficiency without undermining organizational culture and employee morale. Ramaswamy has gained prominence for his focus on aligning operations with shareholder interests, often critiquing expansive DEIB initiatives.
Their approaches could redefine corporate governance, especially in an environment likely to emphasize deregulation and free-market dynamics. For global businesses, this moment highlights the need to reconcile fiscal prudence with inclusivity. Companies that neglect DEIB risk losing both talent and market relevance, while those embedding it authentically demonstrate that purpose and profit can reinforce each other.
As these leaders influence policy, the challenge for businesses is clear: redefine efficiency to include resilience, innovation, and inclusivity, ensuring success in an increasingly complex global economy.
Meet the expert
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Hari Mann
Dean of Faculty at Hult Ashridge Executive Education
As the Dean at Hult Ashridge, Hari brings over two decades of experience in academia and business. His main interests are in strategy, innovation and entrepreneurship. Prior to joining Hult Ashridge, Hari held senior roles in investment banking and then later in Politics.
At Hult Ashridge, Hari has been the MBA and Executive MBA director, and more recently the director of Product Solutions. His research currently involves how financial organization lead and innovate, and how purpose matters in increasing company profits.
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