Our Ascend program is designed to develop the next generation of top-tier consultants. We sat down with Robert Marasigan, one of our talented Ascend analysts based in Toronto, Ontario, to get a glimpse into his journey, his day-to-day life, and why he enjoys working at Plative.
From Economics to Enterprise Tech
Robert’s path to Plative wasn’t a straight line, but it was a purposeful one. A graduate of Toronto Metropolitan University with a degree in Economics and Management Science (and minors in Finance and Marketing), Robert spent time during his studies doing a co-op at a major tech company. It was there that he discovered a passion that would shape his career.
“A small chunk of what I did in my co-op was related to product enhancements based on business processes. And when I decided to reflect back, I realized that that was actually one interest that I really wanted to expand on.”
That spark led him to the Plative Ascend program, an opportunity to learn industry-leading platforms like NetSuite and Salesforce while sharpening his analytical skills and growing as a consultant.
Why Ascend?
For Robert, the decision to join the Ascend program came down to alignment, between his past experiences and his future ambitions.
“It was an opportunity for me to expand on my analytical and qualitative skill set as an analyst as you balance between both solution designing but also maintaining that client communication and expectations throughout the project.”
The program offered exactly what he was looking for: a structured path to grow his expertise in enterprise technology while working directly with clients from day one.
A Day in the Life
Robert’s workday starts early, around 7:30–8AM, with a solid breakfast, before diving into emails and messages to catch up on any overnight updates.
From there, it’s all about the calendar. Using Google Calendar, Robert maps out his day to strike the right balance between client meetings and dedicated heads-down time for solutioning and building.
Afternoons bring a well-earned break, whether that’s a walk, some reading, or a few minutes working on the puzzle he keeps in his living room. It’s a small ritual that helps him reset before the final push of the day.
And when the workday wraps up? Robert takes time to reflect, reviewing what he accomplished, noting key milestones, and writing down priority action items for the next morning so he’s always ready to hit the ground running.
The Best Part of the Job
The collaborative process of bridging client expectations with what’s technically possible in NetSuite or Salesforce is where Robert truly thrives. But for Robert, great solutioning doesn’t stop at building the product. It extends into how clients actually adopt and use it.
“We could build the best product in the world. But ultimately, it won’t be as good if the clients and the people that end up receiving that product aren’t actually going to end up using it.”
That’s where change management comes in. Robert sees it as the natural extension of solution design, understanding not just how to build the right solution, but how to ensure clients are genuinely ready to embrace it. That means learning the tendencies and preferences of the teams who work those business processes every day, connecting solutions back to their original requirements, and making the transition feel seamless rather than disruptive.
“It’s a mindset shift that defines great consultants, understanding not just how to build a solution, but how clients will actually live with it day to day.”
It’s a skill set he’s been actively developing throughout his time in the Ascend program, and one he’s eager to continue growing as he advances his career at Plative.
A Moment to Remember
When asked about his most memorable experience at Plative, Robert didn’t hesitate. It was the first Plative Christmas dinner party.
It was my first time meeting some of my teammates in person in the Toronto office. And so it was a little nerve-racking, but what I remember so fondly about that day was that everyone was so welcoming.
For a team that operates virtually day-to-day, that in-person connection made a lasting impression, a reminder of the people behind the screens.
Interested in joining the Plative Ascend program? Get in touch!