Dr. Jia Koundal: Innovating Retail Through Human Insight
Transforming Curiosity into Commerce, and Purpose into Progress.
Growing up in a small village near Shimla, Dr. Jia Koundal learned that curiosity begins with awareness. As a child walking through terraced fields, he didn’t just see routines, he noticed patterns. Every gesture, every pause told a story. Decades later, that same curiosity defines his leadership. To him, a customer’s hesitation in front of a display is not a transaction, it’s data in motion, a glimpse into human emotion and behavior.
That mindset; to observe, to question, and to connect, became the compass guiding his 30+ year journey of redefining how retail sees, serves, and satisfies customers.
From Rural Roots to Retail Renaissance
Born in Nalah, a small village 60 km from Shimla, Dr. Jia’s early life was marked by simplicity, scarcity, and resilience. His father, an army officer turned public servant, embodied discipline; his mother, emotional strength. The fields taught him patience. The mountains taught him endurance. The loss of his father taught him the value of leadership through taking responsibility.
Those lessons evolved into his leadership code: Resilience. Humility. Ambition.
Each decision; from his first startup attempt in Himachal to leading strategy for a Japanese multinational, reflects those same values: act with intent, learn from failure, and build systems that serve people.
Building Future-Ready Customer Ecosystems
As Group Head at Panasonic Life Solutions India, Dr. Jia leads a nationwide transformation integrating sales, service, retail visibility, L&D, Channel Management relationship, Sellout, and customer experience.
His innovations; such as Crossfire, PRISM, CASTLE, PIEL, and Retail Sellout Systems, among many others, have become industry benchmarks, bridging insight and execution across India’s vast distribution landscape.
His mantra: Technology enables, but empathy empowers.
He has turned data into dialogue; using analytics to predict behavior, refine service quality, and strengthen dealer ecosystems.
Recognitions:
- Panasonic Global President’s Gold & Silver Awards
- Multiple Brandon Hall Awards for Organizational Innovation
- “Man of Retail” recognition for shaping India’s consumer durable landscape
Author, Academic, and Architect of Insight
With a Ph.D. in Management (specializing in Sales Team Adaptation to Omni-Channel Marketing), Dr. Jia merges academic precision with on-ground realism.
His books, Shunya: The Silent Power Behind Purposeful Leadership, Customer Relationship Management Expert System, and Sales Team Adaptation to Omni-Channel Marketing, decode modern leadership and digital transformation through the lens of human psychology and empathy-driven innovation.
At IIMs, IITs, and leading forums, he mentors future leaders on AI, ethics, sustainability, performance matrices, Reskilling, retail visibility with operational excellence and digital transformation, demonstrating that leadership is not about command; it’s about consciousness.
Leading With Ethics, Empathy & Environment
Dr. Jia’s philosophy extends far beyond business growth.
He champions circular commerce, mental well-being, and sustainability, urging leaders to measure success not just by profit but by purposeful impact. Through initiatives like ACDIMA and Gen-G, he mentors the next generation to innovate with conscience and compassion; because, in his words:
“Progress without purpose is just motion. Real leadership is movement with meaning.”
Knowledge. Family. Nature.
When not leading boardroom change, Dr. Jia nurtures life, literally. His Gurgaon home and Himachal orchards reflect his belief in sustainability as lifestyle. Gardening, writing, and community service keep him rooted to nature and gratitude. His blog blends reflections on leadership, simplicity, and the art of balance, inspiring readers to live consciously and lead courageously.
Legacy: Bridging Progress and Purpose
Dr. Jia envisions a world where enterprise and ethics grow together, where innovation serves humanity. Through his writing, mentorship, and leadership, he continues to prove that curiosity is the origin of all innovation, and empathy, the soul of all transformation.
“Leadership isn’t about knowing what’s next. It’s about shaping it; with awareness, accountability, and authenticity.”