Last Updated on August 9, 2024
Research and publication are integral components for driving innovation and advancing knowledge in the business world. These endeavors not only contribute to the growth and development of industries but also establish individuals as experts in their respective fields. Shashank Katare, a seasoned professional, has recognized the significance of research and publication throughout his career, and his accomplishments stand as a testament to his success and expertise.
Shashank has built a remarkable reputation for his extensive experience and expertise in his field. His contributions extend beyond his professional engagements, as he has published multiple patents and papers in esteemed peer-reviewed journals. Among his notable patents are “Video-Based Customer-Specific Transactions” and “Request De-duplication for Enterprise Service Bus,” showcasing his innovative thinking and problem-solving abilities.
His published papers include titles such as “Agile Marketing as a Key Driver to Increasing Operational Efficiencies and Speed to Market,” “The Three Most Critical Aspects for Implementing Holistic Customer Experience at Scale,” “A Method and System for Dynamically Generating Privacy List for an Instant Messenger Client,” “Method for Adapting XML Schema Definitions for Legacy Systems,” “Predictive Rejection of Service Requests using an ESB,” and “A Data-Driven Approach and Framework to Social Media Strategy
and Performance Measurement for Brands.” These publications highlight his deep understanding of industry trends and his dedication to advancing knowledge within his field.
Moreover, Shashank’s impact extends beyond his written contributions. He is frequently sought after as a speaker at various events and conferences, where he shares his expertise and insights with professionals, business leaders, and aspiring individuals. Through these speaking engagements, Shashank actively contributes to the collective knowledge pool and fosters a culture of innovation and collaboration.
We had the opportunity to sit down with Shashank and gain insights into his motivations behind research, publication, and knowledge sharing. He emphasized the role of research and publication in shaping the future of industries. Through his own experiences, he has witnessed the transformative power of innovative ideas and their impact on businesses and society as a whole.
Dear readers, embark on this captivating exploration of expertise, as we delve into Shashank’s world and uncover the knowledge and inspiration that await you.
Shashank, it’s great to have you here! When it comes to writing peer-reviewed papers, we’d love to hear about your approach to the research process. How do you ensure that your work makes a meaningful contribution to the broader field? Are there any specific strategies or methods you follow to achieve that?
As a thought leader and industry expert, I offer strategic advice to clients and deliver recommendations on digital transformation and customer experience initiatives that bring substantial impact to their businesses. Consequently, I am constantly conducting research, keeping abreast of industry trends, and publishing thought leadership pieces and papers in esteemed peer-reviewed journals.
Publishing a paper in a peer-reviewed journal is challenging, demanding substantial research, effort, and time. I have outlined several steps I follow to ensure my research is competitive, meets quality standards, and aligns with the journal’s mission.
First and foremost, I decide on the topic for my research paper, based on my expertise, focus areas, and interests. Then I review existing research on the topic to identify gaps that my paper could address and thereby add value to the field. Based on these insights and findings, I define the question or hypothesis that I will address in my paper. This assists me in narrowing the scope of the paper and collecting data relevant to the research question.
The subsequent steps involve conducting the research, gathering data, analyzing the insights, and writing the paper, complete with findings, results, and conclusions. I also include limitations in the paper, which facilitates other researchers in identifying areas to build upon.
Finally, I submit the paper to the journal, adhering to all the author guidelines, such as formatting, citation, references, tables, and charts. I also take into account any feedback received from the journal before submitting the final draft.
These strategies assist me in publishing a paper that makes a significant contribution to the field and advances knowledge in the research area. Although this process is intricate and demanding, the reward of having the paper accepted and published in the journal is immeasurable.
Can you tell us about one of the patents you’ve published? How did you come up with the idea and bring it to life?
The retail industry is in a state of constant evolution, with a focus on innovative and creative ways to engage consumers and foster enduring relationships with them. In my work with retailers, I regularly identify opportunities for them to leverage technology and AI to boost sales and drive efficiencies.
One such opportunity led to one of my patents, which facilitates the direct purchase of items featured in movies or TV shows, such as a dress worn by an actress or a piece of furniture, from a smart or internet-enabled TV.
This patent enables TV producers to tag multiple products shown in TV series or movies, allowing consumers to select them from a choice of retailers directly from the TV. Consumers can also create an avatar to virtually try on products, such as clothes, before purchasing them. I published this patent a few years ago when such functionality was not yet realized. However, with advancements in technology and digital engagement, we’re seeing an increasing number of retailers investing in such capabilities. This shift has the potential to generate significant revenue, growth, and impact in the industry.
The idea behind the patent came from identifying a gap in the industry and the desire to integrate retail, digital, and e-commerce capabilities. I collaborated with my team to brainstorm ideas, conduct research on both existing work and industry trends, analyze the data, and then publish the patent after several review sessions with the review board and lawyers.
Overall, the process of publishing the patent involved extensive creative problem-solving, research, and analysis. Our team’s collective expertise in the industry, technology, and innovation was crucial to the successful realization of this project.
As a peer reviewer for the American Marketing Association, how do you evaluate papers for conferences? What are some things you look for to ensure the papers are impactful for the intended audience?
I find reviewing papers for conferences immensely gratifying as it allows me to contribute to the field and broaden my knowledge simultaneously. While evaluating papers, I consider several factors.
First and foremost, I ensure that the paper aligns with the conference theme and appeals to its audience. The published paper should be timely, and it should provide value and make a meaningful impact on the conference attendees.
Secondly, I scrutinize the paper for originality. Does the paper present fresh ideas? How does it contribute to the field? It is vital that the paper introduces novel perspectives.
Lastly, I look at the structure and clarity of the paper. Are the results well-supported and relevant to the research hypothesis? The findings, results, and recommendations should be clearly presented and easy to understand and interpret. The paper should also include any limitations, implications, and used references.
The peer-review process demands a careful and thorough examination of the paper. It should verify the paper’s relevance, originality, and robustness, ensuring it presents well-supported data and makes a meaningful impact on the field.
You’ve judged several media and marketing awards. How do you go about selecting winners? Are there any particular criteria you use to determine the best submission?
I have had the privilege of judging numerous media and marketing awards across various categories, and I am consistently astounded by the innovative entries from diverse brands and regions. Evaluating entries requires careful consideration, and I look for specific attributes while scoring them.
Above all, I ensure that the entries demonstrate creativity, originality, and tangible impact on their customers and clients. The campaigns should clearly articulate their marketing strategy, including budget allocation, planning, and execution. A comprehensive understanding of how the campaign aligns with overarching objectives is always beneficial.
Additionally, I assess the campaign’s creativity by examining its design, copy, and content, all tailored to distinct target audiences. Finally, I evaluate the campaign’s performance and the return on investment it generates for the business.
When you received the Invention Achievement Award at IBM, what was the patent or publication that earned you the award? How did you feel about receiving the award and what impact did it have on your work?
I am deeply invested in learning about recent trends and innovations within the industry, and I continuously engage in conducting research and publishing thought leadership through patents, publications, speaking at events, or presenting to clients. As a result, I have made significant contributions to the fields of technology, strategy, and digital marketing.
I was honored to receive the Invention Achievement Award at IBM for filing a patent that could help companies reduce duplicate data calls. This patent includes a mechanism to authenticate users and temporarily store retrieved system data. In essence, as soon as the first data response is received from a service or third-party function, the solution will store, compare, and evaluate whether a duplicate request is being made.
If so, it retrieves information from the already stored data, reducing duplicate calls. This strategy not only decreases latency and boosts efficiency but also reduces unnecessary costs associated with multiple redundant requests to a third-party vendor service.
Receiving this award was one of my greatest accomplishments, instilling a sense of pride and satisfaction. It served as motivation to continue my research and pursue new ideas and innovations, and it also opened new opportunities for me to collaborate with other thought leaders, thereby advancing my career.
Can you share an example of a speaking engagement where you provided recommendations to C-level executives? How did your recommendations drive revenue growth and cost efficiencies for the client and Adobe?
As a consultant and strategic advisor, I am consistently sharing thought leadership and providing strategic guidance to C-level executives. My activities frequently involve speaking to clients or at industry events and conferences to share insights, trends, and case studies.
I was recently invited to speak at an event attended by executives from Retail companies. I presented the latest trends, case studies, and capabilities on how retailers can elevate loyalty to drive better relationships with their customers during uncertain times when customers are more likely to switch brands.
During the event, I engaged the executives to understand their challenges, objectives, and desired capabilities. I highlighted specific strategies and best practices that could help clients improve capabilities, drive loyalty, and increase customer lifetime value. I also emphasized the importance of using data, analytics, and technology to enhance current capabilities.
Following the event, many of the executives approached me to dive deeper into the topics. They mentioned that they were impressed by my expertise and expressed interest in working with me. The executives took away a wealth of insights and best practices that would help them drive revenue growth and efficiencies. This event also generated a great deal of interest from the companies and produced pipeline opportunities for Adobe.
When you speak at events and conferences, how do you decide what to talk about? How do you make sure your presentation is engaging and informative for the audience?
Deciding on a topic for an event or conference is indeed a challenging task, and it requires a lot of work to ensure that the presentation is engaging, relevant, and informative for the audience. Below, I’ve outlined some steps I take to prepare for an event.
Before I even begin planning the presentation, I review the focus of the event or conference, the agenda, and how much time I will be allotted to present, including time to answer questions.
Then, I invest time in understanding the audience – their interests, needs, and challenges – to make sure I tailor the content to them.
Next, I choose a topic within my area of expertise and about which I am passionate.
The subsequent stage is arguably the most laborious part of the process. This is where I spend time conducting research and creating the presentation, ensuring that it is well structured, concise, and that key takeaways are clear. I include numerous visuals, examples, and case studies to illustrate my points and make the presentation more engaging.
Finally, I practice my presentation to become comfortable with the content and delivery. I also review the content with colleagues and incorporate their feedback. In addition, I ensure that the presentation is well-paced and leaves time for questions and discussion.
These steps aid me in crafting a presentation that is both engaging and informative for the audience.
