Monday, March 25, 2024

'Mak book Pro' of Power and Portability unleashed


Tête-à-tête with Makarand Amte, Digital Transformation Expert and AI Leader

The city of Mumbai was your proverbial point of origin. Could you revive key reminiscences of your Mumbai and Dubai stints?

 

I completed my elementary school years in Chembur, Mumbai.  I have fond memories as a student of Swami Vivekananda High School.  My father worked for TCS back in the 70’s and 80’s when Mumbai in the 70s and 80s was a city of vibrant contrasts, bustling with contagious  energy. The city's iconic skyline was taking shape amid the cacophony of suburban trains. Every visit to my father’s office at the Air India building, Nariman Point left an progressively indelible imprint on my young mind, and I dreamt of working in the coveted vicinity someday in future.  My dream came true when one of my first job had me stationed on the top floor of Maker Chambers III at Nariman Point. 

 

My father subsequently pursued an international assignment, and we relocated to the UAE, Abu Dhabi and Dubai to be precise.  My secondary school education (and high school) happened at the Indian High School in Dubai. This was one of my best formative experiences given the school’s equal emphasis on academics and sports.  I am indebted to Mr. Agnel Crasto who taught public speaking and mind control back in the 80’s. Our dramatic teachers Mr. Suneel Hattangadi helped us develop a taste for dramatics. Thanks to the prolific Mr. Tapan Das, I excelled at swimming.  One of the most memorable event was a 21 day trip to Europe in 1986 to commemorate our school’s silver jubilee. Visionary leader P. V. Narasimha Rao and the legendary boxer Mohammad Ali had graced the inaugural function. 

 

While I exceled at Mathematics and Physics, I was also a basketball champion and well known as a “three pointer” specialist.  Among other sports, I represented my school team for cricket “house” matches and was an extremely competent swimmer.  We were trained to lap swim (50-100 laps)




 

My sporting encounters blossomed at a recreational club near our place. My father worked for the Department of Health and Medical Services in the electronic data processing department and we had a membership of the Rashid Hospital recreational club.  My brother and I used to spend a good amount of time playing tennis, squash and table tennis at the club.  During weekends, we invited our friends at the club and also participated in tournaments. 

 

One of the aspects which my father emphasized early on was the focus on improving communication and vocabulary.  During my teenage years, it was a goal to learn at least ten new words each week.  The way to accomplish the task was to capture words from headlines of newspapers (Khaleej Times and Gulf News) and create a repository for reference.  It was a pretty effective learning method.

 

My teen years in Dubai were awesome, made even more special by my role models included the ‘iceberg’ tennis star Bjorn Borg, and singer-musicians George Michael, Rick Astley, and Phil Collins. 

 

 Were you engineered for a career in engineering?

 

Yes, you could say that! Indian students who grew up in Dubai in the 80’s had only a few higher education options:  move to India in pursuit of a degree (engineering, medicine, commerce) or move to the US/UK/Canada.  I chose the former option and took up engineering education in India.  The journey from Dubai to Amravati was a long one (figuratively speaking).  It took me a while to adjust to the new environs, and I would escape to Dubai for taking rejuvenating breaks whenever I felt home sick.  This was the first time I stayed away from my parents and there was some anxiety within me.  One of the highlights of my Amravati stay was the use of the sports facility called HVPM (one of the only two sports institutions in India back in the 90’s).  I was a fitness buff back then and made it a point to visit the gym and the pool.  

 

 

Your education strides are interesting despite the tinge of predictability – BE, MBA, PM from Stanford, AI for leaders – what was the thought behind this progressive trajectory?

 

There was no specific thought process behind it.  One thing led to the next, and I kept growing in my career.  Although I completed my engineering degree, my real education began thereafter.  In the first year, I had a brief stint at three companies (AFCONS, Omega CADD and Lipi Data Systems).  As I have mentioned earlier, my childhood dream was to work at a company in Nariman Point, and my dreams came true when I worked for Omega CADD and Lipi Data Systems in the Nariman Point area.  I spent only 3-4 months at each of the companies but the learning was tremendous.  It was a eureka moment when one of my mentors suggested that I pursue an MBA degree given that I had excellent potential in marketing and management. It was a life changing moment for me and my career, which underlined the importance of mentors in life.  

 

I took up admission at the Lala Lajpatrai Institute of Management, Mumbai.  This was one of the best decisions as it is here that I found and honed my passion for marketing, information systems and technology.  I excelled in a lot of subjects like marketing, consumer behavior, quantitative methods, operations research to name a few.  Also, I was always a key team member who would diligently complete all the project work (from ideation to fruition).  I would attribute much of this success to my stint in three companies.  I also learned the value of networking and keeping in touch with people.  I was never shy of asking for advice.  One thing that kept me going was the “childlike curiosity” and a penchant for learning. 

 

Upon completion of MBA, my first job was at an IT company which had operations in Singapore.  My IT journey had just begun, and I could see the application of all the skills that I had learned during my MBA days.  Subsequently, I joined another firm which provided me an opportunity to work on Lotus Notes (Groupware) and also impart training on project management (MS Project).  I was very fortunate to learn the Microsoft suite of products and impart training to corporates.  Once again, I was very fortunate to be trained and mentored by a group of bright IIM Calcutta grads who were the owners of the company. 

 

On January 1st, 1999, I joined LTITL (Larsen and Toubro Information Technology Limited, now rechristened L & T Infotech).  It was a privilege and honor to be closely working with the CEO Mr. Achyut Godbole. I worked for the products marketing division selling Veritas, Seagate and Lotus range of products.  While at LTITL, I was also a visiting faculty at some of the leading MBA institutions in Mumbai. I taught subjects like IT applications in Business and Supply Chain Management at Somaiya Institute of Management Studies, Mumbai Education Trust (MMS)Subsequently, I moved to international marketing for the US North division with a short stint in St Louis during the year 2000.  Later, I moved to the SAP SBU, and ever since I have been actively involved in SAP implementations. 

 

One thing I learned very early was unflinching focus on the task at hand.  I was sold on the transformative ideas that Al Ries and Jack Trout put forth in their book ‘Positioning’.  I strove to get an inch wide and a mile deep to develop niche areas, and build a strong knowledge base around them.




 


Could you recall the high points of each corporate stint?

 

Maybe this snapshot will give a fair idea:

 

Omega CADD: I single handedly developed a marketing database for the Mumbai region with a contact matrix, relationship pyramid (back in 1995).  My immediate boss was an ex-serviceman who taught me the importance of prompt and effective planning.  I quickly adapted to the Mumbai spirit of relentless resilience, boundless ambition, and an unwavering commitment to progress. 

 

Lipi Data Systems: I developed a marketing strategy for dealers and OEMs to sell multi-lingual software developed by CDAC. The Line Matrix printer demo at CMC Nextstep Groupware & I*Net Solutions was an exhilarating experience, thanks to the effective mentoring by IIM C co-owners, I learned about NLP early on (the art and science of building rapport.)

 

L&T Infotech: I helped establish solution sales for Lotus range of products, and played a pivotal role in sales pursuits for large deals, under the guidance of industry leaders like Mr. Achyut Godbole, Mr. VK Magapu and the esteemed L & T chairman and CEO Mr. AM Naik.

 

Deloitte: One of the finest moments at Deloitte was a two year global deployment assignment in Canada.  The process of moving to a new country was made so seamless, thanks to the excellent support from both setups (US and Canada.) Partnered with another colleague to impart PMP training to groups of participants was also a special feat. We were fondly called the ‘PMP Mafia’ and enjoyed over 80% success rate in ensuring pass rates.  Our efforts were duly felicitated at the firm.

 

Accenture: Upon joining Accenture in 2017, I was put on a global project for a CPG client.  During my stint, we were taking over work from another SI partner.  A noteworthy accomplishment was implementing a trade promotion management solution for two business units (retail and food service) using two solutions SAP TPM and Vistex in three and a half months.  We got onto the project mid-stream and helped establish a successful team and ensured a successful go-live.  Subsequently, I ended up working on other projects at the client in Montreal (Canada), Milwaukee (US) and Melbourne (Australia.)

 

PwC: I played the role of a solution development lead for a Netherlands-based client.  For the 10 months of my tenure on the project, I successfully delivered outcomes for the solution development phase. For the most part, I managed work from the US with periodic trips to Amsterdam.  

 

Independent Consulting thru Digitaiz Ventures: For the last six months of 2023, I ventured into independent consulting and AI and established a key clientele independently.  I had an opportunity to work for an esteemed  client in the area of pricing processes.  It was a wonderful opportunity to work on Vistex (SAP add on product), performance tools like Locust, and I developed good skills on tools like Splunk.  Additionally, I helped few clients shape their AI strategy and use cases.  We conducted a series of “Phase 0” workshops to educate clients on AI strategy and adoption of Gen AI.  




 


Readers would love to catch your insights on diverse work cultures you have traversed. 

Navigating through the work cultures of the US, India, Canada, Germany, Netherlands, Australia has offered me a panoramic view of the world’s workplace diversity.  Each country presents a unique set of work ethics, communication styles, professional etiquette reflecting broader societal values and historical contexts

The US work culture is often characterized by a strong emphasis on individual achievement, innovation, and a ‘can do’ attitude.  There is a significant focus on results and efficiency, with a relatively direct communication style.  Networking plays a crucial role in career development, and the concept of work-life balance can sometimes take a backseat before professional ambitions.  The work culture in Europe is focused on direct communication.  Work-life balance is a critical part of the culture.  This reflects a broader societal commitment to personal well-being and family time

I enjoyed working in Mumbai during my initial years and I owe a lot of my success to the spirit of Mumbai.  I’ve learned a lot and honed my skills here.  Mumbai is where the hustle of dawn-to-dusk endeavors meets an indomitable will to overcome challenges, embodying a city that never sleeps and never gives up, always pushing forward with determination and adaptability.

SAP is the mainstay of your expertise – can you do a quick recap of the voyage…

My initial experience had been in marketing and subsequently international marketing.  During my tenure at L&T Infotech, I’d been part of a large pursuit focused on SAP.  Along with the year-long pursuit, I started to build expertise on key SAP modules and this was my introduction to SAP.  Since 2001, SAP embarked on a transformative journey, expanding its ERP solutions with the introduction of SAP NetWeaver, which laid the groundwork for integration and interoperability.  

SAP then pivoted towards the cloud, acquiring companies like SuccessFactors and Concur, and enhancing its portfolio with SAP Cloud Platform to drive digital transformation. Emphasizing user experience and performance, SAP introduced S/4HANA, a next-generation ERP suite designed for both on-premise and cloud environments. Today, SAP continues to innovate, focusing on AI and machine learning integration, fostering the intelligent enterprise, and tailoring industry-specific solutions to maintain its leadership in the ERP space. I am happy to be part of a thriving movement. 




You are actively involved in ESG initiatives… 

Most of my experience has been on large scale business and technology transformation programs.  I’ve been focused on supply chain implementations.  Over the years, sustainability has been one of the key areas of focus for clients.  Additionally, there have been numerous regulatory and compliance considerations for clients to adopt and implement ESG initiatives.  SAP has been deeply committed to ESG initiatives, aiming for carbon neutrality in its operations by 2023 through energy efficiency, renewable energy, and carbon offset projects. By integrating ESG principles into its business strategy and operations, SAP not only enhances its competitive edge but also contributes to societal well-being and environmental sustainability. Thanks to the SAP vision, I have a first-hand exposure to ESG initiatives. 


What prompted the Déjà vu
 decision to join back Accenture?

Rejoining Accenture after exploring different professional avenues, including SAP implementations, a directorial position at PwC, and a stint as a subcontractor, was a conscious decision influenced by multiple factors including the ample professional growth opportunities, an unmistakably inclusive work culture, tech leadership and culture of innovation, and strong focus on digital transformation, cloud services, and sustainability solutions. Above all, my experience with SAP implementations and interest in staying at the forefront of technology innovations have drawn me back to Accenture.

 



What are your passion areas and pursuits? 

My passion had been sports all throughout my life.  Early on as a child, I had developed competency in tennis, squash, basketball and swimming.  As a teenager in Dubai, I used to play in tennis tournaments and was also pretty competent in squash.  Steve Jobs famously said, "You can't connect the dots looking forward; you can only connect them looking backward. So you have to trust that the dots will somehow connect in your future.  I truly believe in this dictum. Between 2004 and 2010, I played in a competitive tennis league in California.  During my two year global deployment stint in Canada, I used to play on the squash ladder at the Glenn Abbey Sports club in Oakville, Canada.  Back then, squash was a religion for me.  Not only did I strive to improve my game but it also helped me create a vibrant network of friends.  So much so, that once we were ready to head back to the US after my two year stint, one of my friend even offered me a job to stay back in Canada. I continued my passion for squash while I was on a three year long project in Phoenix, Arizona area.  I used to travel to Phoenix from Houston (every week for 3 years).  I had established a routine of playing at the Lifetime Tempe on Tuesdays and Wednesdays.  I was very focused and ensured that I played regularly; most of the times I took a raincheck for social events.  

Tennis is another passion for me and my family.  Along with squash, I have been a good tennis player.  Up until 2020, I had been playing USTA League tennis in the Houston area.  Initially, I played at the 4.5 level and later on dialed down to the 4.0 league.  In 2019, I won the divisional league event.  As a family, we also frequent a lot of tennis tournaments. Most notably, we’ve visited Wimbledon and are regular visitors to ATP Clay court championships in April each year. Additionally, I’ve also visited the Rod Laver arena in Melbourne during my visits there.  

I’ve passed on my sports genes to my sons.  My elder son played competitive tennis at the US National and International level.  He’s played tennis at the Super Champ level in the US and was ranked in the top 15 when he was 12, top 25 when he was 14 and continued that trajectory later on.  He’s played USTA Level 1 (National Clay Courts), Level 2 and Level 3 tournaments frequently across the US.  Later on, he achieved an international ranking (ITF 1983) in 2018 when he played a tournament in Bahamas.  Later he played ITF tournaments in Calgary, Irvine and Austin.  My younger son is following in the footsteps of his brother.  He’s currently a ninth grader and plays at the varsity level in school along with USTA tournaments.  

Another family passion is travel.  Over the past 20+ years, we’ve extensively traveled in the US, UK, Europe and Australia.  We make it a point to travel somewhere fun at least once or twice a year (if possible).  As a family, we also have a passion for scuba diving.  We generally go to Florida (Key Largo, Key West) and Mexico.

After the pandemic, we’ve upped our focus on health and well-being.  We had a personal trainer who used to train us at our home gym for two years.  Initially he trained my son but in parallel my wife and I also embarked on a mission of personal training.  I believe, personal training is the way to go as it helps you effectively with your goals.  Our body is a temple and we need to take good care of it.  Along with training diet and nutrition is very important.  I’m a big fan of Dr. Pradip Jamnadas, Dr Berg, and Jason Fung among others and follow their advice religiously.  





What’s next for you?

On the personal front, my mission is to stay fit and strong, and create my strongest version. I had suffered a back injury back in 2020, and ever since I’ve been striving to stave off injuries. This injury put a full stop to my all high-impact activities. As a result, my new focus is steady state cardio and strength training along with improving flexibility and range of motion.  Another vision of mine is to travel as much as I can across the globe. 

On the professional front, I would like to corroborate my skills in the area of AI.  The first step in this direction was the AI for Leaders certification that I recently completed.  I firmly believe that AI will be a game changer for all and it is very important for all of us to build skills early on and re-calibrate ourselves as we gravitate to the new.  Additionally,  my mission is to keep learning and adding new tools and technologies to my repertoire.  I would also like to create some kind of social impact but haven’t yet given it a deeper thought.  It will be my way of giving back to the society! 


Any other thought which comes to mind on an impulse…

As we age, it is very important to maintain flexibility and range of motion, it is imperative that we take care of our physical and emotional selves.  During the pandemic, I started the practice of meditation, and it was a game changer.  One tip I give to everyone in my network is that all of us should strive to have a minimum of 150 minutes of intense workout every week.  This should be non-negotiable.  The other aspect that I have tried to adopt is “OMAD – One Meal A Day” and no food after 6 pm. This regimen has helped me immensely. With advancing age, we should strive to double our mobility and halve our cravings!

Saturday, March 23, 2024

"High time Aladdin stepped out of his cave to conquer seemingly distant wonderlands with his Magic Lamp"

In conversation with CMA Harshad Deshpande, leading Cost Accountant, Insolvency Professional and Registered Valuer





Let’s begin from the very beginning. How was life in your formative years? 


I belong to a lower middle-class family from Pune in Maharashtra. I grew up in a typical Puneri Wada (clustered house with a courtyard) which is a defining feature of the old city. From 1st till 4th standard, I studied in an institution where my mother worked as a teacher. It was more or less like a municipal school. During primary school, I was consistently a topper. However, my secondary school performance was average in comparison. 

My father had a small business in close vicinity, and it was his wish that I puruse the Commerce stream and support the household financially as early as possible. My 10th results were relatively good, and even though I was eligible for enrolling into the science stream, I choose commerce to honour my parents’ wishes. The quintessential middle class boy that I was, money held little attraction for me. I didn’t have any fancy hobbies for obvious reasons; I neither had the resources nor support to afford extravagance of any kind. The best part was I was not unhappy about my situation. My idea of recreation was playing Kho-Kho at the local club in the evenings, and I was happy in my notions of indulgence.



 

How did cost accountancy become your chosen calling?

Well, that’s quite a story. Let me explain in brief. 11this generally considered an easy-going year in college and I took that perception to heart. I relaxed way too much, to the extent that I came very close to flunking in French & Maths. Fortunately, I woke up in good time and did all the damage control in the final exams. Ever since, I became a diligent student. 12th results were good, in line with my expectations. Most of my friends opted for CA, and I was thinking on similar lines. 

But there was a hitch. Since I helped my father in his business, I was not sure I would be able to afford the time for the mandatory articleship, as also the cost of coaching. At that juncture, I was introduced to the CMA course (erstwhile ICWAI). Foundation exam fees were only Rs. 800 and no registration was necessary. What’s more, there was option to appear earlier than scheduled for the exam. I decided to give it a go. In 6 months, I cleared my foundation exams with very good grades. This was the first time my batchmates noticed me, so did the teachers who had presumed I was only an imposter following the trend!  The new-found respect I earned was a big confidence booster, and more importantly, I developed great affinity for core subjects like Cost Management, Stock Markets, and Strategic management. 




During CMA finals, I began my articleship although it was not mandatory at that point of time. It was a God sent opportunity to get a ring side view of the Corporate World. I used to complete my audit work quickly and utilized the spare time to help the client staff. This gesture made me quite popular among clients and I was in great demand at every office. One day, my senior came to know about the additional services I was provided without any billing, and I was put on an intensive session on the fundamental principles of Auditing, Maker/Checker rule, and professional ethics.

Soon, I became a pro at Excel spreadsheets and entered the hall of fame as  an Excel Trouble Shooter. I fetched data and responses at a lightening pace to the utter dismay of my colleagues and seniors. At the client’s place, everyone knew me by first name – from the security guard to the CEO -  and many staffers realised I was not an employee only when I was shifted to some other client place.  I learned the art and science of securing key information by virtue of enduring people relationships, which is crucial in any audit task.

In fact, my CMA Final success was a grand celebration at a client’s place, such was my deep connect with the people there. I was immediately offered an assistant manager position with an Indian MNC at a decent salary. In quick succession, I got an even bigger offer at another MNC client. The money was indeed tempting, but the urge of doing something different on an entrepreneurial route was stronger.





And what was this path?

After deep contemplation, I decided not to join any corporate and continued working at my firm as a Professional on assignment basis. In good time, I realised that one’s technical skills count only half on the professional front; the most critical skills are those that result in quick client acquisitions and rapid business development. To get a single client, one need to have all-round skills and capabilities, resources, infrastructure, and most importantly credentials.

Credentials include academic qualifications as well as relevant experience. Experience is a function of time so it was growing naturally for me. I decided to acquire additional qualifications and given the exemptions available and similar syllabus, CS was obvious choice. I completed CS in consecutive attempts while working and followed it up with CISA (USA). To add Global exposure and Chartered credentials, I also did CIMA (UK), which is hailed as the mother Institute of all Management Accounting bodies worldwide.

Now, I had five qualifications from three different continents, having mastered the techniques and tricks to crack tough exams. In December 2016, I heard that the government was due to launch the Insolvency Professional exam. Honestly, I had never heard of or worked in this domain; nevertheless, I decided to pursue on the back of my academic track record.




In the first attempt, I failed with a narrow margin of 0.25 marks short which caused me a lot of emotional pain. After a series of attempts  (may be 8), I finally cleared this difficult exam in April 2017. My qualification as an “Insolvency Professional” opened new avenues for me in Banking and Insolvency laws. This qualification was invaluable given the economic downturn, and ups and downs seen earlier, I reckoned it was a great addition to my professional portfolio.

In reality, It did much more than expected. Armed with the blend of operational and commercial skills, I became adept at resolving issues at stressed corporates & NPAs. This was a great exposure into decision making and stakeholder management. I was soon empanelled with Banks and Financial Institutions and word of mouth publicity is bringing in new opportunities every day, to this day!




In 2018, I became one of early entrants into the “Registered Valuer” domain. Given the early bird benefit and a booming network of professionals and corporates, this was like a “Power Play” of my growth story. I have fond memories of doing hundreds of assignments in a year.

On 1st March 2020, I was qualified as Independent Director by virtue of which I help corporates with my rich and varied experience during the course of my professional journey. I also started my Law (LLB) preparations in the pandemic year, and I am now into the final year.

I am invariably asked a question, “You have all the professional qualifications in the finance domain except one, which is CA” Frankly, with due respect, I have never felt the need for pursuing CA, nor regret for not pursuing CA. Way more important than acquiring credentials is to put them to use effectively and efficiently, the degree doesn’t matter as much as its application!




What in your reckoning are the prospects for CMAs in the emerging future led by innovation of AI, ML, and other disruptive technologies?

Technological advancement can definitely cause disruptions in the way the things are happening  today. Considering the strategic role CMAs play, these advancements will enable CMAs to perform their roles even better. AI per se will not render anyone unemployed, but the person knowing AI can definitely make a person not knowing AI unemployable. Hence, it is imperative to learn emerging technology and use it effectively. Given the pace of advancements, there has been a humongous growth in the availability, quality, credibility and timeliness of data. CMAs, with their hands-on expertise on Data Analytics, can deliver actionable information to enable and empower business decision makers across levels and designations.


Which are the areas where CMAs need to move up the value chain as value creators?

I would say, CMAs can gainfully get better at the following to carve a niche as value creators for organizations across diverse verticals and domains.

Data Analytics: Enhance skills in data analysis and leverage tools like Python or Excel.

Business Intelligence (BI): Create interactive dashboards for better decision-making.

Scenario Modeling: Develop sophisticated models to assess business scenarios.

Strategic Cost Management: Focus on value drivers and cost-saving initiatives.

Sustainability Reporting: Integrate sustainability metrics into financial reporting.




 

You have worked in both academia and industry. How is the experience on both fronts? 

I have always sensed that both experiences complement each other. The more strong you are academically, the better equipped you are on the job, while on the job insights bring purpose and clarity to your academic explorations. Perhaps, that is why I chose to be teacher who remains a lifelong student by choice.

 

Your profile is pretty strong on valuations and insolvency. Readers would like to know a few of your actionable insights into both – in terms of work done and overall observations in the Indian context...

Since 2018, I have focused ONLY on Insolvency & Valuations. I have done 18 assignments as an IP & majority have been concluded on a positive note. Handling 1500 homebuyers in the Lavasa case was an experience of a surreal level. I have penned “My Lavasa story” based on my experience which was published in the IPA magazine. Given individual & cross-border Insolvency knocking at the door, I sense this professional sphere becoming the epicentre of action for people like me, who like to horns with new challenges.




 

Could you elaborate on the interesting research projects you have undertaken – cost of coins, charkha/looms and dental/medical education...

It was a matter of great fulfilment for me working for the Nation and common man in all the projects you mention above. Back in 2004, when I had just qualified, I was made part of a research group tasked with the challenge of finding the real cost of medical education. A committee was set up headed by A.R. Jahagirdar, a retired High Court Judge, to examine the fees charged by medical and dental colleges. Post submission of our research report, the fees charged by colleges dropped by as much as 50-60 %. Following this pathbreaking research, I was made a coveted member of the Fee Fixation Committee of Govt of Maharashtra. 

Around 2012, I was part of a Applied Research Project to find of Cost of Coins manufactured by India Government Mint. This time, I was leading the team. Sovereignty and confidentiality does not allow me to divulge details, but you can gauge many radical changes in coins ushered in by the Government of India post our research. Our report finds appreciation in the minute books of the Ministry of Finance.




 

Your passion areas include kho-kho and social service stints with NGOs… 

I have participated in many state level Kho-Kho championships. This sport, although much underrated,  is a true test of body and mind agility. As a member of a Pune-based social welfare organization and NGO, I have participated in various social activities like helping people disrupted by natural disasters e.g. Gujrat Earthquake, Floods in Maharashtra. During Covid, with the help of well wishers, we paid exam fees for more than 100 + students and make sure they appeared for the exam. As a member of Fee Fixation Committee of Government of Maharashtra, I use my cost management skills to make sure students are not burdened with exorbitant fees.


What are your plans both on personal and professional fronts?

Today our firm has five partners spread across three offices. We have made seamless natural extensions into Accounting, Audit & Tax. Our team is a good mix of  CAs, CMAs, CSs, Insolvency Professionals & Registered Valuers with rich experience and expert knowledge in respective spheres. It is our vision and mission to to be the Numero Uno service provider for niche, value-added offerings including  cost & management accounting, insolvency & bankruptcy laws, and valuation services. 

We would soon launch the HSD Academy to help students and professionals enhance their employability. Armed with more than ten professional qualifications and following two decades of experience, I feel I should devote time and attention to help GenZ become globally competitive.





Any other thought or advice which you like to share with CMAs of the younger generation in particular…how should they approach their career – how should they decide the employment vs practice question etc..

Gen Next needs to apply deeper thought on studying all emerging avenues, disruptive tech developments, evolving business models, and radical changes in consumption pattern of goods and services and behavioural patterns of consumers to gradually but surely move up the value chain of decision making.

I would also like to urge members and aspirants of my fraternity to learn and adopt the entrepreneurial mind set without succumbing to the lure of short-term opportunities. ‘Aladdin’ must step of the cave to conquer seemingly distant wonderlands with his 'Magic Lamp'. The conclusion of any exploration should be fulfilling, else it is not an exploration!    




 

 

Thursday, March 21, 2024

The {deceptively} furious case of Rajbir Singh


One of the highlights of my Punjab visit were the 
delightful moments spent in the company of Rajbir Singh, who runs a car rental service based out of Amritsar, with modest operations that occasionally extend outside the state. 

As the snap shows, he doesn't wear a smile on his face, for his happiness and contentment spring from within, there's no display! He is unmistakably polite and soft-spoken, even though his sugar-free replies and characteristic poker face could mislead the passengers into presuming that the man at the wheel may lose his temper at the slightest provocation. As the journey progresses, all doubts vanish into thin air, but there's no effort from his side whatsover to underline his value prop!  

I was thoroughly impressed by his prompt and purposeful service that came hearteningly free of tall claims, high-n-mighty adjectives, marketing offers, loose talk, and even the spare-time philosophy that people generally offload on 'outsiders' to break the monotony of pick-and-drop travel. 

After 17 years in the armed forces, Rajbir came back home to start a new life and livelihood. His passion for cars paved the way for business which he conciously runs on a smaller scale simply to 'take it easy' 

And he does take it easy by leading a normal life built on fresh veggies from the fields, rigorous exercise at the Maharaja Ranjit Singhji Garden, and quality time spent at home. There's nothing processed about his life, including in the food for belly and food for thought, and yet he follows a killer process that doesn't need any certification.   

Rajbir tells only when prompted, and he never sells as a matter of policy! And he does well! The list of repeat customers is growing, if not in tandem with his contentment, a fact he shared like a trivia only because I probed deeper.    

The sukun (tranquility) on Rajbir's face is special, as if he is just back from a local Gurudwara, having soaked in the Shabad Gurbani insights and having savoured the delicious and wholesome langar meal; the best part is that the sukun is contagious too! 
         

Wednesday, March 13, 2024

Oasis: Freewheeling conversations with Dr. Vishal Rao - V





Ignorance is bliss ... and power too!

 

The phrase “Ignorance Is Bliss" was coined by English poet Thomas Gray in his profound ‘Ode on a Distant Prospect of Eton College’, a beautiful 18th century poem revered to this day for the quality of its imagery, personification and juxtaposition. 

 

As a surgeon wedded to his work in a boundless continuum, Dr. Vishal Rao has little time for social outings or recreational meets beyond the occasional get-togethers. Yet, he sees and senses the world around him all the time, thanks to his patients who bring with them a bagful of experiences from their respective walks of life. He sees the world through their eyes. 


His thoughts stand out for their conviction and credibility, amid the din od tall claims by 'providers' in the market, claiming to defy age and ailment with wonder drugs and silver bullet therapies. Dr. Vishal is one of the few doctors who underline the need for developing better health ahead of the need to set up more hospitals providing healthcare.  

 

His knowledge of the world, he says, is a huge compendium of patient narratives – outlining their trials and triumphs of life, their regrets and ecstasies, resolutions, and aspirations. He has acquired a humongous storehouse of knowledge without stepping out of his clinical environment which gives him a deep sense of fulfilment, akin to the thrill that backpackers derive from their wandering escapades across the globe. ‘Oasis’ attempts to unleash this invaluable repository in word form. 

 

In this fifth edition of ‘Oasis’, we ask  Dr. Vishal why he thinks there is more to ignorance than bliss, as also discuss a few key peripheral issues linked to it. {Prior 'Oasis' editions published on the blog can be accessed from the links shared on the column to the right}


Why do you say Ignorance is Power?

 

During a Tata Business School program, I was interacting with the Rolls Royce leadership team. One of their visionaries shared a very beautiful thought with me: “In the 20th century, knowledge was power; but in the 21st century, ignorance is power.” This profound statement got me thinking – today, the education system has institutionalized our minds to such an extent that our thoughts can’t travel beyond the confines of set processes.  The Rolls Royce head further gave me a striking example – when it comes to designing a new car, the best audience to gather suggestions is a school where kids will throw open a bagful of must haves and nice to haves, based on their ultrasonic and unbridled imaginations. In sharp contrast, an engineer will draw and dish out the same old design that he has been doing all his professional life. So, education dissuades you not to venture beyond certain boundaries of what is unanimously perceived as possible and not possible. The only way to break these boundaries is by making the most of the profound truth: “Ignorance is Power”

 

Every day, in my day-to-day work as a surgical oncologist, I question the status quo. I have always believed we are all dwarfs standing on the shoulders of visionary giants, notwithstanding our various achievements and claim to fame. Some of the greatest discoveries of today hence stand liable to become the greatest blunders of tomorrow.  That’s precisely why we need to question what we are asked to believe, before we believe it to be true.  

 

Could you elaborate this in the context of a specific example? 

 

During the making of AUM voice prosthesis for throat cancer patients, the first six months were lost in doing experiments and repeatedly failing in them. During one of such predicaments, my wife called up to tell me that she wished to go out shopping. I had to drop everything and follow her to the mart. My three-year old son was with us, merrily dropping few boxes from the racks onto the ground. As I bent to pick them up, I realized they were tampon boxes. That was a eureka moment for me, where I suddenly thought: why can’t voice implants be sold and delivered over the counter like tampons. This was an absolutely ridiculous idea that I become hooked to. So, there I was at the billing counter with 10 boxes of tampons and my wife staring at me in complete disbelief.  When I told her instinctively that I have found the solution, she thought I had lost my mind.        

 

When I went back to my lab, I told my team we should have our voice device inserters as simple and easy to use as the tampon boxes I showed them. Just when one of my engineers laughed off the whole idea, I was drifted towards an interesting principle what is known as the Occam’s Razor. It says that when faced with an intriguingly complex problem, try and focus on developing the simplest solution.  On an impulse, I rushed to the neighbouring district of Channapatna to the shop of a gentleman who makes science toys. I sought his help to make an inserter founded on the principles of toy making.  The fine gentleman designed the first prototype in two hours with no relevant background whatsoever. The rest of course is history as the AUM device is now a reality.  

 

So, we can say there is a lot more to ignorance than what meets the eye, or rather doesn't meet the eye... 

 

Undoubtedly! Ignorance, in my opinion, is the foundation of design thinking and disruptive innovation. I recollect a very interesting chapter in the Harrison’s Principles of Internal Medicine by Dr. Judah Folkman, the father of Angiogenesis, where he puts forth a positively intriguing question: “Will we reach a time in history when we will co-exist with cancer like how we do with a chronic disease like diabetes?”  That got me stressing more and more on the effort to heal cancers, rather than fight them. 

 

Even in a cancer patient at stage IV where the tumour has metastasized, we may have a situation where cancer cells are 30%, but 70% are still normal immune cells. In the focal attention to the 30%, the 70% is largely unacknowledged. Similarly, in early-stage cancer, the whole attention is on the 5%, leaving 95% of it undervalued. This 95 percent is the epigenome that influences the genome through factors of mind, food, water, air, breath, and the environment around us. So, we need to strengthen the epigenome which in turn would impact the genome. Simply put, we need to consciously choose a holistically therapeutic path – of a nutritious low-sugar diet, deep breathing, physical exercise. and positive thinking. This is the path of healing the cancer, as against merely fighting it.  This path is a fine example of the power of “Ignorance is power.”

 

And yet we find cancer still causing fear and dread ...

 

The moment the word ‘cancer’ is mentioned – whether in casual conversations or serious discussions - a pall of gloom invariably pervades the vicinity; such is the abject negativity surrounding the disease. The play of individual destinies, the biology of tumour, as also the grind of treatment ordeals has together prevented us from gathering rich, actionable insights into this enigmatic disease, leaving us perpetually wondering: “Can cancer be vanquished?”

 

That cancer survival is possible even in the most advanced stages has at its core a strong, inexplicable force with a mind of its own. No wonder, one patient at the same stage of cancer does not make it, while another manages a miraculous recovery, even at the point of no return! In my personal experience, I have seen many patients who follow a path of healing which others are unaware of. The moment we acknowledge cancer, as an affliction of our ‘mind’ and ‘spirit’, as much as that of our physical bodies, we embark on the spiritually therapeutic path of healing.

 

Could you elaborate on the spiritually therapeutic path of healing?

 

Every thought and emotion that we experience affect some part of our genome in a profound manner. Germs exist all around and yet, only some of us fall ill. Elusive as it may seem, those of us who fall ill actually have a different thought pattern compared to those who are more ‘immune’? The human body has the uncanny ability to eliminate cancerous cells through a normal immune mechanism. And contrary to what people believe, our bodies have been doing this thankless job all along. These reflections should serve as a ready reckoner for any cancer patient who wishes to look beyond reluctance and open a new gateway to the countenance of hope, love and healing. Healing of mind, body and soul is the key mantra, NOT fighting cancer. 

 

The first and foremost prescription, for any cancer patient, is to consciously cultivate and reinforce the conviction: “I may have cancer, but I won’t let cancer have me.” We often hear patients being vociferously advised, “Fight your cancer”. But do we ever anyone tell people to fight their noses when they catch a common cold, or for that matter their kidneys in case of a renal stone? A child developing from an embryo in the mother’s womb starts with a single cell and grows to a trillion cells in nine months, way faster than most cancer cell proliferations. We never would call a new life in womb a tumour. Similarly, it is not wise for a patient to fight cancer; instead, the patient should provide the cancer cells as much love and healing as possible, to bring them back to harmony, thereby fighting a mind which is generally consumed by negativity in most cases. 

 

Getting in sync with oneself is most critical in the healing process. The positive affirmations are in fact healing mantras that are invoked by the innate potential of one’s own self, through a steady diet of prayer, diet, yoga and holistic treatments and. A Mantra in Sanskrit is a combination of two words Manas (Mind) & Tra (instrument), which literally means, “An instrument to silence the mind”. These Mantras reaffirm the fundamental healing principles of the universe towards restoring the social contact of cancer cells to normalcy. Cancer patients actively participating in treatment, and chanting mantras, create an immensely powerful innate healing force in their bodies. We all have an innate ability to raise our consciousness to a state of love; the consciousness abounds with the ability to heal lives, not just cancer.