Interview with President of IT and ITES Industry Association of AP

BANGALORE,INDIA:

Its not easy being the President of ITsAP, a robust and dynamic Association which has achieved many significant milestones and impacted the SME organizations in a bigway. Mr. L Suresh, straddles worlds with a fine balance of passion,time and effort as the head of a new Electronics & IT Product company and President of ITsAP, Aparna S, discovers, in the excerpts of this interview with the President.

A strong Management Committee, a dynamic Executive Committee, key Decision Makers and a very dedicated and passionate group of people form the core team of this fantastic Association, which essentially focuses on inclusive growth for the SME organizations.

Since its inception in 1991, the Association has come a long way as a small group to now an established Association with over two hundred and fifty direct members and a portfolio which now plans growth and expansion to include Tier II cities like Warangal, Tirupati, Vizag, Warangal, Vijayawada and more...

Mr. Suresh's relationship with the Association goes back to over nine years, where he was formerly a member of the Management Committee and worked within the group with the sole objective of contributing to the development of the IT industry in Andhra Pradesh especially SME Organizations. Over time, his involvement got deeper and role increased to take up additional responsibilities.

Mr. Suresh says that with time, the focus, key priorities of the Association has also enhanced to encompass some very key, significant and impacting aspects of the SME industry like Government Policies, Increase demand for the Products and Services offered by the SME Organizations, Inclusion in Policies, Infrastructure, Security, Finance, Funding and many such aspects. The Association has over the years seriously taken up each one of these and addressed at various levels by being the spokesperson and intermediary between the SME Organizations and the Government.

One of the biggest achievements and a great moment of pride according to Mr. Suresh is the fact that the recently released July 2010 IT Policy has taken many inputs and core issues from the recommendations and involvement of ITsAP. This initiative and support from the Government in turn, brings in the desired encouragement and drive to the members and decision makers to strive greater to the benefits of its members.

{#PageBreak#}Over the years, in Suresh's wise views, the scope and activities of the Association has changed and each of the achievements have only helped in widening the nature of activities where the aspirations of the members have grown, they have begun to see more opportunities and possibilities, are better equipped, have better financial strength. In addition, the Association receives tremendous support (both financial and in general) from various bodies, companies, sponsors etc. There are fixed schedules and meetings where the Association addresses its issues, plans its activities and prioritizes its deliveries and roadmap for the coming terms.

On a personal note, Mr. Suresh, has been very actively involved, devoting time exclusively for the activities and development of this segment while also balancing and managing his own company. What makes this whole endeavor worthwhile is that each and every member and associated person shares the same objective. The motivating factors is that the awareness of the growth this group has achieved and this is a very special organization in the IT Space for SMBs and there is none quite like this..Suresh also feels that over the years, a deep sense of attachment and bonding has developed between its active members and any form of difference of opinion or perspectives get easily resolved.

In Suresh's views, some of the key challenges to be addressed include: Business development for the SME Organizations, Streamlining and developing all finance related matters and Addressing Operational Issues. It is now common knowledge that ITsAP has helped SME Organizations in significant ways in all its functional areas. And going forward, the priorities for this Association includes: Making AP State a key destination for software products, thereby, move up the value chain, work with companies outside Hyderabad to enhance the scope for tier II cities and overall help SME companies.

An ever bigger achievement according to Suresh is that for the first time ever, the Government has sanctioned a committed 10% reserved projects outsourced / be given to the SME Organizations. The fruits of labour, is evident, we can see from the efforts, direction, focus and passion of its members.