Bal Bansal – Global technology strategist and local community leader

Nottingham Business School’s Business Leaders’ PodcastEpisode 56Bal Bansal – Global technology strategist and local community leaderSUMMARYBal Bansal – Global technology strategist and local community leaderBal Bansal is Director of Global Technology Strategy at IHG Hotels & Resorts – a company with 6,000 hotels and 350,000 staff, around the world.He is an innovator and digital transformer. But he is also a leader who recognises the importance of community.In Episode 56 of the Nottingham Business School’s Business Leaders’ podcast, Bal talks to Honorary Visiting Professor Mike Sassi about Coke cans in Australia, hotels on Mars – and why he cooks meals for the homeless.INTRODUCTION• Bal Bansal has been director of global technology strategy at IHG Hotels & Resorts since July 2022. IHG has 6,000 hotels and 350,000 staff around the world. Bal digitises IHG’s hospitality and business processes.• Bal has worked in tech for more than two decades – across Europe and North America, specialising in managing multi-million-pound digital transformation projects• He started at photographic company Kodak, in Nottinghamshire, in 2002• He subsequently spent 13 years in IT innovation and strategy at Coca-Cola• Outside of work, Bal spent four years as a councillor on Rushcliffe Borough Council, in Nottinghamshire• He is also a children’s football coach, where he encourages more Sikh youngsters to get involved in the gameLEADERSHIP TAKEAWAYS FROM BAL BANSALHe tells Mike Sassi:Within ten years, there could be hotels on Mars…“It’s only a matter of time. Organisations have got to start thinking about that. People will be landing on Mars. And they’ll need a place to stay.”The most innovative ideas can come from anywhere…“You know about putting names on Coke cans? That idea [now used all over the world] came from an innovation team in Australia… from a supermarket out there.”When you manage teams around the world, you should make time to meet people in person…“When there is always a screen between you… you need have [at least one] in-person meetup. Some of my teams are in India. I struggled to get them to talk. Then I flew out there to meet them… now our relationship is great.”Online leaders must be particularly good communicators…“You have to make your goals very clear… so people are willing to take ownership and to collaborate.”The best leaders have a passion for their work…“Every morning I’m so excited to get out of bed! I love doing what I do.”And Bal’s advice to would-be leaders?“Make your mistakes while you’re young. You’re less likely to be forgiven when you’re older!”RELATED LINKS• Bal Bansal is on LinkedIn• Bal’s Instagram• Bal Bansal’s Tomorrow’s World blog is hereIf you enjoyed this episode NBS Business Leaders’ Podcast with Bal Bansal, listen to previous shows with…• The former CEO of ASOS Nick Beighton• The Chief Marketing Officer of Boots Pete Markey• The CEO of Capital One UK Lucy Hagues