The AI Lie Businesses Are Telling Themselves: Nihal Attar’s Call for Conscious Transformation

In the modern day boardrooms and business strategy sessions, the buzzword ringing off every single wall is AI. Yet, as companies tout automation initiatives and digital boards, Mr. Nihal Attar—founder of Business Success Mantra and a keen mind where engineering, strategy, and transformation converge—thinks that most are telling themselves a perilous untruth.

That lie? The adopting AI equals transformation.

In an engaging discussion on the Directors' Institute's "FaceTime with Leaders" podcast, Mr. Attar deconstructs how true innovation is not merely a matter of placing technology on top of antiquated processes—it's reengineering the way companies think, operate, and transform.

Introduction 

Mr. Nihal Attar, the founder of Business Success Mantra and a dynamic force in engineering-led business transformation. With a career rooted in chemical engineering, he has spent over two decades helping manufacturing and service industries unlock profitability through lean systems, AI-led automation, and strategic innovation. Known for bridging the gap between shop floor realities and boardroom strategies, Mr. Attar now serves as a business consultant, educator, and boardroom leader-in-training. His work challenges conventional transformation narratives, insisting that real innovation stems not from tech adoption but from mindset shifts and systems redesign.

Key Milestones in Mr. Nihal Attar's Business Transformation

• 8+ Years in Business Consulting & Manufacturing

  Drove strategic automation and operational excellence across Indian industries.

• Founder & Director – Business Success Mantra

  Built a results-driven consulting firm specializing in AI-led business automation and lean manufacturing.

• 40% Production Efficiency Gain at Bhagwati Industries

  Led Lean + AI implementation resulting in ₹3 Cr in annual savings and 25% cost reduction.

• Author & Thought Leader in Process Optimization

  Published works on Lean Manufacturing, Order Management, and Growth Strategies.

• Boardroom-Ready with Digital Governance Expertise

  Advocates real-time KPI tracking, AI-driven decision-making, and blockchain-integrated workflows.

A Journey Fueled by Problem-Solving

Mr. Nihal Attar's journey from chemical engineer to in-demand business coach wasn't mapped out—it was a journey of exploration, spurred by his interest in operational effectiveness and strategic design.

One of the turning points was assisting an ailing manufacturing firm. Through lean methodologies and automation powered by artificial intelligence, the firm enhanced its efficiency by 30%. That process ignited something fundamental: an epiphany that Mr. Attar was the key to bringing industry knowledge and scalable business strategy together.

“Inspiration comes from realization—and realization comes from experience.”

That mantra forms the backbone of Business Success Mantra, his consultancy that helps manufacturing firms 3x their net profits by embedding automation, streamlining cost structures, and developing result-driven strategies.

Where Businesses Fail: The Silos of Denial

According to Mr. Attar, most businesses get caught up thinking digital transformation begins with software. But the underlying cause is organizational silos—departments operating in silos, sluggish decision-making channels, and resistance to data-driven systems.

He outlines the typical gaps:

• Siloed operations that kill collaboration and delay results.

• Manual decision-making instead of real-time, AI-supported workflows.

• Resistance to automation, even when inefficiencies are bleeding margins.

Through customized solutions—centralized dashboards, KPI tracking, lean systems—Attar has helped industries like textiles dramatically reduce wastage, improve capacity utilization, and save crores annually.

Boardroom Vision: AI with Purpose, Not Performance Theatre

Mr. Attar not only brings shop floor insights—he's in training for the boardroom with a keen eye on ethical AI adoption and sustainable change. His role as a corporate board member includes

Guiding digital transformation agendas across operations.

• Leading digital transformation strategies across operations.

• Embedding AI in governance to enable faster, smarter decisions.

• Rebuilding business models to be scalable, sustainable, and data-centric.

• Blockchain and IoT Integration for Risk Mitigation and Performance Tracking.

  
  

“Governance today isn’t just compliance. It’s about building systems of accuracy, agility, and trust.”

Why the Directors' Institute Was a Game-Changer

Mr. Attar didn’t treat board certification as a checkbox; he found something more. Signing up the Directors’ Institute wasn’t just about getting credentials—it was about refining strategic thinking, understanding global governance frameworks, and stepping confidently into board leadership.

“The Directors’ Institute gave me clarity on how to behave, contribute, and lead as a board member.”

From decision frameworks to innovation strategies, the Institute’s curriculum gave him the toolkit to transition from consultant to boardroom strategist.

The Conclusion: Never Stop Evolving

Mr. Nihal Attar is leaving leaders with a mantra that transcends technology:

"Stay curious. Stay innovative. But most importantly—never stop evolving."

His is not a tale of creating better business—it's about confronting our assumptions, practicing transformation on purpose, and leading in a world where AI is changing everything.

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