Abstract

Strategic thinking is a crucial leadership competency, especially for roles that require long-term planning and complex decision-making. This topic could focus on how MBA students can develop strategic thinking skills early in their careers, emphasizing frameworks, analytical tools, and techniques to tackle high-level challenges. Thinking strategically will help students stand out and prepare them for leadership roles.

Sulbha has 18 years of multi-faceted experience in the human capital profession focused on strategic HR interventions that drive business optimization. Her strengths are designing and conceptualising sophisticated processes and driving organizational and people capabilities. She has developed a Global perspective and cross-cultural competence through her experiences and has vital networking and relationship management skills. She nurtures an excellent connection with Leadership and people across levels and organisations. She has earlier worked at EY, driving strategic and innovative People Strategy. She later started her entrepreneurial journey and founded People Matrix – an HR consulting firm committed to leveraging ‘People’ assets to organisations’ success and creating a winning proposition for business and people.She is the Chief People Officer at RenewBuy, an insurtech player that brings insurance and financial products to end consumers through its large distribution model. She has a BE in Electronics and Communication and an MBA in HR & Finance.

Abstract

The Future of work landscape is profoundly transforming as we enter the era of AI-centric operations. It's not just about increased efficiency or productivity; it's a shift in business operations. This topic will underscore the need for organisations to go beyond traditional practices and recognise the immense potential AI brings to the table. An AI centric workforce means a workforce that is digitally fluent, adaptable, and open to collaboration with intelligent machines. As organizations focus on automation, human employees can focus on creativity, problem-solving, and innovation. Moreover, this transformation is not limited to any industry but is a global phenomenon. The world over, organisations are investing in AI to remain competitive. For Management professionals, it raises questions about upskilling, and creating a workplace that fosters synergy between humans and machines.
Approaching an AI-centric workforce requires a strategic vision that combines the strengths of AI with human ingenuity. It is not just about profits or efficiency; it is about redefining success in a world where technology plays an increasingly pivotal role.

Yahya Rasheed is an Award Winning & Industry Recognized Operational Leader in the Technology Services / Financial Services / Software industry; with over 25+ years of work experience, having worked in Organizations like Franklyn Templeton Mutual Funds, Dell Technologies, Sutherland, HP Inc., Hewlett Packard Enterprise, DXC Technology and held several Diverse Leadership Roles. He currently serves as the Global Head of L&D, Workforce Transformation, Freshers Experience and Head of Global Delivery Centers (Chennai, Madurai and Sri Lanka) for HCL Tech – Digital Workplace Services. Yahya holds a master’s degree in computer applications, An MBA Degree from IIM Bangalore and has an Executive Diploma in Business Strategy, Innovation, Negotiations and Influence from NUS Business School Singapore. He is a Certified Design Thinker, Lean Six Sigma Black Belt and a Kaizen Champion. He has published 2 Whitepapers on Increasing Net Promoter Scores through Positive Customer Experience and Leveraging Robotics Process Automation and execution at scale for APQC (American Productivity & Quality Center) He is a Keynote Speaker at various National and International Summits and having delivered Multiple thought Leadership Sessions at different IIMs and various other Educational Institutions within India and Abroad.

Abstract

The session will explore how technology enhances efficiency, accuracy and decision-making in the finance domain. With tools like automation, AI, and data analytics, financial processes are streamlined, enabling real-time insights, better risk management, and more informed strategic planning.

Mr. Agrawal is an accomplished finance professional with over 19 years of experience in the manufacturing sector. His core competencies include FP&A (financial planning and analysis), statutory and management reporting, capex and treasury management, and driving business transformations including, but not limited to, IPOs. He specializes in corporate performance management, financial accounting, and process optimization with a very strong focus on the usage of SAP and RPA for all automation initiatives

Abstract

This session will explore the key impediments to starting a business, discuss the process of getting started by focusing on the demand side, supply side, or both, and provide strategies to improve the odds of success. The session will then delve into detailed examples of Product, Demand, and Supply, drawing on the speaker's personal experiences from running two startups.

Note: Attendance is mandatory for all MBA students. If you cannot attend for some reason, please drop a mail to mba_acr@iitk.ac.in or mbaiitk2025acr@gmail.com along with the reason.

Amit Nigam, a serial entrepreneur with successful technology business exits, is an alumnus of IIM Calcutta and NITK Surathkal. Amit previously served as CEO of Quess Corp, India’s largest private-sector employer. He has led technology and product management teams at MakeMyTrip/redBus, TVS, SAP, Honeywell, and Bosch. He holds four patents in technology innovation, is a TEDx speaker, and has authored a Harvard case study. Passionate about technology and product management, he is an adjunct professor and speaker at prestigious institutions like IITs, IIMs, BITS Pilani, and more.

Abstract

In the marketing landscape today, examining the variation of a brand's equity across various segments is critical.
It depends on the factors, like awareness, loyalty, and perceived quality, that affect how a brand's value changes depending on the kind of products it is used with. This assists businesses in understanding the unique challenges and opportunities of building solid brands across different types of products, offering valuable insights for effective brand management and marketing strategies.

Mr. Praveen Tripathi boasts a distinguished career spanning market research, advertising, and media planning. As the past president of the Market Research Society of India, he presented influential papers at esteemed conferences. Mr. Praveen's leadership at Starcom India secured significant accounts, including P&G. He also managed media budgets and led a team in North Asia at Hansa Consulting. At Pidilite Industries, he oversaw various divisions, from media to marketing. Praveen has also contributed to academia by teaching at prestigious institutions like IIM Ahmedabad, ISB Hyderabad, and MICA and actively participating in advisory and committee roles.

Abstract

Exploring the intricacies of operational and project rollout strategies is vital in today's dynamic business landscape. These strategies serve as the backbone for executing initiatives effectively and efficiently. The ideas, processes, and best practices underlying these strategies must be understood to accomplish large-scale initiatives or streamline daily operations.

Mr. Sharma is an industry expert for mega Infrastructure projects. He started his career with L&T ECC where he worked in Business Planning with EPC execution as his main focus. He has worked in L&T on strategic planning, international expansion, process automation and Operational Excellence. A decade ago, he committed his professional career with Reliance Jio Infocomm Limited, commonly known all of us to as Jio.

Abstract

Sales and marketing analysis is the cornerstone of effective management, offering vital insights for informed decision-making. This discipline involves dissecting sales and marketing data to uncover trends and consumer behaviour. It gives essential information about product performance, customer preferences, and market positioning. With this knowledge, organizations can tailor marketing strategies, fine-tune sales efforts, and maintain a competitive edge.

Mr Gaurav Kejriwal , an IIM Calcutta graduate, is a seasoned analytics and data science professional. Currently serving as the Vice President at EXL Analytics, he has over a decade of extensive experience in strategic consulting, statistical modelling, and machine learning. His areas of expertise span across marketing, risk, and product analytics, and have a proven track record of driving impactful business outcomes through data-driven insights for the clients. He is a sought-after thought leader in the analytics space and has led numerous successful engagements for clients across various industries. Driven by a profound passion for knowledge sharing, Mr. Kejriwal endeavours to empower and inspire aspiring data scientists and analytics professionals through various engagements.

Abstract

People analytics is the art of acquiring and utilizing data about people and organizations to make essential business decisions. An in-depth talent analysis can be discovered with an influential people analytics approach, enabling more thoughtful resolutions. This helps to attract and retain top talent, boost engagement, and motivate performance.

Monika is an accomplished HR professional with a proven track record of positioning HR as a valuable strategic business partner, vital to achieving any organization’s business growth objective. In her stint of 2 decades in Corporate HR with Indian, German and American MNCs, coupled with strong business acumen, Monika has partnered in launching businesses across verticals and geographies. She has vast experience around setting up HR function, leading merger and acquisitions, Change management and driving sustainable transformation during and post integration.

Abstract

Effective Business Planning and Analysis are the cornerstones of success in today's dynamic corporate landscape. They provide organizations with the foresight and strategic insight to navigate challenges, make informed decisions, and seize opportunities. In this ever-evolving business environment, mastering these disciplines is essential for achieving sustainable growth and staying ahead of the competition.

Mr. Pawan Pratap Singh, a Chartered and Cost & Management Accountant, has significantly contributed to industry giants like Tata Communications, Infosys, and Archer Daniel Midland. He is the Head of Business Units Planning and Insights at British Telecommunications, dedicating himself to mentoring future leaders and campaigning for Diversity, Equality, and Inclusion (DE&I).

Abstract

Visual merchandising is a crucial element in the triumph of retail businesses, as it creates an enticing and immersive environment that captivates customers and enriches their shopping experiences. By strategically arranging products, displays, and decorations, visual merchandising effectively communicates the brand's identity and values while capturing attention. In today's fiercely competitive retail industry, effective visual merchandising has become indispensable for businesses seeking to differentiate themselves, drive sales, and foster customer loyalty. By adhering to the principles of visual merchandising, retailers can optimize their store layouts, product placements, and aesthetics, thus creating a visually stimulating and cohesive atmosphere that profoundly resonates with their target audience. MBA IIT Kanpur is thrilled to welcome Ms. Radhika Subramanian, Head of Channel Management (Expansions & Operations) at Godrej & Boyce Mfg. Co. Ltd., as our guest speaker for the 36th episode of K-aleidoscope to gain more insights on the topic " Visual Merchandising in Retail - Importance and Principles".

Ms. Radhika Subramanian is a seasoned management professional with a proven track record in the consumer goods and retail industry. She possesses expertise in various areas, including Marketing Management, Ecommerce, Business Planning and Strategy, Channel Expansion and Operations, Retail Management, Customer Support, Integrated Marketing Communication, and Business Development. Holding a PGDBM in Marketing from Welingkar Institute of Management, she has been honoured as one of India's Top 100 CX (Customer Experience) Leaders at the esteemed World CX Summit 2022, among other prestigious accolades.

Abstract

Increasing brand awareness is a crucial aspect of any marketing strategy. It helps to establish a company's presence in the minds of its target audience and lays the foundation for attracting new customers. A higher level of brand awareness leads to increased recognition and familiarity, which can positively impact the various stages of the sales funnel. By improving brand awareness, businesses can see a boost in website traffic, lead generation, conversion rates, and, ultimately, revenue. Understanding the relationship between brand awareness and funnel metrics is critical for making informed decisions about marketing investments and measuring success. MBA IIT Kanpur is excited to host Ms. Priyanka Chetal Sharma, DVP - Brand and Content, IndusInd Bank, for the 34th episode of K-aleidoscope to gain more insights on the topic " Increasing Brand Awareness And How It Impacts Your Funnel Metrics.

Ms. Priyanka Chetal Sharma is a seasoned marketing professional with over nine years of experience. She has worked with esteemed companies such as the Mahindra Group, Zomato, and Paytm. Currently leading brand and content for IndusInd Bank’s Digital Wing, she has a passion for staying in tune with the latest global trends and finding innovative ways to engage with customers.

Abstract

Diversity, equity, and inclusion are essential components of a thriving workplace. A diverse workforce brings a variety of perspectives and ideas, leading to better decision-making and innovation. Creating an inclusive environment where all employees feel valued and respected leads to higher employee satisfaction and engagement. And equity ensures that everyone has an equal opportunity to succeed. We can create a more inclusive and equitable society by prioritizing DEI in our workplace. To discuss the importance of DEI, MBA IIT, Kanpur is delighted to host Ms. Zarna Trivedi, Head-HR, Versa Networks, for the 33rd Episode of K-aleidoscope to share her thoughts and opinions on the topic: 'Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion'.

Ms. Zarna Trivedi is an HR leader with around 16 years of progressive and comprehensive experience in the entire gamut of HR in the services & product Industry, with exposure to working with stakeholders globally. She has handled Human Resources focused responsibilities like Organizational Development, HR Generalist, HR Consulting, HR Technology, Talent Management, and HR Business Partnering. These experiences have developed her as a strong business-oriented HR professional driving human capital agenda for the organization in close alignment with the business strategy. Ms. Zarna is also actively participating in various forums as a Moderator, Panelist, and Speaker.

Abstract

Keeping great talent is more crucial than ever in the middle of the Great Reshuffle. In recent years, there has been a significant shift in how employees are seen by the firm. They are increasingly regarded as capital investments rather than merely as a cog in the company's operations. At the same time, external forces such as mass resignations, economic volatility, and general unrest have made it challenging to keep these key employees. When employees stay with the company, the organization's productivity remains stable. Your critical skills and knowledge remain in-house. Employee engagement is the degree to which your employees are motivated to achieve their workplace objectives. Employees who are engaged in their work are more likely to appreciate it and are less likely to seek out other opportunities. To better understand the topic MBA, IIT Kanpur is thrilled to host "Vox Populi," the annual HR panel discussion for this year with the theme " Strategies for Boosting Employee Engagement and Retention."

The event will be graced by Ms. Anshula Verma, Director and National Head, Talent Acquisition, EY, Mr. Ganesh S, Global Chief Human Resource Officer, Emeritus & Eruditus, Mr. Sandeep Magavi, GIC Learning Leader - Growth Platforms & Industry, IBM, Mr. Chandra Mohan, Head - Employee Relations, Del Monte Foods India Ltd., Mr. Sarajit Poddar, Director - People Analytics, Ericsson and Ms. Jayanthi Jagannath, Chief of Human Resources, K&S Partners.

Abstract

Companies need to modernise their mindset and processes to drive growth and contentment in this digital era. Leaving behind traditional marketing mediums and adapting digital marketing mediums is one of the first steps in promoting growth and innovation in modern times. Moreover, these trends are required to modernise businesses and create a new way of operating in the current business milieu. Using such digital marketing trends can create a competitive advantage for corporations when used efficiently. To discuss about the present scenario in the industry, MBA, IIT Kanpur is delighted to host Mr. Prasun Kumar, Chief Marketing Officer, JustDial, for the 32nd episode of K-aleidoscope to share his insights on the topic: ‘Trends of Brand and Digital Marketing.’

Mr. Prasun Kumar is a seasoned marketing professional, brand expert, blogger, technology enthusiast and entrepreneur at heart with over 20 years of experience across the Internet, Real Estate, Retail, Telecom & Advertising industries. He is currently the Chief Marketing Officer (CMO) of Justdial, India’s No.1 local search engine. He was previously working as the Head –Marketing, Revenue Verticals, Content & PR at Magicbricks. With an excellent record of launching and managing businesses & brands, delivering strong growth in the dynamic & complex Indian market, conceptualising & driving consumer acquisition strategies and managing cross-functional teams, Mr. Prasun has an in-depth understanding of consumers, communications & consumer-brand interaction. He has also held important positions at Reliance Communication, Sony, Levi Strauss & Co., and McCann-Ericson. He has won industry recognitions, profiled in The Economic Times, blogs at important forums, is a speaker and panellist at prestigious events and regularly guest lectures at premium business schools.

Abstract

Macroeconomics focuses on the performance of economies – changes in economic output, inflation, interest and foreign exchange rates, and the balance of payments. Macroeconomics connects the countless policies, resources, and technologies that make economic development happen. The world has entered a new era of rapid global change driven by significant shifts in demographics, wealth, technology, and climate. Developing countries must tackle various related underlying challenges to accelerate sustainable economic growth and inclusion. Poverty reduction, social equity and sustainable development are only possible through sound monetary and fiscal policies. To discuss the importance of Macroeconomics, MBA, IIT Kanpur is delighted to host Mr. Ashutosh Mishra, Managing Director, StayTouch, for the 31st episode of K-aleidoscope to share his thoughts and opinions on the topic: ‘Macroeconomics and Its Impact on Us’.

Mr. Ashutosh is a life coach, motivational speaker, and published author. He has over 20 years of experience in global banks such as Goldman Sachs, Deutsche Bank and ANZ. He has authored two books which have motivated thousands of people to take charge of their lives. Mr. Ashutosh is an alumnus of IIT Delhi and XLRI Jamshedpur.

Abstract

Entrepreneurship involves dealing with a lot of uncertainty which includes overwhelming factors to decide on and unexpected dead ends. Businesses always evolve in different ways. Entrepreneurs need to have clarity in their goals, design strategies to achieve them and implement those strategies. They also need to have a resilient mindset to deal with the pressure and challenges that come with starting a new business. It is not an easy task to get everything right to get the business running. To discuss about such concerns, MBA, IIT Kanpur is thrilled to host Mr. Vijay Sivaram, CEO of Quess IT Staffing and Quess Search and Recruitment, for the 30th episode of K-aleidoscope to share his insights on the topic: ‘Getting Entrepreneurship Right’.

Mr.Vijay has been a founding member of Quess Corp since its inception in 2007. The organisation is the biggest integrated business services provider in the country. Mr. Vijay has been instrumental in grounding, innovating and growing Quess' vast offerings. He has exposure to all the platforms at Quess, from Workforce Management and Operating Asset Management to Tech Services. In his current role, he is responsible for setting the strategic vision and direction for his focus areas while supporting and nurturing the leadership under his mandate to execute with confidence towards success. Mr. Vijay holds a Master of Business Administration from INSEAD, Singapore, and a PGDBM from the Loyola Institute of Business Administration, India.

Abstract

Supply Chain Sustainability refers to organizations' efforts to analyse the human and environmental impact of their products' life cycle through the supply chain. While traditional supply chain management concentrates on operations' speed, cost, and reliability, sustainable supply chain management also emphasizes preserving environmental and societal principles. Most companies' supply chains contribute bulk of their environmental impact as they involve energy-intensive production and transportation. Organizations can make a big difference by adopting changes to their supply chains. To highlight the importance of this, MBA IIT Kanpur is delighted to host Mr. Somnath Chatterjee, Executive Vice President (Head of Procurement & Logistics), ITC Limited (Food Division), for the 29th episode of K-aleidoscope to share his views on the topic: "Sustainable Supply Chain: The ITC Way."

Mr. Somnath Chatterjee has over 30 years of experience handling critical positions at food industry/FFMCG giants like Nestle. He specializes in commodities procurement and strategic planning, focusing on implementing cost-reduction measures, and has vast experience in logistics, warehouse management, distribution, transportation, production planning, and inventory management. Mr. Somnath has completed his post-graduation in humanities with a specialization in tea and coffee tasting from J. Thomas & Co., Kolkata, and Thompson Lloyd & Ewart of London. He is a member of the Bangalore Chamber of Industry & Commerce and the Indian Merchants Chamber and is also a regular speaker at several national and international commodity-related seminars and a visiting faculty member at IIM Ahmedabad and Bangalore.

Abstract

Business schools are established to teach future leaders lessons on management. However, no school can teach us everything. There is a possibility that we will meet unexpected challenges that will require us to just put ourselves out there and face them. As we live in a technologically driven world where digital trends involving new applications, analytics, and algorithms are introduced at an incredible speed, business schools can’t catch up with these changes. Businesses must constantly reinvent new marketing strategies to cope with ever-evolving elements. Even though the core principles remain the same, the practical application in the real world has changed. To discuss such issues that are not commonly taught in a B-School, MBA, IIT Kanpur is thrilled to host Mr. Anupam Katheriya for the 28th episode of K-aleidoscope to share his insights on the topic: ‘Marketing lessons not taught at B-School.’

Mr. Anupam Katheriya is an IIM-Ahmedabad alumnus and Mechanical engineer from the Delhi College of Engineering. He has 22 years of diverse work experience in Sales, Marketing, and Business Development in organisations like Heinz, Nestle, Emami, and Suraksha Diagnostics. He has been part of successful M&As and delivered P&Ls of multiple categories in foods, beverages, personal care & services. He has been recognised as one of the Top 60 CMOs in India by Startuplanes and has won over 25 well-known awards, including PITCH Best CMO Awards 2022 and Economic Times Brand Equity Brand Disruption Awards 2022. He has been a jury member of many marketing and business awards and teaches marketing at a business school.

Abstract

Data visualization discovers the trends in data, provides a perspective on data by showing its meaning in the larger scheme of things, and puts the data into the correct context. Data visualization tools and technologies are essential for analyzing massive amounts of information and making data-driven decisions. Tableau is a Data Visualization tool widely used for Business Intelligence and to gain business insights. MBA, IIT Kanpur is excited to host Mr. Havish Madhvapaty, founder of Havish M Consulting, to help us navigate the workings of Tableau through his session on – "Data Visualization with Tableau- Presenting Insights with Data."

Mr. Havish consults organizations on the enterprise level and functional data analytics requirements focusing on spreadsheet modeling, automation, and data visualization. He also teaches various analytics courses at IIMs/IITs and has conducted training sessions for Big 4, Big 3, and IB firms. He has consulted public enterprises and Ministries in the Government of India for market research. He has also won various entrepreneurial awards, and his firm has been listed as one of the top market research firms.

Abstract

Supply chain operations consist of the systems, structures, and processes to plan and implement the delivery of goods and services from supplier to customer. Within the business world, Supply Chain Operations encompasses many interconnected activities and functions such as procurement, logistics, inventory planning, order fulfillment, and manufacturing, touching almost every industry. It is crucial for areas like customer service, reduction of production cost, and improvement of product quality.

To discuss the importance of such a function and its future opportunities, MBA, IIT Kanpur is excited to host Mr. Nair Umakanth for the 27th episode of K-aleidoscope to share his views on the topic: 'Resilient Supply Chain as a Future career … Are you excited?'

Mr. Nair has over 25 years of experience and has shown phenomenal leadership abilities in Supply Management, Operations, and Manufacturing with a demonstrated history of working in the Electrical, Agricultural, Automobile, and Service industries. He is skilled in Strategic Planning, People Leadership, Flawless Operations Management, Technology adaptation, Digital Supply Chain, Value Stream Mapping, and Innovation.

Abstract

Business Process Re-engineering involves the thorough redesigning of core business processes to significantly improve productivity, cycle times, and quality. It also consists of analyzing and transforming several major components of a business: Strategy, Organization, Technology, and Culture. With the exponential growth of E-commerce over the last few years and the pandemic dramatically expediting its adoption across the retail spectrum, companies are striving to launch an e-commerce presence. It has become crucial for businesses to build a strong e-commerce strategy. To get a more nuanced idea about the current situation in the industry, MBA, IIT Kanpur is thrilled to host Ms. Reena Evans, Director of Operations, Swiggy, for the 26th episode of K-aleidoscope to share her insights on the topic: 'Business Process Re-engineering and components of a good e-commerce strategy.'

Ms. Evans has over 15 years of extensive work experience in Supply chain and Catalog with leading Global Organizations in e-commerce. She possesses a strong commercial orientation and has delivered significant unit cost improvements and enhanced revenue generation for the organizations in which she has worked. Ms. Evan also has hands-on expertise in building world-class teams and setting up and managing catalog operations and has exhibited abilities in people management, operations, and performance management. She currently handles the Central Operations and Strategy for supply chain operations in Swiggy's Restaurants Vertical and Hyper-Local Stores.

Abstract

With the paradigm shift in the modern marketing landscape, analyzing the data has become the need of the hour. Marketing Analytics deals with practices related to measuring, analyzing, and monitoring data to maximize the effectiveness and efficiency of a business. It offers key support for turning data into information, comparing and contrasting the data, and optimizing marketing strategies to boost Return on Investment. A 360-degree view of the marketing campaigns and strategies helps to position a company well in the market. To get a better understanding on the current scenario in the industry, MBA, IIT Kanpur is excited to host Ms. Rudrani Ghosh, Senior Manager – Data Science, Walmart Global Tech India, for the 25th episode of K-aleidoscope to share her thoughts on the topic: 'Marketing analytics: What is it and why it matters.'

Ms. Rudrani Ghosh has over 15 years of experience as a Customer/Marketing analytics professional across the BFSI and Retail domains. She has led engagements from both onshore & offshore and pre-sales solutioning for Fortune 500 companies. She is well versed in developing and deploying advanced analytics models and communicating actionable insights to stakeholders. Few of her main projects include building and deploying recommender systems with robust Test & Learn and detecting customers' real-time location using LSTM, Xgboost, and Word2Vec. Previously, she worked as a Director for the Merchant Recommender team at American Express. She also worked at Chubb Insurance, Fractal analytics, Dunnhumby, and HSBC.

Abstract

Adaptability is an essential ability one should possess to achieve the desired goals by standing still during times of uncertainty. It makes one handle the challenges in the workplace and extends the limits of thinking toward solving a crisis. At the same time, strategic thinking helps solve things by applying rational thoughts and analyzing the critical factors and variables that lead to the organization's long-term success. To discuss more on this topic, MBA, IIT Kanpur is excited to host Mr. Abhishek Shekhar, Delivery Lead, Oracle, for the 24th episode of K-aleidoscope to give insights on the topic: 'Adapting to the uncertainty of times and reinforcing the requirement for strategic thinking.'

Mr. Abhishek Shekhar is an alumnus of IIT Kanpur and is the Delivery Lead at Oracle, where he manages a portfolio of ERP implementation projects, each having a unique business challenge. He has more than 17 years of professional experience across the industry with a demonstrated history of working in the management consulting industry. He is known for his high intellect and ability to learn tasks beyond his role like managing innovative solutions, leading learning and development for his team, and preparing marketing collateral to help in the company's growth. Mr. Abhishek is skilled in Strategic Planning, Portfolio management, Cloud ERP, Business Process Design, IT Strategy, Digital Transformation, SCM transformations, and Management.

Abstract

Ambitious goals demand a stringent roadmap and objectives that act as a model for both the internal and external wellbeing of a firm, thereby creating a long-term path to sustainability. A successful business plan delivers closer collaboration and more trust among departments, improving decision-making. An efficient financial plan helps a company overcome vagaries and ensures stability and profitability by addressing critical junctures, including financing, building strategies, enhancing viabilities, and resource allocation of the company. To understand more about this topic, MBA, IIT Kanpur is thrilled to host Mr. Gautam Sadana, Head - Finance, Dineout, for the 23rd episode of K-aleidoscope to enlighten students on the topic: 'Integrated Business/Financial planning & its relevance for an Organisation.'

Mr. Sadana is an alumnus of Durham University Business School (DUBS) and is a result-driven & accomplished senior finance executive with more than 16 years of progressive experience in Finance Strategy, Financial Planning & Budgeting, Financial Compliances, Process & Controls, Risk Management. He aims to enhance financial & operational productivity through robust leadership, communication, interpersonal & negotiation skills. In his current role as Head - Finance at Dineout, he is responsible for managing the finance team of one of the fastest growing Restaurant Table reservation platforms.

Abstract

Disruptions change the landscape of traditional and established markets by unsettling operations. These innovations can impact existing products & services and drive the need to re-evaluate the current market. The rise of new business models and digital technologies ushered digital disruption in the 21st century, with potential changes in Technology, Business, Industry, and Society opening up opportunities for new organizations and consumers. Companies looking forward are aggressively pushing for digital adoption to stay ahead of the pack in delivering value. To get more insights on the topic, MBA, IIT Kanpur is excited to host Mr. Puneet Jain, Vice President, Clarivate, for the 22nd episode of K-aleidoscope to enlighten students on the topic: 'Harnessing Digital Disruption.'

Mr. Puneet Jain is currently the Vice President at Clarivate. As Country Head, he has set up Global Development Centers in India and Malaysia and successfully scaled them to over 5000 plus colleagues with high colleague engagement scores. He has executed large Transformation Projects and led high-performing teams across multiple disciplines, including IT, Consulting, Corporate Strategy and Operations. He has done his B.Tech from IIT Madras, MS from the University of Notre Dame, USA, and MBA from Indian School of Business. Mr. Puneet was the Past Chairman of Indo American Chamber of Commerce and CII Karnataka Core Committee member.

Abstract

Of all the productive discussions on the Automobile industry and sales, the least spoken about is the beneficial outcome that Direct to Consumer (D2C) can have on the global automobile sector. Recently, there have been advances in D2C with the trends emerging from ride sharing to personal mobility. These evolutions do not come hasslefree as they are accompanied by stringent legal laws and an absence of a silver bullet which can overcome the traditional automotive purchase model. To get a better understanding of this, MBA, IIT Kanpur is excited to host Mr. Gajanan Umarekar, Lead Projects and GtM Strategy, Ola Electric Mobility, for the 21st episode of K-aleidoscope to share his thoughts on the topic: 'D2C in automotive industry - challenges and opportunities.'

Mr. Gajanan Umarekar has 15+ years of strong automobile domain experience coupled with a sound technology understanding and core competencies in P&L management, GtM strategy, Sales, operations, technology consulting, strategic account management, digital marketing, and program management with diverse organizations like Ola Electric, CarDekho, Cognizant, Mahindra and Maruti Suzuki. He has completed his engineering in Mechanical stream, followed by an MBA in Marketing & Finance from the Indian School of Business. He is currently the Lead Projects and GtM Strategy at Ola Electric Mobility Pvt. Ltd. and considers himself privileged to contribute to organizations disrupting the Automobile industry.

Abstract

Effective functioning of economies predominantly relies on the functioning of the Banking system. Banks offer security, convenience, insurance, and extend essential credit requirements for expanding the economy. They make the core portion of the business ecosystem, furnishing businesses with vital capital requirements and resources. To get a deep understanding of various profiles and responsibilities prevailing in the Banking domain, MBA, IIT Kanpur is thrilled to host Mr. Praful Goyal, Vice President, Barclays, for the 20th episode of K-aleidoscope to discuss the topic: 'Banking Journey and Management View'

Mr. Praful Goyal is an IIM-B alumnus and Electrical engineer from the University of Rajasthan. With 19 years of diverse work experience as an IT Professional, he is currently working with Barclays Bank as Vice President and leading the product engineering team in the workplace & collaboration area of the Bank. Before settling in Pune, Mr. Praful had spent nine years in US and UK, where he has worked with Pharma, Insurance, and Oil & Gas industries in different roles of IT lifecycle. In his personal space, he is passionate about Sports and History.

Abstract

Businesses today face a lot of headwinds in this rapidly changing era, and it has become inevitable for companies to adapt to new channels of approaching customers, investment decisions, and modern technologies. Technology is playing a vital role in transforming businesses in this century, and it has become essential to integrate it with business processes to capitalize on the opportunities. Due to this, the functions of pure-play managers could fall short of meeting the actual demands of this contemporary business industry. It has created a surge in the requirement of Techno-managers to meet end goals through productive means. To get deep insights on the functions of Techno-managers in the industry, MBA, IIT Kanpur is thrilled to host Mr. Nitin Aggarwal, Head of Cloud AI Industry Solutions (India), Google, for the 19th episode of K-aleidoscope to discuss the topic: 'A Techno-manager's take on life post MBA.'

Mr. Nitin, an alumnus of MBA, IIT Kanpur, is a Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence professional with over 9+ years of Industry experience. He is currently working as Head of the Cloud AI Industry Solution Services team in Google India to lead AI solutions/products development for Google's strategic enterprise customers. He has led various digital transformation engagements with many Fortune 500 organizations that translated into multi-million dollar direct revenue for Google Cloud. He has worn many hats during his stint of a professional career - Strategy Consultant, Product Manager, Data Scientist, and Software Engineer. Analytics India Magazine awarded him as '40 under 40 Data Scientists' in 2021.

Abstract

MBA, IIT Kanpur is excited to host its unique HR annual event, “Vox Populi,” where prominent HR transformation leaders coalesce, facilitating the exchange of ideas, experiences, and opinions on the dynamically changing functioning of Human Resources in the corporate industry. The event welcomes the connoisseurs and their thoughts with the audience on the ever-evolving radical changes of the Human Resources industry. The session will offer profound insights on how to get along with the vagaries of the HR Industry and put oneself ahead with timeless lessons and hacks.

The event will be graced by Mr. Vamsi Dasetty, VP, Total rewards and HR Analytics, Airtel, Ms. Sivani Nanda, Associate Director People, Tiger Analytics, Ms. Monica Dhar, Senior General Manager, Reliance, Mr. Satish Rajarathnam, SVP HR, Mphasis, and Mr. Sandeep Kumar, Head HR India Operations, Sodexo.

Abstract

The Marketing mindset is putting yourself in the customers' shoes, thinking like a customer, and building long-term relationships with them. A marketing mindset recognizes that marketing is more than just a narrow set of responsibilities assigned to one person, and it's more than just advertising and selling things. It considers the impact of marketing on every area of the company and acts as a revenue-generating function that drives the growth and strategic path of the company. To share more thoughts on this, MBA, IIT Kanpur is delighted to welcome Mr. Malhar Barai, Head of Marketing – India & APAC, Tech Mahindra, for the 18th episode of K-aleidoscope to discuss the topic: 'Building a Marketing Mindset.'  

Mr. Malhar leads Global Digital Marketing for Tech Mahindra and has successfully run high-impact customer-centric campaigns. He's also on the Advisory Board for a Bay Area based startup focusing on serverless computing and part of the Russia-India Startup Council, which advises Russian startups to work in India. A techie turned marketer with over 19 years of experience, Malhar has co-founded #SEOTalk, India's first & longest running Twitter Chat & also co-hosted 'The F&M Show,' India's first live talk show on Youtube. An Author, Startup Mentor & Advisor, Speaker, Mr. Malhar works with individuals & startups to create omni-channel marketing strategies by leveraging the power of content, social & web marketing. ET Edge recently awarded him the 'Digital Marketer of the Year' for his contribution to the industry with various marquee campaigns.

Abstract

Transformations in the system have to be grasped and utilized at their nascent state to make the most out of them. Mobile Advertising is one of them which revolutionized digital marketing. Soon after it overwent desktop advertising in 2017, its growth has been manifold. With the recent surge in customer engagement rates, being a powerful and cost-effective medium for targeted reach, tech firms are adopting mobile advertising for personalized and interactive ads for marketing campaigns. The right mix of strategies and implementation of handheld advertising could be a potent tool in acing business expansions. To get more insights on this, MBA, IIT Kanpur is proud to host Ms. Vasuta Agarwal, Managing Director - Asia Pacific, InMobi, to share her thoughts on the topic: 'Mobile Advertising - a must in a post-pandemic world.'

Ms. Vasuta is a Postgraduate from IIM, Bangalore, and is the Managing Director for the Asia Pacific at InMobi. For over eight years, she has been with InMobi, one of the first start-ups and unicorns to go global from India, and has worn many hats in her time there, from Founders' strategy to business roles. She is responsible for the P&L, revenue, strategic partnerships, and business for India, Southeast Asia, Japan, Korea, and ANZ markets. Ms. Vasuta has been featured in the Campaign Asia "40 under 40 Class of 2021", Campaign Asia "Women to Watch 2020" list, among the "Top 50 Influential Women in Media and Marketing in India" for three successive years since 2018 and in the "Economic Times Women Ahead List" for 2018.

Abstract

Mr. Ashok has over 15+ years of varied experience, from leading businesses in mature markets to fast-growing developing markets. His significant contributions to Schindler India's business have been his singular focus on people & culture – cornerstones of diversity, inclusion & youth in an attempt to disrupt a traditional industrial equipment manufacturing industry with path-breaking ideas & energy. He played a crucial role in business turnaround successes in Vietnam & Malaysia. Few of his achievements include developing and coaching talents, creating and driving strategy, sales management, end to end successful P & L Management, and achieving results in diverse markets and environments.

Abstract

Economic activities often streamline the growth of the world. Stock markets provide a fillip to the entrepreneurs and managers, increasing economic activity and thereby stretching economies. Capital markets offer liquidity in the system and mitigate various risks for investors and entrepreneurs that enable businesses to prosper. Supply and Demand act as crucial factors manipulating prices in the markets. A proper acumen and appropriate macroeconomic environment could help investors reach out to the right set of investments which aids in maxing out the right set of ideas. To better understand the topic, MBA, IIT Kanpur is privileged to host Mr. Sankha Mukherjee, EDUCOACH, Paytm Money, to share his thoughts on "Basics of Investing in Stock Markets" for the 15th episode of K-aleidoscope.

Mr. Sankha has over two decades of experience in Equity Investing & Trading. He is a postgraduate in marketing and a Certified Financial Planner(CFP), conducted 2220+ workshops, and acted as a coach for 36000+ Traders & Investors all over the country. He has got optimal knowledge and an in-depth understanding of capital markets. He is an expert in analyzing financial information and preparing financial plans to reach desired goals and believes in creating win-win outcomes in all situations. Being a long-term investor and an index trader, his practical and simplified approach towards money has helped many people to become financially independent and create wealth.

Abstract

With the momentary needs and requirements of the contemporary age, businesses find developing the correct mix of products strenuous. Product Management assists in positioning and pitching new ideas for feature development with the intersection of technology and business. Navigating the varied interests of users with strategic development, continual support, and improvement has remodeled traditional practices to a New Product Development concept that caters everything from copy to pricing in building go-to-market strategies. The separation of tactical elements such as scheduling and managing workloads from project managers aids the creation of a product roadmap for thriving markets. To deep-dive more into this topic, Prabandhan - MBA, IIT Kanpur is glad to welcome Mr. Kushaal Devanahalli and Mr. Ankit Bareja for the keynote session to discuss the topic: 'How to approach a career in Product Management.'

Mr. Kushaal Devanahalli is Co-Founder of PM School & Senior Product Manager at Get My Parking. He is a graduate from IIT Bombay and has experience of ten years in Product Management with multiple innovative, high technology startups that covered both B2B and B2C products.

Mr. Ankit Bareja is also Co-Founder of PM School. He graduated from BITS Pilani and has ten years of experience in product management, including the Director of Product at Shop101. He is a specialist in building teams for product management and analyzing products.

Abstract

The clock is ticking on global warming, making climate change the defining crisis for the current and future generations. Ensuring optimal global temperatures would require massive transitions across all sectors of the economy - energy, transport, manufacturing, and agriculture - supported by financial markets and digital technologies. Climate is now central to companies and climate change has transformed from just being a corporate social responsibility to being a business problem. Businesses are being propelled to transform their risk management along with the governance and organizational metrics. From an investment standpoint, climate too is more central now with the advent of ESG funds. Investors now incorporate ESG data in their investment process to better evaluate the companies they want to invest in. In the domestic context, ESG has seen a rise in popularity with a surge of 76% of inflows in the ESG mutual funds schemes in 2021. MBA, IIT Kanpur is privileged to have Mr. Ashish Sethia, Global Head of Commodities, BloombergNEF, as a keynote speaker to discuss the topic: ‘The Business of Climate Change.’

Mr. Ashish Sethia, an MBA, IIT Kanpur alumnus, has a decade and a half of experience in creating and leading multiple services and product businesses in the energy, commodities, renewables, and utility sectors. Before joining Bloomberg, he worked at business consulting and technology firms and led capital budgeting, business process re-engineering, and digital technology projects in the energy sector globally. Based out of Houston, he leads a group of experts globally working on net-zero emission pathways to counter climate change. Through the years, Ashish has spoken at leading forums such as the World Future Energy Summit, World Energy Leaders’ Summit, and the Clean Energy Ministerial hosted dialogues with G-20 ministers and given inputs to the works of the World Economic Forum and the World Energy Council.

Abstract

Technological innovations are now the heart and blood of the finance industry. Financial Technology seeks to improve the delivery of automated financial services, often using niche services that bridge the gap of specific financial needs. It is usurping entrenched traditional industry services, and conventional practices like guesswork and habit have become a thing of the past. A whole lot of core integrated services are unbundled to individual offerings that have created a handful of opportunities in B2B, B2C for small businesses, business clients, and consumers. To understand more about how organizations are adapting to this unorthodox tech, MBA, IIT Kanpur is excited to host Mr. Sameer Vachhani, Associate Director-Consulting, HighRadius, for the 14th episode of K-aleidoscope to discuss the topic: ‘FinTech in India: Weapon of mass inclusion.’

Mr. Sameer has over ten years of experience across Program Management, Cloud Consulting, and Implementation. He successfully managed large programs for fortune 1000 companies within the Fintech space, helping clients in their business transformation journey. During his last two stints(with Services and SaaS-based companies), his primary focus has been on Receivables automation, which has a multi-billion dollar market potential. His work life is evidence of high interpersonal skills, ability to steer through challenges, and possession of an excellent understanding of the Financial Supply Chain domain. He is a passionate objective-driven professional who believes in going over and beyond to achieve client and employer goals.

Abstract

Data in and of itself is chaotic. Analytics involves utilizing insights derived from data to make more informed decisions that will help organizations increase revenue or improve operational efficiency. Data science explains how digital data is transforming businesses and helping them make sharper and critical decisions. Artificial intelligence (AI) systems generate insights that typically required human intelligence, which analysts and business users can translate into tangible business value. These three have become strategic for most organizations and permeates every aspect of our lives. To say that these sectors face unique challenges and are rife with career opportunities is axiomatic. To help understand this better, MBA, IIT Kanpur is delighted to welcome Mr. Abhishek Jain, Head – Customer Insights, Wolters Kluwer, for the 13th episode of K-aleidoscope to discuss the topic: 'Career in Analytics, Data Science, and AI.'

Mr. Abhishek is a veteran leader in Business Analytics, Financial Services, Risk, and Compliance and is an expert in analyzing core processes and underlying information to derive business value. He has driven analytics teams to create cutting-edge solutions for complex business problems. He is passionate about building greenfield solutions for businesses to unlock value from their data.

Abstract

Leadership is a dynamic process that consists of both formal and informal roles. It requires recognizing the right opportunities and answering back to evolving patterns, thereby bringing positive change. The leadership journey is a high-impact learning experience that blends practical tools with development and self-examination to continue on the right path. It gives a roadmap with a clear direction and top-notch wisdom. MBA, IIT Kanpur is excited to welcome Mr. JOHN MATHEW SEBASTIAN, Head of Talent Acquisition & Employee Experience, V-Guard Industries Ltd., for the 12th episode of K-aleidoscope to discuss the topic 'Lessons from my leadership journey'.

Mr. John has over 13 years of experience in Talent Acquisition and Development. He is a highly energetic and self-driven professional with an eagle eye for recognizing the right talent. He is an incredibly talented people leader and is second to none when it comes to the strategic definition of the Talent Acquisition function.

Abstract

With the emergence of new technologies, an organization needs to set priorities to generate effective results. Accurate positioning of preferences can help identify what needs attention. Organizations have to find a tradeoff between the human workforce and automated systems to maximize output in this era. 'Unlearn and learn' has become a booming phenomenon for personnel employed around the globe. Addressing potential skill gaps related to digitization has become the top priority for the executives of an organization. To share more information on this, MBA, IIT Kanpur is privileged to invite Mr. Tarunesh Mathur, Vice President – Field Operations, Schindler Group, to interact with students on the topic "Organization Priorities and Reskilling in the time of automation" for the 11th episode of K-aleidoscope.

Mr. Tarunesh Mathur leads field operations and embraces design, planning, control, performance improvement, and operation strategy. He is responsible for executing and improving their company's field marketing, sales, and merchandising initiatives. He has been continuing his legacy in Schindler Group for around eight years and earlier worked with Tata Motors as Divisional Manager across various international and cross-functional roles.

Abstract

The idea of startups being confined to Silicon Valley is no longer relevant. With the advent of the internet and technology, there has been a boom in the market with rising business opportunities across the world. India, too, witnessed the startup movement and has become a fine hub for entrepreneurial endeavors. Startups represent new experiments. They are dynamic and come with a lot of ambiguity and uncertainty. It is important that those who wish to work in a startup be able to handle these uncertainties. But how does one identify the right opportunity for himself/herself? How to evaluate a start-up career opportunity? To throw some light on this and help build perspective, MBA, IIT Kanpur is excited to welcome Mr. Senthil Kanthaswamy, Business Unit Leader & Head of Product, Freshworks, for the 10th episode of K-aleidoscope.

Mr. Senthil Kanthaswamy is an expert in product and program management with years of experience in developing a growth strategy and roadmap for mobile and internet products using the latest technologies. Mr. Senthil, who is also a Stanford University Rajeev Motwani Young Entrepreneur Fellow, has founded and worked as the COO of Frilip.com, which was incubated at IIM Ahmedabad.

Abstract

Quick fixes don't solve the problem at hand always as we may overlook the root cause of the problem itself. The solution for this is structured problem solving, which can address almost any complex business or public policy challenge. A good product manager can solve the right problem and also solve the problem right. They should resist the urge to dive headfirst into solution-finding and instead adopt the problem-first mindset involving structured problem-solving

To know more about this, MBA IIT Kanpur is excited to welcome Ms. Jaya Jha, CPO - Chief Product Officer, MoEVing, for the 9th episode of K-aleidoscope to discuss the topic: 'Structured Problem Solving in Product Management'.

Ms. Jaya is a seasoned product management professional and an entrepreneur. She has co-founded Pothi.com, worked in the social sector and at startups like Meesho and Bright Money, and consulted with companies like Property Guru (SG) and many startups. She also runs The Practical PM, which distills her product management experience for companies and individuals through content and consultancy.

Abstract

Supply chains across industries worldwide are getting revamped and re-engineered to gain a competitive advantage in this digital era. Across various touchpoints in the global value chain, quality is imperative for many silos and integrated processes. Inevitably, Industry 4.0 calls for an advanced and scaled integration of digital in various aspects of quality like condition monitoring, process improvement, statistical quality control etc. Similarly, a long way up the supply chain lies in business demand analysis, which helps businesses close the gaps to ensure better delivery. Integral to business strategy, demand sensing helps an organization keep its stead firm and ahead of the competitors. To learn more on this, MBA, IIT Kanpur is proud to invite Mr. Siddhartha Roy, Head – Technology & Technology Operations, Thoucentric Labs, to shed some light on the topic: “Predictive Quality & Demand Sensing: An AI use case” on the 8th session of K-aleidoscope.

Mr. Siddhartha, an Indian Institute of Technology, Kanpur and FMS alumnus, holds a plethora of experience and knowledge in various fields of data science, product management across industries like Automotive, CPG, Retail, Semiconductors, etc. Currently, he is holding a CTO position at Thoucentric Labs after working in many top organizations.

Abstract

Marketing is more art than science’ – For a long, this particular phrase is doing rounds in various communities around the globe. The perception that revolves around delivering value through noble means is spreading like wildfire. In this endeavor, science, more precisely, data is enabling this functionality. As per a market survey, about 83% of consumers feel concerned about data collection through cookies as they feel tracked online. Cybersecurity and privacy have to be at the helm of the value delivery chain in this digital era. As marketers gear up for a cookie-less playing field, they need to go back to the basics of problem-solving for a customer’s need keeping Market, Regulation, and Society at the forefront. To know more about how marketers can achieve this at the industry scale, MBA, IIT Kanpur is excited to invite Mr. Pranav Kumar, Director – Digital Experience, CDP, AI & Analytics, Capgemini, to deliver a talk on the topic: “The future of Data-Driven Marketing as the Cookie World Crumbles”.

A SIBM, Pune alumnus, Mr. Pranav has over 15 years of experience under his belt in various companies across multiple domains like Retail, Financial Services, Manufacturing etc. Currently, he is serving as a director in the Adobe Practice domain of Capgemini.

Abstract

Since the dawn of the digital era, and with the advent of emerging technologies like AI/ML, IoT, Cloud are making a significant impact on the world of projects. Will they be enablers ensuring the 4P world moves ahead (Project, Program, Portfolio, PMO) or does it disrupt the 4Ps creating a new world of opportunities, is the key question.

Mr. Kartikeyan is a certified PfMP, PMP and a PMO certified professional. A board member at PMI, Bengaluru Chapter, he is extremely passionate about project and portfolio management and about innovation.

Abstract

Mr. Aditya encapsulated his learnings and experiences into a 10 point framework called SIMPLICITE. Its a one stop guide for effective financial management. He explained how various factors like strategy, forecasting, cost structure, etc., influence the product's market in FMCG and e-commerce sectors. Further, to elaborate this, he has taken various live examples as well. Mr. Aditya has brought out a holistic approach for effective financial management with focus on not just technical factors like strategy, cost and liquidity management, and controllership, but also on factors like team building and integrity.

An IIM Lucknow alumnus, Mr. Aditya has worked across many organizations like Bizongo, P&G, Ambit in various leadership capacities. Equipped with strong analytical skills and integrity, he has worked in diverse domains across geographies.

Abstract

Ahead of the 5G infrastructure launch, Telcos are ratcheting up their game to offer the best services at the most lucrative price. With Revenue numbers rolling back to competitive levels, Analytics and AI will be the differentiator as more scalable technologies are being developed. Threatened with ample vulnerabilities in this space, security and accessibility become a liability, and AI can help circumnavigate these hurdles. Analytics can also help Telcos in more accurate forecasting by predicting usage and planning resources more efficiently. To find out more on this, MBA IIT Kanpur is excited to welcome Ms. Shalini Sinha, VP – Data Science and Analytics, Mobileum, on the 4th episode of K-aleidoscope: Innovation to Impact to discuss the topic: ‘How Telcos can leverage Analytics to counter fraud, ensure network security and enhance customer experience’.

Miss. Shalini Sinha, Vice president heading data science and analytics department at Mobileum. Prior to mobileum she was Executive Director for Credit Risk Technology at JP Morgan. Her Data Science journey started in Oracle where she started the deeper insights initiatives for CRM Vertical. Her core expertise is around Packaged Analytics, Machine Learning, NLP, Statistical Data Analysis, Customer Relationship Management (CRM), Data Engineering, Business Analytics and Data Warehousing. An IIT Kanpur alumnus, Miss Shalini has also been associated with Numerify, Wipro & Infosys.

Abstract

The art and science of building a great brand is one of the creatively rewarding aspects of growing a business. The process captures the practical and emotional promises the company makes to its customers every day, and it even defines how employees identify their company. MBA IIT Kanpur is excited to welcome Mr. Saumitra Prasad, Marketing Director, International Cosmetic Limited, on the 3rd episode of K-aleidoscope to discuss the topic: "Making of great brands".

An alumnus of NMIMS, Mumbai and HarvardX, Mr. Prasad comes with over 23 years of experience in marketing and leadership roles in the domain of FMCG and other consumer goods categories. Mr. Prasad has worked in various capacities across companies like Sansui, LML, VLCC, John Keells Foods India. Some of the key awards he received include Marketing Professional of the year award by Times Network National Awards for Marketing Excellence, Marketing Mastermind by WCRC 2016, Greatest Marketing Influencers award by BBC knowledge 2017, CMO Asia Award for marketing excellence 2018.

Abstract

Changing technologies and competition at present in the industry are challenging individual workers and teams' learning alongside work. Organizations are looking for employees' autonomy and self-directedness carried through agile operations and low hierarchies, where learning is also the responsibility of the individuals and teams themselves and occurs in practice without robust control of the organization. Hence the multidimensional concept of self-directed learning becomes essential in the context of learning at work. With this context at hand, MBA IIT Kanpur is excited to welcome Mr. Chirag Suchak, People Business Partner at Anheuser-Busch InBev, on the 2nd episode of K-aleidoscope: Innovation to Impact to discuss the topic: "Rise of Self Directed Learning".

A people person in real life & by profession, Mr. Chirag comes with around 12 years of experience across various HR functions in retail & food & beverages. An MBA in HR, he has worked with international brands in retail like Lifestyle, Puma, VANS, Lee & Wrangler. Currently, he is associated with AB InBev, the world's largest brewer, as a People Business Partner. He is an avid reader & a documentary aficionado who always has a book or film recommendation up his sleeve.

Abstract

Harnessing cognitive technology with Artificial Intelligence brings the benefit of digitization to banks and helps them meet the competition posed by FinTech players. AI is the future of banking as it helps to transform and reinvent banking by personalising the products and services. MBA, IIT Kanpur is excited to welcome Mr. Mathew Joseph, Vice President & Head of Artificial Intelligence Labs (CIMB bank), Apar Technologies Pvt. Ltd., on the 45th episode of Webisodes to discuss the topic: 'Artificial Intelligence in Banking'.

Mathew Joseph is the Vice President and Head of Artificial Intelligence Labs for CIMB bank. He is leading the design and development of artificial intelligence solutions to drive the business strategy, manage business decisions and provide personalized products and services to the CIMB bank customers spread across seven countries in Asia. He is an Official Mentor of Kerala Startup Mission. Kerala Startup Mission is one of the largest startup business incubators in India promoted by the Government of Kerala. Earlier, he worked with IBM, Siemens, and TCS.

Abstract

Harnessing cognitive technology with Artificial Intelligence brings the benefit of digitization to banks and helps them meet the competition posed by FinTech players. AI is the future of banking as it helps to transform and reinvent banking by personalising the products and services. MBA, IIT Kanpur is excited to welcome Mr. Mathew Joseph, Vice President & Head of Artificial Intelligence Labs (CIMB bank), Apar Technologies Pvt. Ltd., on the 45th episode of Webisodes to discuss the topic: 'Artificial Intelligence in Banking'.

Mathew Joseph is the Vice President and Head of Artificial Intelligence Labs for CIMB bank. He is leading the design and development of artificial intelligence solutions to drive the business strategy, manage business decisions and provide personalized products and services to the CIMB bank customers spread across seven countries in Asia. He is an Official Mentor of Kerala Startup Mission. Kerala Startup Mission is one of the largest startup business incubators in India promoted by the Government of Kerala. Earlier, he worked with IBM, Siemens, and TCS.

Abstract

The way organizations create, capture, and use data is changing the way we work and live. This big idea, which is gaining attention among executives and business analysts, reflects a growing belief which indicates that we are on the cusp of an analytics revolution that may transform how organizations are managed and transform the economies and societies in which they operate. With this context in the background, MBA, IIT Kanpur is excited to welcome Mr. Rajiv Maheshwari, CEO, Anand and Anand, on the 44th episode of Webisodes to discuss the topic: 'Reimagining Business through Analytics'.

Mr. Rajiv has around 25 years of leadership and management experience across industries. Several projects that he has led have been recognized for innovation by Financial Times for four consecutive years. As a non-techie who has learnt AI and programming from scratch, he has himself developed most of these solutions, including the project awarded Most Innovative use of Data & Technology in Asia by Financial Times.He wants to democratize AI, i.e. enhance the understanding and usage of Artificial Intelligence across all quarters of business and society.

Abstract

Currently, we are living through a fundamental transformation in the way we work. Human tasks and jobs are replaced by automation. It has also changed the skills that organizations are looking for in their people. These momentous changes raise substantial organizational and talent challenges at a time when the industry leaders are already wrestling with unprecedented disruption, risks, and societal and political upheaval. MBA, IIT Kanpur is excited to welcome Aditya Pal Singh, Talent Acquisition Head India- Informatica, on the 43rd episode of Webisodes to discuss the topic: 'Workforce of the future'.

Mr. Aditya is a Talent Acquisition professional with a progressive career in a multi-cultural & matrix environment. He has specialist and functional skills that have been proven over 19 years, spanning the entire gamut of Talent Acquisition. With a blend of working in both consulting and MNC organizations and a career span predominately focusing on talent acquisition globally, he has designed and deployed Talent Acquisition Strategy to meet the talent growth needs and ensured its effective execution. Also, Mr. Aditya has exposure to setting up recruitment processes and developing recruitment tools & technology.

Abstract

Automation is found in almost every part of our life, from vending machines to automated software tools in work. With the advent of AI, the game has changed with broader possibilities and a higher degree of control and processing power. E.g. debugging can be carried out more efficiently leveraging AI; hence coders can devote more time on development. Although there is fear looming regarding the potential job loss, it is hardly true since newer jobs will be created as manual activities will be replaced by AI, ML technologies and more new skills to maintain those systems. To find out more on this, MBA IIT Kanpur is excited to welcome Mr. Bragadeesh S, Head of Analytics, Daimler India Commercial Vehicles on the 42nd episode of Webisodes to discuss the topic: ' How to make use of ML and AI technologies to automate.

An MBA from IIT Madras, Mr Bragadeesh specializes in Business & Technology Consulting. He has over a decades' worth of experience and is currently heading the Analytics team at Daimler India Commercial Vehicles.

Abstract

A report from the World Bank suggests that the Fintech sector has grown and acquired huge numbers during this pandemic. Apart from the usual services, Fintech has proved to be a saviour for many small and medium-sized businesses. Studies show that the investment portfolios in the Fintech sector have recorded the highest growth during the pandemic. The fear related to newer financial offerings like mutual funds, bonds, stocks is gradually withering, and the older generation is also joining in large numbers along with targeted young customers. MBA IIT Kanpur is excited to welcome Mr Pradeep Bhasin, Senior Director and Business Head (Wealth Management & Insurance), Mobikwik on the 41st episode of Webisodes to discuss the topic: 'Investing and Fintech – Growth Opportunities & Trends'.

A finance graduate from NMIMS, Mumbai, Mr Pradeep has worked in various capacities across companies like HDFC, ICICI, Sundaram Mutual. He has over 18 years of experience and is currently leading the Wealth Management and Insurance sector at Mobikwik.

Abstract

Effective marketing strategies rely on several factors, including the needs, preferences, and desires of the target market, distribution strategy, strategies employed by the competition, and many other factors. The industry is a shorthand for the other factors that impact the choice of marketing strategies. For instance, marketing strategies in a creative market differ widely from those in a financial marketplace. A different marketing strategy is required in these widely diverse markets. With this context at hand, MBA, IIT Kanpur is excited to welcome Mr. Amitabh Tapadar Executive Director: Marketing, Strategy & Business Development, Unidel Group, on the 40th episode of Webisodes to discuss the topic: 'Marketing Strategies across Business Sectors'.

Mr. Amitabh is a management professional with over two decades of experience in the fields of Marketing, Strategy, New Product Development, Sales, and General Management. He is a full-time PGDM from IIM Ahmedabad and has served in the prestigious Tata Administrative Service for 14 years. He has since served in marquee organizations such as Bajaj Electricals, Pidilite Industries, the Abans Group.

Abstract

Since the time credit cards have come into existence where people could buy without actually having that money, we have come a long way in making seamless innovations in financial transactions. From buying food to paying EMI's, Financial Technologies' developments have made life easier with almost eliminating human effort and reducing errors. With proper analytical infrastructure and personalized offerings, even availing loans have become hassle-free where a single click can get the amount sanctioned if one has the pre-requisites. It may seem that the traditional banks are lagging in the lending space due to fragile customer experience. Still, a strong infusion among the two will indeed create a better ecosystem. MBA IIT Kanpur is excited to welcome Mr Abhisek Mohanty, Assistant Director, Moody's Analytics on the 39th episode of Webisodes to discuss the topic: 'The Advent of Fintech and its Impact on Traditional Banks in the Lending Space'.

Mr Abhisek has vast experience in risk modelling and monitoring across various industries like Retail, Lending etc. Currently, he is the engagement manager for risk consulting projects at Moody's Analytics.

Abstract

From steel manufacturing to the financial services industry, Analytics has seeped in all business activities starting from resource allocation to final delivery. We have also witnessed a commendable rise in Analytical skills among the global workforce community. Much of the challenges the corporations faced in 2020 due to the pandemic were overcome by the robust application of Analytics and AI. Various companies are reaping the benefits of investing early in this growing field, and many other companies are following suit, leading to a more advanced ecosystem. MBA, IIT Kanpur is excited to welcome Mr. Ashwin Malik Meshram, Managing Director, Spinnaker Analytics for the 38th chapter of ‘Webisodes’ for a case study discussion.

An alumnus of IIT Bombay, Mr. Ashwin has helped many global Fortune 1000 companies in their business performance improvement journey. He founded ONE Rewardz, a mobile-based analytical platform for the retail sector, which clocked a user base of 2.5 million only within 3 years. He is on the board of advisors at the Boston Institute of Analytics, which focuses on emerging technologies. He is currently based out of Mumbai.

Abstract

An idea is only great when its impact is realised in the real world. One such idea of bringing the entire country under a single identity system was made possible through a state-of-the-art technology platform to create and maintain 1.26 Billion plus digital footprints is a challenging and exacting process of humongous complexity. IITK is proud that our Alumnus Dr. Ram Sewak Sharma (M.Sc. in Mathematics, 1978) is to be credited for this singular achievement of what-is-today, the world’s largest biometric system, and without doubt, one of the robust architectural implementations of digital technology

IIT Kanpur proudly celebrates this singular achievement by hosting Dr. Sharma, as the keynote speaker in the prestigious P D Murti Memorial Lecture Series.

Dr. Ram Sewak Sharma is an IAS officer of the 1978 batch and has contributed in various social reforms and policymaking. He headed the TRAI for five years, from August 2015 to September 2020 and played a major role in making India digitally advanced while working as Secretary, Department of Electronics and Information Technology. He crafted various policies for digital payments, which led to the rise of the UPI payment system in India. Before 2013, Dr. Ram Sewak Sharma worked in one of India's leading projects, Aadhaar. He worked as Director General & Mission, Director of the Unique Identification Authority of India from 2009 – 2013, and played a major role in the design and implementation of Aadhaar. In September 2020, he published a book in collaboration with Rupa Publications, " The Making of Aadhaar: World's Largest Identity Platform".

Abstract

Abstract

An oft-repeated dictum every time a company fails to replicate its past successes when introducing a new product or entering a new market is that one size does not fit all. Business gurus advise that every unique situation, market, and environment calls for a fresh approach and requires 'unlearning' what one might have learned elsewhere, even if that had met with great success. While this statement may appear to be obvious, it is often quoted out of context. The fact is that certain fundamentals of business-irrespective of the line of business, geography, or scale-are universally applicable. With this context at hand, MBA, IIT Kanpur proudly welcomes Mr. Akhil Gupta, Vice Chairman, Bharti Group & Executive Chairman, Bharti Infratel Limited for the 36th Episode of the Webisodes on the topic "Some Sizes Fit all."

Mr. Akhil Gupta, a chartered accountant by qualification with over thirty years of professional experience, is the vice chairman of Bharti Group and executive chairman of Bharti Infratel Limited. He has played a pivotal role in Bharti's phenomenal growth right since inception and has been closely involved from the very beginning in its growth in the telecommunication services sector-both organically and by way of various acquisitions. He has led the formation of various partnerships with leading international operators like British Telecom, Telecom Italia, Singapore Telecom and Vodafone, in addition to the induction of leading financial investors like Warburg Pincus, Temasek, KKR, Qatar Foundation Endowment, AIF and Sequoia, among many other private equity funds.

Abstract

The increasingly competitive business landscape sets the bar high for future leaders. Conscious efforts and cross-functional skillsets are a few requisites to prepare future leaders, making them ready to tackle the unforeseen challenges of the times ahead. Mr. Abhishek Bansal will guide the students to emerge as leaders in the course of action during the 35th chapter of webisodes.

Mr. Abhishek Bansal is a new-age, first-generation entrepreneur who has incorporated his first company, Abans Commodities, at the very young age of 18 years. His belief that human beings are invaluable, technology is inevitable, and finance is the future has paved the path for Abans to develop new and innovative Fintech products. During his extraordinary entrepreneurial career, Mr. Bansal has been the recipient of numerous awards, accolades, and recognitions.

Abstract

Business models and industries are rapidly disrupting beyond comprehension, and there are deep learnings from the new economy and its global trends. There is a need to incorporate five new orders into our personal and professional thoughts to ensure value creation, namely world, business, information, human, and spirit. Mr. Choudhury will share his experience and guide the students on the road ahead to become successful managers in the 34th webisode.

Mr. Vikas Choudhury is a strategic leader in multinational public companies with expertise across operating, investing, and M&A, especially creating value in the digital economy. He was formerly the MD & CEO India, at Aimia Inc. Mr. Vikas, one of India's earliest venture capitalists, is a partner in the private equity family office, Pivot Ventures, and the Co-President, Harvard Alumni Club of Mumbai.

Abstract

Analytics is a highly useful tool to solve pressing problems like diminishing quality standards of food, predicting and mitigating disasters, and helping in medical aid. In organizations, analytics enables the workforce and the leadership to convert extensive data into powerful insights, ultimately making efficient decisions. Ms. Philip will take us through her experience and will guide the students on the road ahead to become an analytics consultant.

Ms. Minu Philip is the Associate VP, Analytics Consulting, at Tiger Analytics. An outstanding professional with a work experience of more than 11years across domains like marketing optimization, credit risk analysis, and web analytics with specializations in predictive modeling and complex data analytics. Throughout these years, Ms. Philip has worked in multiple industries, ranging from banking, hospitality, healthcare, and technology. Ms. Philip will share her insights on the topic, 'Analytics Consultant- The Artist, The Translator & The Champion' on the 34th episode of Webisodes.

Abstract

The recent pandemic's economic shock has caused unprecedented strife and has disarrayed everyone's finances, be it Multi-National Corporates or the common man. In this state of turmoil, everyone is looking for guidance to secure their financial future and gain stability. With this prevailing scenario in the background, Mr. Pravin Kumar Dwivedi, President - AWOKE India Group, will impart his wisdom on the topic: "Pandemic & Risk to Financial Freedom" in the 32nd episode of Webisodes.

Mr. Pravin Kumar Dwivedi, President - AWOKE India Group, is a veteran banker with experience of over 30 years in the financial services industry across Mumbai, Delhi, Kolkata, Lucknow, and Kanpur. He worked in MNC & Private Banks at senior levels with the last role as Senior Vice President with HSBC Bank based out of Kolkata.
Mr. Pravin is PGDBM – NMIMS, Mumbai, Law Graduate and Post Graduate in Economics. He holds a Diploma in Financial Services (DFS) & CAIIB from the Indian Institute of Bankers, CFP from Securities Institute, Sydney besides other financial industry certifications. He is a CIEL Certified Retirement readiness expert & AIMA Life member since 1997 and currently Senior Vice President – Lucknow Management Association (LMA). He is Chairman – Banking & Finance Committee, Indian Industries Association (IIA), Lucknow.
Mr. Dwivedi's views on financial matters are regularly aired on All India Radio and Doordarshan. His venture AWOKE India Group, a financial literacy, training, education & consulting outfit, was set up in 2012.

Abstract

In this keynote session, the speaker will talk about the initiatives that Google India takes to make customer experiences better. She will guide students on how we can align ourselves with technology and devise business strategies that will impact millions of customers. She is also a great leader and values authentic leadership, which again is a crucial trait for students to understand and practice to make them a better leader in the future.

"Ms. Kamolika Peres is the Director at Google Cloud India, Google. An Indian Institute of Management, Calcutta, and Massachusetts Institute of Technology alumni, Ms. Kamolika Peres is a business leader and technologist with strong beliefs in authentic leadership and diversity of thoughts. A true interlocutor, emphatically believing in having an eclectic team to approach any business problem, stands the veracity of one of the great business leaders Ms. Peres epitomizes."

Abstract

"Simply put, design thinking is a methodology of problem-solving that relies heavily on human empathy and is a creative mindset. It combines divergent and convergent thinking to enable innovative solutions. As a core strategy for changes, design thinking is an innovation method that can be applied to design and re-model products, services, processes and systems. Companies use design thinking to achieve human-centered solutions to generate value for customers, employees, stakeholders, and users. The speaker will explain to students the art of adding innovation to your thinking process to achieve the best outcomes."

"Ms. Seema Singh is the Senior Director at Oracle. Ms. Singh is an Outstanding Leader with 20+ years of experience in building enterprise applications and with a strong focus on reliable, scalable, and extendable enterprise-level applications. Her out of the box thinking and innovative approaches towards a problem truly are the assets embellishing her as a great industry leader."

Abstract

"On May 12, 2020, in his address to the nation, Indian prime minister, Mr. Narendra Modi, coined the term ""Atmanirbhar Bharat"" or ""Self-Reliant India"" and emphasized that it was time for India to commit to our local products and make them global. As the world struggles with the pandemic, India is attempting to salvage this crisis and turn it into an opportunity. This has led to a strong pull for Indian innovators to meet nationwide demand for high quality and affordable solutions, whether in healthcare, agriculture, education, or infrastructure. It is no secret that India as a country is technologically behind nations such as the US, China, and European Nations who have a massive head start and insurmountable domain leadership. The independent capabilities in electric and fuel cell vehicles, power storage systems, solar cells and modules, aircraft including UAVs, AI, robotics and automation, biotechnology/pharmaceuticals, and others, however, are well within India’s grasp. The importance of this movement cannot be denied, but there are some worrying questions. Is this movement dynamic in encapsulating all the variables in the picture? Will it remain static for years post this current predicament? The success of this movement depends on how we handle these questions, and it will be important to see how businesses and industries plan to contribute to this movement."

"Dr. Arul Shanmugasundram, chief of innovation and business collaboration at Tata Power. Dr. Shanmugasundaram, a mechanical engineer from IIT Madras, completed his master's and Ph.D in System Design and Controls from Cornell University, New York.
Dr. Arul Shanmugasundram has more than a decade of rich experience in the power sector. In tata power, he was a part of a team that had increased the company’s profitable growth by 3 times in revenues. He has led the entire EPC activity and has several award-winning projects under his belt.
Mr. Arul also has 15+ years of experience in system design and process control at Applied materials. He secured the first customer for thin-film manufacturing globally in India, and secured contracts worth 500M USD in three years as senior director/general manager. He had presented in various forums organised by Asian band development, powerlines, renewable congress, etc."

"Ms. Suparna Mitra - Chief Executive Officer, Watches, and Wearables Division, at Titan Company Limited.
Having graduated as an electrical engineer from Jadavpur University, she did her masters from IIM Calcutta. Ms. Mitra started her career as a management trainee in Hindustan Lever Limited and has worked in several organizations like Arvind Brands, Talisma Corp, Titan Company Limited, to name a few. At Titan, she handled important portfolios, including Regional Business head -South and Global Marketing Head, before escalating to the rank of CEO for Watches and Wearables.
Recently, she has been promoting digital payments using Titan Pay powered by YONO SBI. Apart from her work, she is also an avid reader and takes great interest in traveling."

"Mr. Jayant Menghani, Chief Finance Officer, DHL Supply chain India Pvt Ltd.
Mr. Menghani has more than 26 years of national and international experience in the finance & accounting domain across diverse sectors ranging from Pharmaceutical, FMCG, Advertising & Media.
Mr. Menghani has previously held affiliations with Johnson & Johnson, AstraZeneca, Publicis Groupe, Aspen, and Lonza before his current DHL role. At DHL, he leads the finance functions and drives the organizational strategy as the Chief Finance Officer along with the responsibility of Whole Time Director, Country Compliance Officer, and Company Secretary.
Mr. Menghani's path breaking initiatives and performance earned him a place in the Top 20 CFOs in India at CFO Leadership Summit 2018, Mumbai."

"Mr. Rudra Roy- General Manager, Thought Leader Industrial Products and Supply Chain SME from IBM GBS – CIC. Mr. Rudra Roy is an alumnus of St. Xavier’s College in Kolkata and the prestigious IIEST, formerly known as BENGAL ENGINEERING and SCIENCE University, SHIBPUR Mr. Roy has more than 22 years of extensive experience working with global clients across Banking, Industrial Products, CPG, Financial Services, Airlines. He has led 300+ high profile consulting & transformation engagement globally and applied Supply Chain Management, Operations Strategy, Lean Six Sigma, TOM & Process Automation across the industries, and geographies. Mr.Roy also has experience setting up a start-up, from laying the internal processes and systems to getting the organization certified in the industry standards like ISO 9001:2008, QS 9000, Quality Management System, and eSCM."

Mr Jain is an IIT Madras, University of Notre Dame and ISB graduate with global work experience across different industries.
While working at IHS Markit, Mr. Jain took charge of large transformation projects and led high performing teams across multiple disciplines, including IT, Big Data, RPA, Consulting, Corporate Strategy, Operations, Marketing, Finance and HR.. Mr. Jain has an overall experience of over two decades in setting up and scaling large Global Capability Centers (GCC) for several Fortune 500 companies.
As the Chairman of Indo-American Chamber of Commerce, Mr. Jain promoted a number of US-India bilateral trade initiatives while working closely with the US Consulate and Department of Commerce.
Mr. Jain is one of the members of the IT Panel of Confederation of Indian Industry (CII). He has been actively promoting partnership between the industry and government while driving the IT adoption among MSME’s in India.

Abstract

It is important to understand your values and to reconcile them with your career. Your values give you a sense of purpose and guide you to what suits you best. If you work in a role or organization that does not fit well with your values, your "symptoms" can vary from mild to severe. On the mild side, you may experience a general feeling of discomfort or a lack of connection to your situation. A feeling of lack of motivation and a constant desire to take a day off are further indications that there might be a mismatch. In extreme cases, a discrepancy between your career and your values could make you completely unhappy, cause depression, or even make you physically ill. The speaker for this session dives deep into these intricacies to make students aware of this imperative concept.

"Mr. Nishant Saxena, is the CEO-International at Cipla. Mr. Saxena has proved himself an Outstanding Leader in a short duration of time, achieving numerous accolades like Young CFO Of the Year and Best-in-class High-Performance Team. He is Leading International Business at Cipla, one of the top 15 Generic Medicine companies globally, and is responsible for Important Geographies like Latin America, Europe, North Africa, Asia, and Australia."

Abstract

Dr. Avnish showed us some key and valuable measures and initiatives that Wipro took to circumnavigate the current pandemic, such as setting up a ‘Work from anywhere’ model to benefit their employees. Leveraging data to tap revenue streams that were in a sorry state for the entire ecosystem was one of the key measures taken to keep the vigour of the business from running out. Improved Scalability, ‘Intrapreneurship’, and Expenditures were some of the points Dr. Avnish delineated, from which we gained an insight into how the CIO wing of a giant IT company functions. According to Dr. Avnish, factors like ‘People, Process, and Technology’ are of paramount importance.

Dr. Avnish Kshatriya has 20+ years of industry experience predominantly in the domain of Strategy & Transformation. He is currently the Global Head & Principal Consultant of Transformation & Advisory function within the CIO Organization of Wipro Limited. His charter is focused on designing & operationalizing strategic initiatives aimed at the digital transformation of CIO function.
Dr. Avnish has played a wide variety of specialist & leadership roles in a spectrum of technologies, domains & geographies. He has driven initiatives for most functions of an enterprise and has a track record of instituting practices to incubate new-age technologies, and helping customers actualize potential in their Digital & Analytics journey.
Beyond his profession, Dr. Avnish has keen interest in intrapreneurship, philosophy, academics & mentoring. He has a bachelor’s degree from the prestigious Delhi College of Engineering, an executive MBA from IIM-Bangalore, and a Ph.D. from Indian Institute of Science (IISC). Dr. Avnish is a volunteer counselor with the Mitr Foundation at Wipro, and was conferred the Best People Manager Award by Mr. Azim Premji in 2014.

Abstract

Mr. Vikas began the session by talking about the right ‘ingredients’ needed to solve a corporate case. Mr. Vikas mentioned how important it is to ask the right questions in the right context. Delving into the dynamics of a case study, Mr. Vikas then talked about different frameworks, that he developed as an MBA student to understand and solve a case better and also used to build and develop the story of data.

Mr. Vikas then encouraged participants to solve a case along with him in real-time and to discuss the trending applications of analytics in various domains. Mr. Vikas kept the audience engaged throughout the session by encouraging questions and giving fulfilling answers. Mr. Vikas ended the webinar by reminding us to be proactive, to acquire a holistic mix of skills, and to keep a perspective despite these uncertain and trying times.

Mr. Vikas is the youngest manager with the Strategy and Design wing of a leading management consulting firm.
He has successfully cracked 14 Corporate Case Study competitions during his two years MBA. His consulting experience spread across 15+ clients, 8+ industries, and 9+ core and enabling functions in 3 different continents.

Abstract

In this data-driven world where turnaround times are getting lesser than usual, agility and quick decision making is turning out to be game-changers especially in performance management and related areas. Much like Lean, the Agile methodology is being adapted worldwide to solve problems in workforce management, employee engagements, performance management, and so on.

MBA, IIT Kanpur proudly welcomes Mr. Amit Jain, Associate Vice President, HR and Training, PeopleStrong, to shed some light on the topic “Agile and Continuous Performance Management”

Mr. Amit Jain, Associate Vice President – Human Resources and Training, PeopleStrong, is a vibrant HR Professional with over 14 years of experience in IT, Telecom, and the HR industry with expertise in effective formulation and deployment of Global HR Systems.
Post his MBA; he has worked with Artech Information Systems, Aricent, and Tata Communications Ltd before joining PeopleStrong in the year 2013.
He has an impeccable track record of building HR from scratch and scaling them up, specializing in areas like Performance Management, Design & Delivery for HR Processes and Policies, Compensation & Benefits, and Workforce Management. Over time Mr. Jain has also developed a propensity towards HR Analytics and Blockchain.

Abstract

In today's competitive and fast-paced business world, organizations must innovate to keep pace. Continuously improving business efficiency is the key to realizing a competitive advantage. One such vital way to achieve a competitive advantage is to harness the value of all that data and automation that improve efficiency to reduce cost and increase revenue.

Mr. Manish Shetty, Chief Information Officer at Diageo India, has over 24 years of international experience in driving digital transformation and architecting future-ready technology solutions to advance the company. He was formerly CIO, India, and South Asia, at Sanofi and Global Director - IT of Tata Consumer Products Ltd (formerly called Tata Global Beverages Ltd).

Abstract

Credit Risk is perhaps the most fundamental risk that financial service organizations face. Although this risk has existed for hundreds of years, the current environment has led to ever-increasing pressure to ensure that credit risk management practices provide frictionless customer experience, maximum efficiency, and clear evidence of compliance with institutional credit standards and regulatory expectations. Vigilance is expected while extrapolating the risk management practices to avoid steering off the precipice towards any unwanted denouement. There is more to it than meets the eye when one decides to have a vocation to be in the Credit Risk domain.

Ms. Swetha Kasthurirangan, Vice President - Consumer Credit Risk, Wells Fargo

Abstract

Mr. Ashutosh delineated the challenges and hiccups that the auto industry is facing right now and also how the COVID-19 pandemic has worsened things even further.

He talked about how the auto sector, especially the two-wheeler arena has been able to keep its head above the water with newer sales regime and unique customer engagement programs and how it has already started to surf the tide.

Mr. Ashutosh Varma, National Sales Head, Adobe

Abstract

Mr. Sunder delivered a session on the topic “The three shifts that marketing could make”. He rightly pointed out - “Marketers tell stories” and he himself started the webinar with some interesting anecdotes of his life as a marketer.

He talked about the pandemic and what exactly has changed in the world of marketing.

Mr. Sunder Madakshira, Head of Marketing, Adobe India

Abstract

Mr. Jacob addressed the students on the topic of "Mortgage Lending - Risk Management Strategies & the COVID Impact". Mr. Jacob introduced the batch to the various instruments in financial lending, wherein he explained the secured, unsecured, and revolving credit instruments. He dived into the economic, social, geopolitical, and technological impacts brought about by the pandemic and the way the banks are approaching them.

Mr. Vishal Vivek Jacob, AVP, Credit Risk at Barclays

Abstract

Mr. Makhija addressed the students on the topic, 'Diversity and Inclusion.' He shared his vast experience working with different organizations in varied roles over the years all the while encouraging students to ask questions about his role, transitions, and journey. Mr. Makhija enquired students to identify the key responsibilities, challenges, and opportunities that come with a leadership position. The session highlighted key aspects of diversity and made us self-reflect about our inherent biases when it comes to making a more inclusive choice. With this highly interactive session, the students have gained many profound thoughts for brainstorming.

Mr Makhija is the Director - Aftermarket Sales, Service & Tech Support at Videojet Technologies, part of the Danaher Corp, a Fortune 500 Company

Abstract

Mr Dhiraj Tripathi shared his profound experience working with Hero MotoCorp and detailed on the business framework, including dealer network, sales network, & marketing initiatives. Mr. Tripathi delved into businesses in an international scenario and how they are addressing the operations.

Mr Dhiraj Tripathi is the Regional Head - Africa & Middle East at Hero MotoCorp Ltd. Mr Tripathi has a robust leadership experience of 20+ years in diverse automotive consumer segments with expertise in spearheading B2B and B2C sales operations, global business development, P&L management, revenue enhancement and strategic alliances. Lead profit centres, startup enterprises, double digit market growth, account management and large cross functional teams for recording ROI intensification. Drive divergent roles in emerging markets of India, Africa and Middle-East whilst establishing sturdy liaison with global, strategic and regional partners.

Abstract

Ms. Tushir addressed the students on the topic, 'Business Impact, Transformations, and Mitigation Strategy Post COVID.' She talked about the influx of technology and its increased presence in our day to day lives. The new normal has brought about a tectonic shift in consumer behavior, purchase pathways, and business models. Ms. Tushir also stressed on the AI and IoT driven device-specific analytics increasingly being used to transform the healthcare infrastructure. She detailed the pathways to transformation through specific business scenarios and creating a vision to build upon digital capabilities. The webinar concluded with an insightful Q&A session.

Ms Ruchi Tushir is the Director - Data, Artificial Intelligence (AI) & IoT Business Group, Microsoft. She has expertise in building business cases to justify benefits of process improvements in corporate function by developing exhaustive financial models, cost-benefit analysis leveraging industry benchmarks and best practices. She has provided consulting services to clients in India and US in the areas of business process re engineering and led independent functional stream in end to end transformational projects.

Abstract

Mr Umar elaborated on the topic “Paradigm shift of leadership in this knowledge and information age”. Mr Umar also offered insights on the qualities desired in a new-age leader and the need to never stop the journey of learning at any point in life.

Mr Farhat Umar is Sr VIce President-Group HR Head at MANKIND PHARMA LTD. Mr Umar has exposure in Corporate Training for Talent management including 360 degree feedback Process, Induction, Recruitment,Training & Development, Behavioral interventions (OD), Content Development, Change management, Coaching & Mentoring, Learner Centric Facilitation Skills, Reward Management and Succession planning. Along with exposure in GMP, Safety Training and good documentation practices for the success of regulatory audits. Successful exposure in TEVA, WHO, MHRA,TGA,USFDA and many more.

Abstract

Mr. Jain addressed the students on the topic, 'High Growth Strategies of Global Companies.' He initiated the conversation by introducing us to the concept of Business growth and its two types, i.e., organic and inorganic growth. He delved into the popularity of merger & acquisition strategies and how firms use M&A strategies to create value for all stakeholders.
Mr. Jain detailed the types of acquisitions, such as horizontal, vertical, and related acquisitions. He highlighted the role of acquisitions in increasing market power and the challenges associated with acquisition success. The webinar concluded with an interactive Q&A session.

Mr Jain is an IIT, University of Notre Dame and ISB graduate with global work experience across different industries. Puneet has over two decades of experience in setting up and scaling large Global Capability Centers (GCC) for several Fortune 500 companies. As Chairman of Indo - American Chamber of Commerce, he undertook several initiatives to promote trade between India and US. He is also on the IT Panel of Confederation of Indian Industry (CII).

Abstract

Mr. Trigunait addressed the students on the topic, 'Building Software Products for Business Problems and Keys to Success of New Products.' He delved into the capabilities and expertise of ZS in bringing together consulting and product software. He detailed the productization of services by automation and standardization and shared its benefits, including scalability, value creation, and non-linear revenue.
Mr. Trigunait highlighted the instances where the combination of product software and technology has created a huge multiplier effect. He then shared the best practices and considerations from the product ideation until the launch phase. The webinar concluded with an insightful Q&A session.

Mr. Abhishek Trigunait is the Chief Technology Officer and principal at ZS. He leads the Product & Technology group at ZS. Creating market differentiation by spearheading technology innovations and leading product strategy, he manages global product and services teams, including group P&L and team engagement, to deliver multiple product lines from prototype to production. Mr. Trigunait also leads global Innovation programs like Quest, strategic vendor relationships and major technology initiatives helping shape the future of the firm.

Abstract

Mr. Ray addressed the students on the topic, 'The Art of Staying Relevant.' He talked about the exponential nature of technology, yet change will never be as slow as today. He also highlighted the aspects of job scenarios that will become obsolete or are changing so rapidly, that it is challenging to keep pace.
Mr. Ray shared the evolution of #Industry40 in the face of #COVID19 and that disruptions have always been there. Therefore, we must escape old ideas and look forward to new opportunities.

Mr. Amitabh Ray is the managing director of Ericsson Global Services India and head of Global service centre India. He currently manages operations in R & D, product development, pre-sales & sales support, services delivery, and a number of global shared support functions. Global Services India operation represents an ICT operation working towards more than 130 countries. Before this Mr. Ray worked as the head of the Strategy & Portfolio function of Ericsson’s Global Services Business unit. Before joining Ericsson, Mr. Ray worked as Vice President in IBM where his key responsibilities were managing the growth of the delivery centers across the world.

Abstract

Mr. Ghosh addressed the students on the topic 'Data Analytics for Successful Marketing Strategy'. He initiated the discussion by highlighting the role of data analytics in Marketing & Sales function and how a customer-centric approach is being driven through data. He also stressed the crucial role of identifying markets, pricing strategies, and overall customer experience for building a successful market strategy.
Mr. Ghosh also detailed the areas critical to leveraging analytics such as channel selection, sales force, and customer segmentation & targeting. The webinar concluded with an interactive Q&A session.

Mr. Sudipta Ghodh is a partner at PWC. He has completed his B.Tech in electrical from IIT Kharagpur and then pursued MBA in finance from IIM Calcutta.

Abstract

Mr. Narayan addressed the students on the topic ‘Supply chain warehouse and logistics strategy.’ He started the discussion by explaining the problems in supply chain and logistics because of the COVID-19. Then he explained the importance of facts and real-time data. He also explained how we could use this data and facts to strategize inventory management. Mr. Narayan interacted with us on Go-To-Market, RTM, its scope, and RTM deliverables. Then he moved on the discussion to Distribution Models and RTM Roadmap. The webinar concluded with Q & A session from a live audience.

Mr. Sathish Narayan is the head of supply chain/operations at Coca-cola. He has over 21+ years of experience from Supply chain & Outsourcing/Shared Services. His leadership efforts have led to measurable Lean Six Sigma business results through process effectiveness and efficiency, unparalleled customer satisfaction and superior market performance. His ability to leverage his deep expertise in project management, outstanding collaboration skills, and a bias for results have yielded millions of dollars of benefits to his clients' bottom line. Mr. Sathish made his footprints across 6 continents, 30 Cities & 17 Countries.

Abstract

From making headlines to causing panic, researchers and personalities in the industry have gotten into an endless discourse of the benefits and possible perils of #ArtificialIntelligence (AI). Although one cannot deny the influence AI has had on people's lives, it will be interesting to see how this technology transforms the future of billions of people.
In the current situation, we already see businesses making the best use of this technology in supporting there needs. But such powerful technologies demand great responsibility as well. Will companies make sure that there is still emotional intelligence around to offset the perils that might arise due to artificial intelligence? If yes, how can businesses ensure this?

Mr. Sandeep Dutta, Chief Practice Officer - ASIA PAC, at Fractal Analytics

Abstract

Mr. Abhishek Shekhar’s session focused on what are the significant restructuring and change in approach required in sectors like Consulting, with uncertainty looming in the economy owing to the pandemic.

Abhishek Shekhar - Associate Director at Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu India LLP

Abstract

Ms. Asha Subramanian, Senior Director- HR, ibibo Group threw light on the issue of the practical constraints faced by the Work From Home culture and discussed about how to align the talent with Business in this new work culture.

Ms. Asha Subramanian, Senior Director- HR, ibibo Group

Abstract

Mr. Prabhakar Tiwari’s session started by highlighting the disruptions in the economy we face today. Then he shed some light upon how the continuous evolving taste of customers push the Marketers to adapt through this Metamorphosis.

Mr. Prabhakar Tiwari, Chief Marketing Officer, Angel Broking. An award-winning Marketer and IIM Bangalore Gold Medalist

Abstract

Mr. Goswami addressed the students on the topic, 'Ideal Market Strategies for Business in India- Post Covid Perspective.' He stressed the magnitude with which economies and businesses are hit because of #Covid19. He also delved into specific sectors that have benefited and the value proposition they came up with to gain this success.

Sudiip K Goswami - Director & GM - South India at Dell

Abstract

Mr. Krishnan briefed the batch about the latest developments in SAP in terms of the ambitious Global Bharat program which aims to tap the MSME sector of India.

Krishnan Chatterjee - Chief Customer Officer and Head of Marketing , Indian Subcontinent at SAP. He is a multi-disciplinary strategic marketer with experience straddling consumer goods (B2C) and technology(B2B) industries in domestic (India) and global markets.

Abstract

"Mr. Tijoriwala addressed the students on the topic 'Banking and its various Functions and Verticals'. He delved into the different career aspects in banking and highlighted the significant interest areas that one can look forward to while aspiring for a career in banking.
The session saw discussions around banking functions such as Operations & Technology, Sales, Treasury & Markets, Custody Services, and Investment banking. He stressed on the relevant skills and divulged into the changing landscape of the banking sector."

Mr. Kunal Tijoriwala is VP Regional Head West - Institutional Liabilities, DBS Bank India Ltd. Mr. Kunal has done MBA in Marketing and Finance from IIT Kanpur

Abstract

"Mr. Khanduja addressed the topic 'How #COVID19 has impacted the talent pool and industry's perspective towards the talent' in his unique storytelling style. He broke down the complex subject and made it his own in a compelling, relatable, and entertaining way.
Mr. Khanduja also delved into the changes with perspective to COVID in the current talent dictionary and stressed the shift in talent and owners' dynamics. He profoundly explained about getting into the right talent pools, honing skills, and building on different opportunities.
The session ended with an interactive and insightful Q&A session."

Mr. Harjeet Khanduja is currently V.P. HR at Reliance Jio. Mr. Harjeet is a TEDx speaker and speaks on variety of topics including HR, Leadership, Technology, Economics and Entrepreneurship.

Abstract

"Mr. Sharma addressed the students on the topic 'Career in Product Management.' He initiated the subject by taking us through his journey and how hatting multiple roles has benefitted him to take on his current position.
The session also highlighted conversations around the critical skills that are crucial for the role of product manager. Mr. Sharma shared that a product manager should strive for empathy, organizational skills, and at the same time, they must be good storytellers. He also picked instances from his own experiences to stress on the relevancy on these skills and addressed the changing expectations of companies from product managers. The session concluded with an insightful and rigorous Q&A session."

Mr. Sourabh Sharma is currently Product Director - Media Products at dunnhumby. Mr. Sourabh has done his MBA from IIM Lucknow. His areas of expertise include Product management and business analytics

Abstract

Mr. Rahul addressed the topic "India boasted of Highest Fintech Adoption Rate Globally during Pre-COVID Times, a change of mechanics in this equation may be on the cards.Will the Fintech Industry still be the game-changer for recovering Economies?" The session had been very informative and interactive with a fruitful Q&A session at the end.

Mr. Rahul Nijhawan is currently V.P. at Goldman Sachs. Mr. Rahul did his PGP from Indian School of Business Finance, Strategy and Leadership. Risk and Portfolia management are one of his top skills

Abstract

Mr. Jain addressed the students on the topic 'How Startups will Change After Covid19'. He spoke about the sectors in which startups have taken great strides despite the current upheaval. The session also saw at length discussions and some general and specific queries raised by the students on the current disposition of the startup ecosystem.

Mr. Nitin Jain is IIT Delhi graduate and a Co-Founder, OfBusiness

Abstract

Mr. Kumar addressed the students on the topic 'Consumer Internet Business'. He spoke on length about the recent disruptions and initiatives in the consumer internet space. In this highly interactive session, students clarified their doubts which Mr. Kumar answered by providing his perceptive take on the subject matter.

Mr. Amit is an IIT and IIM alumnus, bestowed with Distinguished Alumni Award from IIT – Kanpur NCR Charter, Amit has more than 19 years of experience in the Product Management domain.

Abstract

Mr. Mathur addressed the students at MBA, IIT Kanpur on the topic "Design Thinking" wherein he covered the nuances and assessment of ambiguous or peripheral factors related to Design Thinking.

"Mr. Sameer Mathur is a Senior Principal at Accenture Strategy & Consulting with diverse experience across management consulting, transformational change management, customer and employee experience management, business performance management, talent & organization functional roles. Mr. Mathur has operational leadership experience across large transformation assignments driven by technology and external events. He is also a data and analytics expert, integrating data analytics with organization effectiveness/resilience/design initiatives.
Mr. Mathur is a Design Thinking trainer and Public Speaker at industry and academic panels on Business Strategy, Analytics, Digital Transformation, Innovation and HR related topics. He has also coached business leaders/ consulting professionals in Design Thinking methodology,
Mr. Mathur is a C-level, global engagement exposure , well versed with global delivery models and team management while being culturally adept and adaptable."

Abstract

"Mr. Vij addressed the students on the topic 'ECOM Grocery: The Present and The Way Forward.' He initiated the subject by introducing the major players in the e-com grocery market, such as Bigbasket, Amazon, Flipkart, and Jiomart, with regards to their current positioning in the market.
The session also highlighted conversations around the inventory led model where major e-com grocery companies now operate with their warehouses, and sales are driven via marketing. He shared the journey of Grofers moving forward through three essential phases of marketplace business model expansion, supply-chain build-up, and scaling-up of user experience.
Mr. Vij also addressed the current trends in e-com grocery, wherein they witnessed panic buying, followed by the gradual increase in consumer spending. He walked us through the challenges of last-mile delivery and brand availability during the lockdown period. The session concluded with a rigorous Q&A session. "

Mr. Vij is an Associate Director in packaged foods category at Grofers Ltd. Mr. Vij is an IIFT alumni with an industry experience of more than 7years in sales and marketing across Telecom, FMCG, Ecom industries. Recently, Mr. Vij has been recognized as the Economic Times Young Leader for year 2019.

Abstract

This was the very first episode of the webisodes series at MBA, IIT Kanpur. Mr. Kumar addressed the students on topic "Resilience in the face of global crisis". Then he shed some light on what is the future going to be and what changes are here to stay is a moot point well to mull over. He also covered the impacts of the global pandemic on the real-estate industry and how the business strategies change with evolving times.

Mr. Kumar is the co-founder of Ziffy Homes and our very alumni of MBA, IIT Kanpur. Mr. Kumar has a reach experience of 15years in Real-estate, Investment Banking sectors. He aslo provides with various consultation and coaching services in career development, leadership development, public speaking, and team building to name a few.