2023 Top Consultants: Sagar Mangam

Sagar Mangam is practice director for Avaap's Data & Analytics practice. He is responsible for planning and designing data architectures to deploy efficient analytical solutions that work across hybrid environments. He partners with organizations to create sustainable solutions to their toughest data challenges.

What has motivated you to excel over the course of your career?

Empowering others to reach their goals has always motivated me. I relish the opportunity to assist my colleagues and clients in solving their problems. Trusting that my work assuages concern, alleviates pain, and innovates processes fuels me and instills self-confidence.

In consulting, helping others requires intentionality, perspective and empathy. Effective solutioning is often hindered by miscommunication. I believe my ability to quickly understand complex problems, offer multiple solutions, and evaluate the best fit builds impactful work relationships. In addition to self-fulfillment, motivation to empower others leads to confident clients who are excited to apply their new knowledge for future success.

The consultant-client dynamic develops a fortuitous cycle characterized by curiosity, excitement and partnership. For myself and my work community, I am always eager to expand my knowledge to best contribute to the evolving field of data and analytics.

What has been the biggest factor in your success so far?

Agility is the biggest factor to my success. Being open to change, anticipating new technologies, monitoring evolving needs, and understanding client experiences ensures that I am operating at my best. Working in the data and analytics field demands flexibility because of the complexity of design required for solutions. When creating designs, I ensure that they are effective, resilient and future-proof. Willingness to innovate opens the realm of possibilities, therefore, increasing the rate of sustainable success. Agility is easier said than done, however, the challenge spurs me on daily.

What do you enjoy most about your career in the consulting industry?

Consulting never has a dull moment. With a wide variety of clients and unique problems, each project provides new insights into technology changes, human behavior and data consumption patterns. Each challenge is an opportunity to listen, learn and improve. Changes and improvements are always an option.

In addition to a range of projects, consulting provides a diversity in clients and co-workers. I find great satisfaction from the insights gained from the richness in my interactions.

What is your proudest achievement to date?

My recent engagement at the largest agency in my home state is the most fulfilling. In my current role as a data engineer and architect, I am responsible for building and administering data solutions. These solutions deliver services that tangibly impact the lives of Ohio citizens. Specifically, I worked on a project to combat infant mortality. Our team built and operationalized a model that predicts infant death factors. This allows social workers to more effectively intervene with expectant mothers to save infants' lives.

We also worked extensively with Ohio to address the COVID pandemic. Our solutions included dashboards that bring transparency and clarity on the virus to citizens. Although software and consulting careers typically contribute indirectly to shareholders and business leaders, I am proud of our government work that directly impacts the community.

What's the best advice you've ever been given?

Master the art of saying NO. Saying NO with confidence and clarity, requires patience, empathy and understanding. It takes skill to balance work and personal goals.

Purposeful neglect demands intentionality, effort and time. I am still learning and gaining the confidence to say NO.

What does this recognition mean to you?

This recognition means the world to me. The acknowledgment helps me continue my path of continuous learning and improvement so that I can help my colleagues and clients achieve their goals. It also serves as valuable validation of my progress and investment in growing my skills and in my career.