Tag: Tech Magazine

Rajan Vagadia | Top Leaders In Tech & Auto

Ex: What is one truth you believe in that most people disagree with you on?
Rajan: I believe that the pace of change that will bring technologies such as AI, ML, Robotics, and Cognitive Computing will certainly lead to better times for humans. History has persistently proven this point; however, we need to believe in it rather than being skeptical.

Ex: One book you keep coming back to?
Rajan: Leadership Secrets of Attila the Hun by Wess Roberts.

Ex: Leadership quotes that you live by
Rajan: “Learning and innovation go hand in hand. The arrogance of success is to think that what you did yesterday will be sufficient for tomorrow.” –William Pollard

Ex: How difficult is it to maintain a work-life balance?
Rajan: It is not difficult at all if you know when to stop or stop when you know.

Ex: What has been your biggest learning in the pandemic?
Rajan: Technology saved us yesterday, did it again today, and will do it tomorrow too. It is important to embrace it.

Ex: Some productivity apps and technologies you use in your daily life?
Rajan: Meditation applications to relax Video conferencing to stay in ‘touch’ OTT apps to stay entertained

Ex: What is your technology detox like?
Rajan: Meditating with help of smartphone apps.

Ex: How long do you think till AI is integrated into your processors?
Rajan: Qualcomm’s on-device Artificial Intelligence (AI) has been a core player of Snapdragon chipsets since the 6-series (SD 660). We have fueled some brilliant attributes of AI to create intuitive and immersive everyday mobile experience. Today a good camera is a must and AI comes to aid. Snapdragon-enabled cameras capture stunning, professional photos and videos. We have also harnessed AI to create extended reality (XR) mobile applications across sectors. Our 5th generation AI Engine continues to bolster the interactive mobile gaming industry with real-time AI translation powering voice and speech recognition processes. Furthermore, since its dawn, the on-device personal assistant has been enabling
a truly customized performance. AI is everywhere, beginning with our processors.

Ex: If you would like to make a new category-specific processor, which category would you opt for and why
Rajan: At Qualcomm, we are fascinated by technology and how it can transform various industries. Our innovations have boosted the dynamics of the telecom world. But, more recently we have been empowering AI gaming, smart cities, automotive, and connectivity. The aim is to propel digital transformation beyond the capabilities of today’s applications. We are constantly brewing ideas to catalyze growth through our existing tech offerings. For instance, we are rediscovering the infinite role of 5G. So, we look forward to exploring and being inspired by the power of technology. We have and want to continue making technology available to all; we did it with 4G and now we are working towards ‘5G-for-all’, in India.

Manohar Bhat | Top Leaders In Tech & Auto

 Ex: What is one truth you believe in that most people disagree with you on?
Manohar: Most people tend to disagree with my notion that India is solely value consciousness driven. With time, Indian customers are evolving and they seeking better products in their lives regardless of how much money they spending.

Ex: When will you say you have fulfilled all your goals?
Manohar: I strongly believe that peace of mind should be of topmost priority for everyone and one should try every day towards attaining that.

Ex: When have you failed and how did you overcome it?
Manohar: Failure is a part of the life journey. First of all, I accepted that and with every failure, I remind myself that I have to get up and keep trying.

Ex: One futuristic feature that you can’t wait to introduce in your vehicle.
Manohar: Although it’s becoming reality in some of the global markets, I can’t wait to introduce Fuel Cell Electric Vehicles (FCEV) in India. A fuel cell electric vehicle, or an FCEV, drives using the electricity that is generated when the hydrogen stored in the vehicle is joined with air. The vehicle emits zero pollution, and the only thing that is discharged from the vehicle when it generates power is pure water. Not only is this but an FCEV capable of removing 99.9% of ultra-fine dust (PM2.5) from the atmosphere.

Ex: Which old-school car/bike design inspired you the most?
Manohar: Among the numerous cars, I have seen and experienced, my pick would always be my Willys MB. My father owned one when I was growing up and back then as well, I use to be awestruck by the simple yet powerful appearance of the jeep.

Ex: Kia has made it clear that they will only focus on MPVs and SUVs in India. When can we expect the sedans and hatchbacks in the Indian market?
Manohar: We have witnessed a significant shift in consumer preferences in India. For instance, hatchbacks were incredibly popular in the past, but now they are increasingly being replaced by crossovers and smaller SUVs. In India and globally, the demand for SUVs is growing stronger and stronger. Our state-of-the-art manufacturing plant in Anantapur produces midsize and compact SUVs. Our aim is to fully utilize the capacity and investment in the Indian market and hence, we are using our India plant as an export hub for SUVs. We are also observing the SUV trend globally and will produce them in our Ananatapur manufacturing unit. Hence, currently, we are focussed on the UV segment but that doesn’t mean we are restricting ourselves.

Ex: What is the motive behind calling the Sonet “Wild by design”?
Manohar: The term wild by design originates from the unexpectedness of Kia Sonet. It simply says that so much packed into one thing cannot be normal. It has to be something more. It has to be wild. The muscular built, powerful engine, futuristic features, and bold and aggressive design give it a strong presence on the road.

Anil Jain | Top Leaders In Tech & Auto

Ex: What is one truth you believe in that most people disagree with you on?
Anil: No one will give you responsibility & ownership on a platter, you have to take it and own it.

Ex: What is the one subject you think aspiring leaders should learn?
Anil: How to work in the new normal and get maximum productivity and cost control. The pandemic has changed the business rules and management control mechanism.

Ex: One thing you believe is absolutely necessary for sustained growth
Anil: A dedicated and motivated team. Growth will follow.

Ex: One book you keep coming back to?
Anil: Tipping Point

Ex: Leadership quotes that you live by                                                            Anil: Leadership and ownership is not dependent on what is your level in the organization. One needs to own and demonstrate these qualities, success will follow.

Ex: How difficult is it to maintain a work-life balance?
Anil: In the new normal it’s a problem since WHF is a 24 hours work schedule.

Ex: Some productivity apps and technologies you use in your daily life?
Anil: Good EPR solutions at the company level and a good smartphone for personal use.

Ex: What is your technology detox like?
Anil: Stop use of any gadgets that are Wi-Fi enabled on Sunday and listen to soft music.

Ex: What is the biggest change in trend you have seen since the IT boom in India? 
Anil: The biggest change in trend has been work culture, change in office interiors, more use of IT, need for faster computing, and availability of data on the fly leading to faster decision making.

Kapil Gulati | Top Leaders in Tech & Auto

Ex: Leadership quotes that you live by
Kapil: “A leader is one who sees more than others see, who sees farther than others see, and who sees before others see.” – Leroy Eimes “No man will make a great leader who wants to do it all himself, or to get all the credit for doing it.” – Andrew Carnegie

Ex: What has been your biggest learning in the pandemic?
Kapil: The pandemic has forced us to ask what we really need to live reasonably well; and the answer in most cases is – not too much. The availability of food, water, shelter, communication, medicines, education, and entertainment on television & the internet has kept us going.

Ex: What is your technology detox like?
Kapil: Unlike on workdays when you are digitally tethered by your colleagues, I spend my weekends with my family. We mostly spend our time playing badminton, watching movies, even eat midnight snacks. I stay away from my phone and laptop and give my full attention to my family while I am with them.

Ex: What is Sennheiser coming out next with?
Kapil: For the past 75 years, Sennheiser has been shaping the future of audio. We have introduced some of the finest products across the globe and we believe in creating unique sound experiences for our customers. We are already working on the audio products that could define the segment 2 years from now. Additionally, we have a few products lined up in the coming few days and we are looking forward to seeing how consumers here respond to the same.

Ex: Upcoming audio trends to look out for?
Kapil: Currently, wireless earbuds are revolutionizing the entire audio industry. The smartphone makers are now doing away with the 3.5 mm headphone jack to make wireless headphones more convenient and appealing to customers as even consumers are looking for a seamless and hassle-free immersive audio experience. Sennheiser’s current focus is on creating 3D audio solutions to achieve as natural and immersive experience as possible in a range of applications. Sennheiser has a long history of pushing the boundaries of innovation in audio technology and a holistic approach to sound from capture to listening. AMBEO is born from the desire to deliver the ultimate sound experience, selectively including the most advanced 3D audio technology into new products, tools, and features.

Ex: What is one truth you believe in that most people disagree with you on?
Kapil: I am a strong believer in miracles and it only happens if you have faith in them. Sometimes you feel lost, confused, and frustrated with life, and then things become better that changes your life. I believe that when you wish from all your heart and mind, even the universe starts working for you in your favor.

Ex: One thing you believe is absolutely necessary for sustained growth  Kapil: Pursuit of resilience is something that I feel is the most important aspect and the first step for sustained growth. When complex business problems arise, one needs to meet them head-on and be resilient while working hard towards providing a solution. When we go through difficult circumstances at work, it’s the resolve of not getting bitter, weaker, or frightened, but rather get braver and face those challenges.

Sharad Agarwal | Top Leaders In Tech & Auto

Ex: What is the one subject you think aspiring leaders should learn?

Sharad: The ability to motivate people and aligning them with the organization’s vision and goals. Once the team is aligned and motivated to achieve the set goals every task becomes possible. Additionally, it is also very important to learn along the way and develop skills for managing critical and uncertain situations with finesse and composure.

Ex: One thing you believe is absolutely necessary for sustained growth.

Sharad: Being willing to constantly evolve and innovate is a crucial part of our sustained growth and, hence, necessary to progress in any task or stage in life

Ex: One book you keep coming back to.

Sharad: I love to read about various case studies and the ways in which businesses are shaping themselves for their future endeavors.

Ex: How difficult is it to maintain a work-life balance?

Sharad: If you prioritize and keep yourself well organized then one can easily maintain a healthy work-life balance. When creating a schedule that works for you, think about the best way to achieve balance at work and in your personal life. I also believe in taking short breaks once in a while to spend more time with my family and pursuing other hobbies.

Ex: What has been your biggest learning in the pandemic?

Sharad: Pandemic has taught me resilience and adaptability. The norms which we took for granted in society changed overnight and we had to adapt to new rules for survival like social distancing, living with travel restrictions, and adapting to new ways of working. Pandemic has also bought a change in traditional working culture. The trend of remote working is likely to stay even after things normalize.

Ex: Which old-school car/bike design inspired you the most?

Sharad: One legendary car which has inspired me is Lamborghini Countach. I would not call this car old-school as its design was much ahead of its time making it more futuristic than old-fashioned.

Ex: After the Sian, which Lamborghini is up for hybridization, and by when will the entire lineup be electrified?

Sharad: We believe that naturally aspirated engines are the best to give you the maximum performance in super sports cars. Driving a Lamborghini is all about the driving dynamics and the emotions of the car and the naturally aspirated tech offers this best when it comes to super sports cars. Hence, we will continue with this tech for our upcoming models. Along with supercars, Lamborghini now has a super SUV and a luxury yacht in its stable.

Ex: What are your thoughts about entering the performance motorcycle segment?

Sharad: Lamborghini is about high-performance supercars and will currently keep its focus only on its Supercars
and Super SUVs.

Roshan Sirohia | Top Leaders in Tech & Auto

Ex: What is one truth you believe in that most people disagree with you on?

Roshan: I always believe that being sincere and having a single-minded focus on the goal is the only way to succeed and become somebody in any market or industry. Diluting focus and trying to achieve multiple goals at the same time always comes at the cost of ultimate growth and domination within any product segment, market, or overall customer experience.

Ex:  What is the one subject you think aspiring leaders should learn?

Roshan: Prioritisation & Time Management! Putting First things First – In my few years at Cruise Appliances, I realize it’s one of the lesser taught or practiced subjects and I struggle from time to time with this, which sometimes ends up affecting the value chain of the company. This skill and consistent practice is one big differentiator between good and the best leadership.

Ex: One thing you believe is absolutely necessary for sustained growth

Roshan: Quality and consistency in every aspect of the operations – starting from product quality, sales experience, customer ownership experience and finally the brand’s promise presentation.

Ex: One book you keep coming back to?

Roshan: Art of War – it’s a classic. Each of the principles and psychological strategies defined here is still very relevant & can be easily used in today’s fiercely competitive corporate scenarios as well.

Ex:  Leadership quotes that you live by (Can be multiple)

Roshan: “People don’t buy what you do, they buy why you do it. And what you do simply proves what you believe” “The only way to do ‘great’ work is to love what you do”

Ex: How difficult is it to maintain a work-life balance?

Roshan: It’s easy to maintain since I plan my vacations and days off in advance and a strong workout daily helps keep me energized for long days too! I also believe in sleeping soundly for 7 hours every day even if the world is turning upside down.

Ex:  What has been your biggest learning in the pandemic?

Roshan: Everything is finite. Everything can be managed digitally. And in the middle of every difficulty lies ample opportunity and we will see the fruits of labor that have been sown during this pandemic in the next 2-4 years.

Ex:  Some productivity apps and technologies you use in your daily life?

Roshan: My AirPods for seamless conversation and Slack for team working.

Ex:  What is your technology detox like?

Roshan: Time with family over a nice meal or driving down at ridiculous speeds to the nearest hill station.

Alok Shankar | Top Leaders In Tech & Auto

Ex: What is one truth you believe in that most people disagree with you on?

Alok: In my mind, truth is very personal and is based on personal circumstances and point of view.

Ex: What is the one subject you think aspiring leaders should learn?

Alok: Understanding people, organization, development, and culture.

Ex: One thing you believe is absolutely necessary for sustained growth

Alok: Total conviction in a larger goal/vision of what you or the organization want to achieve.

Ex: Leadership quotes that you live by (Can be multiple)

Alok: Following are the quotes I believe in the most:
● People are the most important resource.
● Devil is in the detail.
● Planning and execution are key to success.

Ex: What has been your biggest learning in the pandemic?

Alok: The pandemic has given us a great opportunity to re-think about ourselves and see the society/world through a different prism. I as an individual have learned a lot during this time. One of the most important learnings we’ve seen is that the bigger the crisis is, it demands strong leadership. Another key learning is the importance of being agile and quickly adapting to the environment.

Ex: Some productivity apps and technologies you use in your daily life?

Alok: In the current environment, entire work has moved online where we are witnessing usage of digital productivity tools such as Slack/Zoom/Google Drive/emails/MSOffice/WhatsApp/Google Sheets and the good old phone call like never before! Apart from this, my Fitbit has been a constant for me. I have been using it to track my activity, sleep, and heart health amongst other things. With the introduction of Fitbit Premium last year, I can count on personal guidance from
the Fitbit app and coaching all in place. I love the fact that it evolves with every user, gets smarter over time, and delivers a personalized experience.

Ex: What is your technology detox like?

Alok: Can there really be any technology detox these days? Almost everything has some ‘technology’ involved. Reading a book is probably the best technology detox or for that matter meditation. I also go on a technology detox with the help of technology though since I stream meditation sessions and breathing exercises from my Fitbit.

Ex: With so many wearables available in the market, what makes Fitbit different?

Alok: At Fitbit, we have embraced the evolution of fitness – the Future of Fit. We believe that wellness is no longer restricted to physical fitness. We are looking at fitness and wellness holistically! In our view, the concept of fitness has expanded manifold and today more than ever, it is imperative to take into account mental fitness, heart fitness, sleep fitness – just as much as physical fitness. We believe this is one of the many things that gives us an edge.

Haruto Iwata | Top Leaders In Tech & Auto

Ex: What is the one subject you think aspiring leaders should learn?

Haruto: Aspiring leaders should learn the art of Managing – Managing People, managing organization – They should have the ability to Create change for society, people, and organization by taking up challenges – They should possess a challenging spirit

Ex: One thing you believe is absolutely necessary for sustained growth?

Haruto: Adaption of New technology and having a Neverstop attitude towards whatever you do and believe in.

Ex:  Leadership quotes that you live by (Can be multiple)

Haruto:  “Never put passion in front of principle even if you win. You will lose”

Ex:  How difficult is it to maintain a work-life balance?

Haruto: It’s not difficult to maintain balance – Important thing is to Focus – Focus on what you are doing – While you are working focus should be work, while you are off work you should focus on what you Love – I work from 9 –5,30 –focusing on work, while I play golf and do photography – My focus is enjoyment – Change of mind as per the situation is the mantra for maintaining work –Life balance

Ex: What has been your biggest learning in the pandemic?

Haruto: Staying calm and not to panic in the toughest situation – One should do proper future planning, Keeping Check and measure what you are doing – Stay cool – This pandemic situation will pass too.

Ex: Some productivity apps and technologies you use in your daily life?

Haruto: Instagram, YouTube, Facebook, and most important – Email Apps for communication

Ex:  What is your technology detox like?

Haruto: My Fujifilm XT4 Mirrorless camera and my Fujifilm lenses are my Technology Detox.

Ex: Fujifilm Instax cameras are a classic tribute to the olden days. What’s next in the same essence?

Haruto: The secret sauce in Fujifilm’s recipe is the instant camera, which the selfie generation seems to have taken to with pleasure. The fact that Fujifilm’s instant camera range starts at around Rs 4,000 in India, and the bright colors they’re available in, makes its Instax line a popular gift for tweens and teens. – Our range of Instax cameras brings back the nostalgia feeling among people. This has been doing well as the consumers today are always looking for something new. Also, sharing printed photographs has been gaining a lot of interest among consumers. Don’t Just Take, Give too.

Veejay Nakra | Top Leaders in Tech & Auto

Ex: What is one truth you believe in that most people disagree with you on? :
Veejay: There are no coincidences in life.

Ex: What is the one subject you think aspiring leaders should learn?
Veejay: Being comfortable with uncertainty is what I think all aspiring leaders should learn.

Ex: One thing you believe is absolutely necessary for sustained growth?
Veejay: Creating an agile organisation is an absolute must for sustained growth.

Ex:  One book you keep coming back to.:
Veejay: Founders Mentality and A Curious Mind

Ex: When will you say you have fulfilled all your goals? :
Veejay: The fun of life is setting goals, achieving them celebrating them, then letting them go and setting new ones. So I don’t think I will ever say I have achieved all my goals given that it will evolve through my lifetime. But that does not mean I am not content with what I have. I am very grateful and thankful for the gifts that life has given me.

Ex: When have you failed and how did you overcome it? :
Veejay: Failure is a part of life. Depends as how one looks at failure. It happens in multiple roles not just at the workplace so I reflect on them for all the roles I play as a husband, father, son and a contributor, team player, and Leader at my workplace. The way I deal with failure is to pause, step back, learn from the incident, rethink the plan of action, bounce it off with someone who may be able to help me depending on the type of failure, play it in my mind, plan and align and then go out and take the necessary action without fear.

Ex: How difficult is it to maintain a work-life balance? :
Veejay: Easy – it is a choice that only you can make and I manage this well. At least I believe so.

Ex:  What has been your biggest learning in the pandemic?
Veejay: There are no holy cows. Challenge everything and everything is possible as long as you believe in it.

Ex: One futuristic feature that you can’t wait to introduce in your vehicle.
Veejay: Advanced Driver Assistance System. One of the most advanced safety systems for all passengers in the vehicle.

Ex: Which old-school car/bike design inspired you the most? 
Veejay: Mahindra Classic and Jawa

Ex:  After the commercial success of the e-Verito sedan and the e-Supro van, which other segment are you targeting for electrification next?
Veejay: Since this is classified information I would not like to comment on this, except to mention that we believe last mile mobility is going to be the big growth segment for electricity in India in the near future and we clearly have our plans to play a big there.v

Shashi Arora | Top Leaders In Tech & Auto

Ex: What are the changes that you have seen in the technology world in India in the last 25 years?
Shashi: 25 years is a long period and one of the most prominent changes everyone has observed is the smartphone. While it is a cliche now, everything we once had around us has merged in the smartphone. Another thing is the IoT (Internet of Things). So all that we do and all that we have will gradually become a part of the smartphone.

Ex: As a brand what are your learnings from the pandemic? What are the changes you have witnessed in the business plans?
Shashi: First and foremost I have learnt that these “black swan” events that happen once in a lifetime cannot be expected or prepared for. While these events have a lasting impact on any industry, there is nothing we can do to preempt
these situations. Talking about our business, April is the time when our business peaks. So naturally, we were considerably affected by the pandemic. So it was only in June that we looked at the hindsight and figured out what we should do. We figured that we need to diversify our categories of air conditioners and refrigerators, to cater to a wider range of customers. Most importantly, all of our products are Made in India!

Ex: Apart from TV, refrigerator, which new product launches are on your charts?
Shashi: Lloyd was recently acquired by Havells, which is an electronics giant. Since it is already well-established in the electronics segment, Lloyd’s priority is to establish itself further n the consumer durables segment. Alongside ACs, we are also into LED TVs, washing machines and we have also expanded full-time into refrigerators. We realised that the need for convenience products has shot up post lockdown, after which we also entered the dishwasher segment.

Ex: What is the one subject that you think aspiring leaders should learn?
Shashi: If you’re talking to youngsters, Data Science is one topic they should learn about. As we talked about IoT, the fact is there is a lot of data around us and to make meaningful sense of that data is important. Whether you consider Amazon or
Google or any other example, you can get a lot of consumer insights. But making good sense of that data and to derive useful analytics out of it is important. Talking about elder entrepreneurs, it is important for them to learn and understand digital marketing. The reason is that the individual need for marketing is gaining prominence rapidly. The need for targeting is becoming important, as individualism is becoming significant.

Ex:  Share any leadership quote you live by?
Shashi: One of the top ones that come to mind is “Leaders don’t do different things, they do things differently.” After all these years in the industry, I have realised that the more things change, the more they remain the same. Whatever you may be selling, the principles remain the same. Another one I like is “Together Everybody Achieves More.” It is even better for me as it is an acronym for “TEAM.” So I abide by the quote since I thoroughly believe in it.

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