RAVI M RAO
Bangalore
Summary
Finance professional with extensive experience at IBM, specializing in pricing strategy and financial modeling. Achieved significant cost savings through effective contract negotiation and risk management. Skilled in strategic planning and team leadership, consistently delivering results aligned with organizational goals.
Overview
35
35
years of professional experience
Work History
Complex Service Pricing Manager
IBM
07.2022 - 06.2025
- I was responsible for crafting pricing strategies that not only aligned with client expectations but also supported IBM’s overarching financial objectives.
- This required a deep understanding of both market dynamics and internal financial targets.
- I played a key role in offering strategic guidance on complex transactions, ensuring that each deal was structured to mitigate risks while maximizing value.
- My involvement extended to direct negotiations with clients, where I handled discussions around pricing and contractual terms to secure mutually beneficial agreements.
- Throughout these processes, I maintained a strong focus on compliance, ensuring that all activities adhered to IBM’s internal controls and established pricing procedures.
IGF Business Unit CFO
IBM
09.2017 - 06.2022
- I led the financial operations of the business unit, ensuring that all activities were aligned with strategic objectives and met rigorous compliance standards.
- I worked closely with cross-functional business teams to drive key performance metrics, such as Days of Delivery Outstanding (DDO) and timely invoicing, which were critical to maintaining financial health and operational efficiency.
- Additionally, I played a pivotal role in supporting system enhancements, most notably leading the successful implementation of the new Enterprise Ledger System (ELS), which streamlined financial processes and improved reporting accuracy.
- My responsibilities also included overseeing the transition of Accounts Receivable functions to a centralized center of excellence, which involved close collaboration with global teams to ensure a smooth and effective handover.
Financial Solution Manager
IBM
09.2007 - 09.2017
- I developed base cases to demonstrate cost savings through IT outsourcing and led pricing efforts for major contracts, including a $691M Vodafone renewal.
- My role involved conducting executive-level reviews and negotiating contract terms, ensuring alignment with strategic goals.
- These contributions were recognized across global engagements for their impact on deal success.
- Developed strategic roadmaps for solution implementation, ensuring alignment with both client and organizational priorities.
- Executed risk management strategies to identify potential project pitfalls and develop contingency plans.
- Identified areas of improvement in existing solutions and proposed changes accordingly.
- Performed cost analysis to evaluate potential benefits of implementing a solution versus associated costs.
SAP FICO Consultant
IBM
12.2005 - 08.2007
- As a certified SAP FICO Consultant with deep expertise in finance and costing, I implemented SAP at Tata International Ltd. and supported its global rollout at Shell through the GSAP Project.
AVP (Finance) / Business Controller
ABB Ltd.
11.1995 - 11.2005
- I managed the full-cycle financial operations for the largest business unit, ensuring accuracy and efficiency across all reporting.
- My responsibilities included maintaining SOX compliance and robust internal controls, while also leading budgeting, forecasting, and contract financials.
- Additionally, I developed MIS reporting systems and structured commercial terms for large-scale contracts, supporting strategic decision-making.
Accounts Officer
United Telecoms Ltd.
02.1990 - 10.1995
- I was responsible for managing statutory accounts and oversaw external audits, ensuring accurate financial reporting and regulatory compliance.
- My role also focused on product costing and pricing strategies, providing critical support to the sales team in securing large contracts.
Education
Cost & Management Accountant -
ICWAI
01.1995
Bachelor of Commerce -
BangaloreUniversity
01.1988
Certified SAP FICO Consultant -
Young Managers Program -
IIMAhmedabad
Skills
- SAP FICO implementation and support
- Pricing strategy
- Financial modeling
- Risk management
- Compliance adherence
- Contract negotiation
- Strategic planning
- Problem solving
- Attention to detail
- Decision making
- Team leadership
- Competitive intelligence
- International pricing
- Budget planning
- Strategic pricing
- Profit margin analysis
- Competitor analysis
- Value-based pricing
- Revenue generation
- Financial planning and analysis
- Strategic pricing and deal structuring
Timeline
Complex Service Pricing Manager
IBM
07.2022 - 06.2025
IGF Business Unit CFO
IBM
09.2017 - 06.2022
Financial Solution Manager
IBM
09.2007 - 09.2017
SAP FICO Consultant
IBM
12.2005 - 08.2007
AVP (Finance) / Business Controller
ABB Ltd.
11.1995 - 11.2005
Accounts Officer
United Telecoms Ltd.
02.1990 - 10.1995
Cost & Management Accountant -
ICWAI
Bachelor of Commerce -
BangaloreUniversity
Certified SAP FICO Consultant -
Young Managers Program -
IIMAhmedabad