A fast-paced tech industry needs a leader who is adaptable and open to new ideas

This is an exclusive interview series conducted by the Editor Team of CIO News with Yugesh Kumar, Associate Vice President-Corporate IT & SAP at S Chand Group.

How did you plan your career path to be a successful technology leader?

Stay updated with the latest technologies and trends through online courses, certifications, and workshops. Work in various roles to understand different aspects of technology and business. Always look for ways to innovate and improve processes. Be adaptable and open to new ideas and technologies.

What challenges did you face in your career path, and how did you overcome them?

I started my career in finance, then moved into SAP consulting, and after that, handling complete information technology (infrastructure and security) with SAP as the corporate IT head for the S Chand Group was very challenging. So having a commerce background, stepping into IT was not easy for me. I took this role as a challenge and upgraded my skill set by continuous learning through various platforms like taking courses, attending workshops, or seeking mentorship, which helped to build the necessary competencies. Building a professional network was also challenging and crucial. Attending industry events, joining professional groups, and using social media platforms like LinkedIn helped expand the network.

What are the challenges faced by technology leaders today while implementing digital technologies?

Lack of a Clear Digital Transformation Strategy: Without a well-defined strategy, it becomes difficult to align digital initiatives with business goals.

Complex Software and Technology: Integrating and managing complex software systems can be daunting, especially when dealing with legacy systems2.

Security Concerns: Ensuring the security of digital systems and data is a major concern, especially with increasing cyber threats.

Budget Constraints: Balancing the costs of digital transformation with available budgets can be tricky.

Cultural mindset: Shifting the organizational culture to embrace digital transformation is often one of the toughest challenges.

How can technology leaders overcome the challenges faced?

Staying updated with the latest industry trends and regulatory changes is crucial. Leaders can achieve this by consuming public information, engaging with their organization to understand internal perspectives, and broadening their network to learn about innovations.

Ensuring the right workforce is in place to achieve organizational goals is essential. Leaders should focus on strategic workforce planning by mapping workforce plans to different possible futures.

Cloud migration can be challenging due to security and compliance concerns. Leaders should prioritize workloads for migration, choose the appropriate cloud infrastructure, and develop a strategic migration plan with continuous monitoring.

Addressing the Global IT Skills Gap: Finding and retaining top IT talent is a significant challenge. Building an employer brand, promoting internal mobility, and offering competitive remuneration can help attract and retain skilled professionals

Any best practices, industry trends, or advice you would like to suggest to fellow technology leaders for their successful professional journeys?

As best practices, leaders should follow continuous learning, agile methodologies, data-driven decision-making, cyber security, and an innovative culture.

As an industry trend, we should look into Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning, Cloud Computing, Edge Computing, Blockchain Technology, 5G Technology, and Remote Work.

Advice: Be open to change and ready to pivot when necessary. The ability to adapt is crucial in the fast-paced tech industry. Anticipate trends and prepare your team and organization for what’s next. Maintain a healthy work-life balance. Encourage your team to do the same to prevent burnout and ensure long-term productivity.

Any other points that you would like to highlight?

I would like to highlight one thing: nothing is impossible in life, whether it is professional or personal. If we are willing to do, we can do. Set the goal honestly and move forward to achieve that goal. Never lose the self-confidence in any circumstances. Be humble towards the role and people.

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