Venugopal Lambu’s Vision for LTIMindtree: A 90-Day Plan and Beyond

Venugopal Lambu, the incoming CEO of LTIMindtree, has unveiled a comprehensive 90-day plan aimed at enhancing client relationships and refining the organization to compete effectively for significant deals. Key to his strategy is capitalizing on the ongoing wave of generative artificial intelligence (genAI) and transitioning LTIMindtree into an AI-first organization.

Transitioning Leadership

Lambu will succeed Debasis Chatterjee as CEO of India’s sixth-largest software services firm in November 2025, following Chatterjee’s retirement. Less than a month after his appointment, Lambu shared insights about his ambitious five-year strategy and a vision for 2030 during his first media interview with ET.

“As part of what we call our ‘Lakshya’ plan, the detailed five-year strategy will kick off at the end of March, allowing us to communicate effectively to all stakeholders,” Lambu stated.

Market Insights and Optimism

Noting the changing dynamics of global politics, the economy, and client demand, Lambu expressed cautious optimism, particularly in the banking and financial services (BFS), and retail sectors, which are showing decent traction. “Hi-tech sectors are also witnessing greenshoots,” Lambu added, although he refrained from claiming a complete recovery.

Reestablishing Stability

LTIMindtree, with a valuation of $4.3 billion, announced Lambu’s return to the organization on January 25. He previously spent three years at LTIMindtree before joining the talent recruitment firm Randstad. Over the last three weeks, Lambu has traveled to 14 cities, engaging with over 30 clients.

Addressing Executive Changes

His return is viewed as a strategy to stabilize LTIMindtree, which has experienced a series of senior executive departures since the merger of L&T Infotech and Mindtree in November 2022. When discussing future leadership changes, Lambu remarked, “I don’t see exits creating a headline within our organization.”

Change Management Philosophy

Lambu emphasized, “Just because I’m a new leader doesn’t mean I need to make changes. My focus will be on areas that need attention rather than making changes for the sake of it. I do not anticipate any drastic alterations.”

Client-Centric Approach

Highlighting the importance of clients, Lambu stated, “Clients are our top priority. They are vital stakeholders, and ensuring clear communication during this transition is crucial.”

Fit-for-Future Initiative

As part of this transition, Lambu plans to implement a “fit-for-future” program designed to enhance ease of doing business and agility in response to rapid market changes.

AI as a Core Focus

Lambu also revealed plans to intensify efforts in AI, stating that a dedicated leadership team would drive an AI-first narrative within the organization. “We want to elevate our AI strategy significantly,” he noted.

A Dual Playbook for AI

Lambu introduced the concept of a “dual playbook” for AI. “The first playbook focuses on how AI can enhance existing operations, while the second revolves around adopting an AI-first mindset that boosts enterprise productivity,” he explained.

Revenue Growth and Financial Strategy

In January, LTIMindtree reported an impressive 5.6% year-on-year revenue growth, alongside a 1.1% sequential increase. However, its net profit saw a decline of 8.8% year-on-year and 14.3% from the previous quarter due to rising costs and margin pressures.

Investment and Growth Opportunities

As part of the five-year plan, Lambu emphasized the need to explore investment opportunities and the creation of new market segments. “The market is undergoing a paradigm shift in client expectations in terms of service quality, cost, and innovation, and we must adapt quickly,” he said.

Responding to Market Dynamics

Lambu highlighted that the cycle of change in the market is accelerating. “There are multiple S curves emerging rather than one overarching curve spanning five years. We need to simplify our organization to effectively respond to these challenges,” he stated.

A Cautiously Optimistic Outlook

Demand is improving, according to Lambu, who cautioned against assuming that the company has fully emerged from the recent slowdown. “The greenshoots are getting slightly greener, but we have a long journey ahead. We must achieve greater stability in the global political and economic narrative,” he concluded.

Conclusion

Lambu’s thoughtful approach combines stability and innovation as he prepares LTIMindtree for future challenges, focusing particularly on enhancing AI capabilities and solidifying client relationships. His 90-day plan and long-term vision position the organization for resilient growth in a competitive landscape.