Leaders

In the world of problem-solving, not all problems are created equal. Some, however complicated, have a single known solution, such as engineering or math problems. These are tame problems. You know when the problem is solved. In contrast, wicked problems are deeply complex, interconnected, and lack a clear solution, requiring interdisciplinary thinking due to their shifting dynamics. These include human attitudes, or the resolution of the systemic causes of waterborne diseases. A trailblazer in tackling wicked problems, Dr Piyul Mukherjee, with a PhD from IIT Bombay, has consistently demonstrated an ability to delve into the hidden layers of societal issues.

At Quipper Research, Dr Piyul, along with her partner, Pia Mollback-Verbic, offer deep, culturally informed insights into consumer dynamics. With its all-women-led firm, Quipper Research offers rich, context-driven market intelligence, to its global clients.

Completely separate from Quipper Research, Dr Piyul is also a co-founder of Taraltec Solutions, along with her husband Anjan Mukherjee. The patented products at Taraltec Solutions address the pressing issue of unsafe water and waterborne diseases in India.

How did your time at IIT Bombay, influence your growth as a professional? Which core values did the institute instill in you?

After spending several years in the corporate world, I dived back into academics to pursue my PhD at IIT Bombay, in the Department of Humanities and Social Sciences. It was an incredibly enriching time as I explored a wide range of subjects and even shared classes with BTech and MTech students. We were all drawn by the sheer depth and diversity of knowledge in the human sciences.

IITB stands out for its unique confluence of ideas, fueled by constant debate and reflection. This creates a pulsating and life affirming environment on its 500-acre Powai campus.

Take us through your professional journey as a qualitative researcher and your key areas of expertise.

I hold an MBA from the Jamnalal Bajaj Institute in Mumbai, where we were taught by practicing faculty from top-notch companies. This, combined with a doctorate in sociology from IITB, has honed my critical thinking abilities even while navigating the corporate decision-making world.

My dissertation on working-class women in India attuned me to the realities of the inequalities that prevail in this world. The bottom of the pyramid is, after all, the most solid part on which rests the creamy layers of society.

What led you to establish Quipper Research? Tell us about the underlying idea behind the venture and its key areas of expertise.

Qualitative research is a specialized field, and at its core, it's about helping global clients understand what their end customers want and need. Businesses exist only because their customers choose them, irrespective of their industry or sector. At Quipper Research, we bring deep human-centered insights to every single project. This sets us apart. Across the Western world, Quipper Research is often the go-to destination for projects that others find challenging, in India.

What led to the establishment of Taraltec Solutions? Tell us about the underlying idea behind the venture and its key areas of expertise.

Anjan, a holder of multiple patents, used biomimicry and his deep understanding of cavitation and fluid dynamics, to invent a device that purifies water right at the source without any consumables such as filters. He also happens to be an IITB dropout. The Maji Taraltec Reactor can be retrofitted into any existing borewell hand pump and instantly delivers microbe-free, safe drinking water.

We knew our goal, which is to reach the hundreds of millions who rely on these handpumps but aren't the ones buying them. The real buyers had to be individuals or organizations with a social conscience, through CSR initiatives, or government support. It took time to come to life, but as social entrepreneurs, we are proud that this has already positively impacted millions of lives.

What different hats do you wear as a Partner at Quipper Research? How do you balance the company’s everyday operations while working on the company’s core expertise?

I prefer to go with the Vedantic definition which says, I am the same one everywhere.

At Quipper Research, the team is well-versed in taking care of everyday operations, and I am treated as the invisible trouble shooter. Our core expertise lies in providing that sharp angle to our customers that makes sense in hindsight but one that was not clear before we put all our customer interaction and human sciences together.

Tell us about the challenges you encounter at Taraltec Solutions. How do you successfully overcome these challenges?

At Taraltec Solutions, we continue with a bootstrapped model, painstakingly moving forward one step at a time. The Maji Reactor for instance, rests on an innovation that is almost revolutionary and needs to be explained to everyone, from government bodies to the buyers of the devices, and to the sarpanch and the rest of the panchayat.

The ongoing satisfaction of end-users, resulting from the elimination of waterborne diseases, wherever our Disinfection Reactor is installed, serves as the driving force for our progress.

What is your guiding leadership philosophy?

‘If it has to be done, it has to be done’. Gird your loins and get down to it!

Dr Piyul Mukherjee, Founding Partner, Quipper Research

Dr Piyul Mukherjee is a researcher, social entrepreneur, and thought leader with over 30 years of experience. She is a Founding Partner at Quipper Research, a qualitative research firm, and Co-founder of Taraltec Solutions, a tech innovation company addressing the public health crisis caused by contaminated groundwater. With a PhD from IITB, she bridges disciplines.