Status Go: Ep. 198 – Driving Innovation at Cummins

On this episode of the Status Go Podcast, host Jeff Ton interviews Kanul Tayal, Digital Strategy Director for Cummins. The discussion revolves around innovation, specifically how it is defined, and how it can be fostered in a 100-year-old company. Tayal describes the concept of people innovation, which involves empowering employees to generate and develop ideas. He emphasizes the importance of creating a culture of innovation, where experimentation and failure are accepted, and where innovation is not just a buzzword but an integral part of the company’s DNA. Tayal also shares some insights into innovative startups.

About Kunal Tayal

Kunal Tayal is Director of Digital Strategy at Cummins focused on developing their digital strategy and new partnerships in digital space.

Kunal has served in multiple roles at Cummins over the last 16 years including corporate finance, account management, business development, market strategy and product management. Since 2017, he has been part of their newly formed digital organization where, as Director of Innovation built successfully digital incubators from cradle to scale. He has also led building digital partnerships with the key OEM customers for the commercial truck and bus market.

Prior to joining Cummins, Kunal founded a trading company to expose and market local Indian handicraft and jewellery products. He holds an undergraduate degree in Electronics and Communication engineering from Bangalore University and an MBA from Indiana University.

Kunal is passionate about technology and is an entrepreneur at heart. He supports the local start-ups as an angel investor and advising/mentoring them on business development and scale-up.

Kunal resides in Columbus, IN with his wife Megha and daughter Avni. He loves to play guitar and working on his private pilot license.