CIOIN

Yogesh Gulabani, 39
GM Technology Services and Enterprise Services, Bharti Airtel

He is someone to watch: Because he led business transformation projects that will enable the business to double its revenue over the next three years. Because he was instrumental in expanding the business to overseas markets and created a business roadmap with minimum capex. Because he helped launched 15 projects this year, which, combined, are projected to grow revenue by Rs 2,000 crore. Because he enabled India’s largest telco to generate 25 percent additional revenue through automations and by developing new revenue streams. Because he developed a remote model project with the government of Gujurat that’s so good it’s being replicated in other states. Because it revolutionalized the daily life rural citizens and won the Chief Minister’s Award. Because he developed a global voice solution that is the envy of Airtel’s competitors because it helps business achieve four times its traffic volume. Because he is politically-savvy without being political, technology-savvy without being a geek.

Mentor Speak : "Yogesh has led from the front with both business and IT, proving his capabilities and vision. He also enabled business to diversify into unfamiliar, unconventional areas, which have reaped rich benefits.” — Rupinder Goel, Senior VP, Bharti Airtel

One thing I’ve learnt Cost effective innovation and timely transformation are the keys to success.
The best advice you’ve got To every problem there is a solution. We only need to find it.
Turning point in your career Project Kevlar for our wholesale voice gave me the chance to transform the way this business is conducted globally. It will create a benchmark for others to follow.
On mentoring…Imparting knowledge is an easy way to create
followers. I intend to create replicas and more leaders who exceed me.
A question you wish you had better answers to… How to get partners to deliver to your expectations in tough economic times.

What impresses you?Dedication and commitment: they are crucial forces to reach any goal. 
The difference you make I want to bring a touch of humanity to all goods and services I am involved with.
Your nickname at work Karm Yogi
Why do you think your CIO nominated you? My CIO works very closely with me and has seen me evolving a static business and transforming it to a position of global leadership.  
What would you be most likely caught saying?let’s create history.
Your hero I admire and follow Hanumaji, Sankat Mochan being my philosophy in life

Contd ....Read Ones To Watch part III

Sanjay Jha

Sanjay Jha, 38
Head-IT (In, VAS & CCT), MTS India (Sistema Shyam TeleServices)

He is someone to watch: Because he is self-motivated and driven. Because he consolidated MTS’ server infrastructure which helped the telco roll out services faster and save significant operational costs. Because he turned around an ailing contact center and pushed its call-to-answer ratio into the high 90s. Because he is participative. Because he has the authority to speak in cross-functional meetings and industry forums, including regulatory platforms. Because he can rally his team repeatedly. Because he proactively formed a core IT team of over 30 highly motivated members. Because his team members look up to him for his guidance. Because he is easy to work with. Because he is responsive and gets a job done without follow-up. Because he delivers consistently. Because he delivered an online differential charging solution in 45 days, allowing MTS to launch high-speed wireless broadband quickly. Because he can be tough when the situation demands it.

Mentor Speak: Sanjay is a highly-dedicated, sincere, self-motivated member of the team who is able to deliver consistently. He has the makings of a good CIO.” — Rajeev Batra, CIO, MTS India (SSTL)

If you want to be a rising star you have to… Take calculated risks.
Turning point in your career A billing mediation project that brought me into the limelight and taught me that sincerity and hard work can only take you so far in making a project successful — you also need project owners to put their heart and soul into the project. 
What do you like being surrounded by? Flowers. Because they give you that feeling of freshness and show you nature’s beauty.
What would you be most likely caught saying? We can do.
A question you wish you had better answers to. How do I bring the attrition rate in my team to near zero?

Why do you think your CIO nominated you? I think he was impressed withmy delivery capabilities in multiple functional areas.
The best advice you’ve got It comes in the form of a question an old boss liked to ask: “Are you part of the problem or the solution?” It made me more solutions oriented.

Your hero Mahatma Gandhi. His teaching about truth and honesty are eternal.

Contd ....Read Ones To Watch part III

Byju Joseph

Byju Joseph, 37
AVP,  Future Generali India Life Insurance

He is someone to watch: Because in a high gestation business like insurance, he is quick to respond to new competitive threats and maintains a laser sharp focus on strategy. Because this aloowed the company to get rid of redundant initiatives and saved nearly 20 percent of its IT budget. Because he has a strong goal orientation and can deliver quick results. Because that manifested itself when he spearheaded an enterprise document management system and executed the project in a mere 40 days. Because it went a long way in improving turnaround time for issuing a policy — from 15 days to three. Because he championed the transformation of an 80-year-old company, running hundreds of legacy systems. Because user satisfaction got 4 on 5 when he changed the face of the IT infrastructure of the company.  Because despite having absolutely no exposure to IT, today he is its team leader and next in line for the CIO suite.

Mentor Speak: "His formal education had given him no exposure IT. But I realized that he had common sense and great natural analytical skills. He became a part of the IT team immediately thereafter. “ —Rajeev Shirodkar, CIO, Future Generali India Life Insurance

To be a rising star you have to… Be innovative, be adaptable, fail faster to succeed sooner.
The best advice you’ve got The devil is in the details.
A concept that’s all hype SoA is over-rated. It requires a complete transformation of people, process and technology. It’s been around for over a decade and still has poor adoption rates.
Turning point in your career While handling a multi-crore SAP project, I realized that tackling change management is not just about working hard but working smart.
Your leadership philosophy Respect can’t be demanded, it has to be earned. 
The last book you read How Life Imitates Chess by Garry Kasparov. It opened my eyes to the ingredients and skills that go into making a decision.
A habit you wish you could get rid of Working late.
I wouldn’t be caught dead Wearing pink.
One question you wish you had better answers to… How do I keep my cool?
Your catchphrase Just do it!
Your hero My father. He taught me to always do the right thing; to value others and help them whenever I can.

Contd ....Read Ones To Watch part III

Mahesh Kumar

Mahesh Kumar, 35
Assistant General Manager IT Infrastructure, Operations & Support, Maruti Suzuki India

He is someone to watch: Because fresh out of IIM Lucknow he was entrusted with studying the supply chain practices of India’s largest car manufacturer to propose improvements. Because his report was Maruti Suzuki’s first concept note on supply chains and impressed senior management immediately. Because it laid the foundation for many technology-led supply chain initiatives in one of the most automated companies in the country. Because since then he’s moved up and has been part of Maruti Suzuki’s core IT strategy team for eight years. Because he’s spent a lot of that time starting new initiatives and taking IT’s business penetration to higher levels. Because he took IT service delivery levels from 60 to a 100 percent. Because that increased the efficiency of 7,000 staffers and 700 business partners. Because it boosted business’ confidence in IT. Because his work in the supply chain enables Maruti Suzuki to work on less than half-a-day’s worth of inventory as it churns out over 2,300 vehicles a day.

Mentor Speak: "In very little time he was able to understand and extrapolate the future of the business and propose a piece of visionary IT architecture that has paid off.” —R. uppal, Chief General Manager IT and Distribution, Maruti Suzuki India

Important lesson you  learnt on the way up. Patiently listening to a customer — or anyone for that matter — is key to building long-term relationships.
If you weren’t an IT leader, you would have been… An officer in the armed forces.
Your leadership philosophy Consider your team a  part of yourself. The chances of things going right increases dramatically.
I wish I knew how to... Stop people from sending unnecessary e-mail copies.
Your hero My father because he chose a path which was unthinkable for most people around him.
Favorite TV show Man vs Wild on the Discovery

If you want to be a rising star you have to… Have a strong connect with the business and the customer. And don’t shy away from taking responsibility for failures.
What would you be most likely caught saying? Hanjee, kya chal raha hai?
What trait do you admire in your CIO? I’ve known Mr. Uppal for over 11 years. He has a great knack for understanding people.
Over-rated SoA. The concept’s basics are sound but it should only be targeted at scenarios that see high reusability.
Your first job In the instrumentation department of Engineers India. I worked there as a management trainee between 1995-96

Contd ....Read Ones To Watch part III

Akshay Lamba

Akshay Lamba, 32
Assistant Director IT, Strategy, Architecture & Planning, MTS India (Sistema Shyam TeleServices)

He is someone to watch: Because he has an opinion people want to hear. Because he is invited regularly to speak at forums and be a judge at award ceremonies. Because his grasp of business and his ability to translate it’s needs into technology leads to fast, efficient IT delivery. Because as the head of the company’s enterprise architecture he is what MTS will be tomorrow.  Because he is the singular force that integrates the IT department of MTS with its counterpart in Russia.
Because as a business leader and a consultant, he assures the new entrant to India’s cutthroat telco market a strong pipeline of business benefits from IT. Because at a time when there is hardly any support available for data cards in Linux, Lamba tested and presented a proof-of-concept to deploy MTS data cards on a Linux platform. Because it’s going to be a moneyspinner. Because the division he set up institutionalized process rigor and guarantees better system utilization.

Mentor Speak: "Akshay first caught my attention seven years ago at the launch of a VaS solution. His ability to quickly grasp a new technology, understand its commercial implications and turn it around enabled the operator to launch a strong global product. — Rajeev Batra,  CIO, MTS India

Over-rated Netbooks. Given their limited screen resolution and processing power, viewing the average office document is a chore. Add
a half decent anti-viral solution to the mix and you
get a convenient coffee break while you wait for a
document to open. 
The best advice I’ve read “The closer you get to the top of a company, the more important is cultural fit. Indian managers ay tend to underestimate the critical importance of culture and powerful mentors and overestimate the importance of performance, loyalty  and competence.”
Favorite gadget: My home Internet gateway on a rickety old desktop. It serves me well as a routerVPN-firewall-proxy-file server-bittorrent-SMS box!

What’s non-negotiable? Delivering up to customer expectations. 
What would you be most likely to be caught saying? How can we do this better?
Your leadership philosophy Be open. Be honest. Demand the best, from  the best.
If you want to be a rising star you have to be… Passionate. Combine technology expertise, business acumen and people management with passion and you might just stand apart from  the crowd. 
What trait do you admire in your boss? His inclusive leadership style. He’s a highly innovative thinker who gives you the building blocks and then the space to create a model from it.

Contd ....Read Ones To Watch part III