What if innovation wasn’t about building faster, but thinking deeper?

In this episode of VTEX Live, Rama Theekshidar joins Santiago for a powerful conversation that goes beyond tech to explore mindset, mission, and the future of work. Born in India, educated in France, and now driving digital transformation in the US, Rama shares how the immigrant experience shaped his perspective and why that global lens is a superpower in business.

Rama dives into his approach to product strategy, why he always starts with people instead of platforms, and how he decides when to build, buy, or partner. He breaks down why fill rate is more important than inventory turnover, how to use AI for real customer impact, and why cost-cutting isn’t a strategy, differentiation is.

You’ll also hear why Rama sees AI not as a replacement for humans, but as an amplifier for human potential, and how businesses can grow by making their people more productive, not just fewer.

Whether you’re building in B2B, leading a digital team, or rethinking your roadmap in the age of AI, this episode is a reminder that technology moves fast, but human insight is what moves business forward.

[00:09:22] People Over Platforms: How Rama Makes Build vs Buy Decisions - Instead of starting with technology, Rama begins with people. He explains why every tech decision, whether to build, buy, or partner, should be based on the needs of real users, their daily workflows, and the outcomes they’re trying to achieve. It’s not about the stack; it’s about solving for people first.

[00:11:28] Fill Rate Over Inventory Turnover: What Customers Care About - In distribution, stock efficiency matters, but customer trust matters more. Rama explains why fill rate (the ability to meet demand on time) is more important than having a “perfect” inventory turnover ratio. If your product isn’t available when the customer needs it, they leave.

[00:13:52] Why AI Is a Tool, Not the Strategy - Rama pushes back on the hype around AI by reframing it as an amplifier, not a replacement. He discusses how AI can boost customer experience, operational speed, and decision-making, but only when anchored in a business context. His approach is grounded and pragmatic, offering real use cases without overpromising.

[00:19:07] Cost-Cutting Is Not Strategy. Differentiation Is - Too many businesses view AI as a way to reduce headcount. Rama challenges that mindset, arguing that real strategy is about standing out, not shrinking down. He explains how companies can use AI to differentiate their offering, improve margins, and grow without sacrificing value.

[00:22:52] What AI Can’t Do: Creativity, Empathy, and Change Leadership - In an age of automation, Rama reminds us what still belongs to humans: creativity, empathy, and the ability to lead meaningful change. He shares why cultural transformation is harder than tech adoption and how leaders need to model clarity, courage, and consistency to make innovation stick. Ideal for C-levels navigating internal resistance or digital change.

[00:25:11] Fearless Growth: Rama’s Advice for the Next Generation - Drawing from his immigrant journey, Rama offers grounded advice for young professionals: drop the fear, stop comparing, and keep learning. He reflects on the power of curiosity, community, and failing forward, and why mindset is the greatest long-term differentiator.

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