Tell us a little bit about your background and where you were before Deloitte Digital.
RB: I spent my formative years in India, earning degrees in history and economics from St. Stephen's College, Delhi University, and a business law degree from Delhi's Campus Law Center. I migrated to the U.S. in 1986, where I got my MBA at the Wharton School. I have worked in both global corporate and consulting environments, managing and advising enterprise-wide strategies to optimize business performance, develop more impactful marketing and sales activities, and help transform organizations to insights-driven digital cultures. I have consulted with all the major consumer products, life sciences, and retailing companies in lead management roles at Information Resources, Inc., NFO-Interpublic, and Management Science Associates, providing marketing strategy, information management, decision sciences, analytics, and technology solutions.
Prior to Deloitte Digital, I served as vice president of Global Analytics and Marketplace Information at Kraft Foods, and subsequent to Kraft’s spin-off in 2012, at the new snacking company Mondelez International.
What attracted you to Deloitte Digital?
RB: Deloitte Digital’s client reach, scale, innovation, creativity, and people were the real magnets. I find Deloitte’s combination of strategy, operations, and technology to be a powerful mix in our consulting solutions. As for the digital part: It is the growing thread that runs through organizations and it is a key enabler driving growth, productivity, and transformation at companies. Think of it like blood in the human body!
What do you believe sets us apart from the competition?
RB: Deloitte is in a field with a lot of tough and classy competition, but our reputation for quality and scale, our focus on business outcomes, our ability to invest in enduring relationships with clients, the diversity of our talent and leadership, and the cooperation and communication among employees enable us to stand out from our peers.
What’s surprised you the most since starting at Deloitte Digital?
RB: Frankly, nothing! It is as I expected it to be. That’s my honest answer.
What do you see as the biggest area for growth in your discipline?
RB: I believe in identifying growth opportunities in a stagnant environment and driving productivity through new business models, innovation, automation, analytics, technology, and strategy.
What do you think the future looks like for creative agencies?
RB: Technology is revitalizing some companies and leaving others behind. We work for consumers controlling their own experiences. So agencies are being forced to reinvent themselves by providing better ideas and insights, more automation and creativity, getting more tech-savvy, and going more digital. Clients are looking for more holistic solutions and a 360-degree view of the consumer using both art and science. Creative agencies are adjusting to this new reality.
What inspires you?
RB: I have always admired Steve Jobs and continue to be motivated by his words “stay hungry, stay foolish” from an inspirational commencement address at Stanford University in 2005. I also take great strength from my family and my faith. At home, I enjoy cricket and the companionship of my pug and German shepherd on long walks.
What’s your favorite emoji?
RB: The folded hand emoji signifying gratitude, service, respect, and prayer. It puts me in a good mood.
Better Jimmy, Fallon or Kimmel?
RB: Neither. My favorite comedian was Robin Williams. Of the current lot, I like Stephen Colbert and John Oliver.
What’s on your current playlist?
RB: My taste in music is very diverse ranging from American jazz and pop, Bollywood, Bhangra, Indian classical, and most recently I have listened to New Age music by White Sun - they won a Grammy.