
Harnessing Networks: Solving Big Problems Fast | 014
10/23/24 • 31 min
When crisis hits, the strength of your network can be the key to survival. Dr. Sumit D. Chowdhury, founder and president of Green Earth X and creator of the Gaia platform, joins the show to talk about the power of networks during emergencies and how they can make or break crisis management. Drawing from his vast experience in telecom, consulting, and digital transformation, Dr. Chowdhury explains how meaningful connections, both personal and professional, can come together to solve big problems. He also emphasizes that even solopreneurs and small business owners can harness the power of their networks during tough times—it's not about size, but about leveraging relationships effectively. From understanding implicit networks to using technology to enhance connections, Dr. Chowdhury provides practical and inspiring insights on navigating challenges and turning crisis into opportunity. Whether you’re running a small business or leading a larger team, this conversation will leave you ready to build stronger networks and face adversity with confidence.
About our Guest:
Dr. Sumit D. Chowdhury is a serial entrepreneur and seasoned business executive, having held senior roles in global consulting and telecom companies. He has developed several digital network platforms across diverse sectors such as telecom, trade, and regulatory environments. His expertise also extends to the production and distribution of green hydrogen, where he actively engages in key projects. He regularly consults with government bodies on significant policy issues.
Formerly the President of Reliance Jio, Sumit is the co-founder and Chairman of Gaia and Sesovera Inc., and is currently incubating Hydreen, a green hydrogen production company and GreenEarthX a Green Fuel Trading platform. He serves as Visiting Faculty at Carnegie Mellon University, specializing in sustainability and smart cities. Sumit has previously held CTO positions at Brookfield and Partner of KPMG and IBM Consulting.
Gaia, (www.gaia.in) is an Award winning Enterprise SaaS platform, bringing man, machine and process together, coherently, for improving productivity, compliance and governance in organizations.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/sumitchowdhury
About the Host:
Your host, Maartje van Krieken, brings a wealth of experience from the front lines of business turmoil. With a background in crisis management, managing transformation and complex collaboration, she has successfully guided numerous organizations through their most challenging times. Her unique perspective and practical approach make her the go to First Responder in the arena of business turmoil and crisis.
Podcast Homepage: https://www.thebusinessemergencyroom.com/
https://www.thechaosgamesconsulting.com/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/maartje/
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When crisis hits, the strength of your network can be the key to survival. Dr. Sumit D. Chowdhury, founder and president of Green Earth X and creator of the Gaia platform, joins the show to talk about the power of networks during emergencies and how they can make or break crisis management. Drawing from his vast experience in telecom, consulting, and digital transformation, Dr. Chowdhury explains how meaningful connections, both personal and professional, can come together to solve big problems. He also emphasizes that even solopreneurs and small business owners can harness the power of their networks during tough times—it's not about size, but about leveraging relationships effectively. From understanding implicit networks to using technology to enhance connections, Dr. Chowdhury provides practical and inspiring insights on navigating challenges and turning crisis into opportunity. Whether you’re running a small business or leading a larger team, this conversation will leave you ready to build stronger networks and face adversity with confidence.
About our Guest:
Dr. Sumit D. Chowdhury is a serial entrepreneur and seasoned business executive, having held senior roles in global consulting and telecom companies. He has developed several digital network platforms across diverse sectors such as telecom, trade, and regulatory environments. His expertise also extends to the production and distribution of green hydrogen, where he actively engages in key projects. He regularly consults with government bodies on significant policy issues.
Formerly the President of Reliance Jio, Sumit is the co-founder and Chairman of Gaia and Sesovera Inc., and is currently incubating Hydreen, a green hydrogen production company and GreenEarthX a Green Fuel Trading platform. He serves as Visiting Faculty at Carnegie Mellon University, specializing in sustainability and smart cities. Sumit has previously held CTO positions at Brookfield and Partner of KPMG and IBM Consulting.
Gaia, (www.gaia.in) is an Award winning Enterprise SaaS platform, bringing man, machine and process together, coherently, for improving productivity, compliance and governance in organizations.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/sumitchowdhury
About the Host:
Your host, Maartje van Krieken, brings a wealth of experience from the front lines of business turmoil. With a background in crisis management, managing transformation and complex collaboration, she has successfully guided numerous organizations through their most challenging times. Her unique perspective and practical approach make her the go to First Responder in the arena of business turmoil and crisis.
Podcast Homepage: https://www.thebusinessemergencyroom.com/
https://www.thechaosgamesconsulting.com/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/maartje/
Thanks for listening!
Thanks so much for listening to our podcast! If you enjoyed this episode and think that others could benefit from listening, please share it using the social media buttons on this page.
Do you have some feedback or questions about this episode? Leave a comment in the section below!
Subscribe to the podcast
If you would like to get automatic updates of new podcast episodes, you can subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts or Stitcher. You can also subscribe in your favorite podcast app.
Leave us an Apple Podcasts review
Ratings and reviews from our listeners are extremely valuable to us and greatly appreciated. They help our podcast rank higher on Apple Podcasts, which exposes our show to more awesome listeners like you. If you have a minute, please leave an honest review on Apple Podcasts.
Previous Episode

Two Sides of the Emergency: Offshore Response vs. Onshore Failures | 013
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About the Host:
Your host, Maartje van Krieken, brings a wealth of experience from the front lines of business turmoil. With a background in crisis management, managing transformation and complex collaboration, she has successfully guided numerous organizations through their most challenging times. Her unique perspective and practical approach make her the go to First Responder in the arena of business turmoil and crisis.
Podcast Homepage: https://www.thebusinessemergencyroom.com/
https://www.thechaosgamesconsulting.com/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/maartje/
Thanks for listening!
Thanks so much for listening to our podcast! If you enjoyed this episode and think that others could benefit from listening, please share it using the social media buttons on this page.
Do you have some feedback or questions about this episode? Leave a comment in the section below!
Subscribe to the podcast
If you would like to get automatic updates of new podcast episodes, you can subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts or Stitcher. You can also subscribe in your favorite podcast app.
Leave us an Apple Podcasts review
Ratings and reviews from our listeners are extremely valuable to us and greatly appreciated. They help our podcast rank higher on Apple Podcasts, which exposes our show to more awesome listeners like you. If you have a minute, please leave an honest review on Apple Podcasts.
Next Episode

An Overdose of Change: Breaking Free from Fatigue and Chaos
Change overdose is real, and it’s draining your business. With 73% of organizations facing change saturation and nearly half of employees experiencing fatigue from constant shifts, it’s clear that too much change is overwhelming teams and killing productivity. Maartje breaks down the impact of this "change overdose" and shows how it leads to business chaos, lower morale, and a weakened ability to respond to unexpected challenges. But there’s a way out. By rethinking how we approach change, creating space to reassess priorities, and focusing on strategic, high-impact projects, you can regain control. Learn how to shift from reacting to every disruption to leading with clarity and purpose, empowering your team to thrive instead of just survive.
About the Host:
Your host, Maartje van Krieken, brings a wealth of experience from the front lines of business turmoil. With a background in crisis management, managing transformation and complex collaboration, she has successfully guided numerous organizations through their most challenging times. Her unique perspective and practical approach make her the go to First Responder in the arena of business turmoil and crisis.
Podcast Homepage: https://www.thebusinessemergencyroom.com/
https://www.thechaosgamesconsulting.com/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/maartje/
Thanks for listening!
Thanks so much for listening to our podcast! If you enjoyed this episode and think that others could benefit from listening, please share it using the social media buttons on this page.
Do you have some feedback or questions about this episode? Leave a comment in the section below!
Subscribe to the podcast
If you would like to get automatic updates of new podcast episodes, you can subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts or Stitcher. You can also subscribe in your favorite podcast app.
Leave us an Apple Podcasts review
Ratings and reviews from our listeners are extremely valuable to us and greatly appreciated. They help our podcast rank higher on Apple Podcasts, which exposes our show to more awesome listeners like you. If you have a minute, please leave an honest review on Apple Podcasts.
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