Most Visionary Leaders in Cloud Revolution, Shaping Tech’s Next Era - 2024 (2)

VOL 05 I ISSUE 03 I 2024 Most Visionary Leaders in Cloud Revolution The Cloud Revolution Shaping Tech’s Unlocking Efciency and Scalability for Modern Enterprises Next Era - 2024 Unleashing Innovation The Cloud Revolution and Its Sureendhran Subramaniam Impact on Industries Executive Manager - Asia & Africa Cloud Broker AXA Group Operations The Journey to Leadership Success: Sureendhran Subramaniam’s Perspective

The cloud revolutionizes the way we interact with data, offering flexibility and efficiency previously unimaginable.

Victors Trailblazing Cloud Revolution he transformative impact of visionary leaders is complex challenges, anticipate emerging trends, and spearheading the Cloud Revolution and shaping seize opportunities for disruptive innovation. Their T the future of technology. These leaders possess visionary leadership serves as a guiding light for the a rare combination of foresight, innovation, and tech industry, inspiring the next generation of strategic acumen, driving forward-thinking initiatives innovators and thought leaders to push the envelope that redefine the way businesses operate, collaborate, and shape the future of technology. and innovate in the digital age. Through the latest edition of Most Visionary Leaders Their visionary leadership transcends industry in Cloud Revolution, Shaping Tech’s Next Era - 2024, boundaries, inspiring organizations to embrace cloud we recognize their invaluable contributions to the computing as a catalyst for growth and competitive Cloud Revolution. Their visionary leadership serves as advantage. From pioneering new cloud-based a beacon of inspiration for us all, reminding us of the technologies to championing agile development boundless potential of technology to drive positive methodologies, these leaders are at the forefront of change and transform the world we live in. driving innovation and accelerating digital transformation across sectors. Their commitment to pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in the cloud ecosystem is evident in their relentless pursuit of excellence, as they navigate - Prince Bolton Editor's Note

C O V E R S T O R Y 08 The Journey to Leadership Success: Sureendhran Subramaniam’s C O N T E N T S Perspective A R T I C L E S The Cloud Revolution Unlocking Efciency and 18 Scalability for Modern Enterprises Unleashing Innovation The Cloud Revolution and Its 22 Impact on Industries

Pooja M Bansal Editor-in-Chief CONTENT FOLLOW US ON Deputy Editor Anish Miller www.facebook.com/ciolook Managing Editor Prince Bolton www.twi?er.com/ciolook WE ARE ALSO AVAILABLE ON DESIGN Visualizer Dave Bates Art & Design Director Davis Mar?n CONTACT US ON Associate Designer Jameson Carl Email Featured Person Company Name Brief info@ciolook.com SALES Michel is the CEO of OVHcloud, a global player and the For Subscrip?on Senior Sales Manager Wilson T., Hunter D. leading European cloud provider operating over 450,000 OVHcloud Michel Paulin www.ciolook.com servers within 37 data centers across 4 continents to reach 1,6 ovhcloud.com CEO Customer Success Manager Turner H. million customers in over 140 countries. Copyright © 2024 CIOLOOK, All rights reserved. The content and Sales Execu?vesTim, Smith images used in this magazine should Mor is the Director of Cloud Services of OpenMetal.io, a Mor Hanukaev not be reproduced or transmi?ed in OpenMetal.io technology company that provides cloud-based solutions and TECHNICAL Director of Cloud any form or by any means, openmetal.io managed services to businesses of all sizes, across the globe. Services electronic, mechanical, Technical Head Peter Hayden photocopying, recording or otherwise, without prior permission Technical Consultant Victor Collins Scott is the CEO of Consensus Cloud Solutions, a secure, from CIOLOOK. digital cloud faxing solution over 20 years ago and has grown Consensus Cloud Solutions Scott Turicchi Reprint rights remain solely with to be the global leader of interoperable digital cloud consensus.com CEO SME-SMO CIOLOOK. technology. Research Analyst Eric Smith Sureendhran Sureendhran is Executive Manager - Asia & Africa Cloud SEO Execu?veAlen Spencer AXA Group Operations Subramaniam Broker at AXA and has a Senior Management Experience with Executive axa.com global and regional exposure. He has worked for a few fortune Manager - Asia & Africa 500 MNC's. Cloud Broker sales@ciolook.com Valon is the Global Vice President of Devoteam, a leading May, 2024 Valon Rexhepi Devoteam consulting firm focused on digital strategy, tech platforms, data Global Vice President devoteam.com and cybersecurity.

C O The Journey to Leadership Success: Sureendhran Subramaniam V Executive Manager - Asia & Africa Cloud Broker E AXA Group Operations Sureendhran R Subramaniam’s S Perspective T O R Y My focus as a people manager in recent years has been on employee well-being and mental health, ensuring they are conditioned for the marathon in their career.

oday’s business climate is a whirlwind of change. Dell, HPE, and Microsoft. Reflecting on his journey, he Companies must navigate the complexities of notes, “The solution stack offered to customers often didn’t T cloud management ensuring secure and scalable fully meet their needs, emphasizing sales targets over data storage. Simultaneously, they face the challenge of genuine solutions.” digital transformation, adapting processes and workflows to leverage new technologies. This delicate Recognizing this discrepancy, Sureendhran shifted his balance between cloud optimization and digital approach. “I aimed to add more value by evaluating evolution is key to staying competitive in a dynamic solutions for clients, rather than solely focusing on sales market. quotas,” he explains. This transition marked a pivotal moment where he found fulfillment as a trusted advisor Concurrent with these shifting circumstances, by prioritizing clients’ best interests. organizations seek leaders who possess a blend of expertise and adaptability to sail through the digital Sureendhran’s journey from technical roles to a era. leadership position underscores the diverse skill set required in the technology landscape. “Becoming a Standing out as a seasoned professional in this realm, Technology leader involved embracing new challenges, such Sureendhran Subramaniam possesses a wealth of as transitioning to a people manager role,” he shares. This experience. With a distinguished background in senior shift demanded a focus on employee well-being and management across global Fortune 500 MNCs, mental health ensuring longevity and resilience in their Sureendhran brings abundant knowledge and insights careers. to the table. His journey is a reflection of his untiring commitment to excellence and innovation in the field of With a career marked by adaptability and client- cloud management and operations. centricity, Sureendhran’s journey reflects the importance of aligning solutions with genuine customer Specializing in multi-cloud management, hybrid/cloud needs, while also prioritizing the holistic well-being of services, and digital transformation, Sureendhran is at teams in the fast-paced IT industry. the forefront of driving organizational change and efficiency. His expertise extends to disaster recovery The Versatility of Cloud Services solutions, IT operations and project management making him a versatile leader capable of tackling Drawing from extensive experience managing multi- diverse challenges with precision and finesse. cloud environments, Sureendhran emphasizes the significance of FinOps in cloud transformation. He Sureendhran’s passion for sharing experiences and asserts, “Cost is not the key decision-making element to knowledge highlights his dedication to continuous moving to the cloud.” learning and growth. With a keen eye for opportunities and a penchant for collaboration, he embodies the spirit of innovation and progress in cloud technology. In his role as Executive Manager - Asia & Africa Cloud Broker at AXA Group Operations, Sureendhran is Continues Improvement can poised to make significant contributions to the organization’s success, leveraging his expertise to drive only be achieved via meaningful change and propel the company forward in continuous learning due to the digital age. the continuous advancements Prioritizing Clients and Teams in technology. Being an experienced professional with 23 years in the IT technology sector’s infrastructure segment, Sureendhran has gleaned valuable insights from his tenure at esteemed global companies like Siemens,

In his view, cloud infrastructure offers a spectrum of In his role, Sureendhran implements strategies like advantages beyond mere cost efficiency including High focus time and wellness activities during office hours. Availability, Disaster Recovery on Demand, Scalability, With management backing, these initiatives aim to and Enhanced Security. Sureendhran prioritizes alleviate work stress and promote employee well- educating stakeholders on the nuances of cost drivers being. “Shifting their minds to other fun activities,” he in both On-Prem and cloud hosting environments, notes, emphasizes the importance of balancing work advocating for an informed decision-making process. with moments of relaxation and enjoyment. He advocates for an ‘apple to apple’ comparison urging Driving Performance organizations to align hosting choices with their technology strategy and objectives. While Sureendhran emphasizes the importance of translating acknowledging the benefits of cloud services, the organization’s strategic vision into actionable tasks Sureendhran emphasizes that it’s not a one-size-fits-all for daily operations. He explains that the key here is to solution to IT challenges, but a versatile hosting translate and group the strategic vision into smaller platform offering a myriad of technology services for deliverables and associate them with day-to-day organizations to leverage as needed. operational tasks. The Backbone of Corporate Success For Sureendhran, operations entail overcoming challenges to ensure seamless service delivery while Sureendhran reflects on his tenure in mature aligning with the organization’s objectives. He employs companies highlighting their robust management a methodical approach to keep his team motivated, support, diverse culture and structured approach to leveraging clear KPIs and a mutually agreed RACI table. challenges. He observes, “These companies invest heavily “My recipe in keeping my team motivated and driven is to with consultants to evaluate their standing with global define clear KPIs from the deliverables and assign them to benchmarks.” the team,” he shares. Central to these organizations’ ethos is employee Regular performance evaluations, conducted quarterly empowerment and continuous education. Sureendhran through one-to-one sessions known as ‘PitStop,’ serve underscores the importance of top management as checkpoints to monitor progress. Alongside these support in fostering a conducive workplace evaluations, Sureendhran fosters an environment of environment. “These are key areas of support a people open communication and camaraderie through sharing manager/leader needs,” he asserts. sessions, gratitude moments and team-building activities. These initiatives continuously reinforce the company’s visions, objectives and goals ensuring alignment and commitment from the team. The SCRUM Mindset The key is to translate and group As a Certified Professional Scrum Master, Sureendhran highlights the importance of client satisfaction in the strategic vision of the project delivery. He states, “A project can be delivered on organization into smaller time, but the manner it is delivered is key to achieving client satisfaction and even client delight.” deliverables and associate them to Utilizing the SCRUM mindset, Sureendhran focuses on the day-to-day operational task as building high-performing teams capable of adapting to much as possible. the evolving demands of clients and the dynamic advancements in cloud technology. He emphasizes the need for agility in accommodating market changes, ensuring that projects not only meet deadlines but also exceed client expectations.

Thriving in Change Preparing for the Unknown “Continuous improvement can only be achieved via Reflecting on a compliance risk raised a few years back, continuous learning due to the continuous advancements in Sureendhran recalls the imperative of ensuring technology,” states Sureendhran. He emphasizes the business continuity during potential disasters. He importance of ongoing education by assigning personal recounts, “My task was to ensure minimal business impact learning KPIs to each team member. “Each and every one and revenue loss.” of them must complete at least one certification in their area of expertise annually,” he adds. To address this challenge, Sureendhran initiated a comprehensive risk assessment and planning phase. Sureendhran encourages participation in customizable “We identified potential threats like natural disasters, learning programs through the organization’s Human human errors and cybersecurity threats,” he explains. This Resources Learning Management Program. Progress is was followed by a meticulous Business Impact Analysis tracked where completion of certifications and courses (BIA) to pinpoint the organization’s ‘crown must be followed by practical application. “They are jewels’—critical applications requiring safeguarding. required to show how the learning can be used to improve the current organization’s operations,” he explains. By Subsequently, a High Availability (HA) and Disaster fostering a culture of continuous learning and Recovery (DR) plan was crafted, outlining procedures application, Sureendhran ensures his team remains to mitigate risks and ensure uninterrupted business adaptable and well-equipped to navigate the evolving operations. Concurrently, a secure, resilient backup and landscape of technology. recovery solution was implemented, tailored to the diverse data types and classifications. Embracing Disruption To validate the effectiveness of the plan, regular testing Sureendhran is an advocate for continuous learning and and scheduled drills for disaster recovery were he emphasizes the importance of embracing change, conducted. “These steps and plan helped the organization stating, “We must disrupt to exist.” This mindset drives be ready to address business continuity if a disaster were to him to constantly seek improvement and innovation in occur,” he affirms, noting the importance of proactive managing cloud operations aiming for efficiency and preparation. cost optimization. To stay updated on emerging trends, Sureendhran actively engages with the technology community. “I keep myself abreast of emerging trends by attending technology events and participating in conferences,” he shares. His involvement has earned him recognition as a cloud subject matter expert, with invitations to speak at local and regional conferences as a Keynote Speaker Setbacks and Challenges are and panel discussion moderator. part of our career journey and Sureendhran’s participation in these events allows him my only advice is to never lose to contribute to the technology community and bring sight of your goal. valuable insights back to AXA Group Operations. “With the learning, exposure and participation around technology advancements,” he explains, “I am able to use and contribute to AXA Group Operations the learnings and sharing gained from these activities.” Through his commitment to continuous learning and knowledge sharing, Sureendhran remains at the forefront of technological advancements, driving innovation within his organization.

Fortunately, the organization has yet to experience an Resilience and Reflection actual disaster reflecting the value of robust planning and readiness. “Setbacks and challenges are part of our career journey,” advises Sureendhran, emphasizing resilience and self- Fostering Unity and Trust reflection as keys to overcoming obstacles. He suggests, “When faced with setbacks, take time for self- Sureendhran stresses the importance of clear reflection to assess your strengths, weaknesses and areas of communication in fostering unity within a team. He improvement.” emphasizes, “We must clearly communicate the common goals and objectives of the organization and make them Maintaining a growth mindset is crucial and helps understand their role and accountabilities.” enable individuals to view challenges as opportunities for growth. Sureendhran asserts, “Challenges and Transparency in communication is pivotal for building setbacks are a natural part of our leadership journey; we trust among team members. Sureendhran highlights must accept them as valuable lessons.” To bounce back the necessity of trust and respect as foundational stronger, he recommends prioritizing self-care and elements for team cohesion. “For a team to be united, seeking feedback from peers. “Stay resilient to come back stronger than before by focusing on maintaining a healthy there must be trust and respect between them,” he asserts. work-life balance and practicing mindfulness,” he advises. To promote collaboration and unity, Sureendhran advocates for team bonding activities and encourages Above all, Sureendhran encourages aspiring leaders to collective effort towards shared goals. Additionally, he believe in themselves and their abilities. “Always believe underscores the significance of leading by example as a in yourself, believe in your talent and keep working on your leader. “As a leader, we have to be the model and a mentor personal as well as professional growth,” he urges. Indeed, to the team,” he explains. Demonstrating openness and investing in oneself is the most valuable investment one trust along with fostering collaboration sets the stage can make on the journey to leadership success. for a cohesive work culture, driving the team towards success.

The Cloud Revolution Unlocking Efficiency and Scalability for Modern Enterprises 18 19 www.ciolook.com |May 2024 | www.ciolook.com | May 2024 |

The cloud revolutionizes accessibility, The cloud revolutionizes accessibility, making powerful resources available to making powerful resources available to anyone with an internet connection, leveling the anyone with an internet connection, leveling the playing field for innovation. playing field for innovation. 20 www.ciolook.com |May 2024 |

Unleashing Innovation The Cloud Revolution and Its Impact on Industries 22 23 www.ciolook.com |May 2024 | www.ciolook.com | May 2024 |

The cloud revolution empowers collaboration across borders and time zones, fostering global connectivity and accelerating progress in every sector. 24 www.ciolook.com |May 2024 |

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Most Visionary Leaders in Cloud Revolution, Shaping Tech’s Next Era - 2024 (2)

Most Visionary Leaders in Cloud Revolution, Shaping Tech’s Next Era - 2024 (2)

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