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CONFERENCES & BUSINESS CONCLAVES

Day 2

The Panel Discussion on the second day provided a fresh perspective

on the dynamics of market demands and gave a holistic approach
towards the significance of consumerism staying true to the topic
“Product first or Consumer first- What the future looks like”. The event
commenced with a welcome note by Prof. Deepika Gupta, Faculty
IIMV (Strategy area), who emphasised on changes in the product
preferences and the need to view consumers as a resource in
developing products and services. The first speaker in the panel, Dr.

Varun Jain (Associate Director-Marketing at Cipla) discussed the role
of semantics in making a consumer product. He further described
that the feedback cycle of product development is getting shorter because of technology and innovative
techniques and how this is helping companies to come up with products that meet the expectations of the
market. Mr. Vipul Oberoi (Director Marketing at Dun and Bradstreet, India) emphasized the importance of
understanding, articulating, anticipating, and then ultimately presenting the product to the consumer. He

added that the market research gives cues and not answers, and the smartest companies are those which
anticipate future needs from these cues. Mr. Shobhit Mohan (VP Marketing at PayU), another panel
member recommended to keep the product at highest priority. This will enable the company to build most
innovative product for the customers and have sustainable competitive advantage. He further added that
every company has data but those that interpret these data and integrate it with their product will enjoy
the major share of the market. Finally, Mr. Ashok V K (Marketing Head, Oncology &Hospibiz at Dr. Reddy’s
Laboratories) emphasized that having a good product and investing more in product research, rather than

on the customer, always results in its purchase by the customers. Prof. Amit Shankar, IIMV faculty
(Marketing area) was the session moderator.
IIM Visakhapatnam was honoured to host Hon'ble Union
Minister, Ministry of Road Transport & Highways, Shri
Nitin Gadkari ji for its flagship annual Business
Conclave. Shri Nitin Gadkari ji delivered the Keynote
address on the topic ‘The role of infrastructure
development for realizing India’s 5-trillion-dollar

economy goal’.He emphasized the importance of
well-developed infrastructure for enhancing the level of
economic activity and creating an inclusive ecosystem.
He further spoke on how robust infrastructure can play
an important role in fulfilling the vision of India in
becoming a $5 trillion economy. He added that India is
ready to adopt the world’s best technology without
compromising quality, cost-effectiveness, and

sustainability. He also emphasized the importance of
After his Keynote address, Shri Nitin Gadkari ji youngsters working at the grassroots level in developing
even obliged to address some inquisitive queries cost-effective sustainable global solutions that will help
put forth by the students in the Q&A session. in the development of rural and tribal areas.

3 VOL. / ISSUE /JAN APRIL