Bharath Kumar Balasubramanian
Director - Data Strategy & Product Development at VitalChain Technologies Pvt. Ltd.- Claim this Profile
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English Full professional proficiency
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Hindi Native or bilingual proficiency
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Tamil Native or bilingual proficiency
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French Limited working proficiency
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Chinese Elementary proficiency
Topline Score
Bio
Amitabh Shukla - Digital Transformation Leader, Award Winner and Upcoming Author
Bharath and I worked together in one of the large & complex Digital Transformation Programs in Retail World! We formed the core of Digital PMO, while managing 14 different horizontals within Cognizant, and working very closely with Client's CDO, CIO, PMO Head, Commerce and Analytics Head. Bharath brings with him a very positive energy and a great 'can do' attitude, combined with Consulting skills which is a rare combination. He has amazing ability to manage CXO level stakeholders which sets him apart from the rest. Bharath was instrumental in one of the longest program planning sessions, while bridging the gaps between 13+ technological tracks and bringing out the dependencies between each other. Bharath was the key to define all new processes and implemented it across the board. Bharath showed tremendous resolve in solving deepest of the Delivery problems, while keeping in mind the client outcome. Bharath is a pro customer, who understands client's business and drove his teams towards achieving outcome based delivery. Bharath takes up any challenges threw at him, by storm. Bharath was instrumental in his key presentations, specially designing milestone based status reporting, and contributing towards preparing for successful steering committee meetings. He dealt with third-party very professionally and has been liked by all. I am proud to be working with Bharath and forming a formidable Digital PMO, and will be missing his fun-filled company. Any organization will be proud to have Bharath as part of their core, I was privileged to have him working along side me for the last 1.5 yrs. I will be more than happy to work with him again, wishing him very best for all his future endeavors. May success be his, what he deserves!
Keith Bezant-Niblett
I'm writing this to commend Bharath Kumar to you. Bharath is an Alum of MSU's Broad College of Business Executive Development program. Working under my mentorship in this program, Bharath undertook a very successful consulting engagement with the Logistics arm of the International organization Owens Corning. His main solutions proposed have been adopted. This was a Business and Technology consulting engagement focused on Logistics cost reduction and supplier ranking. The solution was arrived at by using business and location analytics, industry costs comparison and supplier ranking best practices. Bharath presented the findings and the solution to the senior management at Owens Corning and demonstrated how savings in excess of $12k could be achieved for each truckload shipped/received.
Amitabh Shukla - Digital Transformation Leader, Award Winner and Upcoming Author
Bharath and I worked together in one of the large & complex Digital Transformation Programs in Retail World! We formed the core of Digital PMO, while managing 14 different horizontals within Cognizant, and working very closely with Client's CDO, CIO, PMO Head, Commerce and Analytics Head. Bharath brings with him a very positive energy and a great 'can do' attitude, combined with Consulting skills which is a rare combination. He has amazing ability to manage CXO level stakeholders which sets him apart from the rest. Bharath was instrumental in one of the longest program planning sessions, while bridging the gaps between 13+ technological tracks and bringing out the dependencies between each other. Bharath was the key to define all new processes and implemented it across the board. Bharath showed tremendous resolve in solving deepest of the Delivery problems, while keeping in mind the client outcome. Bharath is a pro customer, who understands client's business and drove his teams towards achieving outcome based delivery. Bharath takes up any challenges threw at him, by storm. Bharath was instrumental in his key presentations, specially designing milestone based status reporting, and contributing towards preparing for successful steering committee meetings. He dealt with third-party very professionally and has been liked by all. I am proud to be working with Bharath and forming a formidable Digital PMO, and will be missing his fun-filled company. Any organization will be proud to have Bharath as part of their core, I was privileged to have him working along side me for the last 1.5 yrs. I will be more than happy to work with him again, wishing him very best for all his future endeavors. May success be his, what he deserves!
Keith Bezant-Niblett
I'm writing this to commend Bharath Kumar to you. Bharath is an Alum of MSU's Broad College of Business Executive Development program. Working under my mentorship in this program, Bharath undertook a very successful consulting engagement with the Logistics arm of the International organization Owens Corning. His main solutions proposed have been adopted. This was a Business and Technology consulting engagement focused on Logistics cost reduction and supplier ranking. The solution was arrived at by using business and location analytics, industry costs comparison and supplier ranking best practices. Bharath presented the findings and the solution to the senior management at Owens Corning and demonstrated how savings in excess of $12k could be achieved for each truckload shipped/received.
Amitabh Shukla - Digital Transformation Leader, Award Winner and Upcoming Author
Bharath and I worked together in one of the large & complex Digital Transformation Programs in Retail World! We formed the core of Digital PMO, while managing 14 different horizontals within Cognizant, and working very closely with Client's CDO, CIO, PMO Head, Commerce and Analytics Head. Bharath brings with him a very positive energy and a great 'can do' attitude, combined with Consulting skills which is a rare combination. He has amazing ability to manage CXO level stakeholders which sets him apart from the rest. Bharath was instrumental in one of the longest program planning sessions, while bridging the gaps between 13+ technological tracks and bringing out the dependencies between each other. Bharath was the key to define all new processes and implemented it across the board. Bharath showed tremendous resolve in solving deepest of the Delivery problems, while keeping in mind the client outcome. Bharath is a pro customer, who understands client's business and drove his teams towards achieving outcome based delivery. Bharath takes up any challenges threw at him, by storm. Bharath was instrumental in his key presentations, specially designing milestone based status reporting, and contributing towards preparing for successful steering committee meetings. He dealt with third-party very professionally and has been liked by all. I am proud to be working with Bharath and forming a formidable Digital PMO, and will be missing his fun-filled company. Any organization will be proud to have Bharath as part of their core, I was privileged to have him working along side me for the last 1.5 yrs. I will be more than happy to work with him again, wishing him very best for all his future endeavors. May success be his, what he deserves!
Keith Bezant-Niblett
I'm writing this to commend Bharath Kumar to you. Bharath is an Alum of MSU's Broad College of Business Executive Development program. Working under my mentorship in this program, Bharath undertook a very successful consulting engagement with the Logistics arm of the International organization Owens Corning. His main solutions proposed have been adopted. This was a Business and Technology consulting engagement focused on Logistics cost reduction and supplier ranking. The solution was arrived at by using business and location analytics, industry costs comparison and supplier ranking best practices. Bharath presented the findings and the solution to the senior management at Owens Corning and demonstrated how savings in excess of $12k could be achieved for each truckload shipped/received.
Amitabh Shukla - Digital Transformation Leader, Award Winner and Upcoming Author
Bharath and I worked together in one of the large & complex Digital Transformation Programs in Retail World! We formed the core of Digital PMO, while managing 14 different horizontals within Cognizant, and working very closely with Client's CDO, CIO, PMO Head, Commerce and Analytics Head. Bharath brings with him a very positive energy and a great 'can do' attitude, combined with Consulting skills which is a rare combination. He has amazing ability to manage CXO level stakeholders which sets him apart from the rest. Bharath was instrumental in one of the longest program planning sessions, while bridging the gaps between 13+ technological tracks and bringing out the dependencies between each other. Bharath was the key to define all new processes and implemented it across the board. Bharath showed tremendous resolve in solving deepest of the Delivery problems, while keeping in mind the client outcome. Bharath is a pro customer, who understands client's business and drove his teams towards achieving outcome based delivery. Bharath takes up any challenges threw at him, by storm. Bharath was instrumental in his key presentations, specially designing milestone based status reporting, and contributing towards preparing for successful steering committee meetings. He dealt with third-party very professionally and has been liked by all. I am proud to be working with Bharath and forming a formidable Digital PMO, and will be missing his fun-filled company. Any organization will be proud to have Bharath as part of their core, I was privileged to have him working along side me for the last 1.5 yrs. I will be more than happy to work with him again, wishing him very best for all his future endeavors. May success be his, what he deserves!
Keith Bezant-Niblett
I'm writing this to commend Bharath Kumar to you. Bharath is an Alum of MSU's Broad College of Business Executive Development program. Working under my mentorship in this program, Bharath undertook a very successful consulting engagement with the Logistics arm of the International organization Owens Corning. His main solutions proposed have been adopted. This was a Business and Technology consulting engagement focused on Logistics cost reduction and supplier ranking. The solution was arrived at by using business and location analytics, industry costs comparison and supplier ranking best practices. Bharath presented the findings and the solution to the senior management at Owens Corning and demonstrated how savings in excess of $12k could be achieved for each truckload shipped/received.
Credentials
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Predictive Analytics Essential Training for Executives
LinkedInMay, 2020- Nov, 2024 -
Introduction to Blockchain Technologies
Coursera (INSEAD)Jan, 2020- Nov, 2024 -
Transacting on the Blockchain
Coursera (INSEAD)Jan, 2020- Nov, 2024 -
Design Thinking for Innovation
University of Virginia Darden School of Business | CourseraAug, 2019- Nov, 2024 -
A Design Thinking Approach to Putting the Customer First
LinkedInJul, 2019- Nov, 2024 -
Executive Leadership
LinkedInJul, 2019- Nov, 2024 -
Learning Design Thinking: Lead Change in Your Organization
LinkedInJul, 2019- Nov, 2024 -
Transitioning to Product Management
LinkedInJul, 2019- Nov, 2024 -
Storytelling with Data
LinkedInJun, 2019- Nov, 2024 -
Strategic Thinking
LinkedInAug, 2018- Nov, 2024 -
Digital Marketing Certified Associate
SimplilearnJan, 2018- Nov, 2024 -
Chinese for Beginners
Coursera Course CertificatesJan, 2016- Nov, 2024 -
Bullet Proof Manager (BPM)
Crestcom InternationalJan, 2011- Nov, 2024 -
French Language Proficiency
Inlingua InternationalJan, 2010- Nov, 2024 -
Cognizant Certified Professional in the domains of Manufacturing, Insurance and Banking & Financial Services
Cognizant Technology SolutionsJun, 2009- Nov, 2024 -
Certificate in General Insurance - INS 21
Insurance Institutes (American Institute for CPCU and Insurance Institute of America)Jan, 2006- Nov, 2024 -
Project Management Professional (PMP)
Project Management InstituteJul, 2010- Nov, 2024 -
Blockchain and Business: Applications and Implications
Coursera -
Oracle Certified Associate (OCA)
Oracle -
Transacting on the BlockChain
Coursera (INSEAD) -
Transacting on the Blockchain
Coursera (INSEAD)
Experience
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VitalChain Technologies Pvt. Ltd.
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India
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IT Services and IT Consulting
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1 - 100 Employee
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Director - Data Strategy & Product Development
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May 2019 - Present
I drive the Data Strategy and Product Development for the firm. I also drive the day-to-day operations for all products & services at the firm.We have released 3 Products so far for our clients and are also busy with making our product vision come true! I drive the Data Strategy and Product Development for the firm. I also drive the day-to-day operations for all products & services at the firm.We have released 3 Products so far for our clients and are also busy with making our product vision come true!
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Strategic Projects & Data Engineering
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Oct 2018 - Apr 2019
I owned and lead Data Engineering for the organization. Improved the very 'backbone' that powered all our products and projects. Improved the processes and fundamentals such that we went from a release every 5-6 weeks to 5+ releases every month!I also ensured delivery of strategic initiatives while enabling new product development and upgrades.At Innoplexus, It is all about Customer Experience and Data. We are changing the way how intelligence is generated and consumed in Pharmaceuticals, Life Sciences, Banking and Financial Services industries. Powered by AI and Blockchain, our products ensure broader, deeper and faster insights ensuring that our customers are always a step ahead.
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Cognizant
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United States
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IT Services and IT Consulting
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700 & Above Employee
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Management Consultant Driving Digital Transformation
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Feb 2017 - Sep 2018
I drive a complex & comprehensive Digital Transformation Program for a retail lifestyle giant. We are redefining how the group does business - the selling process, customer experience, decision making across the organization, data/content management, supply chain practices and marketing.- One of the largest transformation programs in Cognizant in terms of impact and reach- Involvement of 7 Organizations and 300+ Team members- A marquee program for Cognizant that is being tracked and followed at the highest levels- Involvement of atleast 14 Horizontals and Verticals across Cognizant- Employing Commerce (Websites & Marketplaces), Analytics (Associative/Predictive models, Dashboards, Data warehousing), Mobility (Customer and Sales force Apps) and Digital Marketing (Campaigns, Promotions & Transactions) at the same time to provide the quintessential customer experience From vision to reality:A. Business Transformation,Omni-Channel, Optimized Fulfillment, Associative & Predictive selling, Data driven decisions, Complete customer profilingB. IT Transformation,Multi-device architecture, Commerce-on-Cloud, Data enrichment, Central Data Warehouse, IBM full stackC. Culture & Org. Change Management (the hardest bit!),Empowered Sales, Knowledge and Content management, Inter-brand synergy, Smart stores and new operating models/processes
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Cognizant
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United States
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IT Services and IT Consulting
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700 & Above Employee
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Senior Manager/Manager - Consulting (Cognizant Business Consulting - Strategy & Transformation)
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Oct 2016 - Dec 2016
Target area: Org. Change Management (OCM) for a customer (Manufacturing)Project Keywords: Business Transformation, Acquisition, Org. Change Management, Benefits RealizationChallenge: An IT and Process Transformation scenario made interesting by,- Acquisition activity- Stakeholders across atleast 6 timezones- Confluence of cultures and working styles- Unification attempt for processes and systems- Rejigged org. structuresKey Activities:- Conduct Senior Management Interviews and workshops- Identify key outcomes and expectations- Identify bottlenecks, risks and challenges that could disrupt transformation - Identify and brainstorm on possible benefits focusing on People, Process and Technology changes- Establish measurement criteria, 'Success', milestones and approach for each benefit identified- Plan and roadmap benefits realization considering the business, process and technology enablers- Assign ownership and establish a Benefits Realization framework for sustained benefits- Initiated multiple senior management sessions where key enablers for ensuring $ and ROI realization were discussedSuccess:- Enabled stakeholders to think in terms of derived benefits (Pay for performance, stickiness, productivity and brand upgrades) apart from the usual suspects - automation,self-service...- Came up with comprehensive trackers that also allowed users to simulate (calculators) and demonstrate (dashboards) benefits- Provided lists of both Quantitative and Qualitative benefits that would be tied to user performance and would be taken up over the next 3 years++ Created a consultant's handbook for handling BR exercises - will be available as an official reference at CBC
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Zensar Technologies
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India
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IT Services and IT Consulting
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700 & Above Employee
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Strategy Consultant (CIO, CMO Advisory)
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Feb 2016 - Aug 2016
Domain: ManufacturingScenario: Top American conglomerate in the area of networking and telecommunication equipment looking at possible game-changers in the areas of Digital Marketing and Information ManagementActivities:Played the role of a Digital Transformation consultant and came up with well-received initiatives in the areas of,- Digital marketing (channel analytics, customer journey mapping)- Information management (smart reporting, CMS/LMS/KM consolidations)- Customer presentations and workshops
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Lead Business Consultant
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Jan 2014 - Aug 2016
Business transformation using technology - Ensuring future readiness and efficiency!
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Lead Business Consultant (Business Transformation)
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Jan 2015 - Jul 2015
Target Area: IT and Business strategy formulation/execution + Procurement managementKeywords: Business, IT transformation, Business Processes, System Design, Procurement, CRM, Vendor and product rankingDomain: Energy & UtilitiesKey Activities:- IT Transformation Roadmapping- Customer interviews and workshops- As-Is Vs To-Be mapping for Processes & Systems- Business analysis and requirements study- MoSCoW based weighted scoring for requirements- POC ideation, scoring model creation for procurement- Vendor analysis and scoring Value Adds:- Upselling - consulting opportunity for SFDC- Calculator and scoring model for Vendor scoring
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Program Management Consultant (STLC implementation & Effectiveness)
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Sep 2014 - Dec 2014
Domain: InsuranceOutcome based consulting for an Insurance major. Keywords: Process consulting, Training & workshops, CXO presentations, SDLC, InstitutionaliseRole: Principal consultant1. Establish roles & responsibilities (Who does What and When?)2. Establish the testing processes3. Ensure communication of objectives and status (When & Why)4. Standardize Quality Center (QC) and facilitate defects capture and reporting5. Increase coordination between teams6. Build a knowledge repository (test plans, test logs, test cases, test results and supporting documentation)7. Creation of a detailed report with issues, root causes, observations and short/long term implementation roadmapsValue adds:1. Project management (lead by doing)2. Creation & introduction of templates for simplifying day to day tasks such as Project scorecard, STLC process trackers and Team utilisation & billingResult:Major success. Spawned new projects and consulting engagements. Influenced revenue of 10+ Million ZAR
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Strategy Consultant (Customer Experience & eCommerce)
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Apr 2014 - Jun 2014
eCommerce and Customer Experience consultingDomain: RetailRole: PrincipalFrom 'bricks to clicks' - eCommerce consulting for a top Automotive parts dealer Activities performed:1. South African automotive industry analysis and best practices consolidation2. Journey delineation from bricks & mortar to Omni channel retailing3. Visioning workshops using the Why-How-What (Simon Sinek) framework to better understand the requirements and the driving factors4. IT systems assessment5. Customer journey mapping and touch-points assessment6. Discussion with Internal stakeholders (from warehouses to call centres) to understand existing processes and behaviour 7. Requirements detailing and prioritisation8. Product analysis - Comparison of both commercial and open source options9. Recommendation (technical, business and functional) and best practices discussion10. Actionable roadmap presentation Value adding presentations and discussions:- Digitization of the customer journey: how SMAC can make life better across the organization!- Operational efficiency: Bottlenecks and inefficiency in BAU processes- The customer's viewpoint: The tacit expectations from the customer and the current bottlenecks to customer loyalty
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Cognizant
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United States
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IT Services and IT Consulting
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700 & Above Employee
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Manager - Business Development
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Aug 2012 - Jan 2013
I managed Business Development activities for Fortune Global 500 Top Companies in the world of Manufacturing & Logistics.I am experienced in the entire spectrum of pre-sales activities leading to deal fruition. In addition, I also owned the establishment of dedicated project support teams to carry on the act. This act included infrastructure provision, resource recruitments, process establishment, customer interaction and project hand-off. I have independently handled multi M$ (last win: 1.x M$) contracts and have also contributed extensively to wins worth more than 20 M$.My learning - With the abundance of players in the market, it is very important to focus on differentiation. Value maximisation for the customer becomes the norm and incorporation of best practices and past learnings the key to success!
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Manger - Service Delivery & Account Management
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Apr 2011 - Jul 2012
Managed multiple Application development (AD) and Maintenance (AVM) projects (Agile & SDLC) covering expertise from at least 8 horizontal practices, involving team members of multiple nationalities and spread over multiple locations across the world. My latest work package in this aspect consisted of co-managing a 11+ M$ customer engagement that included complete ownership of a startup customer engagement (captive mode).I was also engaged in accounts growth strategy formulation as part of my account management activities wherein I managed multiple accounts worth 6+ M$Notable Actions:• Materialised business opportunities in new lines of business in addition to increasing depth of existing portfolios (account value growth by 3x in a space of 5 months).• Created core competence hubs for Java (niche) and Oracle technologies.• Established, in addition to numerous service improvement initiatives, a robust knowledge management and process framework . This resulted in faster turnaround (-24%) in case of day to day support activities and in faster on-boarding of resources for complex applications (-63% for Oracle and -33% for Java projects).• Authored and implemented a customer specific domain certification program at Cognizant for ensuring knowledge sufficiency as part of my domain consultancy initiatives.• Developed a 7-step Knowledge transition process to ensure holistic transition and faster contribution from new joinees.
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Onsite Project Lead/Technical Lead (Oracle)
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Mar 2009 - Mar 2011
I handled the complete set of Oracle and BI applications as the Onsite (Geneva, Switzerland) lead for Oracle technology track. Apart from this i also played the roles of a change and configuration manager.My responsibilities in the project also included:1. Performing/assisting in the bootstrap activities for a new customer engagement (Planning, process layout, customer communication, transition planning and coming up with an overall project plan)2. Obtaining the knowledge transition for the Oracle applications from the incumbent vendor, training and setting up the team at offshore and onsite3. Ensuring service delivery at Onsite along-with status reporting to the Client and Cognizant Senior managementAchieved: > Completed Knowledge Transition from a competitor organisation for very complex and critical applications following a stringent timeline. > Established steady state support teams following an onsite-offshore handshake model and ensured release management and configuration management processes creation and adherence.
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Project Lead (Client server technologies)
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Feb 2008 - Mar 2011
Went for my knowledge transition to the UK and brought back projects to be supported from India. Later, went to UK on a long-term basis to lead the Client server applications track. Also performed the role of a technology specialist in Microsoft technologies and built the Laptop images to be used by the client engineers across the world. Faced a challenging Million $ problem with the Client's EDI orders not being processed and all the delivery trucks standing idle. My client was losing thousands of pounds on an hourly basis as deliveries were not being made. The client person responsible was not available owing to personal reasons and I took up the challenge of restoring normalcy. This meant understanding a complex system from scratch and taking steps to ensure rapid processing of data. It took me and my offshore based team three days of non-stop work to ensure normalcy. Actions:1. Organised the team in India to come in three shifts for round the clock coverage.2. Frequent status reporting on a customer/location basis to the Client/Cognizant management.3. Distributed application delivery modules by customer/location to ensure better coverage.4. Prioritised and resolved pending orders by time zone and severity to ensure minimal loss.Result: Customer satisfaction resulting in the formation of an excellent direct engagement resulting in increased businessI also performed the role of an Assistant Project Manager on my return after 18 Months.
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Cognizant
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United States
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IT Services and IT Consulting
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700 & Above Employee
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Senior Developer Team Lead
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Oct 2003 - Jun 2005
Working on Development projects by myself, i started interacting with customers from day 1. Planning, following the SDLC and ensuring version releases became my day to day tasks. I completed two complete development projects and completed the work on a prototype before i took my transfer to Chennai/Coimbatore.I received fantastic appreciations mails from the customer given the dynamic nature of the project and the never ending requirements from the users (never ending 'laundry list' as the client jokingly pointed out in his e-mail!). The developments were all finished with ZERO defects and within the triple constraints of C(Cost), T(Time) & S(Scope). Once a development was completed, i used to bring on-board a team member, provide the knowledge transition for steady state support and then move on to the next development project.I also performed the transition of project application clusters (multiple technologies) from Chennai to Coimbatore, setup support facility from Coimbatore and established teams to take up support of the applications and to extend the project offerings.
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Education
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SP Jain Institute of Management & Research
Master of Business Administration (M.B.A.), Information Management (Post Graduate Program In Management) -
Michigan State University - The Eli Broad Graduate School of Management
Program in Business Analytics, Business Analytics, Social Media Analytics, Business Consulting and Project Management -
National Institute of Technology Durgapur
BE, Electronic & Communication Engineering -
Don Bosco Higher Secondary School
Higher Secondary, Computer science -
Kendriya Vidyalaya