Leaders
Building strong partnerships and cultivating long lasting client relationships are paramount in today's business landscape. These connections foster trust, open doors to new opportunities, and drive mutual success. In the digital era, leveraging technology and innovative solutions is instrumental in achieving these goals. Recognizing the significance of these principles, Gulshan, an esteemed professional, embraced entrepreneurship and established Savi Digital, a full service global digital agency. Turning ideas into reality, and connecting people through design, storytelling and digital experiences. With a deep understanding of client needs and a commitment to delivering exceptional digital solutions, Gulshan has positioned Savi Digital as a trusted partner, helping clients build their brands, enhance customer experiences, and thrive in the digital realm.
Gulshan Dhanda, the Founder & Director of Savi Digital, is a visionary leader with a wealth of knowledge and experience gained from working with top agencies and major UK & global brands. Building her experience within reputable agencies and tech based companies, such as Ogilvy, Publicis Sapient, and Infosys. Gulshan has collaborated with esteemed clients including BP, NatWest, RBS, ABB, Citibank, Shell, Saudi Aramco, Boehringer Ingelheim, Pfizer, Diageo, and prestigious institutions like the Ministry of Justice, British Museum, and the V&A Museum. Below is an insight of Gulshan's exclusive interaction with Women Entrepreneur magazine.
What are some important facets of your life and professional journey?
One of the most pivotal decisions I made was relocating from Australia to London. This courageous step opened doors to new experiences, expanded my network, and exposed me to diverse opportunities, industries and cultures. Collaborating with professionals from various backgrounds in the vibrant international market broadened my understanding of global markets and enriched my skill set. Relocating back to Australia showcased my adaptability and resilience. As a Client Partner, I prioritized a customer-centric approach, serving as a trusted advisor, providing tailored solutions, and fostering long-term relationships. Working with brilliant teams in London, I secured multimillion-pound deals, demonstrating strategic planning, collaboration, execution, and negotiation skills. These experiences led me to embark on an entrepreneurial journey myself, reflecting my vision, resilience, and commitment to excellence.
What motivated you to establish Savi Digital? Tell us about the underlying idea behind the venture and its key areas of specialization.
Driven by the entrepreneurial spirit instilled by my father, a successful entrepreneur himself, I embarked on a transformative journey to establish Savi Digital. With a strong passion, dedication, and personal ambition, I sensed that this venture was the natural progression in my career. Savi Digital stands apart as a cutting-edge digital agency, adept at transforming concepts into reality through captivating design, compelling storytelling, engaging content, impactful campaigns, and seamless connected experiences. Drawing inspiration from the world around us, we reimagine the potential of data, platforms, brands, and experiences to revolutionize digital interactions and propel business growth. Our primary focus is to 'Lead Brands to be at the forefront of Digital', urging them to embrace differentiation. As a global, full-service digital agency, we collaborate with brands to build out their digital footprint, encompassing digital strategy, website design and development, mobile app development, and comprehensive digital marketing solutions.
"Our focus is to ‘lead brands to be at the forefront of digital' & 'dare to be different!"
In your opinion what are some of the most critical challenges you encounter as a leader in digital marketing? What steps do you undertake to overcome these roadblocks?
In digital marketing, leaders must stay current with technology by investing in continuous learning, attending industry conferences, and fostering a knowledge-sharing culture. Balancing creativity and strategy is crucial, ensuring creative ideas align with marketing objectives that resonate with the target audience. It also fosters collaboration between creative and strategic teams, provides clear goals and guidelines, and offers feedback to strike the right balance. Adapting to constant change requires regular market trend assessments, competitor analysis, and a culture that embraces experimentation and innovation. Therefore, encouraging a mindset of continuous learning, allows teams to adapt and thrive in the ever-evolving digital landscape.
Tell us about the top three professional milestones you have achieved over the years.
During my time at Brilliant Basics, an Infosys company, I played a pivotal role in winning a program of work for BP. This involved 8 months of intensive negotiations, presentations, and building trusted client relationships with key stakeholders. The total project value amounted to an impressive $42 million. In recognition of my outstanding performance, I received the prestigious 'Be the Navigator Strategic Initiatives' Award from Infosys in 2019.
At Publicis Sapient, I led the client relationship for the groundbreaking 'Bank of Brands' program with RBS/ NatWest. Responsible for digital, brand development, and marketing, I contributed to an annual account revenue of £12 million. I played a key role in building out the new brand for the Bank, and digital experiences for NatWest and The Royal Bank of Scotland across Personal, Business, and Private segments. Lastly, during my tenure at Squiz, I managed and led a portfolio of over 30 clients, generating £1.7 million in combined revenue for the business. I built long-term, collaborative relationships with clients, ensuring successful project delivery and exceeding sales targets. These experiences demonstrate my ability to win high-value deals, foster collaborative partnerships, and drive substantial business growth for the Company’s I have worked with.
Gulshan Dhanda, Founder & Director, Savi Digital
Gulshan Dhanda, a graduate of Queensland University of Technology, is a seasoned professional in the field of digital strategy and innovation. With her global track record of success, she has leveraged her expertise to drive growth, spearhead transformative initiatives, and build strong partnerships in the digital realm.
