Formulate a comprehensive technology strategy that supports the organization’s growth and innovation goals.
This is an exclusive interview series conducted by the Editor Team of CIO News with Kripadyuti Sarkar, Group Chief Information Officer (CIO) at AmbujaNeotia Group.
How did you plan your career path to be a successful technology leader?
My journey in the realm of technology leadership has been marked by a series of transformative milestones, each contributing to my growth and success in this dynamic field. In this journey, my career has been shaped by a combination of strategic vision, relentless dedication, and a commitment towards innovation.
The foundation of my technology leadership journey was laid during my formative years with tech consulting giants like Cognizant (8 years) and IBM (6 years), after I completed my Electronics Engineering at Jadavpur University. In this period, I have sharpened my problem-solving aptitude and developed a passion for cutting-edge solutions. During these 14 years, I have worked on as many as 19+ implementation projects in ERP spaces in various capacities as a consultant, project manager, delivery manager, account head, competency leader, and client partner. In my career assignments, I served media giant conglomerate ABP Pvt Ltd from 2014 to 2021 and RUPA & Co Ltd. from 2021 to 2022. Presently, I am managing IT strategy and portfolio for AmbujaNeotia Group in the capacity of group CIO.
What challenges did you face in your career path, and how did you overcome them?
No journey is without its challenges. My adept handling of:
- BCP during the COVID period and enable all employees for long-term work from home and hybrid subsequent work spaces;
- Motivating the IT team and managing IT attrition during the post-covid period and
- Very fast change in customer expectations. Having entire digital experience in all transitions has demonstrated resilience and adaptability, showcasing my ability to navigate through turbulent times.
These experiences underscored the importance of continuous learning and a proactive approach to problem-solving, further solidifying my reputation as a technology leader who thrives under pressure.
What are the challenges faced by technology leaders today while implementing digital technologies?
All CIOs are facing multiple challenges currently involving:
- Cybersecurity and maintaining a resilient digital environment for organizations
- Data protection at all levels
- Uses of AI to reduce business cycle time and increase throughput
- Proper tech talent pool to utilize the latest technology
How can technology leaders overcome the challenges faced?
Throughout my tenure as a technology leader, my strategic vision has consistently harmonized with the overarching business objectives of the organization. By integrating technology strategies seamlessly with broader business goals, I have not only driven technological innovation but have also played a pivotal role in the achievement of key organizational milestones and overcoming challenges.
Cybersecurity and data security as a Pillar of Trust:
I prioritized cybersecurity as a fundamental component of our technology strategy. By implementing robust cybersecurity measures, conducting regular audits, and fostering a security-aware culture, we not only safeguarded our customers’ trust but also ensured compliance with evolving regulatory frameworks. This approach directly aligned with the organization’s broader objective of maintaining a reputation for trustworthiness and ethical business practices.
Driving Efficiency through Digital Transformation:
In response to the organization’s overarching goal of operational efficiency, I spearheaded a comprehensive digital transformation initiative. This involved the adoption of cloud-based technologies (implemented SaaS products like SalesForce Marketing Cloud, Darwin Box HR, etc.), automation of key processes (through SAP S4 HANA implementation), and the implementation of data analytics tools (Tableau). The result was a significant reduction in operational costs and a streamlined workflow, directly aligning with the business objective of maximizing efficiency and optimizing resource utilization.
Enabling Scalability and Expansion:
Understanding the organization’s aspirations for expansion, I championed the adoption of scalable and flexible technology architectures. By transitioning key infrastructure to a cloud-native environment, we not only enhanced the scalability of our systems but also facilitated seamless expansion into new markets. This strategic move not only supported the organization’s growth objectives but also positioned us as a nimble and adaptive player in the market.
Fostering Innovation for Competitive Advantage:
In alignment with the business objective of maintaining a competitive edge, I instituted a dedicated innovation program within the technology department. This initiative encouraged a culture of creativity and continuous improvement, resulting in the development of several cutting-edge solutions that not only differentiated us in the market but also contributed significantly to revenue generation.
Any best practices, industry trends, or advice you would like to suggest to fellow IT leaders for their successful professional journeys?
I strongly believe a successful CIO must balance technical expertise with strong leadership and communication skills, navigating the evolving landscape of technology to drive business success. Following best practices, in my opinion, are the keys:
Strategic Technology Vision:
Develop and communicate a clear vision for the group’s technology landscape, aligning it with overall business objectives. Formulate a comprehensive technology strategy that supports the organization’s growth and innovation goals.
Executive Leadership and Collaboration:
C-Suite Collaboration: Collaborate with other C-level executives to understand their business needs and ensure that technology initiatives support organizational goals. Engage with business unit leaders to drive technology alignment across the group.
Governance and Risk Management:
IT Governance: Establish and oversee IT governance frameworks to ensure that technology initiatives adhere to regulatory compliance, risk management, and security standards.
Risk Mitigation: Identify and mitigate potential risks related to technology, cybersecurity, and data management.
Digital Transformation:
Transformational Leadership: Drive digital transformation initiatives that leverage emerging technologies to enhance operational efficiency, customer experiences, and market competitiveness.
Innovation:
Foster a culture of innovation by promoting the adoption of new technologies and encouraging experimentation within the group.
Data Management and Analytics:
Develop and implement a comprehensive data strategy that includes data governance, analytics, and business intelligence to support data-driven decision-making.
Cybersecurity Leadership:
Establish and oversee a robust cybersecurity program, including the development and enforcement of security policies, incident response planning, and ongoing security awareness training.
Vendor Management:
Manage relationships with technology vendors and service providers to ensure the effective delivery of technology solutions and services. Negotiate and manage contracts to optimize value and ensure alignment with the group’s strategic goals.
Talent Development:
Build and lead a high-performing IT team, providing mentorship, guidance, and professional development opportunities. Foster a culture of continuous learning to keep the IT team’s skills current and aligned with industry best practices.
Budgeting and Financial Management:
Develop and manage the IT budget, ensuring efficient allocation of resources to support strategic initiatives. Implement cost optimization strategies without compromising the quality and effectiveness of IT services.
Time-to-Time appropriate stakeholder communication:
Effectively communicate complex technology concepts to non-technical stakeholders, including the board of directors, shareholders, and business unit leaders. Provide regular updates on the progress of technology initiatives and their impact on business outcomes.
Any other points that you would like to highlight?
Be transparent to your team and stakeholders, maintain dignity of conversation with subordinates, strive for innovation always, and be vigilant.
About Kripadyuti Sarkar
An IT evangelist and learner in a leadership role who had spent 22+ years in the global IT arena spearheading the digital transformation, enterprise IT roadmap, program management, analytics, enterprise, and CRM applications for global organizations like AmbujaNeotia Group, RUPA & Co Ltd., ABP Pvt. Ltd., Duty Free Shope, John Deer Power System, Dow Corning, Xerox, Schwan’s Food, Burger King, Mentor Graphics, Nestle, N-Power, IBM Blue Harmony, SKF Bearing, and many more.
At present, Kripadyuti, in the capacity of Group CIO of AmbujaNeotia (a leading Indian conglomerate with a strong footprint in real estate, healthcare, and hospitality), promotes digital transformation for optimal performance using BOTs, AI with reliability and security across enterprise business applications in both the digital space and the core ERP space, namely SAP ECC and HANA, Sales Force CRM, Tableau Analytics, along with Cyber Security and Hybridization of Work Load in with a Cloud Native Strategy.
He is an alma mater of Jadavpur University and IIM Calcutta.
Also read: Achieving Rapid Outcomes with AI-Driven Cloud Analytics
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