INNOVATION AND DIGITAL SAVVY DRIVING BUSINESS TRANSFORMATION

Speaking to Fortune India Exchange, prestigious award-winner, Switzerland-based Rakesh Rathi, IT and Business Transformation Executive, elaborates on the impact of the paradigm shift of “C-suite” leaders & Industry 4.0.

- Ranee Sahaney

Globally recognized for his inspirational practices in the business and digital field in the corporate world, Rakesh Rathi has been the recipient of a prestigious award for ‘driving customer-centric innovative business & digital transformation with leading global “C-suite” executives’, from none other than the 13th President of India Shri Pranab Mukherjee.

Having done MBA (IMD, Switzerland) and Engineering (India) from a #1 top ranked business school, does academics play an important role in interacting (content) with high-profile companies and their C-suite leadership?

I believe both academics and work experience are pivotal in such business engagements. International diversity at IMD gave me a broader perspective on engaging across verticals in addition to sharpening my skills in key business drivers. Similarly, when you study for Engineering, you acquire logical thinking and critical analysis exposure to solve problems, you imbibe the effectiveness of working in a team, communicating with others and meeting deadlines. One can then align business KPIs with corporate strategy and this results in productive discussions with customers and leaders (look, listen, learn, lead).

Is IT mandatory for any transformation?