The Department of Electronics & Communication Engineering, Mangalore Institute of Technology & Engineering, organized an expert talk on “The Science of Managerial Judgment: Converting Data, Uncertainty & Insight into Strategic Decisions” on 23rd September 2026. The session was organized to provide students with an industry-oriented understanding of how data, consumer insights, and managerial judgment contribute to strategic business decision-making. A total of 126 third-year students from the Department of Electronics & Communication Engineering actively participated in the session.
The resource person for the session was Mr. Gautam Vakeri, an alumnus of MITE from the 2016 batch and currently working as Area Sales Manager at Ferrero India Pvt. Ltd., Bengaluru. He completed his Bachelor’s degree in Electronics & Communication Engineering from MITE and began his professional career with IBM. He later pursued an MBA from the Manipal Academy of Higher Education, where he received the Gold Medal for academic excellence. Following his MBA, he worked with ITC for five years, handling the Foods and Personal Care businesses across Karnataka and Kerala. He currently manages the Karnataka business at Ferrero India and also holds a PGDM in Digital Marketing and Analytics from IIM Amritsar. His professional journey spans engineering, management, sales, marketing, business development, and the FMCG sector, providing him with diverse industry exposure and practical experience in market management.
During the session, Mr. Vakeri provided students with an industry perspective on the role of data in business, branding, and consumer decision-making. He highlighted the growing importance of data as a valuable business resource and explained how data-driven organizations can strengthen customer acquisition, customer retention, and overall business performance. The discussion covered concepts such as data-driven decision-making, non-linear insights, business growth, data-driven branding, and employee-consumer tracking. The speaker also emphasized the importance of understanding consumer behaviour while developing effective business and marketing strategies. The concept of the anchoring effect was discussed as an important behavioural factor influencing consumer perception and decision-making, helping students understand how consumer intelligence and data can be applied in real-world business environments.
The event was organized under the guidance of Dr. Vinayambika S Bhat, HoD – E&CE, Dean – Quality Assurance, and coordinated by Mr. Ranjith H D, Senior Assistant Professor, Department of Electronics & Communication Engineering. The session concluded with an engaging interaction between the students and the resource person, providing participants with valuable insights into the growing relevance of data analytics, consumer behaviour, branding, and strategic decision-making in modern business practices.