Digital Leader 2018: Prakash Kumar: BMW Group

BMW GROUP INDIA | AUTOMOTIVE

Prakash Kumar, Head IT 

KEY IT SPENDING AREAS FY 2018-19

Developing new customer experience solutions 

5 KEY SOLUTIONS DEPLOYED IN 2017-18:

Customer Mobile Application, On-Line sales Platform, Business Analytics, Used Car sales Platform

 WHAT DOES DIGITAL MEAN FOR YOU? 

This is beyond automation of the process. For us Digital means creating new ways and means of reaching to the customer, creating new business models. Capturing data around customer and product usage and building analytics around that.

NAME 3 BEST PRACTICES FOR ALIGNING IT WITH NEW NORMAL BUSINESS DEMANDS?

1. Understand and communicate the impact of software solutions on business propositions.
2. Use business language to interact with and convince the utility of products/ solutions.
3. Take a keen interest in understanding consumer behavior/needs and plan for solutions accordingly. 

WHAT IS THAT ONE KEY MESSAGE YOU WOULD LIKE TO GIVE TO IT VENDORS? 

Work closely with CIO/CDOs to customize solutions for the business needs than selling readymade products. Offer solutions which create value proposition rather than cost proposition. 

SIGNIFICANT MILESTONES AS CIO (CURRENT AND PAST ROLES):

Over 23 years of experience whilst working with companies like BMW, Delta Electronics, Infosys, Reckitt Benckiser, Tata Global Beverages. For nearly 10 years working in the capacity of Director IT/Head IT.