The BASA Awards has welcomed Ramlakshmi Murugan to the Independent Judging Panel. After her nomination, we spoke with her about tech, small business, and what creativity really means in a fast-paced digital world.

Can you describe your job in one line?

I solve real-world problems through technology and strategy.

What inspired you to pursue a career in tech and product strategy?

I've always been drawn to problem-solving, even as a child, I loved puzzles, board games, and math. That passion naturally evolved into working in tech, where every day presents a new challenge to tackle.

I chose to work at Google because we work on real, meaningful problems from improving healthcare to accelerating solutions for complex global challenges. It gives my work purpose, and I get to do what I love: solve problems that matter.

AI and digital transformation can feel overwhelming for small businesses. What advice would you give to a small business unsure about what tech to embrace?

You don’t need to be an AI expert or spend a lot of money to get started. My biggest piece of advice: start small.

There are great no-code tools available now that can automate manual tasks like data entry or scheduling. If you run a bakery and notice banana bread is your top seller, AI can help you identify trends and manage inventory without a massive investment.

Tech adoption doesn’t have to be overwhelming. Identify one small gap, address it with a digital tool, and grow from there.

"Data is only valuable when it tells a story."

How do you define creativity?

For me, creativity is about anticipating future problems and building solutions before they arise. Think of self-driving cars — they’re a response to our prediction that in the future, humans will want to multitask while commuting, and traffic congestion will grow. Creativity means seeing what’s ahead and designing for it now.

What would you love to see in an ideal BASA Awards nomination?

I’d love to see measurable impact. Many businesses submit beautiful presentations with big visions, but what stands out is when nominees back it up with results: “We grew our customer base by 40% in six months,” or “Our productivity doubled after adopting this solution.”

Give us the numbers. Show us how you’ve grown. That’s how we celebrate your progress.

Any words of encouragement for BASA Awards nominees?

You don’t need to have it all figured out — just start. Even small wins count. Apply, share your journey, and be proud of the impact you’re already making.

"What you bring to the table is your passion. And because you're a small business, I think you’re already ahead—you’re not dependent on an employer, you’re creating your own path."