“Tomorrow’s CEO needs to be a savvy navigator, a skilled communicator and a strategic translator”

• 28 Jun 2024
• TM Team
• 0 Comments

CMS IT Services is a leading System Integrator and Managed Services provider. It offers an integrated portfolio of products, solutions, services, built around Artificial Intelligence, Automation, Cloud, Cybersecurity & Digital. Currently, CMS IT Services has over 6500 employees serves more than 300 leading enterprises across key industries. In an exclusive interaction with Mr. Sanjeev Singh, Chief Executive Officer & Managing Director, CMS IT Services about the Evolving Role of CEOs: Adapting to Change in a Fast-Paced World.

How do you perceive the role of a CEO has evolved over the last decade, particularly in the context of technological advancements?

Today, every company effectively is a technology company, and hence the ability of the CEO to have an appreciation of technological advances and be able to use technology to build a successful business is very critical; it's not enough to just grasp traditional business practices.

Corporate leaders must now be avid proponents of technological innovation, instilling a spirit of continuous improvement and flexibility within their businesses. They must possess a nuanced comprehension of how cutting-edge technologies can upend existing market structures, craft novel consumer experiences, and unlock new business expansion. In addition, CEOS need to embody adaptability and endorse the concept of perpetual education. Technological developments emerge swiftly, necessitating CEOs to be at the forefront of such trends to guide strategic choices effectively. This involves proactively pursuing insights on emergent tech, it’s feasible uses, and the ramifications it may have on the broader industry context.

How do you approach integrating emerging technologies into your CMS IT Services strategy?

At CMS IT Services, we recognize that our role extends beyond simply adopting emerging technologies into our strategy alone. As a committed technology partner, we place equal importance on facilitating the integration of advanced technologies for our customers. We operate within a dynamic ecosystem composed of product and service partners, all of whom are progressively embracing cutting-edge advancements such as General AI and Machine Learning. These emerging technologies are continuously woven into our offerings, enabling us to incorporate innovative solutions in the proposals we present to our clients.

Our approach to adopting new technologies is meticulous and focused on the people who use them. Initially, the business value of each new technology is assessed to determine its compatibility with our existing business model. We weigh the potential advantages and risks, analyzing how they can contribute to our objectives.

In the subsequent phase, we dive into comprehensive research and development to ascertain the technological feasibility. Through proof-of-concept execution, we establish the technology's capabilities and limitations. Once confirmed, we seamlessly integrate it into our overall IT strategy, ensuring alignment with our mission and coherence with our existing technology infrastructure.

Understanding the importance of expert users in maximizing technology's potential, we emphasize continuous training and development of our workforce. By upskilling our team, we ensure they possess the essential skills and knowledge to manage and optimize the adopted technologies effectively. This dedication to education guarantees that the innovations we leverage not only check a box of progress but also make a tangible impact and sharpen our competitive edge. Through this thoughtful, strategic, and comprehensive process, CMS IT Services ensures that implementing new technologies elevates the value we deliver to our clients, truly setting us apart as a forward-thinking technology partner.

Can you share an example of a time when you had to navigate a significant organizational change or transformation? What were the key challenges you faced, and how did you overcome them?

Over the past twenty years of leading large-scale transformations, I’ve been involved in spearheading extensive organizational transformations, turning underperforming businesses into profitable ones. The important aspect is the necessity for clear, detached decision-making focusing on sustainable profitability rather than short-term revenues. Making tough, strategic choices is inherent to this philosophy.

At the heart of this transformational strategy is the goal of constructing the right team. Bringing together individuals whose collective viewpoint transcends the confines of departmental divisions, effectively dismantling the barriers of organizational silos. Key to any transformation is a tenfold increase in communication to foster trust and clarity, ensuring everyone fully understands the changes and their role in the process.

Despite the inevitable realignment of roles during these changes, I believe it’s crucial to proactively design career advancement opportunities within the organization. This demonstrates our dedication to nurturing our employees' growth and welfare. This blend of strategic focus, transparent communication, and employee-centric decisions underpins not just financial success, but a stronger, unified corporate culture.

What measures do you take to safeguard data privacy and cybersecurity in an increasingly interconnected world?

CMS IT Services prioritizes data privacy and robust cybersecurity defences. As a Cert-IN certified security partner, we extend our expertise to our clients, helping them achieve a similar level of protection and preparedness against cyber threats. Our comprehensive security architecture is designed not only to protect client information but also to safeguard our critical systems.

Through periodic security evaluations and vulnerability scans, we proactively detect and mitigate potential risks to ensure the integrity and confidentiality of data. We recognize employees as the first line of defence, we invest significantly in educational programs that cover cybersecurity awareness, effective data management practices, and the identification of phishing attempts. Our stringent data governance frameworks are designed to ensure meticulous data handling that adheres to industry regulations. Advanced security measures, including state-of-the-art firewalls and encryption techniques, provide real-time protection. While a dedicated team stays updated on evolving regulations to keep our framework compliant. This comprehensive approach fosters a culture of security awareness at CMS IT Services.

How do you balance the need for innovation with the risks associated with adopting new technologies?

We address the equilibrium between pursuing innovative solutions and maintaining risk at manageable levels with an articulated, systematic approach. Our approach involves a comprehensive evaluation and pilot testing within a controlled setting to assess viability and manage potential risks effectively. We place a strong emphasis on selecting secure solutions and partnering with reputable vendors recognized for outstanding data security practices. Around here, we’re all about keeping the lines of communication wide open, making it easy for the team to flag any tech troubles early on. But let's be honest, innovation is a bit like stepping into the great unknown - exciting but risky. We’re here for it, though, ready to take smart risks that make room for ground-breaking ideas that keep us ahead of the curve. The key lies in managing risk effectively while still creating space for exploration.

How do you envision the role of CEOs continuing to evolve in response to ongoing technological advancements and global changes?

In the coming years, CEOs will need to adeptly handle the complexities of a globalized business environment, characterized by issues such as trade tensions and emerging markets. This will require a refined ability to steer through geopolitical uncertainties while capitalizing on new opportunities. As workplaces become increasingly diverse, promoting inclusivity and maintaining effective communication across different cultural backgrounds will be essential.

Transparency and trust with stakeholders will become more crucial, driven by clear and open communication.

In response to technological advancements, a CEO's decision-making will increasingly rely on data analytics to make informed decisions regarding strategic direction, resource allocation, and performance metrics. While they don't need to be experts in technology, CEOs must understand how to harness technological tools to streamline business operations, enhance customer experiences, and generate additional revenue streams. Hence, tomorrow's CEO needs to be a savvy navigator, a skilled communicator, and a strategic translator, ready to lead their organizations through an era of perpetual transformation.