Ganesh Sankaran

Thank you MachineHack Generative AI for the coverage on my last talk, very well written. Friends - the full video of my talk is also present in the article. I’d be happy to know your feedback and suggestions. Thanks! #SystemDesign #ScalableSystems #AsynchronousMachines #MLEngineering #DataScience

28

1 Comment

Thanks for the opportunity to contribute Ayandrali Dutta . The article is a good summary of emerging trends with contributions coming in from industry fraternity In good company here with Minakshi Singh , Vikram Achanta and @hemanth rao

36

1 Comment

Shining a Light on the Unsung Hero of Advanced Analytics Thanks, #Cypher, for the opportunity to engage with such a forward-thinking community! While #AdvancedAnalytics, #AI, and now #GenAI often steal the spotlight, it's important to recognize the unsung hero behind their success: a strong #datafoundation. Without clean, reliable, and well-structured data, these advanced technologies can’t deliver their full potential. The real magic happens when the hard work of building and maintaining that foundation meets cutting-edge innovation. Let’s start glorifying the backbone of analytics success—the foundation that makes everything else possible! What’s your take on balancing innovation with foundational excellence? #DataFoundation #AI #GenAI #AnalyticsMaturity #DigitalTransformation #Innovation

80

9 Comments

We are living in an exciting time with GenAI in CPG and Retail. GenAI is able to address some of the most value creating potential in this industry by addressing some of the key barriers to scale processes that are traditionally considered ‘human led creative processes’ outside the boundaries of technology like product innovation and creative content generation. Deloitte lists few of these high value opportunities in the article below. There are more such applications in manufacturing and SC that at first brush would not be considered in the domain of GebAI but clever combination of discriminitive and generative AI have high impact applications.

25

1 Comment

Moving from ‘customer satisfaction’ to ‘customer delight’ can yield long-term returns for key metrics like NPS, revenue, and TRS.     This article features a great example of a retailer going above and beyond, in a simple and inexpensive way, to promote a valuable and authentic personal connection between company and customer.      To learn more about the referrals, retention and revenue benefits of delivering ‘delightful experiences’, follow the link.     #Retail #ConsumerInsights #CustomerSatisfaction  

12

Suggestions for Indian packaged food and beverages leadership to grow their brands when inflation continue to weigh heavy on consumer mind and their confidence about inflation continue to be pessimistic- Focus on providing value while staying relevant to consumers. Minutely understand what consumer values more - higher grammage vs. more trips to mouth vs. lower price. You will be surprised 😊 Prioritize affordability by offering smaller pack sizes or budget-friendly options to maintain volume. Highlight the quality and nutritional benefits of your products to justify their price. Enhance digital and in-store promotions to drive trial and repeat purchase #InflationImpact, #FMCGMarketing, #ConsumerGoods, #FoodAndBeverage, #BrandStrategy, #AffordableProducts, #SustainableBrands, #DigitalMarketing, #PackagedFood, #CustomerInsights

25

1 Comment

Adopting digital payments in India has the potential to revolutionize pricing strategies for FMCG products. The flexibility that digital transactions offer could pave the way for new price points, such as INR 21, 22, 23, and 24, challenging traditional norms. This shift enables incremental marginal pricing, especially benefiting products in impulse categories like packaged snacks and bottled beverages. The result? Reduced costs, increased efficiency, and enhanced competitiveness in the market. What are your thoughts on this evolving landscape of pricing strategies in the FMCG sector? #FMCG #Marketing #FMCGMarketing #Pricing #FMCGPricing #DigitalPayments #ConsumerInsights #PricingInsights

15

2 Comments

Look who I bumped into enroute to #Phoenix for NielsenIQ annual #C360 conference for retailers and manufacturers. Looks like Denver is a popular hub for all of us United Airlines 1K travellers! Don’t judge that Jessie Mazur is ready for business and I am dressed casual. Been almost 6 hours flying plus layovers and it is 12noon local time…. #NIQandGfK #TheFullView #MovingMeasurementForward #NIQ #GFK #nielseniq #retailanalytics #retailinsights #cpg #cpgindustry #retail #groceryretail #convenience #beverageindustry #quickcommerce #collaboration #future #business #manufacturing #collaboration #connectedcollaboration #media #investments #onlineadvertising #sales #retail #growth #grocery #retailing #technology #sustainability #techanddurables #generalmerch #computing #electronics #devices #IoT #PrivateLabel #ownedBrands #telco #AI #GenAI #AskArthur

93

4 Comments

Liz Buchanan <> The CPG View On this week's podcast, "Pioneering the Future of CPG Data," on The CPG View featuring Liz Buchanan, President, North America at NielsenIQ. Liz covers the following key points: 🎯 Leadership and Market Evolution: Liz emphasizes her transition to leading Nielsen IQ's North American business and the dynamic changes in the market, highlighting her extensive experience and the company's adaptive strategies. 🎯 Data Activation and Value: A major focus is on making data "activation ready" by ensuring it is comprehensive, granular, and useful for driving business outcomes, particularly in retail environments. 🎯 Customer-Centric Approach: Liz shares the importance of understanding and addressing customer needs through modern data access methods, personalized insights, and maintaining high standards of data stewardship and privacy. Tune in to gain insights on new data strategies, AI tools, and market trends shaping the CPG industry on The CPG View. 🚀🌟 Full Podcast Link (Apple, Spotify, Google, etc): 🎧 https://lnkd.in/eEqXpSB6 #ecommerce #digital #omnichannel #strategy #success #cro #ceo #leadership #cmo #cdo #retailecommerceclub #cpg #privateequity #playtowin #thecpgview

36

2 Comments

Brands are still in the midst of figuring out how to best integrate #AI into their day to day business. In this @Business Reporter article, my colleague @Eda Cetinok dives into Ipsos’ GET.AI framework that helps organizations prepare for AI adoption. Check it out: https://lnkd.in/gdDAVKW5

14

🎓 Two Years of Growth, Grit and Gratitude: My EMBA Journey at SP Jain 🎓 Two years ago, I embarked on my EMBA journey with SP Jain, signing a personal commitment to complete the program while navigating a new job, engaging deeply with the consumer insights community, and taking care of my family. Balancing these priorities required deliberate effort—managing a packed schedule of 9-to-6 workdays, late-night group calls and homework three times a week, and weekend classes. Through it all, I discovered three key lessons that not only shaped my professional growth but also profoundly impacted how I approach life: 🔹 Energy Over Time Management 🔹 Time is finite, but energy can be managed and amplified. I stopped frontloading my schedule and moved away from back-to-back meetings, creating space to reflect and think critically. Fridays became “no meeting” days for upskilling, reading, or simply connecting with others. Weekly networking—whether mentoring, consulting, or catching up—helped maintain relationships while fostering growth. This recalibration enhanced my productivity and well-being in ways I hadn’t imagined. 🔹 The Power of Intention 🔹 I learned new tools and was exposed to new thinking during my EMBA but more than the tools, we were constantly encouraged to be more deliberate and intentional about our careers. From Dr. Gary Stockport, I appreciated learning about crafting a one-page strategic plan. This exercise gave me clarity and focus, allowing me to align my professional ambitions and personal aspirations. Today, that plan is my compass, guiding my actions and ensuring I stay true to my vision of becoming a thought leader in the consumer insights industry. 🔹 Becoming a More Empathetic Leader 🔹 Sharing this journey with my incredible GEMBA Batch 14 classmates was transformative. From learning to listen deeply and value diverse perspectives to navigating disagreements with grace and fostering team camaraderie, the experience made me a better leader and collaborator. Our collective commitment to lifting each other up has left a lasting impact on how I approach leadership. 💡 These two years have been challenging but deeply rewarding. Beyond the tools and frameworks I’ve learned, I’m taking with me a renewed sense of purpose, enriched relationships, and a stronger belief in the power of community. A heartfelt thank you to the administrators, professors, and my amazing classmates who made this journey possible. Your wisdom, support, and camaraderie have been invaluable. Here’s to the next chapter—and to the lifelong learnings and friendships this journey has gifted me! 🥂 Gary Stockport Dr. Umesh Kothari Dr. Smitha Ranganathan Prof Manek Mukesh Muniza Askari Dr Vanita Shetty Bhoola #SPJain #EMBAJourney #Leadership #StrategicThinking #EnergyManagement #EmpathyInLeadership #LifelongLearning

89

26 Comments

Is premiumization of (cost-of-living-stressed) consumers with incremental innovations the best way to grow for #CPG players? As all #FMCG companies are doubling down on organic growth, most are accelerating their innovations machine, often with premium priced innovations. That could end up being a large resources misallocation (dilution of scarce shelf space, marketing investments, supply chain & organizational resources) & a major strategic misstep for many At a time the largest threat is de-consumption, more premium priced innovations will just not cut it The painful truth is that too many FMCG marketing organizations do not own the 4Ps and are solely focused on ‘global innovations/ marketing campaigns’. Then the organizational bias/ 'default setting' is to try to solve all brands’ problems with those two levers (global product innovations & media) In the current context, those could be deadly mistakes We continue to be amazed by the little resources that get into: i) Generally, understanding rigorously Consumers, esp. their barriers/ drivers/ triggers/ 4Ps preferences ii) Specifically understanding what: - The Heavy Consumers have in common/ try to recruit more of them - Are the addressable lapse/ non-users’ barriers iii) Leveraging strategic segmentation to identify under-served segments & craft ownable strategies to address them iv) Rethinking how to recruit/ retain Consumers with innovative marketing/ point of market entry strategies Etc… Marketing leaders need to have a holistic view on what are the levers across all the 4Ps that will drive the most disruptive return There will be no sustainable (volume) growth outperformance in many FMCG organizations without strenghtening the Marketing Function & giving them formally full 4Ps ownership. That goes against the last decade Doxa but it is essential 𝗧𝗼 𝗸𝗻𝗼𝘄 𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗮𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗽𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗽𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗼𝗻 𝗵𝗼𝘄 𝘁𝗼 𝗮𝗰𝗰𝗲𝗹𝗲𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗼𝗿𝗴𝗮𝗻𝗶𝗰 (𝘃𝗼𝗹𝘂𝗺𝗲) 𝗴𝗿𝗼𝘄𝘁𝗵 & 𝗰𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗶𝗻𝗰𝗿𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗹 𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗴𝗼𝗿𝘆 𝘃𝗮𝗹𝘂𝗲, 𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗱 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗹𝗮𝘀𝘁 𝗽𝘂𝗯𝗹𝗶𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻: FMCG CEOs: Managing Finally For Sustainable (Volume) Growth Or How To Stop Shrinking To Glory - From ZBB to ZBG® (Zero-Based-Growth) https://lnkd.in/eG62xkNE To receive the corresponding deck, pl. leave your name in comment To get all our insights, follow us/ subscribe to our CEOs newsletter: https://lnkd.in/eR8vDpvE #strategy Frederic Fernandez & Associates

31

5 Comments

Small manufacturers are witnessing exceptional growth in Better For™ sales, challenging the status quo set by industry giants. Align with consumer preferences for transparency and accountability to carve a unique niche for your brand. Dive into NIQ’s Better For™ segment to gain a competitive edge in meeting the evolving needs of mindful consumers.

24

I really enjoyed this conversation with Mike Golden on the Radical Global Marketing podcast. Courtesy Mike and team for the key takeaways from this conversation: 1. Emphasize both the art and science of marketing to create impactful consumer interactions. 2. Adapt global brand strategies to accommodate local market nuances. Leverage digital and traditional media effectively to communicate brand ethos and offerings. 3. Collaborate closely with agencies to ensure creative consistency and adaptability across markets. 4. Utilize data and technology to improve marketing efficiency and effectiveness while maintaining a strong focus on storytelling and emotional engagement. #leadership #marketing Diageo https://lnkd.in/e58P4GFr

60

14 Comments

I just love this line: "RATINGS & REVIEWS can help #CPG brands unlock a goldmine of consumer insights" Aaron Richman offers some great insights into all of the reasons you should have a RATINGS & REVIEWS strategy. DM me now to discuss how I can help in a fast, easy and cost effective way.

1

Attn.: Work in progress! Our latest Stand Alone Store is gearing up for a mega launch… some final touches, last minute layout changes, some additional props and concepts… and all of this discussion over a boxful of piping hot samosas and delicious panipuris :) But on a serious note as customers what are some of the “things” you wish were there to make your shopping experience more enjoyable. Look forward to reading your opinions. Do please share your thoughts and views. #miabytanishq #retailexpansion #experiencialmarketing #newstoreopening #customerjourney

147

18 Comments

As the official Ambassador for "The Consumer Insights Revolution" by Zappi and PepsiCo, I had the privilege of reading its pre-launch copy. This book openly explores the challenges faced by the insights function, highlighting the insecurities that often confine it to the role of a data gatekeeper. It takes you on a journey from the days when research was avoided due to long wait time, to a new era where digital, democratized insights platforms provide real-time consumer insights at every stage of the innovation process. One must read this book for - Transforming insights function to a proactive partner instead of a project management department - Leveraging process standardization to make insights a strategic partner, not a mere marketer’s accountant. - Successful case studies from McDonald’s iterative learning process and SoFi's data democratization Would recommend all insights professionals get access to this content and a complimentary copy at connectedinsights.com Along with the book, I received a pair of socks. While I might not be able to pull off these colors in my sense of style, 😄 I’m definitely ready to walk the journey of the consumer insights revolution! #Zappi #Pepsico #ConsumerInsightsRevolution #MarketResearch #Innovation

138

8 Comments

AI will significantly impact the CPG (Consumer Packaged Goods) industry. Here are some immediate ways in which AI will have an impact. 1. Predicting Consumer Demand: AI can analyze consumer preferences to predict demand for various food trends, such as microbiome-friendly foods, alternative proteins, low trans fats, and personalized nutrition. 2. Food Formulation AI can leverage big data for "What-if Analysis," enabling the formulation of products with new and alternative ingredients while maintaining flavor, texture, nutritional claims, and cost efficiency. 3. Optimizing the Food Supply Chain: AI-powered data analytics can enhance the efficiency of manufacturing, co-packing, and delivering food to customers' doorsteps, ensuring cost-effective on-demand access. H/T Thomas Hayes #foodismedicine #CPG Agilitas #food #formulation #AI

11

As consumers continue to tighten their spending belts, the CPG industry is witnessing a shift towards seeking more deals. Leading CPGs had aimed to boost brand building in Q1, but the focus will now likely shift to trade spending with retailers for new promotions. Understanding competitors' MAP policies, pricing tactics, and margins is crucial in the current consumer-centric market landscape. Stay informed and competitive. #CPG #CompetitiveIntelligence https://lnkd.in/geJfhSCq

2