Harshit Gupta

40-under-40

A Confluence of BFSI Expertise & Digital Innovation

Harshit Gupta

Head- Digital Consumer Business,

MMTC-PAMP

Today’s companies are faced with the imperative to not only create innovative products and services but also to deliver an excellent customer experience. This necessitates the need for leaders who exhibit versatility in navigating diverse business models, ensuring a holistic approach to meeting customer expectations. In fact, it is leaders, like Harshit Gupta, who are making a big difference in the industry through their organisational roles.
Harshit, currently serving as Head- Digital Consumer Business at MMTC-PAMP India Private Limited, is a transformative leader who leaves a lasting imprint on his organization. His distinguished career exhibits a seamless transition across diverse industries, demonstrating proficiency in the B2B, and B2C realms. In his current role, Harshit is managing the digital consumer business at MMTC-PAMP, one of India’s leading precious metals brands.
Harshit’s approach to problem-solving is characterised by practicality and a steadfast “consumer-first” attitude, aligning seamlessly with the imperative of creating an exceptional consumer experience. His professional journey is a testament to resilience and versatility, right from his entrepreneurial stint exploring various facets of the financial services industry, to his current leadership in the digital precious metals ecosystem at MMTC-PAMP. This intrapreneurial journey showcases his adept understanding of the financial markets and business management, positioning him as a leader capable of steering organisations through the intricacies of the modern business landscape.
In a dynamic business ecosystem where adaptability and innovative thinking are paramount, Harshit’s multifaceted skill set, client-centric approach, and adeptness in creating cross-functional synergies underscore his significance as a leader surpassing the evolving expectations of the industry. As we delve into the narrative of Harshit’s professional journey, his versatility in business adaptations emerges as a standout strength, emphasising the critical role such leaders play in shaping the future of consumer-centric businesses. that ensure continued growth. Such situations, though tough, provide opportunities to evolve as individuals and professionals. For instance, in such challenging times, I focused on reinstating consumer confidence, navigating large portfolios with valuable insights, and ensuring customers stay engaged by emphasising our consumer-first approach.

 

What inspired your entry into the BFSI industry, and could you highlight key milestones in your professional journey?

I derive inspiration from the dynamic nature of the BFSI industry and the challenges it presents. My journey began as a management trainee with SBI Life, where I gained a solid foundation. Moving on to advising corporate clients and later managing high-net-worth portfolios with Aditya Birla Group and Edelweiss Financial Advisors Ltd, marked significant milestones. However, the pinnacle was establishing the affluent banking business at India’s largest public sector bank, witnessing exponential growth and garnering industry-wide recognition. Currently, leading the digital ecosystem at MMTC-PAMP allows me to explore innovative solutions in the everevolving financial landscape.

Share a few career milestones that you take pride in.

One of the most significant milestones was setting up the affluent banking business for the State Bank of India, witnessing its growth from scratch to being the leader in the Wealth Management industry. Additionally, in my current role as a business leader at MMTC-PAMP, achieving a wide outreach of the company’s digital products to more than half of India’s digitally savvy population stands out as a source of pride. These milestones reflect the industry-wide recognition of my contributions and the trust of consumers, partners and industry leaders.

What were some of the most challenging moments in your journey, and how did you strategize to overcome them?

Just believe in your inner-self’s equanimity, and turbulent times chisel the best in you. Facing challenges during economic downturns, like the recession at the beginning of my career and the recent impact of the pandemic, has been a learning experience. Consumer sentiment is directly correlated to the macro-economic orientation, navigating through these challenges involves a deep understanding of the markets, reinstating customer confidence, and adapting to strategies that ensure continued growth. Such situations, though tough, provide opportunities to evolve as individuals and professionals. For instance, in such challenging times, I focused on reinstating consumer confidence, navigating large portfolios with valuable insights, and ensuring customers stay engaged by emphasising our consumer-first approach.

In your digital leadership role, what is your strategy for staying ahead of competitors?

I believe in trusting my team and stakeholders, as a strong organisational culture is vital. Viewing competition as an opportunity rather than a threat allows us to understand the potential, be agile, and continually evolve. Empowering the team plays a crucial role in keeping them agile and ensuring the right tasks are assigned to the right people while continuing to challenge their status quo and continually develop newer skill sets. Overall, a combination of authenticity, effective leadership, and a keen understanding of market dynamics keeps us ahead in the competitive landscape.

Describe your leadership style in two sentences.

My leadership style revolves around authenticity,
maintaining a grassroot connection, and clear
communication. Amalgamating these elements,
I ensure a genuine and efficient approach to
leadership. Authenticity with clear communication
allows me to connect with my team on a personal
level and shows genuine intent to lead them
to navigate through any challenges. Staying
grounded and connecting to the last mile delivery
in the value chain, always ensure that I have
insights on what is the market vibe.

In the precious metals industry, what evolving technologies and strategies do you use daily for customer satisfaction?

Describe your leadership style in two sentences.We focus on leveraging a variety of technologies, including cloud computing and sophisticated tools for marketing automation and integration. Constantly staying updated on technological advancements ensures we provide a secure and user-friendly product for our partners and customers, allowing us to maintain a leading position in the precious metals space. For instance, our emphasis on cloud technology ensures the security and scalability of the products, creating a seamless experience for both B2B and B2C channels