Ganesh Balakrishnan
Ganesh Balakrishnan
Ganesh Balakrishnan
Episode 02
Episode 02
Episode 02
97 min
97 min
EP2: Decoding Omnichannel Marketing with Ganesh Balakrishnan
EP2: Decoding Omnichannel Marketing with Ganesh Balakrishnan
EP2: Decoding Omnichannel Marketing with Ganesh Balakrishnan
Why Does This Episode Matter?
Why Does This Episode Matter?
Why Does This Episode Matter?
The DilSe Omni Podcast is a space where we decode how modern brands are blending data, technology, and human stories to build seamless, omnichannel experiences.
Because omnichannel marketing today isn’t just about being everywhere, it’s about being consistent, relevant, and real across sales, marketing, and customer touchpoints.
Each episode dives into conversations with founders, marketers, and thinkers who are reshaping how businesses grow in the AI-driven, customer-first era - DilSe.
In our latest episode, Saurabh sat down with Ganesh, an entrepreneur and an omnichannel and growth expert whose journey perfectly captures what it means to bridge the online–offline divide.
The DilSe Omni Podcast is a space where we decode how modern brands are blending data, technology, and human stories to build seamless, omnichannel experiences.
Because omnichannel marketing today isn’t just about being everywhere, it’s about being consistent, relevant, and real across sales, marketing, and customer touchpoints.
Each episode dives into conversations with founders, marketers, and thinkers who are reshaping how businesses grow in the AI-driven, customer-first era - DilSe.
In our latest episode, Saurabh sat down with Ganesh, an entrepreneur and an omnichannel and growth expert whose journey perfectly captur\es what it means to bridge the online–offline divide.
The DilSe Omni Podcast is a space where we decode how modern brands are blending data, technology, and human stories to build seamless, omnichannel experiences.
Because omnichannel marketing today isn’t just about being everywhere, it’s about being consistent, relevant, and real across sales, marketing, and customer touchpoints.
Each episode dives into conversations with founders, marketers, and thinkers who are reshaping how businesses grow in the AI-driven, customer-first era - DilSe.
In our latest episode, Saurabh sat down with Ganesh, an entrepreneur and an omnichannel and growth expert whose journey perfectly captures what it means to bridge the online–offline divide.
Ganesh Balakrishnan
Omnichannel specialist
Topic discussed
Topic discussed
Topic discussed
In this episode of Dilse Omni Podcast, Saurabh and Ganesh explore how modern marketing blends data, retention, and omnichannel strategy to craft seamless, human brand experiences.
In this episode of Dilse Omni Podcast, Saurabh and Ganesh explore how modern marketing blends data, retention, and omnichannel strategy to craft seamless, human brand experiences.
In this episode of Dilse Omni Podcast, Saurabh and Ganesh explore how modern marketing blends data, retention, and omnichannel strategy to craft seamless, human brand experiences.
The most interesting thing about this conversation is how grounded and relatable it is. Ganesh speaks in stories, about customers, experiences, store managers, and the small operational tweaks that end up driving big brand results.
For him, omnichannel isn’t a strategy deck. It’s about designing seamless, data-informed, and genuinely human experiences, the kind that make people feel seen and remembered, whether they’re shopping on WhatsApp, scrolling through Instagram, or walking into a store.
In this episode, Saurabh had a discussion with Ganesh, a mechanical engineer turned co-founder of Flatheads and a growth marketer for over 10 brands in the last two years. Together, they decode what makes modern marketing truly click, from customer experience and retention to performance, influencer, and founder-led branding.
The most interesting thing about this conversation is how grounded and relatable it is. Ganesh speaks in stories, about customers, experiences, store managers, and the small operational tweaks that end up driving big brand results.
For him, omnichannel isn’t a strategy deck. It’s about designing seamless, data-informed, and genuinely human experiences, the kind that make people feel seen and remembered, whether they’re shopping on WhatsApp, scrolling through Instagram, or walking into a store.
In this episode, Saurabh had a discussion with Ganesh, a mechanical engineer turned co-founder of Flatheads and a growth marketer for over 10 brands in the last two years. Together, they decode what makes modern marketing truly click, from customer experience and retention to performance, influencer, and founder-led branding.
The most interesting thing about this conversation is how grounded and relatable it is. Ganesh speaks in stories, about customers, experiences, store managers, and the small operational tweaks that end up driving big brand results.
For him, omnichannel isn’t a strategy deck. It’s about designing seamless, data-informed, and genuinely human experiences, the kind that make people feel seen and remembered, whether they’re shopping on WhatsApp, scrolling through Instagram, or walking into a store.
In this episode, Saurabh had a discussion with Ganesh, a mechanical engineer turned co-founder of Flatheads and a growth marketer for over 10 brands in the last two years. Together, they decode what makes modern marketing truly click, from customer experience and retention to performance, influencer, and founder-led branding.
The Shoe Market’s Makeover — and What It Teaches Every Brand
The Shoe Market’s Makeover — and What It Teaches Every Brand
The Shoe Market’s Makeover — and What It Teaches Every Brand
Ganesh opens up with something few marketers talk about, the complexity of the shoe market.
Unlike apparel, shoes are deeply personal. The fit depends on arch, length, and width of toes etc., making repeatability slower and loyalty harder to earn. But that’s also what makes this market fascinating.
He says marketers today need to focus on three things:
Conform to consumer behavior. Understand how customers actually buy, not how you want them to.
Combine digital with offline touch and feel. The omnichannel layer matters because footwear still thrives on trial and trust.
Decode buying patterns. Most customers still visit EBOs (exclusive brand outlets) before purchasing, even if discovery happens online.
Ganesh also talks about Bata, an “international brand that feels local.” “Bata is not Indian,” he points out, “but they’ve marketed themselves like one.” That’s what makes them relevant even today, decades later. They’ve studied behavior deeply.
Today, you’ll see brands moving in both directions, from online-first to offline, and vice versa. It’s a sign that omnichannel isn’t linear anymore, it’s layered and adaptive.
Ganesh opens up with something few marketers talk about, the complexity of the shoe market.
Unlike apparel, shoes are deeply personal. The fit depends on arch, length, and width of toes etc., making repeatability slower and loyalty harder to earn. But that’s also what makes this market fascinating.
He says marketers today need to focus on three things:
Conform to consumer behavior. Understand how customers actually buy, not how you want them to.
Combine digital with offline touch and feel. The omnichannel layer matters because footwear still thrives on trial and trust.
Decode buying patterns. Most customers still visit EBOs (exclusive brand outlets) before purchasing, even if discovery happens online.
Ganesh also talks about Bata, an “international brand that feels local.” “Bata is not Indian,” he points out, “but they’ve marketed themselves like one.” That’s what makes them relevant even today, decades later. They’ve studied behavior deeply.
Today, you’ll see brands moving in both directions, from online-first to offline, and vice versa. It’s a sign that omnichannel isn’t linear anymore, it’s layered and adaptive.
Ganesh opens up with something few marketers talk about, the complexity of the shoe market.
Unlike apparel, shoes are deeply personal. The fit depends on arch, length, and width of toes etc., making repeatability slower and loyalty harder to earn. But that’s also what makes this market fascinating.
He says marketers today need to focus on three things:
Conform to consumer behavior. Understand how customers actually buy, not how you want them to.
Combine digital with offline touch and feel. The omnichannel layer matters because footwear still thrives on trial and trust.
Decode buying patterns. Most customers still visit EBOs (exclusive brand outlets) before purchasing, even if discovery happens online.
Ganesh also talks about Bata, an “international brand that feels local.” “Bata is not Indian,” he points out, “but they’ve marketed themselves like one.” That’s what makes them relevant even today, decades later. They’ve studied behavior deeply.
Today, you’ll see brands moving in both directions, from online-first to offline, and vice versa. It’s a sign that omnichannel isn’t linear anymore, it’s layered and adaptive.
Building the Retention Stack
Building the Retention Stack
Building the Retention Stack
Somewhere in the middle of the conversation, Ganesh drops a line that perfectly captures modern marketing:
“It’s not hard to bring customers in. The real game is making them come back — again and again.”
That’s where the “Retention Stack” comes in.
He breaks it down like a marketer who has spent years learning from the ground up, not from dashboards, but from customers.
Layer 1: Data Collection & Segmentation
Everything starts with first-party data, logins, carts, footfall, chat queries, feedback. That’s the backbone, without it, you’re guessing. Knowing who your customers are, how often they buy, and why they drop off gives your marketing real direction.
Somewhere in the middle of the conversation, Ganesh drops a line that perfectly captures modern marketing:
“It’s not hard to bring customers in. The real game is making them come back — again and again.”
That’s where the “Retention Stack” comes in.
He breaks it down like a marketer who has spent years learning from the ground up, not from dashboards, but from customers.
Layer 1: Data Collection & Segmentation
Everything starts with first-party data, logins, carts, footfall, chat queries, feedback. That’s the backbone, without it, you’re guessing. Knowing who your customers are, how often they buy, and why they drop off gives your marketing real direction.
Somewhere in the middle of the conversation, Ganesh drops a line that perfectly captures modern marketing:
“It’s not hard to bring customers in. The real game is making them come back — again and again.”
That’s where the “Retention Stack” comes in.
He breaks it down like a marketer who has spent years learning from the ground up, not from dashboards, but from customers.
Layer 1: Data Collection & Segmentation
Everything starts with first-party data, logins, carts, footfall, chat queries, feedback. That’s the backbone, without it, you’re guessing. Knowing who your customers are, how often they buy, and why they drop off gives your marketing real direction.
Layer 2: Automation & Smart Content Buckets
Once the data is in place, automation takes over, but not in a robotic way. CRM messages should reflect brand value, not just flash discounts.
Saurabh emphasizes on content buckets: a healthy mix of new launches, store openings, and celebrations, alongside the occasional sale. “Don’t bombard. Just a Nudge.”
Layer 2: Automation & Smart Content Buckets
Once the data is in place, automation takes over, but not in a robotic way. CRM messages should reflect brand value, not just flash discounts.
Saurabh emphasizes on content buckets: a healthy mix of new launches, store openings, and celebrations, alongside the occasional sale. “Don’t bombard. Just a Nudge.”
Timing matters too. For example, shoes might need a retention nudge after a year, while apparel can re-engage in two to three months.
Layer 3: Loyalty & Rewards
True loyalty is frictionless. The episode talks about integrating reward wallets and loyalty points across both stores and websites, so customers don’t have to think about where they bought, just that they belong.
Timing matters too. For example, shoes might need a retention nudge after a year, while apparel can re-engage in two to three months.
Layer 3: Loyalty & Rewards
True loyalty is frictionless. The episode talks about integrating reward wallets and loyalty points across both stores and websites, so customers don’t have to think about where they bought, just that they belong.
Timing matters too. For example, shoes might need a retention nudge after a year, while apparel can re-engage in two to three months.
Layer 3: Loyalty & Rewards
True loyalty is frictionless. The episode talks about integrating reward wallets and loyalty points across both stores and websites, so customers don’t have to think about where they bought, just that they belong.
Layer 4: Customer Service & Community
This is where retention gets emotional. Retention isn’t about discounts, It’s about belonging.
He shares how top brands are building closed customer communities, where loyal buyers get early access, surprises, and personal attention. It’s not a CRM strategy, it’s relationship building.
Layer 4: Customer Service & Community
This is where retention gets emotional. Retention isn’t about discounts, It’s about belonging.
He shares how top brands are building closed customer communities, where loyal buyers get early access, surprises, and personal attention. It’s not a CRM strategy, it’s relationship building.
And that’s the essence of omnichannel: the blending of data with empathy.
And that’s the essence of omnichannel: the blending of data with empathy.
Why Experience is the True Loyalty Driver
Why Experience is the True Loyalty Driver
Why Experience is the True Loyalty Driver
One of Ganesh’s favorite brand examples is PickYourTrail, a travel company he’s been loyal to for over a decade.
He smiles when he says, “Their communication never feels like marketing.” The brand’s emails talk about travel ideas, real stories, and testimonials, rarely about sales. Their personalization feels so intentional that it seems “specifically made for me.”
That’s the magic of customer experience-led retention. It’s not about “selling”, it’s about being relevant, consistent, and human.
As the episode puts it, “The biggest driver of retention is experience, and that loops back to loyalty.”
One of Ganesh’s favorite brand examples is PickYourTrail, a travel company he’s been loyal to for over a decade.
He smiles when he says, “Their communication never feels like marketing.” The brand’s emails talk about travel ideas, real stories, and testimonials, rarely about sales. Their personalization feels so intentional that it seems “specifically made for me.”
That’s the magic of customer experience-led retention. It’s not about “selling”, it’s about being relevant, consistent, and human.
As the episode puts it, “The biggest driver of retention is experience, and that loops back to loyalty.”
One of Ganesh’s favorite brand examples is PickYourTrail, a travel company he’s been loyal to for over a decade.
He smiles when he says, “Their communication never feels like marketing.” The brand’s emails talk about travel ideas, real stories, and testimonials, rarely about sales. Their personalization feels so intentional that it seems “specifically made for me.”
That’s the magic of customer experience-led retention. It’s not about “selling”, it’s about being relevant, consistent, and human.
As the episode puts it, “The biggest driver of retention is experience, and that loops back to loyalty.”
Founder-Led Branding
Founder-Led Branding
Founder-Led Branding
This part of the conversation feels personal. Both Saurabh and Ganesh believe that marketing has evolved, from product-centric, to experience-driven, to content-focused, and now to founder-led storytelling.
“Customers don’t just buy from brands, they buy from people.”
The episode points out how brands like Nish Hair, Underneat, Palmonas,Bombay Shaving Company, The Whole Truth, and Perfora thrive because their founders are visible, honest, and human. The founder becomes the storyteller, not just the face.
This part of the conversation feels personal. Both Saurabh and Ganesh believe that marketing has evolved, from product-centric, to experience-driven, to content-focused, and now to founder-led storytelling.
“Customers don’t just buy from brands, they buy from people.”
The episode points out how brands like Nish Hair, Underneat, Palmonas,Bombay Shaving Company, The Whole Truth, and Perfora thrive because their founders are visible, honest, and human. The founder becomes the storyteller, not just the face.
This part of the conversation feels personal. Both Saurabh and Ganesh believe that marketing has evolved, from product-centric, to experience-driven, to content-focused, and now to founder-led storytelling.
“Customers don’t just buy from brands, they buy from people.”
The episode points out how brands like Nish Hair, Underneat, Palmonas,Bombay Shaving Company, The Whole Truth, and Perfora thrive because their founders are visible, honest, and human. The founder becomes the storyteller, not just the face.
It’s a double-edged sword. You have to stay consistent. One wrong message, and it all comes crashing.
Still, the upside is powerful, founder-led brands build emotional connection faster, especially in a cluttered digital world.
It’s a double-edged sword. You have to stay consistent. One wrong message, and it all comes crashing.
Still, the upside is powerful, founder-led brands build emotional connection faster, especially in a cluttered digital world.
Performance Marketing: Beyond the ROAS Trap
Performance Marketing: Beyond the ROAS Trap
Performance Marketing: Beyond the ROAS Trap
In performance marketing, people chase ROAS of 2 like it’s the holy grail, but in early or growth stages, performance isn’t just numbers. It’s funnel depth.
This episode insists that brands must look at the entire journey, from discovery to checkout. The website experience, cart design, and product clarity matter as much as ad efficiency.
Ganesh gives the example of Flatheads, where the team deliberately focused on LinkedIn and Twitter instead of Instagram, because their core audience was working professionals. The result? “Thirty to forty percent of traffic came from LinkedIn,” he says.
Even the checkout experience matters. Tools like Razorpay Checkout improved conversions by speeding up payments and reducing drop-offs.
In performance marketing, people chase ROAS of 2 like it’s the holy grail, but in early or growth stages, performance isn’t just numbers. It’s funnel depth.
This episode insists that brands must look at the entire journey, from discovery to checkout. The website experience, cart design, and product clarity matter as much as ad efficiency.
Ganesh gives the example of Flatheads, where the team deliberately focused on LinkedIn and Twitter instead of Instagram, because their core audience was working professionals. The result? “Thirty to forty percent of traffic came from LinkedIn,” he says.
Even the checkout experience matters. Tools like Razorpay Checkout improved conversions by speeding up payments and reducing drop-offs.
In performance marketing, people chase ROAS of 2 like it’s the holy grail, but in early or growth stages, performance isn’t just numbers. It’s funnel depth.
This episode insists that brands must look at the entire journey, from discovery to checkout. The website experience, cart design, and product clarity matter as much as ad efficiency.
Ganesh gives the example of Flatheads, where the team deliberately focused on LinkedIn and Twitter instead of Instagram, because their core audience was working professionals. The result? “Thirty to forty percent of traffic came from LinkedIn,” he says.
Even the checkout experience matters. Tools like Razorpay Checkout improved conversions by speeding up payments and reducing drop-offs.
Influencer Marketing: From Numbers to Narratives
Influencer Marketing: From Numbers to Narratives
Influencer Marketing: From Numbers to Narratives
The conversation shifts naturally to influencer marketing, a space both of them know well.
“Doing it too early brings traffic spikes,” Ganesh says, “but not conversions.”
Influencer collaborations should start only after your brand positioning and product confidence are strong.
They discuss examples like Parul Gulati (Nish Hair) and Palmonas, where the founder’s conviction shows through the content.
“Influencer marketing used to be about reach. Now it’s about relevance.”
The episode emphasizes on the rise of micro and local influencers, people who talk authentically in regional languages and niche communities. They might not have millions of followers, but they have something more valuable, trust.
The conversation shifts naturally to influencer marketing, a space both of them know well.
“Doing it too early brings traffic spikes,” Ganesh says, “but not conversions.”
Influencer collaborations should start only after your brand positioning and product confidence are strong.
They discuss examples like Parul Gulati (Nish Hair) and Palmonas, where the founder’s conviction shows through the content.
“Influencer marketing used to be about reach. Now it’s about relevance.”
The episode emphasizes on the rise of micro and local influencers, people who talk authentically in regional languages and niche communities. They might not have millions of followers, but they have something more valuable, trust.
The conversation shifts naturally to influencer marketing, a space both of them know well.
“Doing it too early brings traffic spikes,” Ganesh says, “but not conversions.”
Influencer collaborations should start only after your brand positioning and product confidence are strong.
They discuss examples like Parul Gulati (Nish Hair) and Palmonas, where the founder’s conviction shows through the content.
“Influencer marketing used to be about reach. Now it’s about relevance.”
The episode emphasizes on the rise of micro and local influencers, people who talk authentically in regional languages and niche communities. They might not have millions of followers, but they have something more valuable, trust.
Retention and Performance: Two Sides of the Same Coin
Retention and Performance: Two Sides of the Same Coin
Retention and Performance: Two Sides of the Same Coin
“Retention can’t scale infinitely, but it’s ignored far too often.”
Ganesh believes retention and performance must go hand in hand, one fuels the other. It starts with first-party data, builds through frequency and recency-based campaigns, and strengthens through cohort understanding.
“Retention can’t scale infinitely, but it’s ignored far too often.”
Ganesh believes retention and performance must go hand in hand, one fuels the other. It starts with first-party data, builds through frequency and recency-based campaigns, and strengthens through cohort understanding.
“Retention can’t scale infinitely, but it’s ignored far too often.”
Ganesh believes retention and performance must go hand in hand, one fuels the other. It starts with first-party data, builds through frequency and recency-based campaigns, and strengthens through cohort understanding.
AI, the New Frontier
AI, the New Frontier
AI, the New Frontier
Before signing off, Saurabh and Ganesh touch upon AI’s growing role in e-commerce. From intelligent chatbots to virtual try-ons, they see AI becoming the quiet enabler of better experiences.
Ganesh and Saurabh discussed Manifest.AI, a platform that uses AI agents to subtly nudge users while browsing, through quizzes, personalized recommendations, and conversational prompts.
It’s where the future of customer experience is headed, smart, subtle, and centered on the individual.
Before signing off, Saurabh and Ganesh touch upon AI’s growing role in e-commerce. From intelligent chatbots to virtual try-ons, they see AI becoming the quiet enabler of better experiences.
Ganesh and Saurabh discussed Manifest.AI, a platform that uses AI agents to subtly nudge users while browsing, through quizzes, personalized recommendations, and conversational prompts.
It’s where the future of customer experience is headed, smart, subtle, and centered on the individual.
Before signing off, Saurabh and Ganesh touch upon AI’s growing role in e-commerce. From intelligent chatbots to virtual try-ons, they see AI becoming the quiet enabler of better experiences.
Ganesh and Saurabh discussed Manifest.AI, a platform that uses AI agents to subtly nudge users while browsing, through quizzes, personalized recommendations, and conversational prompts.
It’s where the future of customer experience is headed, smart, subtle, and centered on the individual.
The biggest takeaway from this episode?
The biggest takeaway from this episode?
The biggest takeaway from this episode?
Omnichannel success isn’t about being everywhere. It’s about showing up meaningfully where your customer is, with relevance, empathy, and timing.
Omnichannel success isn’t about being everywhere. It’s about showing up meaningfully where your customer is, with relevance, empathy, and timing.
“The real ROI of omnichannel isn’t in clicks or footfall, it’s in relationships.”
“The real ROI of omnichannel isn’t in clicks or footfall, it’s in relationships.”
And that’s exactly what the DilSe Omni Podcast is here to explore, real stories, real conversations, and the human side of marketing that technology alone can’t replace.
And that’s exactly what the DilSe Omni Podcast is here to explore, real stories, real conversations, and the human side of marketing that technology alone can’t replace.
This is just the beginning. If you’re ready to understand how AI and Omnichannel thinking work together, and hear real stories from people building the future
This is just the beginning. If you’re ready to understand how AI and Omnichannel thinking work together, and hear real stories from people building the future
This is just the beginning. If you’re ready to understand how AI and Omnichannel thinking work together, and hear real stories from people building the future
Talks with Saurabh Agrawal
Talks with Saurabh Agrawal
Talks with Saurabh Agrawal
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