Zinnov Podcast

"Our customers come to us and stay with us because of our culture." In an industry where switching costs are high and contracts are long, most software companies mistake retention for loyalty. StarRez doesn't. Over 30 years, across Australia, North America, Europe, and now Asia Pacific, they've built something harder to replicate than any feature roadmap, a community that genuinely wants to stay. In this episode of the Zinnov Podcast, Jason Day, CEO, and David Meale, President, StarRez, sit down with Ravi Darbha, Partner, Zinnov, to talk about what it takes to build a technology company where culture is the actual product. From navigating PE without losing their identity, to building cross-functional teams in Hyderabad, to rethinking what AI-driven leadership looks like in practice, this is a conversation about the unglamorous, deliberate work behind sustainable scale. Here is what you will take away: Why culture is a competitive moat, and how to protect it as you scale How to build global teams that feel local, not transplanted What it means to treat AI as a collaborator in how you think and lead Why alignment across an organization is harder, and more valuable, than speed The leadership habits worth building, and the ones worth leaving behind Listen to the episode now.

Imagine operating in a system where decisions are public, consequences are immediate, and mistakes are rarely forgiven. That is the everyday reality of Dr. Ekroop Caur, IAS. In this episode of Women in the Mirror, she reflects on what it takes to lead in public service at scale — shaping technology and innovation policy, making high-stakes calls under constant scrutiny, and carrying the weight of decisions that affect millions. What gives this conversation its edge is how plainly she talks about the personal cost of such leadership. Dr. Caur challenges the idea that women must “be everything to everyone” — at work, at home, all the time. She speaks about drawing boundaries, delegating without guilt, and letting go of the myth of perfection. Not as advice, but as lived reality. The result is a portrait of leadership that is demanding, deeply human, and quietly empowering for anyone trying to lead well without burning out. 🎙️ Listen to the episode

“AI shouldn’t replace judgment. It should amplify it.” As AI rapidly collapses product development cycles and accelerates decision-making, the margin for getting things wrong has never been smaller. Product leaders today are navigating faster launches, heightened customer expectations, rising concerns around trust and bias, and an increasing reliance on automated intelligence, while still being accountable for outcomes, accuracy, and long-term value creation. In this episode, Ajay Singh, Chief Product Officer at Pure Storage, joins Namita Adavi, Partner at Zinnov, for a candid conversation on what it truly takes to lead products in an AI-accelerated world, where speed is abundant, but judgment remains scarce. Ajay brings over 25 years of experience spanning Silicon Valley startups and global enterprises, having led technology and product teams through multiple waves of disruption, from the PC era and cloud revolution to today’s AI inflection point. Drawing from his journey across Sun Microsystems, VMware, Hewlett Packard, and as a founder whose companies were acquired by BMC Software and Intuit, Ajay offers a grounded operator’s perspective on how innovation actually scales. The conversation explores how AI is reshaping product management and customer experience, why biased outcomes often originate in data rather than models, and how product teams must move from feature-centric execution to outcome-driven design. Ajay also shares why the venture-driven startup model continues to be the most effective engine for innovation, even inside large enterprises, and why, despite all the technological change, leaders must continue to place their biggest bets on people. This episode offers a pragmatic view of AI as an enabler, not a replacement, where success is defined not by adopting the latest tools, but by building resilient teams, trustworthy systems, and products that deliver real customer outcomes. Tune in to hear: Why AI is compressing product cycles, but not eliminating accountability How product leaders can manage trust, accuracy, and bias in AI-driven systems Why product management is shifting from features to outcomes and behavior patterns How startup-style venture models can unlock innovation inside large enterprises Leadership lessons on judgment, competitiveness, and building teams that win Tune in to hear the full episode.

Wayfair was not built in a day. It was built slowly, deliberately, and with a partnership that worked because neither of them ever got the last word. In this episode of Zinnov Podcasts, we bring together the Wayfair founders, Niraj Shah and Steve Conine, in conversation with Nitika Goel, Managing Partner and CMO at Zinnov, to hear the Wayfair story of what it truly takes to build and scale a durable company. Over more than two decades, Niraj and Steve built Wayfair not by chasing momentum, but by returning to first principles whenever things became complex. They believed that disagreement—handled well—leads to truth. That data should challenge instinct. And that progress worth keeping often feels slower than expected. For ten years, the company was bootstrapped. Scarcity sharpened decisions and forced focus. As the organization grew, the work evolved from doing everything themselves to building systems others could trust. Culture, people principles, and operating discipline became anchors: quiet mechanisms that helped thousands of people move in the same direction. This isn’t a story about perfect decisions. It’s about staying in the work through uncertainty, trade-offs, and time. For leaders navigating scale, complexity, or change, this episode of Zinnov Podcasts offers a simple reassurance: patience is not hesitation, discipline is not restraint, and building something that lasts is, in itself, an act of leadership. Tune in now. 

“Technology shouldn’t support the business. It should be the business.” As technology becomes inseparable from how companies operate, the role of the CIO is being fundamentally redefined. Today’s leaders are navigating growing complexity, diverse business models, rapid AI adoption, rising cyber risk, and globally distributed teams, while still being expected to deliver speed, resilience, and measurable outcomes. In this episode, Andrea Bergamini, CIO, Orbia, joins Karthik Padmanabhan, Managing Partner, Zinnov, for a candid conversation on what it truly takes to lead technology in a purpose-driven, multi-business global enterprise. Andrea shares his unconventional journey across GE, Heineken, Cargill, and Orbia, and how building cybersecurity from scratch as a Greenfield CISO shaped his philosophy of owning mission-critical capabilities. He explains how Orbia structures technology around a strong core foundation while embedding IT deeply into each business, moving beyond “alignment” toward operating technology as the business itself. The conversation also explores Orbia’s pragmatic approach to AI, balancing productivity enablement, citizen development, and advanced use cases—along with the role of Global Capability Centers in building long-term innovation and talent strength. Andrea reflects on leading through uncertainty, the growing democratization of technology, and why resilience and adaptability are now defining leadership traits. This episode offers a grounded perspective on modern technology leadership, where transformation is continuous, experimentation is essential, and success is measured not by tools adopted, but by outcomes delivered. Tune in to hear: Why IT must evolve from a support function to a core operating engine How to modernize technology foundations without disrupting the business A realistic, staged approach to AI adoption in large enterprises The future role of GCCs as global innovation hubs Leadership lessons on resilience, reinvention, and lifelong learning

What does it take for Managed Service Providers to stay relevant as enterprise growth slows and AI complexity accelerates? In this episode of the Zinnov Podcast, Aly Shivji, Group Vice President – Global Partner Sales and Engineering (GSI | Advisory | MSP | Hyperscaler) at Cisco, joins Rajat Kohli, Partner at Zinnov, for a grounded conversation on how the MSP model has evolved over the past 12 to 18 months. The discussion looks at how MSPs are moving beyond managed delivery into advisory, co-engineering, and ecosystem-led value creation. Aly shares why specialization, business consulting upfront, and long-term customer engagement are becoming critical, and how security, AI management, and tool rationalization are shaping MSP differentiation. This episode is for technology leaders and partner ecosystem owners navigating increasing complexity across platforms, partners, and customers. Tune in now.

Financial services has long been the benchmark for trust, scale, and regulation. But in an age where innovation moves faster than policy, the sector is rewriting its own rulebook. In this episode of Zinnov Podcast, John Kain, Head of Financial Services Market Development at Amazon Web Services, joins Rajat Kohli, Partner at Zinnov, to unpack how cloud, data, and AI are reshaping the foundations of modern finance. From the democratization of innovation through the cloud to the rise of “buy now, pay later,” John reveals how the industry’s biggest disruptors are powered not just by technology, but by the courage to rethink legacy processes. He explores how generative AI is transforming compliance, risk, and customer experience, and why governance, trust, and explainability must evolve alongside innovation. The conversation dives deep into what’s next: agentic systems that will redefine financial workflows, open ecosystems that demand new forms of partnership, and the strategic shifts enterprises must embrace to turn experimentation into enterprise-grade production. For anyone navigating the intersection of finance, cloud, and AI, this episode offers a front-row view into how technology leaders are re-architecting the future of financial services, from capital expenditure to continuous innovation. Tune in now.

"If you don’t cannibalize your own business, your competition will." Most organizations today are grappling with the same reality: the systems and structures that made them successful weren’t built for what’s coming next. Legacy systems, monoliths, distributed teams, and AI moving faster than anyone planned - all while leaders try to move forward without breaking what already works. In this episode, Paiman Nodoushani, Chief Technology Officer, TRG Screen, joins Karthik Padmanabhan, Managing Partner, Zinnov for a grounded conversation on what real technology transformation looks like after multiple cycles of change. Paiman shares how companies modernize legacy systems, move to cloud-native architectures, and introduce AI in practical stages - while reshaping how teams work, prioritizing experimentation over early efficiency, and keeping the focus on what customers actually care about: simplicity. The conversation also touches upon leadership, culture, and why authenticity continues to matter, even as technology evolves faster than ever. Tune in now.

L’Oréal has spent more than a century defining beauty, and today, it continues that evolution through technology. In this episode, Susannah Greenberg, Chief Information Officer, Americas, L’Oréal, joins Pari Natarajan, CEO of Zinnov, to discuss how AI, data, and digital platforms are deepening L’Oréal’s connection with consumers and reshaping how beauty is experienced. From precise diagnostics and predictive skincare to AI-enhanced devices and digital try-ons, she breaks down how technology is personalizing beauty at an entirely new level. But the story goes far beyond products. Susannah shares how tools like L’Oréal GPT are transforming the way teams work, reducing repetitive tasks, accelerating problem-solving, and creating space for real creativity. She talks about talent, culture, and the energy inside L’Oréal: a place where new ideas constantly emerge and where creativity and technology meet every day. This episode offers a clear, thoughtful look at how a global brand integrates human insight with intelligent technology not to replace people, but to amplify what they do best. Tune in now.

Proof of concepts were once the hallmark of innovation. Today, they are the bottleneck. The most successful technology partnerships are moving beyond pilots and into production, building together, scaling together, and differentiating together.  In this episode of the Zinnov podcast, Jason McIntyre, VP, Consulting & SI Program - Scale Ecosystem, Databricks, joins Rajat Kohli, Partner at Zinnov, for an unfiltered conversation on the future of ecosystems in the age of data and AI.  From the evolution of system integrators into solution creators to why co-development will define the next decade of alliances, Jason shares what it takes to build partnerships that go beyond enablement and marketing. He explains how differentiation, industry depth, and partner mentality can turn collaboration into a true competitive edge.  Tune in now.       

In this debut episode of Hot Takes & Hard Truths, a new subseries under the Zinnov Podcast: Business Resilience series, Nikhil Kulkarni, Partner, Zinnov, sits down with Mahesh Raja, Chief Growth Officer at Ness Digital Engineering, to unpack a pressing question: If every company is investing in upskilling, why does it feel like no one’s actually learning?   As enterprises pour resources into Gen AI training, cloud certifications, and L&D programs, employees are stretched thin, juggling long hours with self-paced learning they may never use.   This episode goes beyond theory and gets into what’s actually broken, and what it takes to upskill at scale in tech services.   Tune in to find out: Why most learning programs fail to deliver real outcomes Skill to stock vs. skill to order, and why the distinction matters The problem with self-paced learning in delivery-heavy environments Measuring ROI on training: what to track, and what to stop pretending works Why GenAI certifications without real application waste everyone’s time How to personalize learning without overwhelming your teams Whether you're a CHRO, L&D leader, tech executive, or simply someone tired of sitting through another course that doesn’t land, this episode cuts through the noise. Tune in now.

How do you measure software productivity in an AI-first world, and are we focusing on the right metrics? In this episode of the Zinnov Podcast – Business Resilience Series, Pari Natarajan, CEO of Zinnov, speaks with Dr. Ranjit Tinaikar, CEO and Board Member of Ness Digital Engineering, to examine why traditional approaches to measuring productivity fall short in today’s AI-led engineering landscape. The discussion explores the shift from absolute to relative metrics, the structural and behavioral barriers to change, and how AI is enabling organizations to reduce risk and modernize at scale, particularly across mid-market and PE-backed firms. Tune in now for a timely perspective on rethinking productivity, measurement, and value creation in the age of AI.

What does it take to turn a company into a leadership factory — and a country into a product powerhouse? In this premiere episode of Legends & Legacies, Zinnov’s President Sidhant Rastogi sits down with Ajai Chowdhry, Padma Bhushan awardee and HCL co-founder, to decode the DNA of enduring value creation in people, technology, and nations. From pioneering India’s electronics revolution to driving its semiconductor vision, Ajai shares timeless insights on leadership, aspiration, and nation-building. He unpacks HCL’s early strategy of hiring for hunger, not just skills, revealing how entrepreneurial culture and structured sales training created a generation of industry leaders. In a candid diagnosis of India’s services sector, Ajai calls out the urgent need for reinvention, with consultative sales, product-led growth, and IP creation at the core. “India responds best in crisis,” he notes, framing AI disruption not as a threat, but a turning point. Ajai’s advice is clear: Build with intent, lead with confidence, and aim for technology sovereignty - from semiconductors to software. Whether you’re scaling a start-up or steering a legacy firm, this episode offers a front-row seat to India’s tech evolution - and a masterclass in what it takes to shape the future. Tune in Now.

What does it really take to own the room, especially when it wasn’t designed for you? We’re back with Season 2 of Woman in the Mirror, a Zinnov podcast series hosted by Nitika Goel, CMO at Zinnov. And we’re opening with a powerhouse: Rama Bijapurkar. Rama is one of India’s most respected thinkers on business strategy, market behavior, and leadership. Author. Board member. Educator. Trailblazer. For decades, she’s shaped how companies, governments, and society make decisions — and in this episode, she lets us into the inner world behind that public power. In this much-awaited conversation, Rama shares what it means to chart your course through boardrooms, biases, and life’s unexpected turns — especially for women in leadership. She doesn’t believe in destination thinking. She believes in navigation — in responding to what the moment demands, in evolving through instinct and serendipity. Or as she calls it, being from the navigational school of life. She speaks candidly about building personal support systems, choosing courage over comfort, and staying true to yourself when it would be easier to blend in. It’s sharp. It’s stirring. And it’s filled with the kind of truth that lingers long after the episode ends. If you’ve ever questioned whether you belong in the room, at the table, or in the story, let this episode be your reminder: You already do. Plug in. Reflect. And maybe, rewrite your own script.

What happens when sustainability stops being a cost center and starts becoming a competitive edge? In this episode of the Zinnov Podcast – Business Resilience Series, host Pari Natarajan, CEO, Zinnov, sits down with Catherine Kniker, Chief Marketing and Sustainability Officer, PTC, and Dave Duncan, Head of Sustainability, PTC. From their personal journeys into the world of sustainability to the surprising ways AI and circular design are reshaping manufacturing, this conversation goes beyond buzzwords. It’s about why the smartest companies are rethinking products, profits, and purpose — all at once. If you're a leader looking to future-proof your business or simply curious about how sustainability is becoming the new driver of growth and resilience, this episode is for you. Tune in now. Want to go deeper? Product Sustainability for Dummies by PTC is a practical guide to reducing product footprints while boosting profitability. Download Now: https://bit.ly/4dE6X4m

What happens when AI, data, and experience design collide? In this episode of the Zinnov Podcast – Business Resilience Series, Pari Natarajan sits down with Rajaram Radhakrishnan, CEO & Board member of Ciklum, to explore how Experience Engineering is reshaping enterprise growth in the age of Generative AI. With over three decades in tech leadership, Raj shares deeply personal stories of transformation — from the early days of India’s telecom revolution to building global delivery models that fuse customer insight, engineering rigor, and AI smarts. Tune in to hear: • The real ROI of AI (and why many are missing the point) • What “Experience-first” truly means, with real life case studies • How to embed AI into physical products • And what makes Ciklum’s integrated delivery model a client favorite This episode stands out not just for its strategic clarity, but for its practical optimism, and Raj’s belief that young engineers are the new agents of transformation.

Imagine a world where creativity isn't just a passion - it's a driving force that disrupts industries, shatters expectations, and sparks bold change. In this powerful episode of Woman in the Mirror, Nitika Goel, CMO of Zinnov, steps beyond tech to dive into the world of women in the arts - a space where innovation and creativity break through barriers. Join Nitika and an incredible panel of trailblazing women, Jahnavi Phalkey, Shanthamani Muddaiah, and Yamini Telkar as they discuss how they navigate the delicate balance between artistic integrity and commercial success. These women aren’t just making art—they’re making history. Discover how they’re rewriting the rules, amplifying their voices, and redefining what it means to be a leader in the creative world. At Zinnov, we believe that creativity fuels innovation, and this conversation will show you exactly why.    

"If you cannot explain something in a simple way, you probably don’t understand it." These words from Kamal Natarajan, SVP of Allstate Technology Solutions, encapsulate the challenge—and opportunity—facing the insurance industry today. Technology has become inseparable from business, but the key to transformation lies not in chasing the latest tech, but in simplifying complex systems to improve customer experiences. In this episode of the Zinnov Podcast: Business Resilience Series, Karthik Padmanabhan, Managing Partner at Zinnov, sits down with Kamal Natarajan to discuss how he is helping transform Allstate into a tech-driven, customer-first organization. With over two decades of experience, Kamal has built high-performing teams, led large-scale digital transformation initiatives, and pioneered AI-driven innovations that are reshaping how insurance operates. He shares his insights on leveraging Gen AI, automation, and digital ecosystems to not just modernize, but humanize the insurance experience. "We don’t lead with Gen AI—we lead with empathy," Kamal explains. He discusses how Allstate is experimenting with AI to create conversational, intelligent voice experiences that guide customers through critical moments, ensuring interactions feel natural and supportive rather than robotic. Beyond technology, Kamal also delves into the cultural shift required for true digital transformation—from empowering engineers to rethink legacy processes to fostering a mindset that values purposeful innovation over complexity. He emphasizes that the future of leadership will not be about technology ownership, but about technology fluency. "The role of technology organizations is going to fade away. Every leader needs to have a strong technology quotient—knowing how to think with a tech-enabled mindset rather than relying on a CIO to do it for them." From reimagining customer engagement to reshaping how insurance is delivered, Kamal’s approach offers a blueprint for companies looking to stay ahead in an era of AI-driven disruption.

In the world of finance, numbers tell stories, but who are the women behind those numbers? The leaders who turn spreadsheets into strategy, setbacks into stepping stones, and challenges into lasting change. Welcome to this episode of Woman in the Mirror: BFSI Edition where our host, Nitika Goel, CMO, Zinnov, is in conversation with three trailblazers — Veda Persad, Country Executive, Northern Trust India, Mamatha Madireddy, Managing Director & Head of HSBC Global Service Centres (GSCs), India, and Sirisha Voruganti, CEO & Managing Director, Lloyds Technology Centre. This isn’t a collection of success stories. It’s an honest exploration of grit, resilience, and sisterhood in one of the most demanding industries. It’s about finding comfort in shared experiences, learning from failures, and understanding that struggle is part of the journey—because it’s through those struggles that we grow and rise. For every leader or aspiring leader who has ever doubted themselves, and for everyone who believes leadership isn’t about fitting in but standing out—this is your moment. Dive into the stories that matter. Because leadership isn’t a destination—it’s the moments you rise above. Welcome to Woman in the Mirror. Tune in now!

Ever wondered what it really takes to lead in healthcare? Not just the strategies and successes, but the quiet moments of doubt, the unexpected triumphs, and the beautiful chaos of balancing it all? In this conversation on Healthcare Leadership, three industry titans take us behind the scenes. Join Zinnov’s CMO, Nitika Goel, as she sits down with three remarkable women: Lene Hylling Axelsson, Novo Nordisk; Kalavathi GV, Siemens Healthineers; Mohua Sengupta, Novartis—leaders who aren’t just driving change in healthcare but transforming the industry. Their stories offer a masterclass in modern leadership. Together, they share battle-tested strategies for navigating boardroom dynamics and building high-stakes operations across continents. What makes their insights so compelling is their honesty about the trade-offs leadership demands. Through reflections on balancing work and life, managing personal sacrifices, and setting boundaries, they provide a practical guide for leaders striving to make an impact while staying authentic in today’s complex global landscape.