It'snowonderthattheworkplaceischanging dramatically.We'retransitioningtoanewform ofleadership,andwe'reabouttowelcomeanew generationofcreativethinkerstotheworkplace. Leadershipbycommandandcontrolisathingof thepast,andputtingpeoplefirstisthebusiness imperativeofthefuture.Aleadertodayis someonewhoappreciatestheimportanceof encouragingtalent.ManyexcellentCEOs recognisethatnothingoccursunlesspeoplejoin them.Havinganenthrallingandengagedteamis criticaltosuccess.
Avisionaryleaderembraceschangeand understandsthatitallcomesdowntohaving innovativeideasanddisruptingtheworldof technology.Also,thefinestleadersunderstand thattheywillmakeerrors,andtheyshouldbe willingtoadmitthemandnotbehesitantto communicatethem.Theyembodythequalities theywanttoseeinaleader
Initslatestedition "World's Inspiring CEOs to Follow in 2022" World'sLeadersrecognisesand appreciatessuchexecutives'whoareleading theirorganizationstosuccesswiththeir visionarymethods.Whilesearchingforleaders whoarearealinspirationformillions,wespoke toOrriBjornsson.
OrriBjornssonistheCEOofAlgalifandhas workedinthesectorinIcelandandEastern Europe,whereIcelandicfirmsacquired businesses.WhileworkinginEurope,he obtainedvastexpertiseinestablishingand settingupnewfacilities,aswellasupgrading plantsinvariousstates.Orri'strackrecordof completingprojectsontimeandonbudgetled himtoAlgalifoveradecadeago.
Inthisspecialedition,letussharesimilar, inspirationaltalesandinterviewswithmanysuch dedicatedleadersinordertoraiseawareness abouttheircontributionstomakingtheworlda betterplace.Also,don'tforgettoreadthearticles writtenbyourin-houseeditorialstaffand industryexpertsasyouflipthroughthepages.
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EDITOR IN CHIEF STEVE SANCHEZART
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Peoplearetalkingand thinkingabouttheclimate, globalenvironmental challenges,andsustainability everywherewelook.Peopleare takingactionaswell.Themost significantshiftwillbethatthe marketwillexpectallingredients tobetraceableandproducedina sustainablemanner.Inthefood business,we'reseeingthesame thing.Beingenvironmentally friendlyorsustainablenolonger providesacompetitiveadvantage. Itisincreasinglybecomingameans ofentryintothemarket.Thisis obviouslyseeninEuropeand America,aswellasAsiaandother regionsoftheworld.
Algalifisattheforefrontof sustainabilityinthisindustry The company'sCEO,OrriBjornsson, says, "My motivation is to do good for the environment, for society, and for my team."
He'sworkedinthesectorinIceland andEasternEurope,where Icelandicfirmsacquiredbusinesses. WhileworkinginEurope,he obtainedvastexpertisein establishingandsettingupnew facilities,aswellasupgrading plantsinvariousstates.
Orri'strackrecordofcompleting projectsontimeandonbudgetled himtoAlgalifoveradecadeago. Therehavebeenseveralobstacles alongtheway,bothlargeand minor Themostchallengingones, ontheotherhand,arealways relatedtothehumanaspectof operatingabusiness.
Orrihas25yearsofexperiencein thebiotechnology,pharmaceutical, andsupplementindustries.Ithas takenhimaroundtheglobe.He
workedasaspecialconsultantfor theUnitedNationsinAfrica,as wellasamanagerinthealgae industry,whilereconstructing factoriesinEasternEurope.He adds, "What it has taught me is that quality, sustainability, reliability, and team building are the key factors to success.” Allofthis experienceinavarietyofnations hashelpedhimdevelopskillsin GMP,generalquality,project management,recruitment,and operations.
Biotechnologyisayoungindustry thatisrapidlydevelopingand evolving.Unfortunately,onlya smallpercentageofthefirmsand ideasthatbeginthetripevermature andbecomesuccessful.AtAlgalif, themanagementwasabletodo this,andtheteamisgratefulto everyonewhoassistedthemalong theway.
Orri'sadvicetootherentrepreneurs interestedinbiotechnologyisto keepinmindthatit'sateameffort. Heemphasizes, "You need vision, you need knowledge and capital, but the team is the heart and soul of each start-up company. And do not forget your social responsibility. No person, and no company, is an island. Give back to society and be a leader in sustainability. This has been my guiding light in building one of the biggest and most successful microalgae companies in Europe. "
Algalifisabiotechnologystartup thatisstillinitsearlystages.It beganoperationsinIcelandin2013 afterbeingcreatedin2012.Not longafterthat,ithaditsfirst successfulharvestofmicroalgae andcommercialastaxanthin,which isitsmajorproduct.Thefirmhas
succeededinbecominga significantindustryleaderinsucha shortperiodoftime.
Algalifisamanufacturerofnatural astaxanthin,asustainableraw resource.Itswholemarketing strategyisgearedtowardother firms.Fromtheorganization's perspective,itseeksto communicatetoallexistingand potentialconsumersthehigh qualityofitsworkprocessesand theexpertiseofitsquality assurancestaff.Thecompanyalso knowsthattheproductqualityof theirastaxanthinisexcellentsince consumers,independentlabs,and researchershaveinformedthemso.
Intherealmofscience,thehealth advantagesareundeniable.Muscle rehabilitation,anti-inflammatory advantagesforjoints,skin,eyes, hearth,vascularsystem,healthy ageing,andsoonareallwellknownhealthbenefits.Everyyear, additionalresearchisreleasedto supportthis.Therealityisthat astaxanthinisafantasticnatural substancewithawiderangeof healthbenefits.And,becauseit works,itisgrowinginpopularity yearafteryear AllAlgalif's productionisbasicallysoldout, andthereforeitisbuildingnew facilitiesandwilltripleits productioncapacityintwoyears.
Algalif businessisbasicallyvery simple.Itmakesaspecificsortof plantmicroalgae.However,in ordertoproducegoodoutcomes likeithas,itmustmakefulluseof allavailabletechnologies.The algaearegrowninglasspipes insidethefacility,andtheentire atmosphereismeticulously controlled.Thisisahigh-tech methodofgrowingsimple
organisms.Theorganization employsexceptionalscientistswho approacheverystageofthe manufacturingprocessfroma scientificandtechnological standpoint.
AsperOrri,thewayAlgalifsetsits lampsisaresultofcomprehensive experimentsandextensiveusageof data. "To find the exact spectrum of light to get the maximum growth at every stage of the algae lifecycle is a huge task where we use both biology and data driven technology," saysOrri. "And the result is that we have great productivity.”
Orri'skeyresponsibilityisto ensurethatAlgalifhasafantastic
team,withthegreatestpeoplein everyposition,andthatthe company'smissionof sustainability,quality,and reliabilityisapparentinallitdoes.
ThestaffatAlgaliffollowsabasic conceptofqualityand sustainability Threewordsguide theteam:quality,dependability, andlong-termsustainability.Orri aspirestomakeAlgalifafantastic locationtowork.Asaresult,he strivestokeepworkplacehierarchy toaminimumandasinconspicuous aspossible."Mydoorsarealways open,andweareinformalinour communications,"heexplains.He
alsoensuresthateveryoneinthe organizationisonboardwiththe company'svisionandpurposeto becomethegreatestandgreenestin themarket.
Orrirecognizesthatthecompany's successisbuiltontheexcellent employeesthathehasbeenableto attract,andthat,whiletechnology, expertise,financing,andleadership areallimportant,thepeoplewho worktherearethecompany's foundation.
Afewthingsarerequiredforany businesstobesuccessful.Of course,you'llneedaconceptand
somecashtogetstarted.However, theteam'sexpertise,aswellas leadership,entrepreneurialspirit, andvision,arethemostimportant factorsinanybusiness'ssuccess.In otherwords,theprimary componentinarecipefora successfulfirmisasolidteamwith thecorrectmentality Thisis somethingthattechbusinesses realizeddecadesago,andOrri believethattheirsuccessisaresult ofthatawareness.
Orriwantstobringthephilosophy ofputtingpeoplefirsttothe nutraceuticalindustry.However, thereisanothermajorfactorin Algalif'ssuccess.Sustainability, accordingtothefirm,shouldbea wayoflife.AllofAlgalif'senergy isrenewable,andallofitsvehicles areelectric.Thefirmalsostrivesto ensurethatthefoodinitscanteenis locallyproduced,andthatallother inputsitpurchasesareecologically certified.Orriasserts, "I would like to bring that vision of sustainability into the nutraceutical industry as a whole.”
"A transparent and open approach is vital for the industry to reach higher grounds."
InOrri'sopinion,thebestwayto dothatistobealeaderandarole modelandreallyshowbyexample thatasuccessfulcompanycanbe carbonneutralandsustainable.
ThegoalofAlgalifistobecome thetopmicroalgaeproduceronthe planet.Itisalreadyoneofthe largest,andbuyerssaythequality ofitsproductisunrivalled.Apart fromthat,ithasalwaysprioritized sustainability.Orri'sgoalisto
createabusinessthatmayserveas anexampleforothersintermsof greentechnologyandsustainable businesspractices.Orriopines, "We are already a green company, only using 100% renewable geothermal energy and working under strict Zero Fossil Fuel and Zero Waste policies."
Algalifalsoaspirestobeafantastic workplace.Asaresult,quality, dependability,andsustainabilityare threeessentialphrasesthat managementandstaffkeepinmind everyminuteoftheworkdayin ordertoachievethecompany'sgoal ofbeingthebestandgreenestin thebusiness.
RobertEppele,CEOof gotomyerp,isastrategic entrepreneurwithaproven trackrecordofimplementing enterprisecritical infrastructures,applications, andstrategiesthatallowsmall, mid,andlargeorganisationsto leverageexistingtechnologies effectivelyandefficientlyover a20-yearperiodinvarious industries.
Belowarethehighlightsofthe interviewconductedbetween World'sLeadersandRobert Eppele: Briefouraudienceabout yourjourneyasabusiness leader?Tellusaboutyour backgroundandwhatdid youdobeforeyou started/joinedthe gotomyerp?
Ioriginallystartedthe companyin2005,thesame yeartheterm"cloud computing"wasfirstusedin itsmoderncontext.Isawagap andpotentialinthemarketand decidedtobeoneofthefirst onestofillit.gotomyerp startedasasmall,yet dedicatedteamthatgot togethertoprovidethird-party
RERPsolutionstoclients.Over thecourseofthese16years, wehavedevelopedadeep understandingofhowindustry needsdifferacrossvarious sectorsandhowdifferentlythe solutionsneedtobedelivered.
Iwasinvariousindustries leadinguptogotomyerpfrom Engineering,Marketingand Technologyandservedasa seniorauditorandtechnology consultant.
Howdoyoudiversifyyour company'scutting-edge services/solutionsforpeople, entrepreneurs,business leaders?
Thispastyearhasemphasized theimportanceofaplatform thatwouldallowpeopleto workfromanywhere,butalso theonethatwassecureenough tostoreimportantconfidential data.Thisisrightwhere gotomyerpandcloudhosting stand–abridgebetween onlineanddesktop.Weare lookingtostrengthenour positionasaleadinghosting providerandleveragethe businesscontinuitythatisnot availablewithanyother service.Ourultimategoalisto provideproprietarytechnology tosimplifytheend-user experience.
AstheCEO,whatareyour majorrolesand responsibilities?
Managingtheoperationsand resourcesofgotomyerpand ensuringthoseresourcesalign withtheshortandlong-term
strategicgoalsofthecompany tobetterserveourclientsare mymajorrolesand responsibilities.Ourclientsare thedrivingforcebehind gotomyerpandweaimto elevatetheirexperienceeach time.
Whatarethethreethings youwouldliketoimprovein theorganization?
Weneverstopimprovingour organization;thereisalways roomforgrowth.Someofthe thingswetrytokeeptopof mindiskeepingupwiththe constantfluctuation,changes, andadvancementsin technology.Giventhepasttwo years,youcanseethesudden shiftforremoteworkanda surgeinonlinework environments.Westriveto keepupwiththeever-changing technologicallandscape,sothe needforimprovementnever endsfromuser-experienceto user-interfaceandmore.We worktokeepupwithour clientsandstayaheadofthe curvewiththem.
Haveyoubeenexposedto competitionintheindustry?
Ifyes,telluswhatmakesthe companydifferentfromits competitors?
Thereisconstantcompetition inthisindustryandthatisone ofthethingsthatmotivatesus todowhatwedo.Weare constantlytryingtoimprove ourservicesandfindwaysto betterserveourclients.AsI mentionedearlier,ourclients
arethedrivingforcebehind ourbusiness,andwe appreciateallthefeedbackwe getfromthem.Oneofthemost interestingcustomerreviews wegotwasfromoneofour customerswhoareinthe midwestwithlotsofstorms andconstantpoweroutages. Oncetheymovedtothecloud withgotomyerp,theyoperated flawlesslyeversince.Nomore outages,datacorruption,or downtime.Whateverwedo, wedowithourclientsinmind, andourgoalistosimplifythe end-userexperience.
Tellusaboutyourvisionfor thecompany.Howdoyou ensureacultureofintegrity andinnovationinthe company?
Wealwaysworktoimprove ourselvesandaddnewservices tomatchtheconstant technologicaladvancementsof the21stcentury Theadoption ofcloudERPiscomplexand forsomeonewithno experience,thesituation becomesuncertain.Weat gotomyerpreducethese uncertaintiesandcontinueto helpenterprisesmovetheir ERPtothecloudforbetter security,accessibility,and maintenance.In2022,weare leveragingour20+yearsof experienceinconsultinginto helpingcustomersselect, implement,andcarefortheir mostcriticalsystems.Weare designedtogrowfromDay1 andweaspiretogrowfurther withnolimits.
Wewereoneofthefirst companiestostartproviding cloud-basedservicesbackin 2005.Ofcourse,thereare alwaysrisksstartinganew business,andIcansay,thisis possiblythegreatestriskI havetakenprofessionally.It waschallengingsincethis nichewassonewandthe businesssectorwaslargely unawarethisservicewas availabletothem.Otherthan developingandimplementing thesoftware,wealsohadto educatebusinessownerson thisnewoption.Now,the cloudcomputingindustryis valuedat$371.4billion,andit isprojectedtogrowto$832.1 billionby2025.Beingindustry pioneers,weareexcitedtosee thisgrowthandwhatithas broughttoourcompanyand clients.
Itisessentialtomaintaina goodwork-lifebalanceto preventburningoutandI believesettingtimeforwork andpleasureiskeyin maintainingthatbalance.Itis
easytoforgettomaketimefor yourself,and,ofcourse,let timegetawayfromyou.To avoidthis,Iprioritizemytime andmyhealthasmuchasIdo tomyworkandImakesure myteamdoesaswell.The healthandwellnessofmyself andmyteamareimportant becauseifthatdeclines,thenit willtranslatetoourqualityof work.
Whatadvicewouldyougive totheemerging entrepreneursand enthusiastsconsideringa careerinanindustry?
TheadviceIwouldgiveto emergingentrepreneursand enthusiastsistokeep consistent,becreative,and keepfocused.Therearelotsof difficultiesthatcomewith beinganentrepreneur; however,ifyoushowupevery day,yourgoalswillbecome easier.Ittakestimetolet consumersknowwhoyouare andwhatyourbusinessis,so stayfocusedonachievingyour short-termgoals,andwith time,yourlong-termbusiness goalswillfollowsuit.Remind yourselfoftheendgoal,have funwhileyouaredoingit,and enjoythejourneyof entrepreneurship.
ArunK.Singh,CEOofIlantus Technologies,hasbeeninvitedto speakandparticipateonpanelsat numerousleadingsecurity conferences.Heisaninnovativeand transformativeindustryleaderwith experiencedrivingcybersecurity businessesbydevelopingend-to-end solutions–fromstrategyto technologyimplementationand managedservices–thatembed securityintothefabricofdigital businessatspeedandscale.
Belowarethehighlightsofthe interviewconductedbetweenWorld's LeadersandArunKSingh:
Briefouraudienceaboutyour journeyasabusinessleader.Tellus aboutyourbackgroundandwhat youdidbeforeyoustarted/joined IlantusTechnologies.
Istartedmycareerasacryptographer andsecurityresearchprofessional andlatermovedontobuildingand drivingcybersecuritybusinessesfor manyworld-renownedglobal organisationssuchasInfosys,Wipro, Accenture,EY,andnowIlantus.
AftercompletingmyM.Tech.degree inElectricalEngineeringfromthe IndianInstituteofTechnology, Kanpur,IjoinedInfosys Technologiesintheirresearchgroup andpublishedmanyresearchpapers
AoneCommercesecurityand compliance.AfterInfosys,Imoved toWiproTechnologiesasPractice LeaderfortheEnterpriseSecurity Servicesbusiness.Iworkedforabout 10yearsatWiprotobuildandgrow securitypractisesanddriveglobal sales.MysuccessatWipro,got attentionfromAccenture,andIgot theopportunitytojointhemto developanewlineofbusiness focusingonManagedSecurity Services(MSS)fromscratch.Asthe ManagingDirectorandGlobalLead fortheMSSbusinessatAccenture,I tooktheP&Lresponsibilities,builta solidfoundationforgrowth,and establishedatrackrecordof consistentlyachievingsales,revenue, andprofitabilitytargetsinashort spanoftime.
AfterAccenture,Igotthe opportunitytojoinErnst&Young LLPasAmericasRiskAdvisory leaderandPartnertobuildanew businesson"Cybersecurity-as-aService".IworkedwithEY'sglobal teamtobuildabusinesscase, obtainedfundingfromtheAdvisory InvestmentCommittee,andledthe teamtocreateinnovativeSaaS solutionscoveringDigitalIdentity, DataProtection,ThreatDetection& Response,andThreatExposure Management.Theseinnovative solutionsweredevelopedusing ArtificialIntelligence,Machine Learning,RoboticProcess Automation,ThreatIntelligence,and SecurityAnalyticstools.
In2020,Idecidedtotakethenext levelofchallengeinmycareerand joinedIlantusTechnologiesasthe GlobalCEOandBoardMember.I amcurrentlydrivingaccelerated growthforthiscompanybasedon innovationsinsolutionofferings.
Howdoyoudiversifyyour company'scutting-edgeservices andsolutionsforpeople, entrepreneurs,andbusiness leaders?
IlantusTechnologiesisaleaderin cybersecurityandprovidesnextgenerationsolutionsintheIdentity andAccessManagementdomain.We arebackedbyovertwodecadesof extensiveexperienceanddeep knowledgegainedfromthousandsof IAMimplementationsforsomeof thebiggestbrandsintheworld, includingFortune500companies. Ilantus'CompactIdentityproductis uniquelypositionedtopresenta cloudnative,risk-aware,all-in-one convergedIAMsolutionthatisbuilt onazero-trustframeworktoprovide anidentity-centric,holistic cybersecuritysolutiontoclients.By continuingourfocusonproductsand services,wehavediversifiedour GTMstrategy
AstheCEO,whatareyourmajor rolesandresponsibilities?
AstheCEOofIlantus,mykey responsibilitiesaretosettheright directionforinnovationandgrowth. Myregulardayatworkgoesthrough leadingaglobalteamtodrivesales, marketing,servicedelivery, operations,researchand development,innovation,analystand investorrelationsmanagement.My recentfocushasbeentoreshape Ilantus'globalbusinessbycreatinga winningculturewithteamsthat believeinagrowthvision,thrive together,beatcompetition,delight customers,anddeliverprofitable growth.Iamfosteringchangeinthe companyculturetobemoreopen, transparent,andaccountable.
Whatarethethreethingsyou wouldliketoimproveinthe organization?
Ilantusstartedasaservicescompany in2000andquicklymadeanamefor itselfasavendorofsuperiorIAM implementationandmanaged services.Encouragedbythevast experienceofimplementingthird partyIAMproducts,Ilantusin2016 venturedintothedevelopmentof IAMproductsandby2019cameup withitsaward-winning"Compact Identity"product–theindustry's onlytrueconvergedIAMsolution platform.Recently,weannounceda restructuringofthecompanyand movingourproductbusinesstoa newcompany,"IlantusProducts". Withthesechanges,theimprovement areasformewillbetobring exclusivemanagementfocus,create teamswithwidelydifferingDNAfor servicesandproductstoaccelerate theoverallgrowth.
Haveyoubeenexposedto competitionintheindustry?Ifyes, telluswhatmakesthecompany differentfromitscompetitors?
Yes,wecompetewithotherIAM vendorsonaregularbasis.We differentiatebasedonourdeep domainknowledgeofservingIAM clientssincepasttwodecades.Our product,CompactIdentity,isoneof itskindinthemarkettodaythat convergesthefullcapabilitiesof AccessManagement,Identity GovernanceandAdministration (IGA),IdentityAnalytics,and PrivilegedAccessManagementintoa singleplatformandisbackedbyan intelligentriskengineandrobust identityanalytics.Wereceivedmany awardsforourproductsandservices, suchastheGlobalInfoSecAwardfor "MostInnovativeproductin ConvergedIAM"byCyberDefence MagazineduringtheRSA
Conference2021,"Best CybersecuritySolutionoftheYear 2021"and"Innovationin Cybersecurity"byNationalFeathers Awardteamincollaborationwith TheEconomicTimes.
Weareuniquelypositionedasa nichevendorinGartner'sMagic QuadrantforAccessManagement andaleaderinGartner'sIGAmarket guide.Leadingindustryanalyst KuppingerColehaspositionedusasa leaderinthe"Product"and "Innovation"category.Our continuousfocusoninnovationto simplifyandacceleratedeployment haspositionedusasamarketleader intheclassof"ConvergedIAM" space,andourcomprehensiveIAM servicesaresettosupporttheIAM marketglobally
Tellusaboutyourvisionforthe company.Howdoyouensurea cultureofintegrityandinnovation inthecompany?
MyvisionforIlantusistofocus moreoninnovationtodeliverthe complexIAMcapabilitiesthrougha simplifiedsolutionplatformfor clientsglobally Wearetakingan identity-centricapproachthat supportsblockchain-based decentralisedidentitiesandselfsovereignidentities.Thefuture roadmapofIlantusistofurther enhanceitsproductsandservicesby leveragingartificialintelligenceand machinelearning.
WearereshapingIlantus'global businessbycreatingawinning culturewithteamsthatbelieveina growthvision,thrivetogether,beat competition,delightcustomers,and deliverprofitablegrowth.Weare fosteringachangeincompany culturetobemoreopen,transparent, andaccountable.Forthis,wehave createdastrongoperationalplaybook
that,pairedwithIlantus' differentiatedsolutionsand commitmenttoinnovation,isdriving tremendousgrowth.
What'sthegreatestriskyou've takenasaprofessional?
Formostofmycareer,Ifocused primarilyonsecurityservices business.ByjoiningIlantus,Itook theriskofmovingfromservices mindsettoproductmindsetwhich requiresaverydifferentskillset.It hadbeenanenrichingexperienceto quicklylearnthenewdynamicsand driveinnovationtodifferentiate Ilantusproductsinthemarket, developglobalpartnerecosystem, establishanefficientleadgeneration engineandbuildglobalbrand throughdigitalmarketingandanalyst relations.
Howdoyoubalanceworkandlife responsibilities?
Myformulaforwork-lifebalanceis basedonmaintainingastrict disciplinebetween'officetime'and 'personaltime'.Itrytopracticean efficientcontextswitchingbetween thesetwotimesandgive100%ofmy focusineachmode.Another importantelementistoalignthe officeworkwithyourpassion,which reducesunnecessarystressand enablesexcellenceinperformance.
Whatadvicewouldyougiveto emergingentrepreneursand enthusiastsconsideringacareerin anindustry?
Iwouldlikethemtoknowthe importanceoftheiremotional quotient(EQ)andtheirabilityto understand,empathize,andconnect withthepeoplearoundthem.Ahigh EQisessentialtobecomingagreat leaderandaneffectiveteamplayer.
ErikSimins,theCEOofWORKWOLF,started MAGNUS,amedicalstaffingservice,in2011andit continuestodevelopfinanciallywithlessthan2hoursof hisattentioneachweek.Hismostrecentcompanyis WORKWOLF,adigitalplatformdesignedtoaddresshis clients'mostpressinghiringconcerns.
Erikisreadytogrowthefirmforaninternational transactionwithaGlobalRecruitingPowerhouseafter earningfirstplaceatboththe2020EnterpriseBlockchain Awardsandthe2021VivaTechBreakthroughAwardsfor hisinnovationinrecruitingtechnology.Reading,problem solving,leadershipconcepts,highperformance,andteam buildingaresomeofhispassions.
Belowarethehighlightsoftheinterviewconducted betweentheWorld'sLeadersandErikSimins:
Briefouraudienceaboutyourjourneyasabusiness leader?Tellusaboutyourbackgroundandwhatyou didbeforeyoustarted/joinedWorkwolf?
ErikSiminshadnoideawhenhestartedhiscareerasa businessleaderthathewouldbeaskedtopresentto audiencesinJapan,Korea,Switzerland,France,orDubai, orthathewouldbemeetingwithcountryPremiersabout histechnologyinnovationforgovernment applications.Whathedidknowwasthathelovedtosolve problems,hadaninsatiablethirstforlearning,andever
CEO WORKWOLFsincehewasayoungkid,enjoyed pushingthelimitsofwhatwas "acceptable"orpossible.
Siminsbeganhisfirstentrepreneurial ventureattheageof19.Hefounded Fitness101andquicklygained credibilityinthefitnessmarketby trainingcelebritieslikeTrishStratus (WWE)andShaunDavis(Mr Universe).Thisprovidedhimwith plentyofincometoputhimself throughschool,andhegraduated withadegreethatspecialisedin physiology,anatomy,and metabolism,andallowedhimto purchasehisfirstpropertyat21years old.Aftergraduation,hebeganhis careerasaproductdevelopment specialistforaTorontobased nutritioncompanyandledthe formulationoftheirsupplementline. Today,thatcompany,AllMax Nutrition,isagloballyrecognised brandinsportsnutritionandaleader inthenutraceuticalspace.Enjoying theperksofthejob,whichincluded allthefreesupplementsyoucould safelyconsumeandbeingthehead judgeforfitnesscompetitions,wasn't enoughforhim,sohetransitioned intothepharmaceuticalindustry, workingforBelgiumbasedSolvay Pharmaceuticals.
Leveragingmanyofthecontactshe hadmadeintheindustry,at25,he foundedhissecondcompany,Health NetworkCommunications,amedical advertisingfirmthatconnected physicianofficewallspacewith pharmaceutical-sponsoredcontent. HisfirstlargedealwaswithMCI medicalclinics,spanning26 locationsandover100offices. Siminswaslearningwhatheneeded togrowateamandsuccessful business,buttheadvertisingbusiness wasn'ttherightenvironment.
Siminsstayedtruetothemedical industrybutswitchedgearsand beganrecruitinginthemedical industryin2006afteronerecruiter showedhimhisT4(Canada's governmentstatementofincome) andhowmuchmoneythatrecruiter hadearnedinthepreviousyear.It showed$300,000+.That'sallSimins neededtoseetogivethebusinessa shot.Itturnedoutthatrecruitingwas theperfectfitforhispersonalitytype. Afterfouryearsofindividual success,hewantedtosharehis insightswithateamthathewould buildforthepartnerswithinthe company,butthefirmhadother plans.So,hestartedMAGNUS PersonnelCorporationin2011.
Hisfirst$1,000,000+start-up success:MAGNUSHRS
MAGNUSwas,andstillis,ahuge success.Initsfirstyear,thecompany reachedover$1,000,000ofrevenue anddoubledthatinyeartwo.Today, afterrecruitingthousandsof
candidatesandworkingwith hundredsoflifescienceand healthcarecompanies,MAGNUSis thetrustedtalentacquisitionresource formanyoftheworld'sleading medicalorganizations.
TheIdeabehindStarting Workwolf?
Owningastaffingbusinessprovided Siminswiththeexposureand oversighttowitnesstheinefficiencies inhowhisclients'recruitedandhired newemployees.Hediscovered quicklythatneithertheexisting technologynortheautomation solutionsaddressedwhathecalls "therootproblemofallhiring inefficiencies".Theresumeusedto filterandhireemployeesis inaccuratemorethanhalfthetime. Thequestionwas,howdoyou improvethetruthfulnessand accuracyofmillionsofresumesthat goouttoemployers?Itseemedlike anunsolvableproblem,butifitcould bedone,itwouldchangehiring practisesforever
Siminsbelievesthatyoumakeyour ownluckandthatyouareonlyas strongasthecircleofpeopleyou surroundyourselfwith.So,shortly afterfoundingMAGNUS,hejoined anentrepreneurforumthat,tothis day,heisstillaloyalmemberof. Here,hecouldshareideasand challengesinasafe,confidential environmentandhecouldconnect withpeerstodiscussthedifficult roadofentrepreneurship.In2016, oneofhisforummates,Dmitry Buterin(entrepreneurialgenius behindthreemulti-million-dollar companiesandfatherof cryptocurrencygiantVitalikButerin, founderofEthereum),suggested "youguysshouldreallyhavea deeperlookatblockchain,it'sgoing tochangehowdataismanaged". WhenErikfinishedhisresearch,it turnedoutthatblockchainwasthe perfectusecaseforresumecredential verificationanditwouldindeed changehowauthenticateddatawas accessed,stored,andmanaged.
Fortheemploymentmarket,itmeant thatanewgoldstandardofresume couldbedeveloped;onethatwas authenticatedandthenimmutableor
(tamper-proof)butstillverifiablein real-time.InSeptemberof2017, Workwolfwasbornand,afterfour yearsofdevelopment,customer feedback,severalprototypes,andtwo roundsofinvestorfinancing,Simins commercialisedthetechnologyin 2021,bringingtomarkettheDigital WorkPassport(real-timeverifiable profilingforprofessionals)andthe Packfinder(apredictiveanalytic softwarethatemployersuseto automateapplicantfiltration). Combiningthesetwotechnologies intooneplatform,Siminshopesto optimisethehiringprocessforhis clientsatMAGNUSandalsotohelp professionals"skiptheapplicant line"byhavingaprofilethathas beenauthenticatedbythe100,000+ credentialissuersthatarenowpartof Workwolf'sgrowingnetworkof validators.
AsWorkwolfpreparesforitsnext roundoffinancingtosupportits growthandinternationalexpansion afterwinningthe2021 VivatechnologyStart-UpChallenge inEurope,Siminsletsdatadrivethe decisionsandfuturepathofthe company.Intheworldoftechnology startup,youhavetostartwithsome assumptions,butthesooneryou
realisethoseassumptionsarewrong, thesooneryoucaniterate.Only customerfeedbackanduserdatacan tellyouthis.Ifanyoneisthinking aboutstartingatechnologycompany, Siminswouldrecommendthatyou "failfast".Theideathatyoustarted withwillprobablybeentirely differentbythetimeyourproductis readyforcommercialization.Don't fallinlovewithanypath,becauseit WILLchange.However,believingin yourideaiscriticaltoenduringthe agonyofpeoplecallingyou"crazy," "itwillneverhappen,"orsimply gettingthroughthetoughdays.
Siminsbelievesthatbalanceis unachievableinatraditionalsense. Hisapproachtoworkingthrough competingresponsibilitiesistogive whateverhe'sdoing100%ofhis attention.Insteadofbeingwithhis twochildrenandworkingonhis phone,he'llshutoffhisphonefor15 or30minutesanddonothingother thanfullyengagewithhiskidsand playwiththem.Vacationsarealso somethingheloves(especially Europe),butCovid-19,putthis 'escape'onholdforhim,makingit moredifficultto"shutoff"and dedicateallhisattentiontohis amazingwifeandfamily
NNatashaMakhijani,CEOofOliver SandersonGroupPLC,ischanging thefaceofexecutivesearch.A pioneerofnewdigitalplatformsand apowerfuladvocatefordiversityand inclusionprogrammes,Makhijanihas ledOliverSandersontotheforefront ofanevolvingindustry.
OliverSandersonGroupPLCisa Staffing&Recruitingfirmwithover 22yearsofexperience.Oliver SandersonGroup'sstrategyis unrivalledinthebusiness.Its presenceintheUKand internationallyallowsittoprovidea collaborativeapproachtoclients. Clientconnectionsarecriticaltothe company'ssuccess,sincetheyensure thatthecompany'svalues, organisation,andfuturevisionareall understood.
Reflectingontheentrepreneurial ambitionsthatmotivatedhermove, Natashasaid: "I come from a very entrepreneurial community, and I always felt that there was something more out there. People questioned whether it was the right thing to do, but I took the risk. I knew it was the right thing to do, and I have never looked back.”
Oliver Sanderson was founded in 2011, and what started out as a
single girl and a laptop has evolved into a global executive search firm. She recounted, "I quit a good job, sold my vehicle to combine my funds, and set up an office in the dining room." She developed an international executive search business with a dedicated research team in just a few years.
"Things have snowballed – we've made exceptional progress.”
ThePermanentPracticeofOliverSandersonprovidesend-to-endexecutive recruitmentandconsultingservices.Thefirmbreaksthemouldbydeliveringa trulyconsultativeandpersonalisedpartneringapproach,helpingcustomers accomplishtheirobjectivesbyattracting,developing,andkeepinghigh-calibre
businessleaders,thankstoateamofexperienced consultantsandresearchers.OliverSandersonalso providesuniqueindustryresearchandinformation, candidateprofiling,successionplanningsupport,and projectinsightstohelpbusinessesadaptandgrow
Inrecentyears,thebusinesshasestablishedagoodtrack record,placingCEOsandseniorexecutivesatFTSE100, FTSE350,andFortune500firms.CEOsforaFTSE100
businessservicesfirmandaFortune500technology company,aGroupHRDirectorforaFTSE100client,and aGlobalHeadofLearningandDevelopmentforaFTSE 100FMCGcompanyarejustafewofthehighlights.
Makhijani'steamdiscoveredthepotentialbenefitofa dedicatedexecutiveinterimsdivisionafterseeingtheneed forexpertinterimexecutivestohelpsteerorganisations throughmomentsoftransition.OliverSanderson'snewly formedJustInterimsbusinessnowspecialisesininterim executivesearch,notablyintheareasofboardpractise, businesschange,organisationdevelopment,andHR Transformation.
Afterrecognisingthenecessityforskilledinterim executivestohelpleadorganisationsthroughtimesof transition,Makhijani'steamsawthepotentialvalueofa specialisedexecutiveinterimsdivision.JustInterims, OliverSanderson'snewlyestablishedinterimexecutive searchfirm,currentlyspecialisesinboardpractise, businesschange,organisationdevelopment,andHR Transformation.
RecognizedasaTransformationalBusinessLeader
Makhijaniisapioneerofdigitaladvancesinexecutive searchandrecruiting,andnewtechnologyhasbeen fundamentaltoOliverSanderson'squickdevelopment. SnappCV&SnappResume,theworld'sfirstmobile employmentboardwithspeechtechnologyandAmazon Alexaintegration,wasco-foundedbyher Theappnow hasadatabaseofover25millionindividualsintheUnited KingdomandtheUnitedStates,withover250,000jobs advertisedonitsmobilejobboard,anditsfoundersare lookingforaseriousinvestmenttogrowfurtherintothe UnitedStatesandIndia.
MakhijanihasreleasedadedicatedOliverSanderson Executiveapp,afterthesuccessoftheSnappsuite,which includesSnappResumeUS&Global,SnappCVUK,and SnappINViewvideointerviewingsoftware.Theapp, whichwasdesignedanddevelopedbyherin-housetech team,includesintroductorycandidateandclientprofile films,fingerprintandpassword-protectedonlineNDA signings,digitalapplicantpackets,integratedjob applications,andvideointerviews,amongotherfeatures.
OliverSandersonisleadingthewayasdigitalplatforms becomemoreprevalentintheexecutivesearchand recruitingmarket,usingthepowerofcontemporary
technologytoidentifyandconnect withthefuturegenerationofbusiness leaders. "Although digital platforms are simplifying some of the manual tasks of recruitment and sourcing, they will never replace the headhunter," Makhijaniobserved. "However intelligent they are becoming, machines still can't match great people with great jobs like we can. But digital platforms can help us unlock a new world of global talent.”
In 2020, a series of global events pushed diversity and inclusion to the centre of the business agenda, and Makhijani has used her unique experiences as an Asian woman CEO to help Oliver Sanderson create an inclusive culture. "Being a BAME woman CEO in the recruitment industry has not been easy, but I've always seen it as a strength. I have always been unique, slightly
different. Most importantly, I have had to be extremely assertive to get where I am today."
Recenteventshavedrawnmore attentiontoraceandgenderequality issues,buttheyarenothingnewfor MakhijaniandherteamatOliver Sanderson. "Building an inclusive culture has been pivotal to our success, not just for us but also for our clients and our candidates. It's not just something we do as a check box.”
Makhijaniisenthusiasticabout helpingherclientsaddressissuesof diversityandinclusion.Heractivism hasaideddevelopmentthroughout theindustryandbeyondasa
foundingmemberandco-chairof APSCo'sHRSectorGroup.Sheis nowforminganon-profitwitha groupofindustryexecutivesto addressissuessuchasraceequality, disability,andgenderequality
Makhijanihasabigplanforthenext fiveyears,inadditiontothedebutof herneworganisation.Sheislooking forfreshfundingpossibilitiesto assistOliverSanderson's developmentgoalsinEuropeandthe UnitedStates.
Theglobalworkforcehasrecently beenpushedtoadjustto unprecedenteddifficulties,andfirms nowmorethaneverrequirestrong andsavvyleadership.Oliver Sandersonisattheforefrontofan industrythatremainscrucialtothe corporateworld,discoveringand positioningtheseleadersinplaces wheretheycanmakeagenuine difference.
DanPrincesetouttoimprove healthcareasthefounderandCEO ofillumisoft.Buildingclosetieswith clients,hefeels,aidsin understandingtheirneedsand providingthemwiththebest softwaresolutions.Danhasmore than20yearsofexperienceinthe softwarebusinessandknowshowto leaduniquesolutionsthatassist healthcareorganisations,practises, anddoctorsfunctionmoreeffectively andmakeadifferenceinthelivesof theirpatients.
Belowarethehighlightsofthe interviewconductedbetweenWorld's LeadersandDanPrince:
Briefouraudienceaboutyour journeyasaTechleader.What challengesyouhadtofacetoreach whereyouaretoday?
Buildingabusinessisnotwithout challenges.Iwasgivenanultimatum atwork,andIwoundupquittingthat jobinMayof2015afterayearof workingonUnidoor'sprojectonthe side.InJuneof2015,Unidoorpulled theplugontheproject.Myincome suddenlydriedup.IknewIcould've gottenmyjobback,butatthatsame time,itmademefeelabitguilty The reasonwasthatoneofmysonswas workinghardtryingtogrowhis businessandwasstrugglingwithit. Hewasn'tthrowinginthetowel,and asIponderedwhattodonext,Ifelt
Dobligated,asafather,totake advantageofthisopportunitytobuild myownbusinessinsupportofhim growinghis.
Anothertime,inearly2018,wehad foundaconsiderablenumberofnew clientsandnewprojectsandwere hummingrightalong.Wehadhired 20peoplewhensuddenly,the majorityofourworkwaseither completedorcancelledwithinashort time.Wefoundourselvesunableto makepayrollmorethanonce,andas aresult,weleteveryonebut3people go.Itwasaverydarktime.I consideredthrowinginthetoweland evenlookedforaCIOpositionfora fewweeks.But,itdawnedonmethat Istillhadclientsthatneededtheir projectsfinished,sowecontinuedto work.Wechangedourmodelfrom onshoredeveloperstooffshore,from rapidturn-aroundtimetoscheduling projectsabitfurtherout,andwe madeitthrough.
Describeillumisoftofferingsthat addresstheneedsofyour customers.
Ingeneral,theservicesthatillumisoft providesaredescribedassoftware developmentservices.Peoplehireus tohelpthembuildsolutionsthatthey thentakeoverandmanagegoing forward.Often,theyhaveaninternal developmentteam,buttheydon't havethenecessaryexperienceto architectmodernsolutionsusing moderntechnology.Theirhopeis thatifIprovideacodebase,Ican teachtheirdevelopershowto maintainit.Inmyexperiencewith supportingentrepreneurialeffortsin thisarea,Iwouldsaythethreemain stepsthatyouneedtotaketobuilda strongcommunityofusersand subscriberswouldincludebuildinga strongbrandthatalignswithyour intendedaudience,makingsurethat
yoursoftwareiseasytouseandeasy tounderstand,andbeingconsistentin nevertakingadvantageofyour subscriberbasebymarketingtothem andupsellingthemadnauseum.
Aftercompletingasuccessfulproject forlocalChildren'sHospital,the focusofthecompanypivotedtothe healthcareindustry.
Enlightenusonhowyouhave madeanimpactinthisindustry throughyourexpertiseinthe industry?
Asoftoday,wehavedoneabout42 projectsworthover$10M.Our projectshavehelped30different clients,andchangedthelivesof 100'softhousandsofchildrenand familiesofchildrenwithdiabetesand otherdiseases.WehavehadZERO failedprojectsalthoughwewerenot abletocompleteoneduetoa shrinkingbudgetandcostoverruns. Wehave100%5-starreviews.After alltheseefforts,illumisoftwas awardedthe2021GlobeeAwards GoldMedalforBestHealthcare& MedicalInnovation.
Whatarethechallengesyouand yourteamatillumisoftcomeacross inyourday-to-dayoperations?
Ourapproachtoprovidingcustomer serviceistohavemultiplepeople firstineachandeveryprojectsothat wecanensurecoverageeveninthe caseofwhatwecall,"TheBus Factor."There'sprobablyabetter, moreappropriatenameforit,butthe busfactorforusattemptstoanswer thequestion,"Whatarewegoingto doifsomeoneimportanttoaproject getshitbyabus?"Thatisprobably ourbiggestchallenge,notonly becauseittakesalotofworkto becomesemi-expertonsomany differentthings,butalsobecause
educatingoneselforone'steamis hardtobillfor
Describeindetailthevaluesand theworkculturethatdrives illumisoft.
Beingcenteredaroundhelpingothers iswhyweatillumisofthavefocused ourservicesonthehealthcare industry Werealizedatsomepoint severalyearsagothatbuildinggreat solutionsfeelsgoodanddelighting ourclientsfeelsgreat.But,building greatsolutionsthatdelightour clients,andthenrealizingyou've helpedliterallyhundredsof thousandsofpeoplearoundtheworld livehappier,healthierlivesfeels noble,heroicandworthit.
Wheredoyouenvisionyourself beinginthelongrunandwhatare yourfuturegoalsforillumisoft?
WeseeIllumisoftbecomingthego-to customsolutionproviderfor hospitals,privatepractices,and researchcentersacrosstheUnited States.Eventually,wewillspread worldwide.Wehavealreadyseena consistent,incrementalincreasein ourgrowth,andweexpectthatto continueatanexponentialrate. Additionally,weplanonbecominga productcompanyandcombiningthat withourserviceofferings.Wehave severalproductideasintheworks, andwealreadyhaveacoupleof productsbuiltthatwearebeginning tomarketnow
Whatwouldbeyouradviceto buddingtechleaders?
I'vegotalotofadviceforemerging leaders,butitdoesdependontheir situationtoacertainextent.IfIhad togiveblanketadvice,Iwouldsay read,andreadconstantly.Learn everythingthatyoucanlearn.People areflawedandyouhavetoaccept themfortheircontributionrather thantheirproximitytoyourideal. Operateyourlifeoutofaplaceof loveforotherpeople.Itrulybelieve that,althoughitiskindofcorny
TiffanyYuisCEO&founderof Diversability,anaward-winning socialenterprisetorebrand disabilitythroughthepowerof communityandthefounderofthe AwesomeFoundationDisability Chapter,whichawardsmonthly micro-grantstodisabilityprojects ($53.5kto54projectsin9 countries).
Belowarethehighlightsofthe interviewconductedbetween World'sLeadersandTiffanyYu:
Enlightenusonhowyouhave madeanimpactinthisindustry?
Iseemybiggestimpactinthis spaceisempoweringasmany disabledpeopleaspossibletoget fromthatfirstdisabilityoriginstory tothatseconddisabilityorigin story,becauseIreallybelievethata winforoneofusisawinforallof us.Witheverythingthathappened withBlackLivesMatterforme,it's reallybringingthisdisabilityinclusivelenstotheDiversity, Equity,andInclusionworld.Ithink thatalotoftimes,whenpeople thinkaboutdiversity,theyforget aboutdisability Theyforgetabout thefactthatthereareabillionof us,oroneinfourintheUS.Ialso thinkIapproachmyworkthrough
Tanintersectionallens.I'malso Asian.I'malsoawoman,andthese compoundidentitiesofbeing Asian,awoman,anddisabled allowmetobringaunique perspectiveintomywork.And finally,Ihaveexperienceworking inthecorporateworld.Ithinkthat beingasocialjusticeoriented companyisimportant.
Whatchallengesdidyouhaveto facetogetwhereyouaretoday?
OneofmymantrasishowcanI turnthisobstacleintothegreatest thingthat'severhappenedtome? AndI'vetakenthatnotonlywith mypersonalstoryofwhat happenedtomeasakid,butalso intohowIhavenavigatedhowI've navigatedthebusinessworld. Numbertwo;describediverse abilitiesofferingsthataddressthe needsofyourcustomers.Sowe havetwoaudienceswithdiverse ability.Oneismoreonagrassroots levelthedisabilitycommunityfor us,it'sreallyhowcanweendthe
cycleofsocialisolationandsocial exclusionfordisabledfolks.There isaHarvardstudyoutthatsaysone ofthekeystolongevityand happinessandwell-beingis throughsocialconnectionand healthyrelationships.Andbeing sociallyisolated,isanexperience thatdisabledpeopleknowsowell. Sowithus,ourbiggestofferingat diverseabilityforthedisability communityforthedisability communityiscommunityandwe dothatthroughtwodifferenttypes ofcommunities.Oneisagroupthat acommunitythatisonFacebook, andtheotheristhroughamore curatedcommunitycalledthe diverseabilityleadership collective.
Whatpeople,whatbooks,what lifefactorshaveinfluencedand impactedyou.
Thereisabookthathasheavily influencedme.It'scalledDaring GreatlybyBreneBrown.Itisa bookaboutthecouragetoleadwith
vulnerabilityandbuildshame resilience.AndIthinkIspentalot oftimefeelingalotofshame aroundmystoryandnotshowing vulnerability.AndafterIreadthat bookin2016,Ireallydecidedto changehowIwantedtoliveand peelbacksomeoftheonionlayers andletpeoplein,andIhavefound thatithasenabledustoand enabledmetojustfeelmore liberated.
Wheredoyouenvisionyourself beinginthelongrun?Andwhat areyourfuturegoalsfordiverse abilities?
WheredoIenvisionmyselfbeing inthelongrun?Mypersonal missionistocreateasmuchaccess andopportunityinthedisability communityaspossible.AndIhave donethatthroughtheteamthatwe builtwithdiverseabilities.I've startedacoupleofotherinitiatives. OneiscalledtheAwesome FoundationDisabilityChapter, whichinvests$1,000indifferent disabilityprojectsaroundthe world.I'vealsoseenmypersonal brandgrowduringthepandemicas acontentcreator.So,forme,it's reallyabouthowIcansetagood exampleforotherdisabledpeople, especiallyotherAsianwomenand disabledpeople.HowcanIshow othersthattheirstoriesmatterand thattheycanleadwith vulnerability?HowcanIbuildmy ownthoughtleadership?Andhow canIdothatinawaythatmylifeis balanced?Inmypersonallife,I wanttomakeroomforplay,fun, enjoyment,andlaughter.Anddo thatwhilealsobeingadisability thoughtleaderandabusiness
leader.Whatareyourfuturegoals? Fordivisibility?Myfuturegoals fordiversecivilityarethatIwant tocontinuetobethetalent incubatorfordisabilitytalent.I wanttocontinuetobuildourbrand equitywithinthedisabilityspace withinDiversityEquity.and inclusionspace.Iwanttocontinue to.Iwanttogettoapointwhere wearefinanciallysustainable enoughthatitisalienmachineand thatwecancontinuetoinvestin disabilitytalent.
buddingbusinessleaders?
Myadvicetobuddingbusiness leadersistounderstandthatyou haveinfluencewhetherornotyou arealeader.AndIthinkthateven veryearlyoninmycareer,Iwas mentoringfolkswhowere
interestedinbreakinginto investmentbanking.Ihadpeople shadowme,haddisabledcollege studentsshadowmeduringmyjob, andreviewedresumes.SoIguess maybemyadviceistojustnever forgetthejourneythatgotyouto whereyouare.Andso,becauseof that,Ihavebeenthinkingabout waystocontinuetopayitforward tomycommunity.Andagain,just rememberthatawinforoneofus isawinforallofus.Sojust rememberthatyoubeingyou,as authenticallyyouand unapologeticallyyouaspossible,is openingupthedoorsandpathways forsomanyotherstopotentially followinyourfootsteps,butinthe possibilityofwhotheycan become.Andthatisallthe questions,andIwillgoaheadand sendyouthephotosaswell.
ValarieKing-Bailey's journeyasabusinessleader beganin1976whenshe enteredtheUniversityofWisconsin –MadisonCollegeofCiviland EnvironmentalEngineering.She alwaysknewthatonedayshewill becomeanentrepreneur.She prioritizesherstudyoverherpassion tobecomeanentrepreneurandnever conceivedofstartingabusiness withoutfirstcompletingher education.ShegraduatedwithaB.S. inCivilandEnvironmental Engineeringin1982andwentonto pursueanM.B.A.fromKeller GraduateSchoolofManagementin Chicago.Sheasserts, “The completion of my full education in engineering and business laid the foundation for my success.”
Today,Valarieisleadingacompany andservingasCEOofOnShore TechnologyGroup,anindependent Chicago-basedconsultancyfounded in2004specializinginIndependent ValidationandVerification(IV&V) servicesandsolutions.
“Life sciences companies are our target market,” saysValarie.These companiesseektobringnew productstomarketfaster.Inpursuit oftheirbusinessobjectives,they leverageadvancedenterprise technologiesandsoftware applicationsthathelpthemachieve efficienciesinpursuitoftheir businessobjectives.TheU.S.FDA (FDA)mandatesthatallsuch technologiesmustbeVALIDATED. Thus,OnShoreTechnologyGroupis anIndependentValidation& Verification(IV&V)firm. OnShoreprovidesaportfolioof softwareproductsandservicesthat helplifesciencescompaniesmeet FDAregulatorymandatesfor validation.
Itsflagshipsoftwareapplicationis called'ValidationMaster™'.This solutionautomatesthefulllifecycle ofvalidationanddeliversan automated,paperlessprocesstohelp lifesciencescompaniesensure
regulatorycompliancewhile maintainingoperationalefficiencies. Themostpopularserviceofferingis ValidationPro℠-A“turnkey” professionalservicethatdeliversa fullyvalidatedsystemwithminimal impactontheclient'sorganization. TheteamatOnShoreconductsall projectmanagementactivities, preparealldocumentation,execute alltestscriptsandsummarizethe entireproject.Thebenefitstothe clientarethattheygettoadoptcloud ormobileapplicationsquicklywith minimalimpacttotheirproduction operationswhileensuringsustained compliance.
Beforethedevelopmentanddelivery ofOnShore'sValidationMaster™ suite, validationwasapaper-basedmanual process.Thisprocesswasvery inefficientandtime-consumingfor mostcompanies,andbecauseofthe
regulatoryrequirementtoproduce validationdocumentation,manylife sciencescompanieswererestrictedin theirrapidadoptionofthese technologiesandwastedprecious timethatcouldhavebeenusedto bringnewproductstomarketfaster.
Theproduct,ValidationMaster™ usheredintheeraofEnterprise ValidationManagementandQuality Formanyinthelifesciences community,automationwasviewed asaluxuryandnotanecessity.Since COVID,manycompaniesnowview automationasanecessityandnota luxury
Asorganizationswereforcedtoclose theiroffices,manylifesciences companiessoughtwaystobecome moreefficientandthusadoptedthe ValidationMaster™atarapidpace duringthepandemic.The managementstates, “Many of our clients were seeking to develop new vaccines and COVID products and quickly bring them to market through automated supply chain management. ValidationMaster™ helped them do this quickly and with
minimal impact to their organizations.” In2021, ValidationMaster™receivedthe Global100awardfortheBest SoftwareSolutionforIV&V The companyalsoearnedaspotonthe coveted2021INC.5000listofthe FastestGrowingCompaniesin America.
Thelatestchallengeiskeepingup withtherapidadoptionof ValidationMaster™asmoreand moreglobalcompaniesseekto deploythisvaluablesolutionto automatetheirvalidationprocesses. OnShorehasaddeda ValidationMaster™Training Academytohelpitsclientslearnand usetheapplicationattheirownpace.
Themostinfluentialbookfor technologycompaniesthatValarie haseverreadis'CrossingtheChasm' byGeoffreyA.Moore.Hisfollowup
book'InsidetheTornado'isMUST READINGforanyoneseekingto buildabusinessinthetechnology industry.Valariealsolovedthebook 'GoodtoGreat”byJimCollins.She mentions, “Good to Great taught me how to focus on what I am good at, what can I make money at and what I have a passion about. The intersection of these three things will direct your efforts. It is a simple yet profound concept for building a GREAT business and not just a good one.” Shefurtheradds, “Crossing the Chasm and Inside the Tornado taught me how technology companies grow and achieve market success.” Shefindsthatthese3bookshavehad aprofoundimpactonhowshe developedOnShoreTechnology Group.
AsperValarie,movingthe company'soperationsremotely duringthepandemicwaseasy OnShoreTechnologyGroupisa flexibleworkplace.
Manyofitsemployeesalreadyhad homeoffices.Theteamsalreadywere usingZoomandMicrosoftTeamsfor meetingssinceitisdispersedaround theworld.Thus,whenthepandemic hit,therewasnotmuchofa “transition”fortheteam.
Theyjustsimplydidnotusethe officelocationsforwork.Valarie opines, “We were able to effectively social distance, and no one in the organization got COVID. We all have been vaccinated but are still taking precautions in light of the delta variant. We will remain vigilant until this crisis ends.”
OnShorevalueshardwork,discipline,honestyand integrity,andcustomerserviceexcellence.Theteamworks hardtoearntheclientstrustandtheirbusiness.Withevery engagement,thefocusisonprovidingoutstandingservice andtreatthecustomerswiththecarethattheydeserve. Valariesays, “We are passionate about our work, and we love what we do. OnShore Management treats every employee with respect, and we often seek their advice and input on how we can make the company better.”
OnShoreflexibleworkenvironmentisahitwiththe employees.AccordingtoValarie,itisawin-win-win wherecustomerswinbecauseemployeesworkhardto fulfiltheirobjectives,andOnShorewinsbecauseits employeesarededicatedandtheemployeewinsand enjoysthebenefitsofaflexibleworkenvironmentand rewardsforoutstandingwork.
OnShoreseekstobethegloballeaderinadvancedtesting solutionsworldwide.OnShoreTechnologyGroupsees
itselfinmarketsbeyondlifescienceswhereitstrivesto helpcompaniesmeetregulatoryimperativesandaccelerate theirbusinessobjectivesthroughtheadoptionofadvanced technologieswithminimaldefects.
Believeinyourself!
Valarie'sadvicetoemergingentrepreneursis “Believe in yourself and pursue your passion.” Sheadds, “Don't be afraid of hard work because the rewards are great. Think big. The world has many challenges, and we need more innovation to solve the issues of climate change, aggressive viruses that can destabilize the world, new energy solutions, infrastructure challenges and new solutions that improve life on this planet. Recognize that you are the next generation.”
A Man of God with the Vision 'Good Health and Better Life for All’
ApostleFredOseiAnninwas
bornatOboKwahuinthe EasternRegionofGhanaon the28thofNovember1955.Fred completedhiselementaryschool educationattheageof17.Dueto financialchallenges,hedidnotget thechancetocontinuehiseducation andhadtostartworkingasaField AssistantGrade3withtheMinistry ofAgricultureajobthatwasmeant foradultsandnotateenageratthe ageof17.Heasserts, “By the grace of God I managed to keep this job despite the numerous challenges as a teenager until I was lured into a band as a singer and adopted a wild lifestyle coupled with excessive drinking and drugs.” Afterfacingall theselifechallengeshebecamean ordainedreverendministerina PentecostalchurchinGhana.
In1990,FredwasinvitedtotheUK toholdseriesofrevivalmeetings acrossEnglandonworshipbythe ChalkFarmBaptistChurchbasedin London.Hesays, “It was through this missionary trip that God spoke to me that he would bring me back to the UK when I return to my home country to do a special ministry which was not disclosed to me then.”
AsperFred,Whenhereturnedtothe UK,heopenedthePneumaOutreach Ministriesin1997asachurchand alsothePneumaCommunityLinkas anNGOtoorganizecharitable programmesandactivitiestoaddress sensitiveissuessuchasteenage pregnancy,drugsandsubstance abuse,HIVpreventionandmany moretomakeasignificantdifference inthelivesofthevulnerablepeople intheBAMEcommunity
FreddiscoveredthatLambethwas thehighestHIVprevalent
communityinthewholeoftheUK secondedbyitsnext-doorneighbour Southwarkwheretheheadquartersof ActionplusFoundationisbased.He alsolearnedthattheblackAfrican communitywasalsooneofthe communitiesatriskofhavingthe HIVinfectionandSouthwarkalso wasthesecondcommunitywiththe highestHIVprevalenceinthewhole ofUKaftertheMSMgroup.He says, “It was through this discovery that made me gain more understanding about the reason why God brought me back to the UK to set up the charity right in the heart of Southwark and no other place.”
Fredtherefore,decidedthatthe charitywasgoingtospendmoretime toconcentrateonHIVpreventionby creatingawarenessoftheinfectionin Londontoreducethespreadofthe infectioninchurchesbecausemost pastorsthenwereignorantaboutHIV andwereunawareofthemodeofthe transmissionofHIVandthereforefor lackofknowledge,thoughtHIVwas ataboooracursefromGod.This situationthereforecreatedstigmaand discriminationamongpeopleliving withandthoseaffectedbyHIVin churchesintheUK.
InGhana,Actionplusstartedby focusingonpeoplewhoarenot havinggainfulemployment,whoare vulnerableandarethereforegetting involvedinagrowinglevelof prostitutionandawfulbehaviours. Theprojectwasdevelopedtofocus ontwospecificclientgroups:These arepeoplewhoareatimmediaterisk ofacquiringHIVbecauseoftheir ignoranceabouttheinfectionand thosewhowereinvolvedin prostitution.Thestrategyofthe projectwastofocusoncreating awarenessofHIVandalsothe preventionoftheinfectionfrom growinginthecountry
ActionplusFoundationrealizedthat thereweregreatchallengesbecause ofstigmainpeople'sminds.The projectthereforegraduallygotmore involvedincreatingmodulestouse inbreakingstigmaandprejudice. ThismoduleincludedChallengeand BreakHIVstigma,'YourHealthis YourLife',includingthemajor'Take ActionNow'Modulewhichsinceits launchinghasgrowntobecomea globaltoolinaddressingHIV interventionwithinthefaith communities.
Actionplusfromtheinitialstagesof itsoperationhaddeterminedthatit woulddeliversexualhealthmessages onasustainablebasisnotonlyinone particularchurchbutrathertobuild capacityinfaithleadersbytraining themtodelivertherightfulmessages aboutHIVbythemselvesintheir variouschurchesanddenominations wheretheypastor Thisprojectis called“TakeActionNow”.Itisabout supportingfaithleaderstoaddress sexualhealthissuesinchurchesand
isnotaboutaddressingsexualhealth forfaithleaders.Actionplusworks withfaithleadersandthefaith communitiestoaddresssexualhealth andHIVissueswithinthewhole contextofhealthtohelpnormalise andde-stigmatiseHIVforthechurch toknowthatHIVisneitherataboo noracursefromGodbutratherone ofthehealthconditionswehavein ourworldtoday
ActionplusFoundationhastrained over6,000pastorsandchurchleaders bothintheUKandAfricaforthemto knowandembracethefactsabout HIVandthroughthisproject ignoranceinthechurchisremoved andstigmaisbroken.
ActionplusFoundationisthefirst organisationinboththeUKandin GhanatoopenfreeHIVtesting
centresinchurcheswhereHIVhas beena“Nogo”Zone.Since2015 FredhaswonmanyLocal,National andInternationalAwardswhich includes:SouthwarkMajor'sCivic Award,TheDiversityChampion AwardForCharities(UK).The HeroesAward,TheAfrican PrestigiousAwardandthelatest beingthe2020BestHIVPrevention ServiceAward(UK)
Actionplusstartedsmallfromthe beginninginSouthwarkbuthas grownovertheyearstobecomeone oftheleadingHIVorganisationswith branchesintheUK,Ghana,Kenya andUganda.EveryCharityorNGO cannotoperateorfunctionwell withoutfundingbecauseitdoesnot makeaprofitbutActionplus
throughoutitsoperationhasnot receivedanymajorfundingto supportitsworkbothintheUKand Africa.Fredsays, “We sometimes are fortunate to receive off grants and small donations to support our work but despite these tough financial challenges, we have managed to sustain the work by God's grace through our passion and the sacrifices we make.” Withits unconditionalloveforhelpingothers, Actionplushasdevelopedoverthe yearandhasseenuncountable miracleshappeningondailybasis. Theorganizationhasoperatedinthe UKfor24yearsand14yearsin Africaandthroughoutthisjourneyit hasneverhadtheopportunityto employonestaffbecausethereisnot enoughfinancetoemploypaid workers.
Alltheworkthefoundationdoesis donewiththehelpandsupportofits volunteerswithFredhimselfbeing themainpersondrivingtheprojectto safetybyGod'sgrace.Fredhasseen manybigHIVorganisationswhich hefirstmetonthewaycloseddown forlackoffundsbutActionplusis stillworkingandgrowingdaily despiteitslackoffinancialresources becauseGodateverycritical challengeprovides.Heopines, “We know that a car without petrol or gas cannot move but, if a car without fuel in it can run faster than the one whose engine is filled, then you should know that it must be God behind it.”
In2019,Actionplusmiraculously receivedadonationfromtheRichard KingBequest,andwiththat,ithas managedtorunitscommunitywork inAfricatillnow.
DuringtheCovid-19pandemic,Fred againtooktheleadinorganizing onlinetrainingprogrammesand conferencestocreateawarenessof theinfectionhereintheUKand Africa.Actionplus'volunteersalso ledtheFoundationtodistributefree PPE'Stoschools,institutions,traders inmarketplacesandthegeneral publicinAfrica.Thoughthe Lockdownimpactedtheprojectsof theorganisationyetFredmanagedto useeveryopportunitythefoundation hadtodevelopnewstrategiesto confronttheimpactofwhichthe pandemichadhadontheproject.He saysthatmeasureswerealsoputin placetoengagewiththeclients onlineandonthephoneasthere werenooneononeintervention programmesorphysicalcontactsto helpsustainthegainswhichthe
organisationhadmadethroughthe HIVpreventionproject.
Valuesandtheworkculturethat drivesActionPlusFoundation
“The values of Actionplus Foundation in our intervention is connected to our faith in God and seeing HIV as a human issue and the devastating effect it has brought into the human race since the beginning of its interception in the year 1980 make us believe that we are called of God to fight it until HIV is completely eradicated from our world,” says Fred.Hefurtherdescribesthatitisa callingfromGodtohimpersonally, andsoitishisresponsibilitytoshare thevisionwitheveryonewhoispart ofittoknowandunderstandthe purposeofthisbattletomakeita reality.Heopines, “We are all going to be accountable to God one day if we fail to win.”
AtActionplus,Fredplanstobuildan UltraModernSocialEmpowerment CentreinGhana.AccordingtoFred, thisCentrewillbethepermanent headquartersandtheadministrative baseforitsoperationsinAfrica.The teamwillbuilddifferentfacilitiesto hostActionplus'sempowerment
programmessuchasanHIVClinic fortestingandtreatment,a vocationaltrainingschooltotrain disadvantagedboysandgirlswith skillstoattainjobsopportunities.It willalsohosttheCampusHIV EmpowermentProgramme(CHEP Programme).Inthiscentre,theteam willrecruityoungpeopletobe trainedaspeerhealthadvocatesto workwithyoungpeopleinthe community.Theseyoungpeoplethat willbetrained,willbethosewhoare willingtosetthemselvesaparttobe empoweredwithhealth empowermentgoalstochange behavioursknowntocauseillhealth andprematuredeathamongyoung peoplesuchassmoking,unhealthy eatinghabits,physicalinactivity, drugsandalcohol,andotherhealth issues.
Fredadvisesthepeoplewhoare facingtheircareerchallengesthat successcan'tbeachievedonasilver platter.Itstartsverysmallwiththe littlethingsonedoesinlifeandwhen headdsextravaluetoit,hewill succeedinthatgreatambition.He says, “It takes time but, with God on your side, every dream comes through at the right time.”
Every day is a new beginning for a business leader to be successful," saysAsokan Ashok.Mr AsokanistheCEOof UnfoldLabs,aMobile&Cloud PlatformTechnologies [AI/NLP/ML/Analytics]Innovative &StrategicProduct Solutions/DevelopmentCompany
Hehasatrackrecordofturning consumerideasintoprofitable enterprisesandscalinguptechnology products.
Mr.Asokanisanexpertin recommendingmethodstomeet technologicalandmarket developments,aswellasstrategic partnerships,asatopstrategistinthe technologyindustry.Heisawellknownspeakerattechnology conferencesthroughouttheworld. Hewritestechnologicaland visionarypiecesformajor publicationsallaroundtheworld.
Belowarethehighlightsofthe interviewconductedbetweenWorld's LeadersandAsokanAshok.
Briefouraudienceaboutyour journeyasabusinessleader.What challengesdidyouhavetofaceto reachwhereyouaretoday?
Ihavealwaysbeenverypassionate abouttechnologyproductsand solutionsthatcanmakeadifference intheworldandhelphumanityina largerway Asapathtowardsmy passion,Istartedworkingand implementingideasforahostof award-winninginnovativeproducts atUnfoldLabs.Ineverresistdoing theunthinkable-thiszealdrovemeto comeupwithsolutionsthatbeat industrystandards.Itwastough duringmyearlystagesof entrepreneurship,butnowIamvery confidentthatnothingisimpossible
toachievewitharealattitudeand aptitude.Thepainoflosing,working hardgetshealedwithsuccess.
DescribeUnfoldLabs'offerings thataddresstheneedsofyour customers.
Wethriveoninnovationinproducts &serviceswithafocusontheCloud, MobileandTechnology Themajor differenceisinthewaywethinkand approachtheproblemwithcustomer experienceinmind.Weloveto strategicallyworkonrealworld problemsandcreatesolutionsthat arefuturisticanduser-friendly Continuouslearningkeepsus updatedwithtrendsthathelpus developcreativethoughts/solutions.
Overthepast5years,wehave deliveredanumberofproductsthat are:
· RedGreen,ourfirstproduct, reached500Kuserdownloads andreceivedmanyawardsfor productinnovation.
· 2020Applock–Wegotgreat feedback,whichboostedour progressandmadeuscreate moreinnovativesolutions.
· SecureME-AnAndroidKiosk Launcherthathelpspeopleuse devicesininnovativeways, broughtusextraordinary feedbackfromtheworld community
· MyFamily–Acreativedigital parentingplatformthatgivesus happyuserstomaketheirlives easier,secure,andbetter.
· uFallAlert–TheWorld'sbest FallDetectionapplicationwith aninnovativehome-grown algorithmthatcandetectfallsin familyandbusiness environments.
· unfoldQuotes–Bestapplication withawidecollection/varietyof quotesthatcanmotivate,inspire andinfluencepeoplearoundthe planet.
Enlightenusonhowyouhave madeanimpactonthisindustry throughyourexpertiseinthe industry.
Wefeelthatexplorationand innovationareimportantforan organizationtogrow.Asapartofour extraordinarythinking,wehave
developedmanydigitalplatforms andproductsthatmakelifeeasierfor humanity Wearealsoworkingonan innovativenext-generationproject thathelpswith"MoodDetection", whichcanunderstandhumanmoods andmakepeoplehappier
Whatarethechallengesyouand yourteamatUnfoldLabscome acrossinyourday-to-day operations?
Asalways,peoplearethebackbone ofanyorganization.Innovationcan nothappeninisolation,andhence, collaborationisthemostimportant aspectofbuildingcreativeproducts.
Withthe2020Pandemic,lifehas changed-everythingismoredifficult, moredifficulttoachieve,bordersare closed,peopleareafraid,travelis difficult,andeveryattendancemight beapossibleobstacle.Team UnfoldLabsalsofacedproblemsin early2020–nowthatthingsareback tonormal,weareupandrunning withthesamespeedandenthusiasm asbefore.
Whatpeople,whatbooks,whatlife factorshaveinfluencedand impactedyou?Throughoutmy career,I'vehadmanywonderful experienceswithmanyexcellent people.
Ienjoyreading,learning,writing, travelling,andspeakingtoavariety ofpeople–betheynormalor businesspersonnel.Itwasn'tsimply onebookoronepersonwhogotme tothispoint.Butthereisonequote thatIabideby:"Changes–Choices –Chances".Ihavebeenvery adaptiveandopentochanges–whichisonemajoraspectof experiencingsuccess.
Herecomesthesecondone-"If you want something that you have never had, you have to do something that you have never done".Presenceis morethanjustbeingpresent-when I'mfeelingstressed,allIdoissay thistomyself,andittakesmymind, body,andsoulbacktothepresent moment.
Describeindetailthevaluesand theworkculturethatdrive UnfoldLabs.
Excellence,Safety,Care,Innovation, andResponsibilitydefine UnfoldLabs.Ourcultureisfounded onaflat,hierarchicalstructureinthe sensethatwehaveanopen-door policyandweworkcloselywithall membersoftheteam,beitajanitor oraCEO.Toguaranteethatwe retaincommunicationandamuchneededsenseofbelonging,wehavea well-organizedstructureofregular meetingsandweeklyface-to-face briefings.Thisismoreimportantthan everbefore.
Throughoutallourproduction processes,westriveforStrategic Precision.Wesetouteachteam's goalssothatouremployeesknow whatthey'reworkingtowards.Itwill notonlyimprovetheirperformance, butwillalsoincreasecollaboration amongourteammembers.Wemake surethateveryemployeeunderstands ourorganization'slong-termgoals,in additiontocreatingdepartment goals.Thisistoassistouremployees indevelopingasenseofprofessional purpose.Whileourworkcanbe difficultattimes,wemaketimeto maketheworkplacealittlemore cheerful.Thatliftseveryone'sspirits.
Wheredoyouenvisionyourself beinginthelongrunandwhatare yourfuturegoalsforUnfoldLabs?
Inallthebusinesssegments,I,asthe CEOofUnfoldLabs,havealways beenthemarketleader,technologist, andstrategist.We'rehungryand insecureenoughtoalwayskeepusat thetopofourgame.AtUnfoldLabs, thereisnoroomforcomplacency–wealwaysstriveforbettermentand perfection.Intermsofgeography,we willcontinuetogrow Weaimto contributetowardsmakingtheworld abetterplacetolivebyusing technology.
Whatwouldbeyouradviceto buddingentrepreneurs?
Bigorsmall,successorfailure–everythingthatcomesshouldbe acceptedandmovedforwardwith hope,passionandhardwork.Each businessstoryisaninspiration–Iam inspiredbyUnfoldLabs,thoughI maybebiased.Thatiswhatkeeps megoingeveryminuteofeveryday "Love Yourself and Live Life Fully" is mymotto.
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