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About Jay

Jay Desai

Jay Desai has 36 years of management consulting experience in India.  He facilitates case study-based “Adaptive Leadership Strategy Workshops” for corporate clients and has facilitated 65+ workshops in the past several years with ~1650+ participants.

 

Jay was the Founder & Managing Director of Universal Consulting India Pvt Ltd, a Strategy & Organisation Consulting Firm, since 1994, with an initial investment of less than Rs 50,000.  He has directed 1,100 strategy, operations and organisation consulting projects for 392 clients across the Life Sciences & Medical Technology, Crop & Agri Science, Industrial Products & Capital Goods, Construction & Building Materials, Automotive, Ports & Logistics and Banking & Financial Services sectors. 

 

Jay was also a Partner in Global Strategy Consulting Firm, L.E.K. Consulting, for ten years, while Universal Consulting had a joint venture with L.E.K. between 2007-2017.  Prior to founding Universal Consulting 32 years ago, Jay worked with Arthur Andersen & Co (Andersen Consulting) in Mumbai from 1989 to 1994. 

Jay has completed the Advanced Management Program (AMP) from the Harvard Business School, an MBA from Willamette University, an MS in Biology from Purdue University and a BSc in Life Sciences from the University of Mumbai (St Xavier’s College).

Triggered by the terror attacks in Mumbai in November 2008, Jay authored a book titled “Accountability: Angst, Awareness, Action” (Pearson 2012) on India's complex governance systems.  As a result, Harvard University’s South Asia Initiative organized a ‘Best of Harvard in India’ roundtable series on “Accountability & Governance in 2012”.  Jay has conducted guest lectures at The Wharton School, University of Cambridge, Vanderbilt University, Ashoka University, the Harvard Club of Mumbai and the Indian School of Business (Mohali). Jay is also a Visiting Faculty at the Indian School of Business – Executive Education Program. He has also addressed several CEO, CFO, CHRO and YPO Forums across the country and a TEDx conference in Mumbai.

Jay’s academic research interests centre around developing management insights from the fundamental principles of evolutionary biology, ecology and complex adaptive systems, to help inform the process of transformation in business ecosystems. This is the subject of his second book to be published in early 2027. 

Portrait of Jay Desai

The 184-year-old Willamette University in Oregon, USA, conferred upon Jay, the Distinguished Alumni Citation Award for 2017.  Jay is a serious student of Indian Classical Music and has been playing the Sarod for more than 35 years and regularly performs at private concerts.

Jay Desai working

Formulating Strategy

  • Strategies for Growth​

  • Strategies for Diversification​

  • Go To Market Strategy​

  • Strategies for Market Entry​

  • Strategies for Channel Management​

  • Selection of Partners / Targets​

  • Commercial Due Diligence​

  • Strategy Implementation

Redesigning Organisations

  • Restructuring Organisations​

  • Designing Performance Management Systems ​

  • Developing Competency Frameworks

  • Organisation Redesign
    Implementation

Improving Operations​

  • Optimising Supply Chains​

  • Optimising Logistic Costs​

  • Redesigning Processes​

  • Optimising Costs​

  • Operations Implementation

Bringing 36+ years of prior consulting experience to Leadership Workshops

Prior Consulting Clients across sectors

Life Sciences (Pharma & Biopharma)

Life Sciences (Pharma & Biopharma)

Indus Biotech
Eisai
Shire
GVK Bio
Menarini
FDC
Danaher
Inventia
Sundaram
Jubilant
AstraZeneca
Rivaara Labs
Reckitt
Piramal
Merck
Allergan
Novavax
Endo
Takeda
MSD
Corning
GSK
BI
Sun Pharma
Novartis
Otsuka
Advinus
Vertex
Advy
Cipla
Medical Technologies

Medical Technologies

L&T
Danaher
DRL
Phillps
Virtus
Terumo
Medtronic
Stryker
Sundaram
Metropolis
Orchid
BD
Siemens
Corning
Helixis
Cipla
Illumina
Nitto
Cepheid
Acelity
Kims
AB Sciex
Hoya
Crop & Food Science

Crop & Food Science

Bayer
Glencore
Bunge
Heinz
Mitsui
AB Mauri
Recon
Jain Farm Fresh
BR
Mahindra
OYC
Biostadt
Agthia
LDC
Murugappa
Fertis
Savencia
Himalayan
Rich
UPL
ADF
VKL
Mosanto
Olam
Indofil
Vatnworks
Nestle
Viterra
Industrial Products & Capital Goods

Industrial Products & Capital Goods

Honeywell
Sterlite
ICC
Almonard
SAL
KEF
Actuant
Yash Birla
Wartsila
Eimco
GMM
West Coast
Hach
Eurus
Pfaudler
Ch2m
Wilo
Cummins
Al Nasser
Piramal
Emco
Praj
TMEIC
Kirloskar
Raychem
Festo
Federal Trans
Automotive

Automotive

Dhoot
Endurance
Neosym
Mehta Group
NRB
Escorts
CEAT
Bhagwati
Pricol
Piaggio
Linkway
Unominda
RSB
Rolex
Mahindra
GRL
Autohandar
Veyance
Metal Works
Apollo
TVS
Construction & Building Materials

Construction & Building Materials

Star
Owens
Sumitomo
Saint Gobain
SGI
Staefa
CRH
Hindware
Formica
Dorma
Honeywell
Dupont
Centuryply
Patni
CK Birla
Armstrong
Nitco
Johnson Peddler
Orient Bells
Ch2m
Jubilant
AIF
Acme
Havells
Mahindra
GAAR
APM Terminals
JM Baxi
TVS
Writer
DPW
Orient
Forbes
AFL
Great Eastern
DHL
NBHC
Unifeeder
Panattoni
Ports & Logistics

Ports & Logistics

Banking & Financial Services

Banking & Financial Services

Icici
RBL
ALD Automotive
Crecent Capital
IDBI
True North
Lighthouse
Edelweiss
Barclays
CMS
Intuit
Hellman
GE Money
Mape
KFH
Dubai Intl
Actis
IFC
ABN Amro
HSBC
Navis
NSR
SAFL
SCB
Kubera
Sumitomo
PNB
Indiabulls
Soc Gen
Carlyle
Unimoni
IDEI
Merrill Lynch
Centurion
Genworth

Capabilities​

Willamette University
Distinguished Alumni Citation Award (2017)

The 184-year-old Willamette University in Oregon, USA, conferred upon Jay, the Distinguished Alumni Citation Award for 2017.


Willamette University has been conferring the Distinguished Alumni Citation Award, since 1958.  The Distinguished Alumni Citation recognizes Willamette graduates who, in professional achievement and service to their communities, represent the university in an exemplary manner by embodying its highest ideals as exemplified in its motto 'Not Unto Ourselves Alone Are We Born.

Jay Desai

Digital Disruption Program, IMD Global Leadership, Online, June 2018​

Artificial Intelligence: Implications for Business Strategy, MIT Sloan School of Management, Boston, January 2018​

The Innovator’s DNA: Mastering Five Skills for Disruptive Innovation, MIT Sloan School of Management, Boston, November 2016​

Disruptive Strategy with Clayton Christensen, Harvard Business School, HBS - Online, October 2016​

Platform Revolution: Making Networked Markets Work for You, MIT Sloan School of Management, Online, July 2016​

Business Dynamics: MIT's Approach to Diagnosing and Solving Complex Business Problems, MIT Sloan School of Management, Boston, USA, June 2016​

Customer Analytics, The Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania, Online, December 2015​

Competing on Business Analytics and Big Data, Harvard Business School, Boston, USA, May 2014​

Advanced Management Program, Harvard Business School, Boston, May 2011​

Owner / President Management Program - Unit I, Harvard Business School, Boston, May 2010​

Wharton / Windhover program for Pharmaceuticals & Biotech Executives, The Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, June 2008​

Building a Global Enterprise in India, Harvard Business School, Hyderabad, India, February 2008​

Strategic Negotiations, Harvard Business School, Boston, USA, May 2007​

Negotiation Dynamics, INSEAD, Singapore, April 2007​

Leading Professional Service Firms II, Harvard Business School, Boston, USA, June 2002​

Leading Professional Service Firms, Harvard Business School, Boston, USA, July 2001​

Programmes attended by Jay

Executive Education

Jay's other Interest

Jay is a student of Indian Classical Music and has been playing the Sarod (a string instrument) for more than 35 years and regularly performs at private concerts.

 

Jay has adapted the Sarod, so that it can be played even while standing up, rather than sitting on the ground in the traditional pose.  This allows for greater sonic resonance and more freedom of movement.

Jay Desai playing the sarod
Jay Desai playing the Sarod

January 2010

Research Discussion with Dr APJ Abdul Kalam, ​Former President of India

Research Discussion with Dr APJ Abdul Kalam, ​ Former President of India
“This book is a bold piece of writing that presents an in-depth look at the problem of accountability in India’s public administration. Jay P Desai confronts this sensitive and grave issue, directly and head-on, and substantiates his arguments with extensive research, data, analysis and action points. An essential read for the young citizen of India to understand the criticality of accountability and of taking concrete actions to help our nation achieve its full potential”.

N. R. Narayana Murthy, Chairman Emeritus, Infosys Limited

“As a longtime lover and admirer of India, I strongly hope that this passionate study on "Accountability" by Jay P Desai, will serve as a guideline to all those invested with the responsibility of governing and administrating the world’s largest democracy. What Jay advocates in this remarkable book, is in fact true for all nations in the world. It should therefore be read all over the planet”.

Dominique Lapierre, Co-author of "Freedom at Midnight“ and Author of “City of Joy”

“In writing this book, Jay P Desai has done India a great service; it is clear, well-researched, and superbly conceptualized. India has long had severe governance problems that interfere with growth, with foreign direct investment and with good public policy. If the nation could reform its governance, in the manner that Jay suggests, the people of India would benefit, hugely”.

Richard H. K. Vietor, Paul Whiton Cherington Professor of Business Administration, Senior Associate Dean, Harvard Business School

“ This is great book. Governance is an extremely over-used term. However defined, there is a governance deficit in India. But nothing is going to change and accountability isn’t going to improve unless countervailing pressure is exerted. This book is not just about the angst, which is pervasive. For angst to become action, there must be awareness. This is compelling reading and far better than many other vague and general accounts I have read.”

Bibek Debroy, Professor, Centre for Policy Research

“Jay P. Desai’s book is very timely. Governance and public administration need great improvement in India and have become very hot topics not only in policy-making circles, but also in maa media. His structured analysis explains the steps to make necessary improvements.”

Arun Maira, Member, Planning Commission, Government of India

“This is an important book, written at a crucial time. Jay P Desai has brought together many fields to write it; history, politics, economics and law. The book is well written with strong conceptual foundations and empirical rigor and has many actionable implications for how the Indian system needs to change, to make progress in the years to come”.

Jaideep Prabhu, Jawaharlal Nehru Professor of Indian Business and Enterprise ,Judge Business School, University of Cambridge

“Jay P Desai provides an insightful, analytical and practical assessment of the current situation in India and what can be done to take this cherished country to the next level. With his focus on accountability in public administration and among citizens, he lays out how the country might embrace long term economic and societal change. The author does not coddle the reader. You will find provocative ideas on virtually every page. Jay sets high but realistic expectations for all the stakeholders who can make a difference in accelerating the speed and direction of change for his country”.

Thomas J. DeLong, Philip J. Stomberg Professor of Management Practice, Harvard Business School

“Accountability: Angst, Awareness, Action, is a very timely contribution to the current debate over accountability in India. Jay P Desai brings critical thinking, creative conceptualization and compelling empirical evidence to bear on this important topic. He traces the historical origins and current multidimensional reality of this issue, shows how it hampers India’s progress, and suggests a comprehensive but practical approach to corrective action. This well-researched and well-written book is of course most relevant to India, but it also suggests broader lessons, as no country is immune to the problems described here”.

Patricia M. Danzon, PhD. Celia Moh Professor, The Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania

“Nothing is as important to India's future well-being as governance. Jay P Desai rightly focuses on accountability which is at the heart of our governance deficit. Jay brings considerable skills as a business consultant, to diagnose the problem and offer solutions”.

Gurcharan Das, Author of “India Unbound” and “The Difficulty of Being Good”

“Accountability: Angst, Awareness, Action, by Jay P Desai, is a very timely publication on the deficit in accountability, probity and transparency in India. An excellent read to better understand the current debate about governance in the country”.

Adi Godrej, Chairman, Godrej Group

“Desai outlines the critical role that good governance must play for India to achieve its full economic and democratic potential. In this passionate study, he argues for the benefits of increased accountability. Drawing from numerous historical examples, Desai shows how accountability lapses contributed to social challenges. Most importantly, he offers an action-oriented framework designed to improve accountability in India — and bolster the nation’s long-term prospects”.

Dipak C. Jain, Dean, INSTEAD

“At a time when the whole issue of governance is centre stage, Jay P Desai’s book Accountability: Angst, Awareness, Action, is timely. The book covers a vast canvas, taking us through the historical, to the current global context. It identifies the causes of low accountability, provides possible solutions and makes for very interesting reading”.

K.V. Kamath, Non-Executive Chairman, ICICI Bank Limited

“I resonate strongly with objective of providing the public with an accessible discussion of accountability and governance in India, in a way that goes beyond hand-wringing. I love the historical anchor and the practical suggestions, and much more. Jay Desai has done us all a service”.

Tarun Khanna, Jorge Paulo Lemann Professor, Harvard Business School

“An insightful and in-depth study on accountability which lends clarity to an area which otherwise suffers from low visibility. I have no doubt that this book will become one of the leading commentaries on the subject in our country and rightly so. A must read for all those who have a desire to invest in the future of this country”.

Zia Mody, Managing Partner, AZB & Partners

“A highly engrossing and monumental treatise on the role of citizens, media, businesses and civil societies in making public officials accountable. “Accountability” is full of concrete suggestions about how India, as a nation, can transform from a culture of “Chalta Hai” (being indifferent) to one of action and achievement”.

Jagdish N. Sheth, Charles H. Kellstadt Professor of Marketing, Goizueta Business School, Emory University

“A wonderfully timely and rigorous look at governance and accountability - the issues which most determine our country’s future. Jay does an excellent job provoking thought and offering practical solutions so the reader is left with energy and hope rather than just angst”.

Ravi Venkatesan, Former Chairman, Microsoft India

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