Let us Navigate Data Strategy, Consulting and Business Success with Anuj Awasthi

To continue our engaging and informative discussion, Anuj shared intriguing insights into his typical day. He explained, “A typical day for me involves engaging with our customers to understand the business problems they are facing and turning those challenges into pursuable opportunities.” He added, “I always like to have my data & tech conversations with customers, only after aligning on the strategic business goals & broader enterprise strategy. After this alignment, I like to discuss potential solutions leveraging data & technology to help achieve those business goals and execute the strategy.”

Working with customers, who are dealing with various data & analytics challenges such as lack of a robust data foundation OR inability to accelerate towards integrating modern AI capabilities into their analytics platforms OR lack of personalized framework for using Data, AI & Analytics for Revenue growth, Cost Optimization or Elevated People Experience, is at the front and center of his work.

A significant amount of his time is focused on collaborating with various customer leaders to develop a simplified data & insights roadmap aimed at tackling the identified business, tech & data challenges and then enabling his team to deliver on the roadmap. He highlights: “I am extremely focused on- Simplifying the Complex for my Team, Partners, and Customers. On top of that, I genuinely believe that deeper & trusted relationships with customers & teams is foundation to identifying & solving big problems.”

On the personal side, Anuj lives in Edison, NJ with his wife and three kids. He likes to stay ahead of curve on technology, data, and AI trends. In his personal time, he loves running, hiking, and having conversations on global financial markets, AI investments and disruptive tech.

Anuj’s blend of business acumen and personal discipline offers a comprehensive perspective on leveraging data and strategy to drive business success. His insights are invaluable for anyone navigating the complexities of the digital age.

When asked about his journey, Anuj shared inspiring reflections in his own words: “I come from City of Kanpur, India, historically known as the Manchester of North India due to its industrial prominence, particularly in the leather and sugar industries. It is a major educational hub, home to one of the best computer science & technology institutions like IIT Kanpur. Growing up in such an environment had a profound influence on me. Kanpur’s simple lifestyle and global mindset had a huge impact on me.”

After completing my schooling in Kanpur, Anuj pursued a degree in computer science at VIT Vellore. Before moving to US, I started my career at Tata Consulting Services in Bengaluru, India. For the past 16-17 years, Anuj has been immersed in the data industry. During this time, he has witnessed the evolution of data from a niche interest to a vital component of modern business strategy.

Anuj discussed the aspects of his job that excite him the most in a fascinating manner. He said, “There are several, but let’s highlight some key areas. One major aspect of my job is helping clients achieve their goals for revenue growth, cost savings & continued market leadership. The challenge lies in ensuring that consulting leaders provide the edge to clients, so clients continue to maintain a greater market dominance not just today but also in future, amidst economic cycles and tech disruptions. When I consult my clients, my focus is just to unlock tremendous value for them to be successful in their business goals. This is the best part of my job and keeps me extremely excited about my work.

According to Anuj, consulting leaders must view every client engagement as a vehicle for value creation, not just a commercial transaction. It is not about negotiating for a higher fee; it is about ensuring that the client gets the most out of their spending. Data & Tech Engagements must help customers achieve success in their business goals.

In his own words, “I collaborate with the best talent on my team and amazing partners to create and deliver outcomes in the form of solutions, product & services, ensuring that our clients maintain and expand on the market dominance they aspire to.” The most significant aspect of being a successful consulting player is “Customer Intimacy,” which is built on forging deep, trusted connections with our clients to help them achieve sustained success.

Anuj believes that an enterprise data strategy, is one which aligns with overall business objectives, which in turn informs the roadmap for IT, Data, Finance, People, or any other function. A critical component of this enterprise strategy is data strategy. Additionally, any data strategy must not just consider the business itself but also consider the increasing data regulations in each region or territory like GDPR in Europe, dictating how organizations manage data.

Towards the end of this conversation, we also discussed the growing influence of Data & AI leaders in today’s world. As per his views, “The CDAO role is gaining prominence as organizations recognize the need for accountable and visionary leadership to navigate the complexities of data and AI. This role must ensure that data & AI strategy aligns with business objectives and addresses the unique challenges and risks associated with Data & AI.”

Click here to read more inspirational stories from our next series of “The Executive outlook.”