Xclusive with Mr Akhilesh Sahu,MD, Alvarez and Marshal

Описание: An exclusive interview with Mr. Akhilesh Sahu, Managing Director at Alvarez & Marsal, hosted by Vishal Achari at XLRI Jamshedpur during the Fulcrum 5.0 consulting conclave.

Mr. Sahu, an alumnus of XLRI, shares his 17+ years of experience in strategic consulting, having worked across industrial and commercial sectors including automotive, building materials, and appliances.

Key Discussion Points:
The Consulting Profession: Mr. Sahu explains what has kept him in consulting for nearly two decades, highlighting the "newness" of the job and how it requires one to stay two steps ahead of the curve .

The Impact of AI: He discusses how GenAI is a "boon" for the industry, automating grunt work like data gathering and slide writing, allowing consultants to move up the value chain . He also shares how AI tools like ChatGPT can now do in minutes what used to take two analysts a week to research.

Evolution of Problem Solving: While the basics remain the same, he emphasizes the importance of the "emotional part"—framing answers in a way that is palatable and leads to real change .

Automotive Industry Trends:

Disruption: He compares the current EV shift to past disruptions like LEDs and RO water purification, noting how incumbents are often slow to move while new players like Tesla and Ola emerge.

EV Infrastructure: He argues that "charging time" is a bigger hurdle than "range" or "number of stations" .

Premiumization vs. Affordability: He provides a unique perspective on why SUVs are outselling small cars, attributing it to taxation structures making entry-level cars unaffordable .

Manufacturing in India: Insights into "China plus one" opportunities and the shift toward Digital Manufacturing (Industry 4.0 and 5.0).

Advice for Aspiring Consultants:
Mr. Sahu concludes with a vital piece of advice for young professionals: Stay curious. He emphasizes that the core of consulting is the ability to continuously learn and stay ahead of market trends