Software People Stories

I am in conversation with Karthik Viswanathan, the President of Ochyo Inc, a consulting firm that specializes in serving State & Local governments around strategy development, technology enablement and business process optimizationIn this part of the conversation, Karthik shares:Karthik's career path:Started in IT after college in Bombay (now Mumbai)Worked in tech support for a university in the USJoined a research company (GTE Labs, now part of Verizon) focused on telecom technologiesTransitioned from research to government work focusing on applying technology to improve citizen servicesGovernment vs. Private Sector:Government projects can have a larger social impactFunding for government projects is based on impact and efficiency, not ROIUser experience (UX) is becoming increasingly important in government services, especially after the COVID-19 pandemicCloud migration and low-code/no-code development are accelerating innovation in governmentKey points about impact in government projects:Needs to consider a "long tail" of users with diverse needsFocuses on human impact and reducing frustration for citizensMust balance efficiency and initial investment costsShifting landscape of government technology:From building systems for internal needs to user-centered designCloud migration enabling faster and more scalable solutionsRise of low-code/no-code development for quicker implementationKarthik Viswanathan is the President of Ochyo Inc, a consulting firm thatspecializes in serving State & Local governments around strategy development, technology enablement and business process optimization.He was previously the Vice President for Development & Strategy for AIinGov responsible for driving strategic partnerships and relationships to accelerate the time to market and operational efficiencies for AIinGov’s customers. Prior to that, Karthik served in senior IT leadership roles in State and Municipal governments. He was the Assistant Secretary for Technology Services & Security to help streamline IT services for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts including CIO roles for Labor & Workforce and Department of Revenue. Karthik has also served as CIO for the City of Somerville.He holds engineering degrees from the University of Mumbai and Texas A&M University, and an MBA from Northeastern University.LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kaviswan/

Sivaguru continues the conversation with Ravi Krishnappa, managing partner at July Ventures.In this part, he shares his thoughts as belowEmphasizes that his curiosity drives him to understand new concepts deeply, particularly through teaching.How teaching others can enhance one’s own understanding, He says that having ideas alone is not sufficient. Successful outcomes depend on understanding and addressing the underlying practical and behavioral aspects related to those ideas.Effective problem-solving requires being aware of current market conditions and issues. Entrepreneurship requires a strong sense of conviction to push beyond one's comfort zone.Feeling uncomfortable is a natural and beneficial part of starting something new, as it keeps you alert and engaged.: Entrepreneurs often experience a transition from uncertainty to clarity, where they feel confident in their decision to pursue a venture.He speaks about various challenges in entrepreneurial journeyFinally he talks about the career tipsRavi Krishnappa is a Venture Capital professional, an Entrepreneur & an avid teacher with 35+ years of experience over 2 dozen start-ups in his portfolio.  He is currently the managing partner at July Ventures (www.julyventures.com) He is a mechanical engineer who moved onto the IT sector and is a thought leader in the area of digital applications for the industry. Over the last 30+ years he has worked in several countries including the US, UK and Switzerland. His first startup was acquired by Oracle, and he was subsequently it’s global Executive Director. He sold his second venture which was in supply chain applications to a publicly listed company. Since 2010, he has been working to develop the Entrepreneurial eco-system, particularly in incubating ideas and working with early stage startups and their founders as a CEO coach. He is a board director and an advisory member in a number of startups. He has been an active member in several industry associations including TIE. He is also a trustee at several NGOs working on causes ranging from education to public transparency.

Sivaguru is in conversation with Ravi Krishnappa, managing partner at July Ventures. He talks aboutHow he Started as a mechanical engineer and ERP consultant, then co-founded Accel Venture Partners and Inatech. Transitioned to angel investing and is now a partner at July Ventures, focusing on B2B tech startups. He also attributes his success to an intense curiosity and a broad interest in various fields, rather than deep specialization.He also believes both nature (innate curiosity) and nurture (experiences and opportunities) play roles in personal developmentHe also taks about  learning the intersection of finance and engineering, and addressing inefficiencies in ERP systems, which shaped their business mindset and approach..He also talks about developed a solution to locally print data from a mainframe system, leading to a significant licensing deal with Unisys EMEA.He reflects on how recognizing and seizing opportunities, even if not fully realized, has influenced his entrepreneurial journey.The experience of seeing potential improvements and wanting more control motivated their shift to entrepreneurshipRavi Krishnappa is a Venture Capital professional, an Entrepreneur & an avid teacher with 35+ years of experience over 2 dozen start-ups in his portfolio.  He is currently the managing partner at July Ventures (www.julyventures.com) He is a mechanical engineer who moved onto the IT sector and is a thought leader in the area of digital applications for the industry. Over the last 30+ years he has worked in several countries including the US, UK and Switzerland. His first startup was acquired by Oracle, and he was subsequently it’s global Executive Director. He sold his second venture which was in supply chain applications to a publicly listed company. Since 2010, he has been working to develop the Entrepreneurial eco-system, particularly in incubating ideas and working with early stage startups and their founders as a CEO coach. He is a board director and an advisory member in a number of startups. He has been an active member in several industry associations including TIE. He is also a trustee at several NGOs working on causes ranging from education to public transparency.

This marks 300 episodes of the Software People Stories. The journey has been very enriching. But more of that, in a few weeks, when we complete six years of the podcast.In addition, the guest today is a person who has been a mentor to me and whose qualities technically and as a leader, I admire.I continue my conversation with Gunaseelan Narayanan, known as Guna. Guna is an executive coach with a long career in IT before that.In this conversation, he talks aboutTransition from Project Leader to Delivery Excellence Leader, initial challenges with management style to embracing new technologies and effectively leading high-performing engineering teams.He also emphasizes the difference in project timelines between internal R&D and global customerThe importance of empathy, communication, and tailored processes in effectively aligning different divisions or lines of business within an organization, especially in a complex matrix organizational structure.How his career  was marked by diverse opportunities across different sectors , each offering valuable learning experiences and professional development.His journey into coaching and leadership development, emphasizing the shift from directive management to coaching and the importance of continuous learning and adaptation in his career.His Career Advice,  and explanation of ethics in TechnologyGuna has over three decades of experience in the Information Technology industry. Currently he is an Executive Coach, helping senior executives enhance their leadership capabilities.He started his career as a software engineer in R&D department of Hindustan Computers Limited in 1979. He held various technical and managerial roles in HCL R&D and HCL-HP R&D before transitioning to HCL Technologies. In HCL Technologies he was in key delivery and business leadership roles including head of Engineering and R&D Services Line of Business and head of Delivery Excellence.Guna holds M.Tech. degree in Computer Science and B.Tech. in Electrical Engineering, both from IIT Madras. He is a certified Executive Coach from Coaching Foundation India. https://www.linkedin.com/in/gunaseelan-narayanan-13246b23/

This is a special episode for me, personally.This marks 300 episodes of the Software People Stories. The journey has been very enriching. But more of that, in a few weeks, when we complete six years of the podcast.In addition, the guest today is a person who has been a mentor to me and whose qualities technically and as a leader, I admire.I am in conversation with Gunaseelan Narayanan, known as Guna. Guna is an executive coach with a long career in IT before that.In this conversation, he talks aboutTwo phases of his careerStarting with FORTRAN programming and transitioning into microprocessorsHis career at HCL - the only company he was associated with throughout his careerShifting to creating user focused solutions and telecom areasGaining experience with multi-national partnershipsGuna has over three decades of experience in the Information Technology industry. Currently he is an Executive Coach, helping senior executives enhance their leadership capabilities. He started his career as a software engineer in R&D department of Hindustan Computers Limited in 1979. He held various technical and managerial roles in HCL R&D and HCL-HP R&D before transitioning to HCL Technologies. In HCL Technologies he was in key delivery and business leadership roles including head of Engineering and R&D Services Line of Business and head of Delivery Excellence.Guna holds M.Tech. degree in Computer Science and B.Tech. in Electrical Engineering, both from IIT Madras. He is a certified Executive Coach from Coaching Foundation India https://www.linkedin.com/in/gunaseelan-narayanan-13246b23/

In this conversation, Sapna Jhaver, Technology Leader is in conversation with Chitra Gurjar where she shares various perspectives on -- Gen Alpha - their role as influencers, their thoughts and virtual influence of Generative AI- Moving into leadership roles and how her theatre experience helped her with playing, understanding leadership- Becoming inward focused to manage orthodoxy, perceptions and accepting herself- Providing her narrative for her future self- Messages for people aspiring to make a career in tech with dedicating time to learn, exposing ones' mind to different roles and using principles of running a business to learn about leadershipSapna Jhawer is a Retail Technology leader known for her fusion of innovation, empathy, and resilience. As a technology leader with over two decades of experience, she is known for her strategic vision, collaborative leadership style, and commitment to driving positive change. Sapna's passion for equity and storytelling fuels her mission to empower teams, foster innovation, and create a lasting impact on society. Her authentic approach, coupled with her expertise in retail technology, makes her a trusted advisor and thought leader in her field

In this conversation, Sapna Jhaver, Technology Leader is in conversation with Chitra Gurjar where she shares various perspectives on -- Wanting to first get into a business, thanks to being from a mainly business family- Wanting to do Chartered Accounting so she could start a business, then being peer-pressured into doing Electronics engineering- Switching mindsets from testing to development to understanding how developers first want to get things done, make them work and then test code- Taking on customer facing roles and getting into minutiae about customers in retail- Managing customer expectations and how technology can give an experience of look and feel, fit and experience of online retail shoppingSapna Jhawer is a Retail Technology leader known for her fusion of innovation, empathy, and resilience. As a technology leader with over two decades of experience, she is known for her strategic vision, collaborative leadership style, and commitment to driving positive change. Sapna's passion for equity and storytelling fuels her mission to empower teams, foster innovation, and create a lasting impact on society. Her authentic approach, coupled with her expertise in retail technology, makes her a trusted advisor and thought leader in her field

I continue my conversation with C Subramanian - more affectionately known as CS in his circles,  an accomplished banker turned IT professional, with international experience.CS - C Subramanian's story is one of resilience, adaptation, and continuous learning. From his humble beginnings, he sought stability through education and found unexpected opportunities in the banking sector. Despite facing objections, he embraced the chance to join Canara Bank and eventually transitioned into the IT field within the organization.His journey into IT was marked by challenges and learning experiences, particularly during the implementation of banking software. CS emphasized the importance of understanding banking requirements and effectively communicating them to software developers. He highlighted the pivotal role of taking on computer courses reimbursed by the bank, which opened doors to new career paths.As he moved into project management, CS encountered new challenges but remained determined to succeed. He emphasized the significance of upgrading skills, adapting to new roles, and fostering teamwork. Throughout his narrative, CS underscored the importance of self-confidence, perseverance, and continuous self-improvement in achieving career growth.CS's story serves as a testament to the power of resilience, learning, and seizing opportunities, even in the face of doubts and obstacles. His emphasis on teamwork and mentorship underscores the value of collaboration and support in professional development. Overall, CS's journey offers valuable insights for navigating career transitions and achieving success in the ever-evolving landscape of the IT sector.A post graduate in Chemistry, worked in a public sector Bank for nearly 30 years and then moved to IT industry in  BFSI. Handled various Banking  projects for nearly 10 years in middle east and India in roles of  Domain expert and Project Management. Lives in BengaluruHe may be reached at: chellappa_subramanian@yahoo.co.in

In this episode, Shiv is in conversation with C Subramanian, more affectionately known as CS in his circles, an accomplished banker turned IT professional, with international experience.In this first part of the conversation, CS shared his origin story, starting from a modest background with a focus on securing a stable life through education. Despite initial plans for a career in chemistry, a friend's suggestion led him to apply for a job at Canara Bank, where he began his career. Despite family objections, he pursued the opportunity and eventually transitioned into the IT sector within the bank, leveraging courses and opportunities for advancement.He recounted his journey from a banking employee to an IT professional, highlighting key moments such as taking on computer courses reimbursed by the bank, which unexpectedly paved the way for his entry into the IT field. He described the challenges and learning experiences during the implementation of banking software, emphasizing the importance of understanding and conveying banking requirements to software developers.CS reflected on his transition to project management and the challenges he faced, including the need to upgrade his skills and adapt to new roles. He shared insights into managing teams, emphasizing the importance of guiding and motivating team members while continuously learning and upgrading oneself. Despite initial doubts from others, he persevered, proving himself and achieving career growth within the organization.Throughout his narrative, CS emphasized the importance of learning, adaptation, and self-confidence in navigating career transitions and achieving success. He also stressed the value of teamwork, mentorship, and continuous self-improvement in professional growth.A post graduate in Chemistry, worked in a public sector Bank for nearly 30 years and then moved to IT industry in  BFSI. Handled various Banking  projects for nearly 10 years in middle east and India in roles of  Domain expert and Project Management. Lives in BengaluruHe may be reached at: chellappa_subramanian@yahoo.co.in

In this episode Shiv continues his conversation with Andy Hillard the CEO of Accelerance. He leads and advocates for the globalization and collaboration of great software teams across the world. In this second part of the conversation, Shiv and Andy discuss the challenges of working with multiple service providers and the importance of building cohesive teams. Andy emphasizes the need for trust, accountability, and common values in creating successful partnerships, regardless of whether you're working with one partner or multiple partners.He also touches upon the impact of AI on the IT landscape. Andy highlights the proliferation of service providers due to remote work and the challenges companies face in leveraging AI effectively. He stresses the importance of trust, credibility, and a focus on what AI cannot do, advocating for investing in interpersonal skills and problem-solving abilities.Shiv then asks for career tips, and Andy advises leaning into challenges rather than retreating from them, emphasizing action over inaction. He encourages individuals to continuously improve themselves and to maintain determination in the face of obstacles.Finally, they discuss travel preferences, with Andy expressing interest in revisiting India and Japan due to their unique cultures and vast diversity.Overall, the conversation explores themes of teamwork, adaptation to technological advancements, personal growth, and cultural appreciation.As CEO, Andy leads and advocates for the globalization and collaboration of great software teams with companies in search of talent, innovation and a globally-distributed extension of their engineering function and culture.Andy founded the ground-breaking nearshore software development services company, Isthmus Costa Rica. He began his global software services career as a Division Manager at Cognizant during their early formative years.