CEO of Boston Analytics Explains the “Business” of Analytics
at CFS Speaker Series

On November 28, the Center for Financial Studies at the Rensselaer Lally School featured a presentation by Dr. Inder Thukral, CEO of Boston Analytics and a Rensselaer alumnus.

During the “The Business of Analytics,” seminar Dr. Thukral provided a practitioner’s view of business analytics with examples from the financial services sector to demonstrate how this space is evolving. He explained that business analytics is experiencing rapid growth in the global marketplace due to widespread adoption across multiple industries and business processes.

Dr. Thukral examined business analytics from several vantage points: the taxonomy and magnitude of a business opportunity, strategic positioning and business models, and the individual and organizational competencies necessary to succeed. He also created a case for business analytics as complemented by the theoretical foundations of business discipline that exist today.

Since 2011, Dr. Thukral has served as CEO of Boston Analytics, a small but rapidly growing global analytics firm with operations in the U.S., Middle East, and Asia. His extensive background includes 16 years at IBM in various capacities including management consulting, new business development, and emerging markets.

Dr. Thukral earned a doctorate in Decision Sciences and Engineering Systems from Rensselaer.

CFS Modeling Competition

Also, at the seminar, the CFS Modeling Competition first and second place winning teams were announced.  These two teams will go onto the IAFE Annual Modeling Competition in December 2012. As part of the CFS modeling competition, six teams solved a challenging case on a current issue. The winners were determined by a panel comprising of CFS co-directors and external reviewers.

The first place team:
Manjia Huang ’12, M.S. FERA; Xiao Tang ’12, M.S. FERA; Qingshan Zeng ’12, M.S. FERA

The second place team:
Ke Cao ’13, M.S. FERA; Ce Shi ’13, M.S. FERA; Eric West ’13, M.S. FERA; Zach Harper ’13, M.S. FERA; Jie Yan ’13, M.S. FERA

About the Center for Financial Studies

The Center for Financial Studies (CFS) of the Rensselaer Lally School of Management and Technology strives to foster high-quality research and learning in the fields of financial engineering, risk management, corporate finance, financial intermediation, and capital markets. The Center seeks to have a global impact, in support of the mission of Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, while enhancing the worldwide visibility of the Lally School as a premier business school.

Published: December 11, 2012

Contact: Julie K. Tracy
Phone: (518) 276-3053
E-mail: tracyj3@rpi.edu