Cultivating Tech Leadership!
The IT industry drives innovation and transformation across various sectors, including healthcare, finance, and security services. With technology evolving promptly, companies are constantly seeking ways to streamline processes, enhance security measures, and improve customer experiences through digital solutions. The integration of advanced technologies such as cloud computing, artificial intelligence, and digital identity verification has become crucial for businesses aiming to stay competitive and meet the growing demands of the market. This environment of constant technological advancement creates opportunities for professionals to lead and innovate in ways that can profoundly impact multiple industries.
Avijit DasGupta, Head of Product & Technology, Digital Identity & Payment Solutions, is a key figure in this transformative industry. With over 18 years of experience, Avijit has been pivotal in technology planning, digital product innovation, and the development of next-generation architecture processes. His extensive background includes senior- level positions in software product development across various global IT companies and tech start-ups. His role extends to being the Chief Technology Officer at LCT Africa Limited, where he contributes to developing an integrated healthcare administration platform aimed at revolutionizing medical insurance processes in Kenya.
CompuLynx, where Avijit currently contributes his expertise, is a prominent provider of digital identity and payment solutions. The company is known for its innovative approach to technology and its ability to deliver comprehensive solutions that address the evolving needs of the market. Through strategic partnerships and a focus on cutting-edge technology, CompuLynx has established itself as a key player in the industry. Under Avijit’s leadership, the company continues to advance its mission of driving digital transformation and maintaining a robust Human-Tech Partnership in the face of a continually shifting global IT field.
Let’s explore Avijit’s journey of Innovation and Leadership:
Shaping the Future of Digital Transformation in Africa
Avijit has been working in the IT industry for more than 18 years and is currently serving as the Product Owner and Head of Product & Technology in Digital Identity & Payment Solutions at CompuLynx Limited (Kenya) for the past six years.
In addition, he is associated with a Tech startup company, a joint venture between CompuLynx Limited & Liaison Group, known as LCT Africa Limited in Kenya. As the Chief Technology Officer there, he is part of a team building a world-class digital solution, an integrated end-to-end Healthcare Administration platform using cutting-edge technology to streamline the medical insurance scheme processes. Before joining CompuLynx, Avijit was associated with various IT companies and Tech start-ups based in India, Germany, the USA, and Australia. He managed senior-level technology lead positions for software product development as well as software project deliveries.
His current focus and key responsibilities include continuing his work engagement as an established IT professional in directing technology planning, digital product innovation, digital transformation, and cloud-based IT infrastructure strategy build-up for next-generation architecture processes for the BFSI, FinTech, NGO, Government, HealthTech, and Security Services industries in Africa.
With the technology landscape in constant flux, Avijit strives to stay relevant in the rapidly changing IT space. He continues his aspiration to learn new cutting-edge technologies, gaining a better understanding of how to adopt the new technology stack and practices to drive digital innovation, and fostering the process to maintain the Human-Tech Partnership in the rapidly changing IT industry where the AI Revolution is being experienced across the globe.
Soon, he envisions himself as a Technology thought leader in the industry, holding senior-level tech lead positions where he can contribute his expertise and share his experience in the following areas:
- Align Tech with business goals.
- Foster a culture of innovation.
- Encourage tech upskilling programs in the organization.
- Drive organizational vision towards digital transformation initiatives.
- Implement green IT strategies.
- Engage in industry dialogue.
- Develop an elastic tech infrastructure.
- Develop strategic IT roadmaps.
- Drive cloud adoption and optimization.
- Establish metrics for technology ROI.
- Enhance cybersecurity measures.
Creating an Enabling Environment for Optimal Performance
Avijit’s leadership style is an effective combination of visionary leadership, transformational leadership, democratic leadership, servant leadership, and coaching leadership.
This style is particularly effective when it comes to managing long-term technology planning and product roadmap planning, mid-term and short-term smart goals for product go-to-market strategy development, resource utilization planning and allocations for projects, mentoring resources to upgrade their technical and soft skills, and delivering timely business solutions to different clients.
A tech leadership development plan is a strategic approach to nurturing leadership skills within the tech industry. It focuses on cultivating qualities specific to the technology sector and aims to groom leaders who can effectively navigate its complexities. This plan is designed to propel future leaders in the tech domain.
Avijit believes that an excellent manager is someone who provides adequate guidance, training, and support to the team to ensure they perform optimally. However, a good manager also trusts the team to deliver and provides some form of independence for them in the performance of their duties.
He prioritizes ensuring everyone has fun in the workplace as part of his managerial style. He believes that when people are comfortable, they can be more productive. For instance, when he led the organizing committee for teacher training, he wanted it to be interactive without feeling like a burden. In turn, he incorporated games and prizes to spur interest in the training. As a result, everyone enjoyed themselves, and he was subsequently elected to manage all training sessions throughout the year.
His managerial style prioritizes providing an enabling environment to ensure everyone can produce their best work. In one of his roles as an administrative officer for an engineering firm, there were times when he had to assume leadership responsibilities.
Every morning, he ensures he reviews every employee’s schedule and resolves existing conflicts. He also monitors the supply for the whole office and attends to special requests from other employees. In addition, he regularly sends messages and forward calls as the need arises.
Promoting Collaboration and Learning with OKR
The organization employs the OKR (Objectives and Key Results) methodology, an effective tool for fostering innovation and creativity at various levels. These levels include organization-level strategy development, business unit-level strategy development, and product development strategy development.
Based on ambitious goals and measurable key results, the methodology encourages the pursuit of innovative solutions. Transparency in goal setting promotes collaboration, while periodic reviews allow for strategic adjustments and continuous learning. Thus, OKR not only manages short-term product development goals but also drives innovation by creating an environment conducive to the development of creative and successful product deliveries.
Adapting GTM Strategies for New and Existing Products
The go-to-market (GTM) strategy for the product varies in different scenarios. This variation occurs when planning to launch a new version of an existing product in the current market or when planning to penetrate a new market with a completely new product.
According to Avijit, the GTM strategy ensures alignment among all teams, from Product Management to Sales and Marketing, with a shared vision and objectives. This alignment promotes efficiency and cohesion.
Driving Innovation through Diverse Perspectives
Cross-functional teams consist of employees from different departments or areas of the organization. These teams allow the company to have a diverse set of professionals working on projects or toward common goals.
In Avijit’s opinion, it’s crucial for these teams to have a leader who provides them with clear expectations and guidance, as their projects may contain complex goals or deliverables. The primary focus is to adhere to the key principles that this team must follow to achieve project goals and deliverables, which are:
- Common Objectives
The correct formation of a cross-functional team is always preceded by the formulation of a comprehensive goal for working on a project. This goal should cover both the technological and business visions of the stakeholders. Therefore, each member of such a team works for the benefit of a common global goal and not on a list of narrowly focused tasks, as is the case with traditional teams.
- Comprehensive Feedback
Cross-functional teams always listen to the opinions of all their members, adapting their further course of work on the project to the feedback received. This is the hallmark of such teams, as they work towards the same goals and are fully motivated to succeed in project development.
- Diverse Perspectives
A cross-functional team brings together employees with different areas of expertise, backgrounds, and viewpoints. This diversity broadens the horizons of each of the members, increases their involvement in the work process, and helps them find non-trivial but effective solutions to standard problems. That’s why, when hiring employees for such a team, special attention must be paid to checking their versatility.
- Flexibility and Trust
Functioning like a puzzle, team members easily express their opinions and ideas about the project and quickly adapt to new requirements, choosing the most viable project implementation model. It’s also important to note that the cross-functional approach requires more trust between employees, as it implies mutual assistance and the exchange of expertise between team members when necessary.
- Data-Driven Decision Making
Each of the team members understands why, how, and for whom the project was created. Therefore, they always have enough data to make informed decisions that affect the final solution.
Tailoring Services to Unique Client Needs
Avijit believes Client Relations Managers play a pivotal role in nurturing and strengthening the bond between a company and its clients. They act as the primary point of contact for client inquiries and concerns, ensuring that clients receive exceptional service and support throughout their journey with the company. By understanding client needs and advocating for them within the organization, Client Relations Managers work to enhance client satisfaction, loyalty, and long-term business success.
The following practices are adhered to as a standard part of client relationship management: facilitating frequent customer interactions and keeping clients happy.
- Establish Clear Communication Channels
A positive client experience starts with clear, open lines of communication. Clients are ensured to know how to reach the company, and messages are responded to quickly. Nothing builds trust like being responsive and available.
- Regularly Update Clients on Progress
Clients are kept informed about progress, including any updates that may affect them. Transparency and dependability are key ingredients in turning that first engagement into a long-term relationship.
- Be Proactive
The company doesn’t wait for clients to reach out with questions or concerns. The initiative is taken to check in with them regularly and anticipate their needs.
Communication is regular, delivery is early, and potential problems are talked through as soon as they’re identified.
- Build Personal Connections
Time is taken to get to know clients on a personal level. Important details about their lives, preferences, and challenges are remembered. Strong relationships with clients—or with anyone else—start with a personal connection.
- Provide Exceptional Customer Service
The company always goes above and beyond to provide exceptional customer service. Inquiries are responded to promptly, issues are resolved quickly, and clients are made to feel valued and supported throughout their entire experience with the company.
- Be Transparent and Honest
Transparency and honesty are critical for strong client relationships. Any challenges or limitations are clearly communicated, and openness is maintained about what can and can’t be delivered. This helps manage expectations and avoids potential misunderstandings or disappointments.
- Offer Personalized Solutions
Every client is unique. The approach and solutions are tailored to meet their specific business goals. This shows that the company values them and cares about their bottom line.
- Continuously Educate and Inform
The company positions itself as a trusted advisor by continuously educating and informing clients about industry trends, best practices, and new opportunities. This positions the company as an expert in the software industry and helps clients stay ahead of the curve.
- Show Appreciation and Gratitude
Finally, appreciation and gratitude for clients are never forgotten. Milestones are celebrated together, personalized thank-you notes are sent, and exclusive perks or discounts are offered. Showing gratitude helps strengthen the bond and encourages long-term loyalty.
Designing the Future
Avijit consistently keeps himself updated with the latest industry trends and technologies in three core areas: Technology, Business, and Design. These insights significantly influence the definition of the product strategy and roadmap for the future.
- For Technology Trend
- He speaks to senior engineers who, with their wealth of experience, can discern what matters most amidst the excitement of a new trend.
- Regular shows and tells are encouraged, aside from standard product demos, where engineers showcase the new tech, they’re using in the product.
- He subscribes to relevant publications.
- He attends conferences and debriefs afterward, which proves more beneficial for the engineering teams.
- He follows engineering blogs from leading product companies.
- Also, check out the latest technology trends in the global market.
- For Business and Market Trend
- He fosters a culture of experimentation.
- Applies market trends directly to the roadmap and strategy.
- A culture of innovation is cultivated by him.
- His in-house innovation teams continuously research the pulse of new market trends, turning those into the actual product roadmap plan.
- He speaks to non-customers, meaning people who do not currently use the product and have not thought about using it until this point. The emergence of new consumer behaviors and technologies can open opportunities to target non-customers.
- For Design Trend
- He acknowledges the important connection between advancements in technology and design trends. New CSS3 properties have enabled designers to introduce shaded backgrounds, curved corners, and other creative elements.
- In Avijit’s view, a CSS grid makes managing layouts easier, and new design tools such as Figma make componentization of product design easier by allowing product teams to work on component-based designs.
Guiding Principles for Aspiring Tech Leaders
The advice from Avijit for aspiring product leaders who are looking to advance in their careers in the technology industry is as follows:
- Always adopt a collaborative approach.
- Have confidence in your soft skills.
- Embrace the use of visual roadmaps.
- Never settle for a stale prioritization framework.
- Always lead with impact.
- Explore every opportunity and pursue what you want.
- Make growth and learning a part of your daily routine.
Balancing Strategic Planning with Operational Delivery
Avijit balances the demands of strategic planning with the operational aspects of product delivery within his role in the following ways:
- Establishing a program governance structure
- Developing a distinct program plan and roadmap for each product
- Coordinating and supporting the business analyst, project managers, development team, and QA analysts
- Engaging and communicating with the stakeholders
- Evaluating and sustaining the program benefits.
