A sneak-peek inside the Business Analyst

“The journey of a thousand miles begins with one step” – Lao Tzu

Q1. What do you do professionally?

At the core, I am a business analyst supporting businesses of all sizes to improve their bottom line by:

(a) Streamlining Business processes, 

(b) Designing, developing and deploying digital solutions projects.

(c) Formulate and implement strategies.

I interact with businesses to elicit their ‘NEED’ for a ‘CHANGE’ (mostly to harness an opportunity or, address a challenge) and help evaluate and implement appropriate ‘SOLUTION’ to deliver tangible ‘VALUE’ to all the ‘STAKEHOLDERS’.

I focus on building long term, collaborative relationships with a ‘mantra’ of customer success and excellence!

Q2. Narrate your journey as a business analysis professional?

After graduating as an engineer in 1999, I started as a front-line service engineer for Asian Paints, India’s largest and Asia’s 3rd largest paint, and industrial coating company. It was a tough decision joining a brick-and-mortar company baulking the allure of the IT services firms at the height of 'Y2K' and .com saga. Over the next decade, I gained invaluable experiences while performing rich roles in consumer durable, and automotive industries across South and South East Asia in national and regional roles.

In 2007, I joined Honda Cars, a Fortune - 50 firms in their Marketing and outbound logistics division. In mid-2008, an opportunity opened up to lead Honda's efforts to improve Return on Equity (ROE) by reducing inventory holding cost as well as to improve customer satisfaction. I volunteered to lead the 'cross-functional' strategic initiative that finally culminated in the development of a benchmark-setting customized 'order management and distribution' software. I learned on-the-job and lived the role of a Business Analyst in this multi-year long initiative.

Years of hands-on experience both on the field and in the corporate head office helped me seamlessly transition into the demanding role of a business analyst. Since leading the first full software development, I have performed innumerable elicitation with both internal and external clients, carried out requirement analysis & design definition, evaluated alternate solutions using appropriate frameworks in sync with strategy. Delivering diverse initiatives especially Business process reengineering, and capacity related infrastructure projects early in the career helped in implementing full SDLC (software development life cycle) for OEMs (original equipment manufacturer), start-ups and venture capital firms in Singapore, USA and India.

Q3. What else you do professionally?

I am accountable for P&L and team performance.

Also when I am not engaged in the core activities of ‘digital solution development and deployment’, I venture into business development areas to:

(a) Form strategic and win-win partnerships.

(b) Explore opportunities, and connect with businesses to showcase capabilities to support clients realise their organisation's goals.

(c) Focus on internal capabilities augmentation and continually improve service delivery standards in the system.

Q4. What are your core competencies?

I divide my core competencies into three parts:

Conceptual Skills:

• Business model and business canvas insights across a range of industries
• Business acumen and strategy formulation

Technical Skills:

• Complex project management spanning geographies.
• Greenfield and Brownfield IT product development and IT services implementation.
• Visualizing comprehensive software solutions to address complex business problems

Human Relations Skills:

• Openness to new ideas
• Adaptable to situations and circumstances
• Coachable to learn new methods and skills

Q5. How you approach business analysis?

Every business challenge and opportunity can be segmented around 6 core areas of ‘Change’ – ‘Need’ – ‘Solution’ – ‘Stakeholders’ – ‘Value’, and business ‘Context’.

Based on the complexity, and urgency of each business situation, I choose one or, more of the 50 techniques to address a business challenge.

Q6. What are your proud achievements?

Over the 20 years, there are so many memorable achievements. I have picked up three achievements that had a significant positive impact both on the organization’s P&L and also on customer satisfaction.

a. Forecasting - Dealer Ordering - Sales Planning - Distribution management system (Honda Cars/Automotive):

SAE International (Society of Automobile Engineers) featured this path-breaking digital transformation innovation on their 2011 journal that my team successfully implemented. I performed the role of an internal business analyst and the domain subject matter expert driving the multi-year, multi-disciplinary and multi-vendor initiative. Inventory holding cost was lowered by over 40% freeing up working capital. The project also helped Honda gained the 2nd position from the earlier 7th position within 11 months of going live.

b. Comprehensive Health Data management system (MyMediSquare/HealthTech):

Founded healthcare startup for end-to-end digitization of Doctor-patient interaction in emerging countries and improved a Doctor’s face time with patients over 50%. The product won wide positive accolades from the Doctors.

c. Early warning system for part failure (Wipro/IT Services):

Conceptualized and built a working prototype solution to predict and prevent on-road vehicle failure for one of Wipro’s Fortune 50 automotive prospects in Brazil, South America using IoT and data analytics. The prototype contributed to opening a new account in South America. The initiative won the 'Best Innovation' award in Wipro.

Q7. What is your working style?

‘Coaching and Collaborating’ is the essence of working.

Once set up a goal in sync with the organization’s vision and agree on an SOP, the team is fully empowered to chart their path.

To quote one of my mentees … “Very often, it is his (Kaustav’s) trust in his juniors (including me) and in their abilities that taught them to trust themselves all the more…” – Ananth M K (Principal Consultant, Saudi Miebach).

I was fortunate to receive the opportunity to be accountable for the team’s performance within a year of starting my career with Asian Paints in India. Today as I see retrospectively, the early years of shoulder-to-shoulder working across rough terrain and challenging business environment helped me built my individual style.

Q8. What are your educational qualifications?

My educational qualifications include the following:

·       Master of Business Administration, Indian Institute of Management (IIM) – Lucknow

·       Bachelor of Engineering (Mechanical), National Institute of Technology – Agartala

·       Specialist Diploma in Digital Marketing and Analytics – Singapore Polytechnic

Q9. How your clients describe you?

“He (Kaustav) brings great acumen to the table combined with honed people relationship skills. He was able to keep us on track and diligently followed up on matters related to our project with the end result being a successful collaboration.” – Anthony Bowers, Founder & MD, Tallant Asia, Philipines.

“Very knowledgeable about market practices. His interest in healthcare is evident as he is always coming up with new insights in the domain. Gave some great advice throughout our engagement. Would highly recommend working with Kaustav as a client!” – Shravan Verma, CEO, SpeedDoc, Singapore.

Q10. How your colleagues describe you?

“Kaustav is a great team player and focused in the projects that he delivers. His experience in the innovation ecosystem, as well as his attention to detail, makes working with him efficient and effortless. Kaustav‘s hands on approach and sincerity in dealing with all stakeholders is definitely an asset to anyone he works with!” – Charlene Yong, Regional Director (Enterprise Singapore)

 “Kaustav is a very sincere and dedicated professional. He has in-depth knowledge of his subject and great ability to visualise complex business scenarios. It is his this ability that distinguishes him from the league.” – Hilal Khan, Vice President & Operating Head (IT), Honda Cars

 Q11. How your team describes you?

“Knowing Kaustav from close quarters was akin to a close brush with mind-boggling variety and tremendous versatility. I could testify this as we worked together across about 25 highly varied & challenging projects, ranging from strategy, finance, marketing, operations, human resources etc.” – Rajeev Khanuja, Dy General Manager, Indian Oil Corporation.

Q12. Describe your life outside of work?

Outside work, I love to don the mantle of a chef and prepare both oriental and fusion dishes. I am also a strong proponent of healthy eating.

I also love off-the-road cycling and often can be spotted cycling with family.

I am also a voracious reader of political, business and general news and a movie buff.

? Welcome to connect professionally: Kaustav

?? Click #kaus?av for all my posts and I am an #LBFalumni  from #SkyHighTower