Mar 2020 – Present · 6 yrs

Feb 2019 – Feb 2021 · 2 yrs · Hybrid

• As an independent innovation consultant, I delivered tailored solutions that drive business growth and create impactful experiences. My work has spanned a wide range of industries, including healthcare, real estate, construction, and retail, and I have a proven track record of success in leading innovation initiatives, developing new business models, and fostering a culture of creativity.
• Led the design and setup of the innovation consulting practice at Qglue (www.q-glue.com), delivering 50+ corporate training programs on design thinking and brand strategy.
• Consulted on brand and experience strategy for clients such as Museum of Solution by JSW and East Udyog Limited (repositioned as Udyat).
• Developed a resilience strategy for a healthcare major, guiding their transition from curative to preventive care.
• Defined a design strategy for the affordable housing segment of Shapoorji Pallonji Real Estate, positioning them as an "enabler of growth."
• Developed a culture design strategy for a leading consulting firm to attract and retain Gen Z employees.
• Designed and developed brand strategy for Dhun, a unique sustainable habitat development company (www.dhun.life).
• Co-founded and served as strategy head for Vertical Performance Structure, an AI-driven steel structural design and construction company with 4 unique patents, making it one of the most efficient construction systems globally.
• Spearheaded innovation culture transformation for a major lifestyle retailer, developing skill competency dictionaries, training programs, and process/policy changes to drive innovation across the organization.

Nov 2016 – Feb 2019 · 2 yrs 3 mos · Gurugram, Haryana, India

• As the Design Strategy at IBM IX for India markets , I spearheaded transformative digital experiences across multiple sectors, driving significant business impact. I led the design strategy for the India IX team, building a strong agency-on-record capability through process and training. My work included leading strategy workshops, user research and insight generation crafting holistic solutions for new clients, refining the IBM Garage process, and reimagining customer journeys for major players in BFSI, real estate, and pharma. Notable achievements include:
• Increased customer satisfaction: Led a BFSI major in re-designing their retail and loan customer journeys, resulting in a 20% reduction in process time and a 60% increase in NPS.
• Enhanced efficiency: Administered the digital transformation of a pharma major, achieving a 25% reduction in turnaround time and developing a predictive maintenance system that reduced maintenance issues by 60%.
• Digital innovation: Designed the experience, process, governance structure, and space for a new Innovation Center at IIT Powai, fostering the incubation of fintech solutions.
• Service Experience Transformation: Led the redefinition of workspace experience for a major commercial real estate company, creating an integrated digital experience blueprint for parking, visitor management, safety, security, maintenance, networking, and amenities booking. I also helped a residential real estate brand reimagine their entire customer engagement, experience, and maintenance process in the digital world, with a special focus on senior citizen housing. This included designing a predictive maintenance and facility management blueprint for energy saving, resource management, security, and equipment maintenance.
• Sustainability & Brand Impact: Co-created the experience design strategy for India's first fully digital nationalized bank and helped launch a sustainable fashion brand, solidifying IBM India's agency-on-record capabilities.

Oct 2015 – Oct 2016 · 1 yr · Greater Delhi Area

• As co-founder of Glutme, a foodtech platform connecting talented home chefs with food enthusiasts, I played a key role in developing and launching a unique solution to the growing demand for authentic, affordable, and home-cooked meals.
• My responsibilities included:
• Market Research & Insight Mining: Identifying the unmet needs of busy, health-conscious urbanites seeking alternative dining experiences.
• Conceptualization & Product Development: Crafting the vision for Glutme and leading the development of a user-friendly platform for home chefs and food lovers to connect.
• Marketing Strategy & Execution: Developing and implementing marketing strategies to attract both home chefs and food enthusiasts to the platform.
• Glutme aimed to provide a community-driven approach to food, fostering social connections and offering a personalized and authentic culinary experience.

Sep 2012 – Oct 2013 · 1 yr 1 mo · Mumbai Metropolitan Region

• As Design Strategy Lead at Future Ideas, the business innovation arm of Future Group, I spearheaded the development of new products, brands, and systems, driving growth and transforming the customer experience. My role involved leading consumer research, generating actionable insights, and managing design development to deliver impactful solutions. Key projects included :
• Reimagined and optimized "HomeTown," the furniture and lifestyle solutions brand, resulting in a 30% cost reduction and 20% business growth.
• Led the "Future of Luggage" product development project in collaboration with MIT Media Labs, India.
• Developed new private labels across fashion, FMCG, personal care, and processed foods segments.
• Successfully designed and beta-tested "Big Bazaar Direct," a phygital service to expand the brand footprint in two Maharashtra cities.
• Led the consulting assignment to reimagine "Lavasa" and drive the city's habitability.

Apr 2011 – Aug 2012 · 1 yr 4 mos · mumbai

• Led design and innovation strategies, shaping brand experience, communication, and activation for new projects and products at Godrej Properties Ltd. My contributions spanned design standards and guidelines for product and customer experience, resulting in impactful brand experiences across various projects. Key Projects included :
• Developed the Godrej Properties Brand Experience Manual, design guidelines for marketing offices, a product standard manual, an area distribution tool, and a design vision document for the group.
• Led design strategy and management for multiple projects, including Godrej Garden City, Godrej Prakrati, Godrej One, and Godrej Heights.

Jan 2010 – Apr 2011 · 1 yr 3 mos · Bangalore

• Led the design strategy for clients across various sectors, creating new business and service offerings, repositioning existing brands, and driving design research, strategy, and innovation.
• Key Responsibilities:
• Developed and implemented design strategies for brand, product, and environment design projects.
• Led SPREAD, Idiom's design outreach program, conducting workshops in design thinking for students and professionals.
• Notable Projects:
• Reimagined the customer experience, retail design, category planning, styling, and new service concepts for HomeTown, while also delivering design training for their buyers.
• Designed the Food Hall concept.
• Led the strategic design of Big Bazaar.
• Repositioned Manipal Hospitals from curative to preventive care, designing the "Life's On" campaign, and crafting the hospital's experience design.
• Designed ASI visitor centers and retail units in Karnataka.
• Developed a craft-based rural tourism opportunity for IL&FS-CDI.
• Master-planned and designed a wholesale market for Future Retail.
• Co-created the Dream:IN design strategy project for inclusive innovation and growth.
• Led design leadership workshops for business leaders, corporate houses, entrepreneurs, and students.
• Designed brand experience for TVS Retail.
• Conceptualized a mega tourist resort in Kerala for the Ministry of Tourism.

Mar 2009 – Dec 2009 · 9 mos · Greater Delhi Area

• Projects undertaken :
• User interface design of portal on green architecture for Ministry of New and Renewable Energy,GOI
• New retail experience and brand activation for LG Electronics, India.
• Communication and activation for “malaria prevention campaign” and “Vitamin A drops for children”, a USAID initiative.
• Corporate identity (ICLEI, Religare airlines, Bhargava musical and many small businesses)
• Communication design for UNICEF, WHO, UN, HRD ministry, USAID.
• Customer experience and visual over hauling guideline for Indian Postal Services , GOI.

Sep 2008 – Feb 2009 · 5 mos · Porto Ricanati , Italy

• Projects undertaken :
• Analyzing the existing setup, identifying the competitive advantageous segments to better focus on business expansion of sustainable retailing in Indian retail market.
• Conceptualizing and developing retail design strategies for the clients in India, Europe and gulf.
• New retail concept for Claro, Shoe Mart Spain, Peter England People, Landmark book store.

Oct 2007 – Sep 2008 · 11 mos

• Poli design is a part of Politechnico Di Milaon , Italy.
• Brand Strategy projects with POLI design, Italy:
• Business plan development for Retail and communication strategy for TREND GROUP, Italy.
• New company strategy for fabric manufacturer SO FAR SO NEAR ,Italy.
• Communication strategy on sustainability for light manufacturers OSRAM, Gremany.
• New product and service development strategy for PANASONIC KITCHENS, Japan.
• New service offering and system design strategy for ACCOR GROUP.

Feb 2007 – Oct 2007 · 8 mos

• Role: - design and project coordination, client interaction, finance and studio management.
• 5000 sqft Corporate office for Trikona Capital, New Delhi, India..
• Retail space design Bhargava Musical Store, New Delhi India.
• Corporate Logo and brochure design for local renewable project of ICLEI

Aug 2005 – Feb 2007 · 1 yr 6 mos

• chief design and operation manager) Role: design and project coordination, client interaction and studio management.
• Corporate offices across the nation for Religare Securities Ltd, India.
• Corporate identity, office and exhibition launch for Ran Air Ltd;
• Visual merchandising, marketing strategy and retail space design for Impuls.

May 2005 – Dec 2009 · 4 yrs 7 mos

• Board member on the new architectural education syllabus planning for S.P.A , Vijaywada , India
• Workshops and Lecture series to Post Graduate Students of Industrial Design discipline on Innovation management and product system design .
• Workshops and Lecture series to fist year Under Graduate Students of Architecture discipline on Innovation and design thinking.
• Visual brand overhauling for Indian postal services (institutional practice for S.P.A , New Delhi - 2005

Aug 2002 – Dec 2002 · 4 mos

• Architectural competition: Building for Sahitya Kala Parishad (National Arts & Culture Academy) for the Government