CXO Of The Week: Himaghna Dey Sarkar, VP - Business Development & Channel Engagements, ToneTag

CXO Of The Week: Himaghna Dey Sarkar, VP - Business Development & Channel Engagements, ToneTag, he has 12 years+, First job in the field of Network Security, Btech. Computer Science from IIIT-Kolkata/Business Leadership Program from SOIL.

Your top priority while making decisions to improve tech infra in your organization?

Organization’s tech infra should have the following traits:

a. Automate employee operational tasks: Efficiency and usability experienced by employees is a key decision factor. Employees should feel a direct impact in terms of making their work easier.

b. Pay-as-you-use structures: Opex cost models are easier to be absorbed. I would avoid any upfront investment to set up new tech infra for the organization

c. Upside/Scalability: Tech infra is always for the long run. So it not only needs to cater to today but also cater to tomorrow. Horizontally, interoperability with parallel infra and different platforms, OS and applications are critical. Vertically, it is important that new solutions can be plugged into the infra stack whenever necessary.

Challenges you face in driving digital transformation?

Digital transformation is directly associated with user experience and behavior. Repetitive usage leads to behavioral association and stickiness. So, an attempt to transform into something new will always get poor results if a new platform cannot offer a significant advantage to justify the behavioral change. Incremental transformation is difficult and creates confusion. Sometimes, it is necessary to delay the transformation and do it at the right time when a new platform is completely ready to create the ‘wow’. In this case, the transformation would be a breeze.

Do you feel that freshers in the industry come with only basic knowledge but don’t have the right skills to fulfill job requirements? If yes, then what would be your suggestion to students and colleges?

While bringing a new person on-board, I look out for the following elements:

a. Acumen – ability to observe, analyze and bring concepts into an intelligent perspective

b. Ambition – the hunger to grow, to achieve

c. Attitude – the right one. The moral fiber that defines professionalism and performance. The attitude that reflects distinct leadership and at the same time extensive team play.

These 3 As constitute the logic behind hiring anyone at ToneTag. Freshers may lack in experience, but if they possess the right combination of the 3 As, then they can turn out to be better performers than experienced employees. Freshers would require training and guidance. But the beauty with a fresher is they can be molded easily as per the organization’s requirement.

Experience, however, enhances one’s capability of problem-solving and maturity in managing pressure and crisis. What is critical for an experienced person is the pace at which she/he can unlearn and relearn in order to adapt to the organization’s business and working model.

What’s your mantra to become successful in life?

My mantra for success has always been around courage, conviction, and consistency. If I believe in something, I go right after it. Attempting consistently to achieve higher and better allow failures to become a navigational tool for course correction. An attempt should be doubtless and fearless and associated risks and variables are mitigated and set over the due course.

What would you like to give back to the society?

I believe in the saying “Give a man a fish and you have fed him for a day. Teach a man to fish and you have fed him for a lifetime”. I have continuously learned the skills required for business and for life through others, filtered and enhanced through my own exploration to attain knowledge and skills. This has been further revised and fortified through the many failures I have encountered. What I would love to give back to the society, to my fellow beings around me is my own convictions and best practices that have worked for me till now.

Your favorite book and what are you reading now?

“Dogs of War” by Frederick Forsyth is a read that left a distinct mark in my mind during my early years. I find this piece interesting as it always reminds me of courage, teamwork, camaraderie, and passion.

Currently, I just picked up on “The Lean Startup” by Eric Ries.

What do you enjoy doing in your spare time?

I love spending time with my friends and family. I am also an avid adventurer and like hitting the outdoors on that high altitude trek from time to time. I also pursue photography that comes with the association and admiration for nature.

Achievements (Awards & Recognitions)

The achievement has always been the end result of not only mine but the entire ToneTag team’s pursuits and endeavors. This reflects in the range of Awards & Recognition we have received on various platforms and admiration we have gained from customers globally. Achievements have always been a team effort.

Experience

12 years+, First job in the field of Network Security, Btech. Computer Science from IIIT-Kolkata/Business Leadership Program from SOIL

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