This issue of The Smart Manager  focuses on a leader who is at the helm of a 6.2 billion global information technology services company—Anant Gupta, the CEO and President of HCL Technologies Limited. In an exclusive interview with The Smart Manager, he takes the readers through HCL’s growth story, talks about triggers that will shape the future of business, and gives an insight into his leadership style.  This issue’s lead feature explores the connect between workplace design and productivity—Aparna Piramal Raje, author; Sonali Rastogi, Morphogenesis; and Morgen Witzel, Exeter Business School share their views on the topic. Don Tapscott, The Tapscott Group, and Alex Tapscott, Northwest Passage Ventures, break down the concept of blockchain technology, and show how it is going to impact the future of businesses; Howard J Morgan and Joelle K Jay, authors of The New Advantage, talk about the need for gender-balanced teams to drive productivity; Raj Mankar and Akshaya Bhate, Aker Solutions India, highlight how adopting lean methodologies and agile principles has helped the company achieve increased productivity and higher operational excellence; Suresh Lulla, Qimpro Consultants explains why it is crucial for companies to create a culture that thrives on quality. In our regular sections, we have Winnie Brignac Hart and Lorrie Brignac Lee, authors of Stand Out, busting myths regarding how to truly stand out in the corporate jungle. In First Serve, we look at the customer service practices of General Motors India.