Aastha Yadav, serving as the Global Head of Product Strategy at Bolt, embodies a seasoned strategic leader with a distinguished consulting background. Her current role involves spearheading product strategy within one of Europe’s rapidly expanding tech startups. She specializes in driving hyper-growth launches, expansion initiatives, and optimization strategies.
Aastha’s skill set extends to working closely with senior-level corporate executives. Her expertise encompasses diverse areas such as customer-centric business growth and transformation strategies, cost transformation initiatives, portfolio and investment strategies, and more. She boasts a demonstrated history of skillfully orchestrating endeavors that involve intricate analytics and stakeholder management, yielding robust outcomes.
Her professional journey spans various industries, with a pronounced focus on e-commerce, retail, consumer products, and the digital realm. Aastha’s presence in the tech arena stands as a testament to her adeptness at propelling innovation and strategic evolution.
Below are highlights of the interview:
Describe who you are as a person, inside and outside of the workplace.
As a person, I embody a dynamic and multifaceted individual, both within and beyond the workplace. At work, I am characterized by my unwavering drive, proactive nature, and strong sense of structure (and humor!). I approach tasks with a deep sense of ownership, consistently seeking opportunities for growth and improvement. I strive to identify potential blind spots, which enables me to make well-informed decisions and contribute meaningfully to the success of projects and teams.
Describe your background, and what did you do before you started or joined the Bolt?
Before I joined Bolt, my journey began during my studies in India, where I pursued a bachelor’s degree in fashion technology, followed by a master’s in business administration. However, my thirst for knowledge and desire to make a tangible impact in the real world led me to seek practical experiences beyond the classroom. Consequently, I embarked on a remarkable journey of growth, accumulating six diverse and enriching internships during my time as a student.
These internships spanned various fields, offering me invaluable exposure and skills. From delving into the intricacies of fashion production to exploring the realms of social media marketing and content freelancing, I discovered the power of effective communication and creative expression. Additionally, I took on coaching roles, realizing the fulfillment of guiding and empowering others to reach their full potential.
Beyond my academic pursuits and professional aspirations, I have always been intrigued by the wonders of science and mathematics. As a school student, I excelled in these subjects, and at the age of 15, I had the extraordinary opportunity to participate in the Young Aspiring Astronaut Program at NASA in Cape Canaveral, FL. This unforgettable experience further fueled my curiosity and taught me the importance of reaching for the stars in both the literal and metaphorical senses.
Following the completion of my studies and armed with a well-rounded skill set, I embarked on an exciting chapter as a management consultant at Bain & Company. In this role, I embraced the challenge of solving real-world business problems, collaborating closely with esteemed leaders and teams to drive transformative solutions.
These formative experiences have shaped me into a dynamic and adaptable individual, eager to take on new challenges and find innovative ways to make a positive difference. Joining Bolt has been the next step in my journey, allowing me to combine my diverse background and expertise to contribute to the company’s mission and create meaningful impact in the world of technology and beyond.
What has made you successful as a tech expert?
My success as a tech expert stem from a unique blend of skills and experiences and a customer-focused approach. At the heart of my role is the responsibility to assess the performance of our products, identify new opportunities, and contribute to the long-term strategic vision of the company’s future product lines.
Which are the major services/products of the company and how do they help the company to get ahead in the competition?
Bolt offers a range of services across mobility and delivery that have enabled the company to stay ahead in the competition and establish itself as a prominent player or superapp. The services include ride-hailing, micromobility, car sharing, food and grocery delivery, and Bolt for businesses.
How we stay ahead of the curve? We continuously strive to place high ROI strategic bets. We have leveraged the following:
- Focus on Innovation
- Customer-Centric Approach
- Market Expansion
- Quality Supply Network
- Technology and Efficiency
What are the most important aspects of a company’s culture? What principles do you believe in, and how do you build this culture?
Bolt’s operating principles embody the essence of our company culture and are crucial to our continued success. First and foremost, we place the customer at the heart of everything we do. We approach problem-solving with a missionary mindset, focusing on creating a positive impact on the world rather than solely pursuing short-term profits. By optimizing for our customers’ needs and continuously seeking feedback, we ensure exceptional customer experiences.
Our culture promotes respectful debate, where great ideas can come from anyone, regardless of title or department. We challenge each other with good intentions to arrive at the best solutions. To achieve our ambitious goals, we work hard and smart, knowing when to take breaks for peak performance.
Give us your opinion on; do organizations rely heavily on individual heroics or team processes.
As answered above, internally, we at Bolt weigh people over processes. However, I understand that organizations should value both individual heroics and team processes, but leaning towards people-centric approaches can be more beneficial.
Pros of individual heroics: Exceptional individuals can drive innovation, inspire others, and achieve extraordinary results.
Cons: Over-reliance on individuals may lead to burnout, a lack of scalability, and knowledge silos.
Pros of team processes: collaboration fosters diverse perspectives, efficient workflows, and collective accountability.
Cons: Overemphasis on processes may stifle creativity and flexibility, hindering adaptability. Ultimately, valuing people encourages a supportive culture where teams thrive and individuals’ strengths complement one another, leading to sustainable success.
What advice would you give someone going into a tech leadership position for the first time?
As a tech leader, it’s crucial to embrace continuous learning and stay updated with industry and technology trends and best practices. Building strong relationships with your team and stakeholders through open communication fosters a collaborative and productive environment. Lead by example, exhibiting accountability, adaptability, and integrity to inspire others to follow suit. Empowering your team is key—trust their expertise, encourage creativity, and foster ownership of their work. Set clear, achievable goals aligned with the company’s vision, driving everyone towards a common purpose. In this risk-tolerant environment, encourage innovation and out-of-the-box thinking to unlock new possibilities. Embrace diversity, valuing diverse perspectives for better decision-making and problem-solving. Prioritize delivering tangible results and celebrate successes together, reinforcing a culture of achievement. Stay humble and open to learning from mistakes, actively seeking feedback to improve your leadership.
Website: bolt.eu
