Welcome to FutureForward, the podcast by Techcanvass where we decode how technology, skills, and strategy are reshaping industries—and the professionals leading that change.

In Episode 4: "Business Analysis - Challenges, Career and Skills", your host Abhishek Srivastava, Founder & Chief Mentor, Techcanvass, is joined by Rachana Patil, Senior Manager, SS&C Technologies.

🌟 About Our Guest: Rachana PatilRachana Patil is a seasoned Business Analysis professional, with over a decade of experience in navigating complex project landscapes across financial services. Known for her structured thinking and stakeholder-first approach, she has successfully led BA teams through high-impact transformations. With a deep understanding of both business needs and technical solutions, Rachana brings sharp clarity to ambiguity—translating vision into actionable strategy.

🎯 Core Themes Covered in This Episode

🔹 Defining Business Analysis

What Business Analysis really means in today’s digital ecosystem

🔹 Key Responsibilities

How BAs act as a bridge between business and technology

🔹 Real-World Challenges

Handling ambiguity, shifting goals, and complex business problems

🔹 Career Growth & Pathways

Mapping your BA journey from beginner to senior roles🔹 The Impact of AIHow AI is transforming the role of the modern Business Analyst

🔹 Insights from the Field

Practical tips, mindset shifts, and real-world strategies for navigating and growing in the BA profession.

⏰ TIMESTAMPS

00:00 – Introduction & Rachana’s 22-Year BA Journey

02:05 – Transitioning into Business Analysis: Role, Types & Key Skills

08:46 – Technical vs Soft Skills: What Matters Most?

12:21 – A Day in the Life + Real BA Challenges

21:02 – Career Growth: Pathways, Certifications & Salary Expectations

29:02 – Resume Tips & The Impact of AI on BAs

32:34 – Final Advice, Lessons & Outro

🗓Catch the full episode on 26th June 2025 at 6:00 PM IST

Streaming on YouTube Podcasts, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts

🔔 Stay updated—follow Techcanvass for the latest episodes and insights

📺 Subscribe on YouTube: / @techcanvassacademy

🎧 Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5z024JN... Tune in on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast...

🔗 Connect with Rachana Patil to explore her journey in Business Analysis.https://www.linkedin.com/in/rachanasantoshpatil/🔗 Follow us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/techcanvass/

🌐 Explore Techcanvass: https://techcanvass.com

📩 Inquiries: [email protected]

💬 Let us know your key takeaway in the comments below.

Welcome to FutureForward, the podcast by Techcanvass where we explore how technology is reshaping industries, careers, and leadership.

In Episode 3: "Data Analytics – Concepts, Process, Careers & Core Skills", your host Abhishek Srivastava, Founder & Chief Mentor, Techcanvass is joined by Aniket Joshi, Product Owner.

🌟 About Our Guest: Aniket Joshi

Aniket brings hands-on experience from the financial services world, where he builds analytics products that drive real-world decisions. As a Product Owner, he’s an expert at translating complex data challenges into clear solutions and empowering teams to think in metrics, not myths.

🎧 What We Cover in This Episode:

🔹 Defining Data Analytics

What data analytics really means without the buzzword fluff

The four types of analytics: descriptive, diagnostic, predictive, and prescriptive

🔹 Real-Life Use Cases

How finance, healthcare, retail, and more use data to solve real problems

How analytics complements, not competes with, AI

🔹 Toolkits & Techniques

What platforms beginners should explore (think Power BI, Tableau, SQL…)

Soft skills that matter just as much as technical skills

🔹 Career Paths & Advice

Common roles, responsibilities, and qualification pathways in analyticsTips on transitioning into the field: certifications, projects, challenges

🔹 A Day in the Life

Real routines, collaborative workflows, and ethical considerations for analystsThe most rewarding and difficult parts of the job

🔹 The Road Ahead

Emerging trends and where analytics is headed nextHow to build future-ready skills

🔹 Final Takeaways

Key insights, recommended reading, and top resources for those starting out

⏰ TIMESTAMPS

00:00 – Intro & Aniket’s personal story05:30 – What is data analytics?11:00 – Misconceptions debunked16:00 – Common tools & beginner guidance21:00 – Analytics career paths26:00 – A day in the life of an analyst30:00 – Balancing tech and ethics35:00 – Future trends40:00 – Rapid-fire advice & resources🗓Catch the full episode on 19th June 2025 at 6:00 PM ISTStreaming on YouTube Podcasts, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts🔔 Follow Techcanvass now so you don’t miss it!

🚀 Stay Connected:

📺 Subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TechcanvassAcademy

🎧 Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5z024JNYD5wqZhrFJT9vqN Tune in on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/futureforward/id1818549886

🔗 Connect with Aniket:

🔗 Follow us on LinkedIn: https://in.linkedin.com/company/techcanvass

🌐 Explore Techcanvass: https://techcanvass.com

📩 Inquiries: [email protected]

💡 If you enjoyed this conversation, please LIKE, SHARE with your network!💬 Leave your insights or questions in the COMMENTS below we're here to discuss!

🎙️ Welcome to FutureForward, the podcast by Techcanvass where we explore how technology is reshaping industries, careers, and leadership.

In Episode 2: "Digital Transformation – Concepts, Drivers, Careers & Skills", your host Abhishek Srivastava (Founder & Chief Mentor, Techcanvass) is joined by Sandeep Desai (Principal Consultant at AFCONS India Ltd)

🌟 About Our Guest: Sandeep DesaiWith over two decades of experience across large-scale infrastructure, consulting, and technology-led initiatives, Sandeep Desai brings a powerful blend of operational depth and strategic insight. As a Principal Consultant at AFCONS, he’s seen firsthand how digital transformation is influencing project delivery, team dynamics, and business outcomes in the real world.

From ERP implementations to change enablement and leadership coaching, Sandeep is deeply invested in helping professionals navigate transformation both organizational and personal.

🎧 In This Episode, We Discuss:

📔 What is Digital Transformation, Really?– Why it’s more than tech tools– How legacy mindsets impact transformation efforts

📔 Drivers of Transformation in Indian Enterprises– Internal and external factors pushing companies to adapt– Lessons from real transformation projects

📔 Careers & Capabilities in the New Era– How roles are evolving, especially for Business Analysts– The mindset shift needed to grow with the change– Skills that matter most in today’s transformation landscape

📔 Leadership, Learning & Letting Go– How professionals can stay relevant and valuable– Navigating fear of change in mid-career transitions– Sandeep’s personal stories of adapting and leading through transformation

⏰ Timestamps:

00:00 – Intro & Professional Journey

02:10 – What sparked Sandeep’s career, early influences & inspirations

05:30 – What does “digital transformation” mean today?

08:45 – How has DT evolved over time?

12:20 – Key drivers behind digital transformation in organizations

15:50 – Real-world case study breakdown

19:30 – Busting the misconception: DT is NOT just about tech

22:40 – Leading vs. lagging industries — who’s ahead and why

25:00 – Top challenges organizations face in digital transformation

28:15 – Where should companies even begin their DT journey?31:00 – Readiness: Is your organization ready to transform?33:40 – AI’s growing role in digital transformation

36:10 – Measuring ROI for transformation initiatives

38:45 – Essential skillsets for professionals in transformation roles

41:10 – How IT professionals can shift into transformation projects

43:30 – Career paths in digital transformation: is specialization worth it?

45:00 – Rapid-Fire Round

50:00 – Final words of advice for organizations & professionals

🔗 Connect with Sandeep Desai: Sandeep Desai

🚀 Stay Connected with Techcanvass & FutureForward:

📺 Subscribe to Techcanvass on YouTube: @TechcanvassAcademy

🎧 Listen on Spotify: open.spotify.com

🍏 Listen on Apple Podcasts: podcasts.apple.com

🔗 Follow us on LinkedIn: techcanvass

🌐 Visit: https://techcanvass.com

📩 For inquiries: [email protected]

💬 Got questions or takeaways? Drop them in the COMMENTS below!

Welcome to FutureForward, the podcast brought to you by Techcanvass where we explore the cutting edge of technology and its impact on business and careers.

In this insightful episode, "Let's talk about AI", your host, Abhishek Srivastava (Founder & Chief Mentor, Techcanvass) sits down with a distinguished leader in the tech industry, Balaji Rajagopalan (Vice President – Cloud & Data, Capgemini India).👨‍⚖️ About Our Guest: Balaji Rajagopalan

Balaji Rajagopalan is a technology leader with deep expertise in Artificial Intelligence, Data & Analytics, and Cloud Strategy. With over two decades of experience, he helps global enterprises harness data-driven insights and AI-led innovation to drive scalable business transformation. A recognized thought leader, Balaji has spearheaded the design and implementation of resilient data architectures, AI platforms, and enterprise-grade cloud ecosystems. He is passionate about demystifying complex technologies and making them accessible, often drawing rich parallels between history, leadership, and modern technology. Outside of his professional achievements, Balaji is an avid fitness enthusiast and a passionate trekker, finding balance and inspiration in nature.

🎙️ In This Episode, We Delve Into: Balaji's Inspiring Journey: From his childhood and education to his first job and remarkable professional ascent.

📔Decoding AI: What is AI and where does it stand in the series of innovations like cloud computing and blockchain? Understanding Machine Learning and its role in AI.Generative AI: What is it, and how does it compare to traditional AI? AI vs. Human Intelligence: Are we nearing machines as intelligent as humans?

📔AI in the Enterprise: Real-world examples of AI success in businesses.The future of AI adoption in the coming months.Key drivers for successful AI adoption by industries.Challenges preventing organizations from fully embracing AI.

📔AI's Impact on Careers & Skills: How AI is set to affect the careers of professionals, both generally and specifically within IT.Addressing apprehensions about AI taking away jobs and rendering past skills obsolete. Will the nature of jobs fundamentally shift in an AI-dominated world? Identifying IT roles and skills most likely to be transformed by AI.The most critical hard and soft skills for IT professionals in the age of AI.How organizations can support employees in transitioning to new roles.

📔Words of Wisdom: Balaji shares invaluable advice for professionals aiming for success in their corporate lives.

⏰ Timestamps:

[00:00] Introduction to Balaji Rajagopalan & Episode Overview

[01:45] Balaji's Professional Journey and Shaping Influences

[08:30] AI Demystified: Core Concepts, Generative AI, and Human Comparison

[15:20] AI in the Enterprise: Success Stories, Adoption Trends, and Hurdles

[22:10] The Future of Work: AI's Influence on Careers and Essential Skills

[28:00] Critical Skills for IT Professionals in an AI World

[34:15] Advice for Aspiring Professionals

🔗 Connect with Balaji Rajagopalan:balaji-rajagopalan

🚀 Stay Connected with Techcanvass & FutureForward:

Subscribe to Techcanvass on YouTube: @TechcanvassAcademy

Listen to FutureForward on Spotify: Spotify

Follow Techcanvass on LinkedIn: linkedin

Visit our Website: techcanvass.com

For inquiries: [email protected]