Decade of Devotion

Monday, Jan 02, 2012 – the day when first landed in Vinsys and the day that made yesterday my 11th work anniversary with the organisation. Although I have total 15 years of professional experience. As I thought about this day, I could not hold myself from reflecting on what these 11 years with Vinsys have been about. It’s a major milestone, a big achievement, and it’s one of the most important relationship.

11 years. Nearly a quarter of my age, and more than half of my career, but somehow it has passed so quickly just like that. It’s been a very long journey. I've celebrated and enjoyed every minute of it. Vinsys has made me quite historical and it’s impossible not to consider and look back. It’s fun and helpful to reflect on these 11 years – fun because I have had successes and failures during this time, a lot more than the business of these years allowed me to celebrate; and helpful because I can continue building on success basis on learning from the failures I had.?

I’ve been in Sales & Business Development for 15 years. I’ve spoken to thousands of people and acquired customers across 5+ continents. A lot happened in these times, moved across projects - completed most of them while shelved a few; been part of multiple teams – created most while joined a few; led various businesses – most were built while few were inherited; mentored by few, learned from many; met people – built new relationships, severed a few; learned lessons, unlearnt a few.. the journey had been full of highs and lows.

However, I’m still here and there’s a reason for that. I believe in the company and most importantly I believe our CEO Vikrant Patil. If I can replicate my own employment experience for my peers and colleagues then I know that I’m doing my job right.

Here are 11 key learning from fifteen years of my professional experience which have now turned into my professional principles

1. ?Stay Humble?– Humility is not about saying "sorry" or "thank you", it is about respecting someone else individuality, recognising their views, appreciating contributions. It has helped me building trust, relationships, and earn respect.
2. Do not surround yourself with yourself?– helps in building diversity of thoughts around you, makes you approachable, and promotes self-awareness. Continuously seek feedback.
3. Continue investing in yourself: learn, unlearn, and relearn?– keeps your relevant and growing... make mistakes, learn from them but do not repeat them. This may not be just formal education but a combination of training, exposure, and most importantly gaining experience... I have followed the mantra?"Either I succeed or I learn".?Also, it is important to learn what to do, it is more important to learn what not to do
4. Customer experience is the key?– I have taken risks of venturing into new markets and functions. What has helped me the most is understanding I have been able to understand the needs of my customers, the unmet ones, their decision-making factors, and their personas. I have always taken time to be regularly in front of my customers - it helped me stay close to my customer and hence my business.
5. Strive for excellence and not popularity?– I have noticed that this is one of the biggest traps.
6. The team is the reason behind your growth?– invest in them. It is you who is responsible for building a highly motivated team that invests back into your business.
7. Look out for “management bias”?– do not depend only on filtered information you get for your decisions, make use of your curiosity, and seek opinions.
8. Focus on leadership but do not lose sight of the importance of “ability to manage” Focus on things that matter and keep you happy?– everything you do?should make a difference, should move the needle, should bring you happiness.
9. Do not get stuck in process and activities; only results matter?- it helps me how am I contributing to the business and keep me focused. I am not saying the process is not important but a process without KPIs and results has no meaning.
10. Do things differently for different results?– things that got you here may not take you to the next level.
11. Lastly,?always be honest to your profession, take pride in what you do?- integrity for me has always been about doing the right thing.

While I continue progressing on this journey – I’ve got a lot to thank my family, my friends, my colleagues, my customers for being patient, supporting and accepting my journey for all these years. It’s been a wonderful journey with a lot of challenges, commitment, new learnings like leadership and entrepreneurial skills, interpersonal skills and positive attitude.?Thank you.