When Simran Saggu joined ZS five years ago, she never imagined that her career would take a turn from computer science to consulting in the travel and hospitality industry. Yet, today, she stands as a key contributor to ZS’s work in revenue management, helping some of the world’s largest hotel brands optimize their operations. Her journey is one of adaptability, curiosity and a deep commitment to making an impact.

Graduating with a degree in computer science, Simran initially envisioned a future in software development. However, when ZS came to her campus for placements, she saw an opportunity to pivot into consulting. “I knew I wanted to get into consulting because of friends and family in the industry,” she shares. “When ZS interviewed me, I immediately saw the opportunity to grow and make a meaningful change. It was the perfect place to start my career, and I knew it was where I wanted to be.”

Her early days at ZS were marked by a steep learning curve. She joined the travel and hospitality practice during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, diving into an industry in crisis. Unlike many consultants who may have seen the prepandemic landscape, Simran was introduced to an industry undergoing massive transformation. “I got to learn a lot very quickly,” she says. “My fresh perspective—having not been tied to pre-pandemic ways of working—made me aware of the industry's evolving needs. Joining during such a disruptive period meant I had to adapt quickly, but it also allowed me to see opportunities for change and innovation from day one.”

Simran’s work primarily focuses on revenue management, a critical aspect of the hospitality business. She collaborates directly with hotel managers, analyzing data to optimize pricing strategies and maximize revenue. The early days were daunting. “I was an intern, literally talking to clients halfway across the world, telling them they were doing something wrong. It was scary,” she admits.

As Simran gained experience and her role evolved, she quickly recognized the power of collaboration and data-driven decision-making. “By analyzing trends and working closely with both the team and the client, we could make strategic adjustments in real time that directly affects the bottom line,” she explains. “It was incredible to see the immediate impact of our collective efforts, reinforcing the responsibility that came with it.”

One of Simran’s most meaningful projects has been with a major global hotel brand, where she helped redesign their revenue management (RM) framework. Before ZS’s intervention, the company’s RM teams operated in silos, spending excessive time on administrative tasks instead of strategic decision-making.

“Revenue managers were bogged down with nonstrategic tasks,” she explains. “Our project focused on defining an ideal state that involved streamlining their responsibilities, improving workflows and leveraging AI and automation to handle manual tasks.” ZS introduced tech-driven solutions, such as AI-powered meeting notes and centralized data collection, allowing revenue managers to focus on high-value strategic tasks.

While the work is deeply technical and data-driven, Simran highlights the ingenuity and human touch that define ZS’s approach. “This, at its core, is a people industry,” she explains. “Beyond optimizing for the customer, we also consider the hotel staff working behind the scenes. It’s about blending analytics with empathy to create solutions that work for everyone.”

One of her most fulfilling experiences is knowing that her work directly affects hotel managers and their teams. “At any level, if you can simplify complex processes and drive meaningful change to even one franchisee, it’s incredibly fulfilling.”

Her work with ZS continues to challenge her, but she wouldn’t have it any other way. “I’d pick this over a software developer job any day,” she says with a smile. As she looks ahead, she’s excited to continue making an impact in an industry that is constantly evolving, one revenue strategy at a time.

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