Jatin Solanki Of Decube On How To Use Digital Transformation To Take Your Company To The Next Level

Thank you so much for joining us in this interview series. Before we dive in, our readers would love to “get to know you” a bit better. Can you tell us a bit about your ‘backstory’ and how you got started?

I have been fond of numbers since childhood and loved solving math/alegbra problems. I completed my double post-graduation in Data Science and AI. I was fortunate enough to start my career in a first-generation startup in India as a Data-Analyst. From there, I climbed to be Head of department learning throughout the journey. I love spending time reading data/tech related articles before going to bed.

Can you share a story about the funniest mistake you made when you were first starting? Can you tell us what lessons or ‘takeaways’ you learned from that?

One morning, I was running late for an important presentation at the office. In my rush, I had to stop for fuel. Without thinking, I filled my car with diesel instead of petrol. A few miles down the road, my car started wobbling, and thick smoke billowed from the back. I ended up spending two hours at a garage to drain the fuel and refill it correctly.

Lesson learned: In our haste, we often overlook the basics. It’s a reminder to slow down and double-check, even when time is tight. Sometimes, a few extra seconds can save us hours of trouble!

None of us are able to achieve success without some help along the way. Is there a particular person who you are grateful for who helped get you to where you are? Can you share a story?

Success is just not possible with talent but mentorship and life lessons plays a crucial role in. There are countless leaders who made me who I am today, however the most important person is definitely my wife (Darshika Solanki). Throughout my journey with Decube, there has been one person whose unwavering support and motivation have been crucial to my success: my wife. Her influence and encouragement have been invaluable, particularly during the challenging times that any founder inevitably faces. When I first conceived the idea of Decube, the excitement was palpable, but so was the uncertainty. Starting a new venture meant long hours, financial strain, and the ever-present fear of failure. There were moments when the weight of these challenges felt overwhelming. During these times, it was my wife who stood by my side, embodying strength and optimism even when I faltered.

I remember one particularly tough period early on. We had just launched a new feature, and it didn’t receive the reception we had hoped for. I was disheartened, questioning the direction of the company and my ability to lead it. That evening, as I sat at the kitchen table, burdened with doubts, my wife joined me. She listened patiently as I voiced my fears and frustrations.

Then, she shared a story from her own life — a time when she faced significant adversity and how she overcame it by focusing on the bigger picture and not letting immediate setbacks define her journey. Her words resonated deeply. She reminded me why I started Decube in the first place: to revolutionize data management and build trust in the industry. She emphasized that every setback was a setup for a stronger comeback, and that persistence was key.

But it wasn’t just her words that made the difference. It was her actions. She took on extra responsibilities at home, allowing me more time to focus on the business. She celebrated every small victory with me and helped me see the progress we were making, even when it felt like we were stuck. Her belief in me never wavered, and that faith became a source of strength.

With her support, I found the resolve to push through the difficult times. We re-evaluated our strategy, learned from our mistakes, and came back stronger. Her unwavering belief in our vision and her practical support were instrumental in getting us through those challenging early days.

Today, Decube is thriving, and much of that success is owed to the person who believed in me even when I doubted myself. My wife’s encouragement, resilience, and love have been a cornerstone of my journey. Her impact on Decube is immeasurable, and I am profoundly grateful for her presence in my life.

Is there a particular book, podcast, or film that made a significant impact on you? Can you share a story or explain why it resonated with you so much?

One book that truly resonated with me is “Amazing Life Secrets” by Gopal Gaur. It taught me the power of purpose, positivity, self-discipline, and gratitude. The lessons on continuous learning and building strong relationships have been invaluable, especially in my journey with Decube. This book is a guide to living a meaningful and impactful life, and I highly recommend it to anyone seeking clarity and purpose.

Are you working on any new, exciting projects now? How do you think that might help people?

We are living in exciting times where data is getting the due respect and importance is super critical. So far, we have witnessed AI helping in text-summarization, code-auto complete, chatbots etc; but the real value creation or benefit will be derived from company’s proprietary data which can help them drive efficiencies across the functions.

Before deploying AI on internal data, the house needs to be in order which means robust data infrastructure along with scalable modules to maintain data trust. We are working on helping companies define the contextual business knowledge by seamlessly integrating with their data infrastructure and helping them Observe, Discover and Govern the data.

Thank you for all that. Let’s now turn to the main focus of our discussion about Digital Transformation. Digital transformation can mean many things to many people, from your perspective, how do you define digital transformation in your industry?

In our industry, digital transformation is about leveraging advanced technologies to enhance data management and decision-making processes. It involves integrating tools like data observability, data contracts, and real-time monitoring to create a unified and efficient data ecosystem. At Decube, we see digital transformation as the shift towards more automated, accurate, and secure data operations, which ultimately drives better business outcomes and innovation.

Which companies can most benefit from a Digital Transformation?

Companies that can most benefit from this type of transformation are likely those dealing with large volumes of data and looking to leverage AI technologies.

Has integrating Digital Transformation been a challenging process for some companies? What are the challenges? How do you help resolve them?

Some challenges include data management — including issues with visibility, traceability, and confidence in data — as well as siloed data and integration. By adopting a unified Data Trust framework that includes components such as data discovery, metadata management, data observability, enhanced collaboration, and data governance strategies, companies will be on the path to resolving these challenges.