Making the country technologically and digitally empowered is the key to put it on the growth path. Gone are the days when people would wait for the morning newspapers, as technology has brought all information about the world just a click away. Today technology is the driving force that determines a nation’s development. Corporate Citizen caught up with Sumit Rajwade, Vice President, Technology, at Rediff.com India to speak on the various aspects of technology, among other topics.
Whatever is needed is just click away—from groceries to air tickets, to scooters to luxury cars -- everything is online. This is because we are into a new era known as the information and digital era,” said Sumit Rajwade, Vice President, Technology @Rediff.com India Limited.
It is through the knowledge, skills, and behaviours used in a broad range of digital devices such as smartphones, tablets, laptops and desktop PCs—all of which are seen as one connected network rather than computing devices—that we operate in this era. Digital skills are a more contemporary term, but are limited to practical abilities in using digital devices (such as laptops and smartphones).
“This is a new era of human development. Some will argue endlessly about whether we’re entering the anthropocene, an age in which human activity and creativity is the driving force (like agriculture or industry have been before), or a technology age, in which information technology to understand it is the driving force,” he said.
Just taking to books and grasping what is written in them is not enough, but it is necessary to acquire more from technology, he emphasised. “Take the example of Google and the Uber cabs. Did you know that Google does not own a single website of its own it indexes, and that Uber does not own a single car, but they are ruling the world, because they have mined this information with superior technology to rise to where they are today.
Take the case of Uber Technologies Inc. It is an American multinational online transportation network company headquartered in San Francisco, California. What is the most surprising fact is that Uber does not own a single car, but still provides transportation services to thousands, and this is done through a mobile app which allows consumers with smartphones to submit a trip request, which the software program then automatically sends to the Uber driver nearest to the consumer, alerting the driver to the location of the customer. Uber drivers use their own personal cars. This service is available in over 66 countries and 507 cities worldwide. The Uber app automatically calculates the fare and transfers the payment to the driver. Since Uber's launch, several other companies have replicated its business model, a trend that has come to be referred to as ‘Uberification’ or uberisation of resources which are offline by putting them online. The best example in this class is AirBnB which sells additional rooms and hotels without owing a single one.
‘Did you know that Google does not own a single website it indexes, and that Uber does not own a single car, but they are ruling the world, because they have mined this information with superior technology to rise to where they are today.’
The concept of women in offices is changing. I have seen women giving utmost importance to their careers. They are natural leaders, which they have proved in big organisations. I don't think they fall short, they match their male counterparts. In my own organisation we have a good number of women working.
“The concept of women in offices is changing. I have seen women giving utmost importance to their careers. They are natural leaders, which they have proved in big organisations. I don't think they fall short; they match their male counterparts”
We have extra flexibility when it comes to women. Especially for women who return after a long leave, we let them work from home, which enables them to be at home and simultaneously be working. And on critical projects we also have a person backing them up for them so it does not hinder the regular working.
Attitude and performance are important. Attitude decides altitude—a positive frame of mind, accepting challenges, winning grit, humility, a flexible and keen learning mind enables brilliance in performance. Passion, zeal and ethics are other very important qualities. Your take on all these requirements.
In today's world if one needs to be a good leader, one has to lead from the front. If you look around you, when people peak in their career around the age of 30, they want to be managers. This should be a time when they are learning, but we find it reducing across corporates. Take the example of e-commerce which has removed the middle man. As a result, corporates are reducing mid-managerial posts. Attitude is something which is not always a wanted factor. Some don't want somebody else managing them. A good quote in the corporate world is the ‘individual contributor’. We don't need only loyal people, we need honest people. Loyalty is less seen in the present generation, but there is a lot of honesty. Those who are loyal are the ones who at times take orders and take them forward. But honesty has taken over that. Anybody leaving the company will be honest in saying that he/she is leaving the company for a particular reason. Yes I have been with Rediff for more years than is accepted by today’s generation. Yes, it is a different world.
We launched in 1995, December, and we are growing. It is not just me, it has been the same with my team, and we are what we are today. Technology has been on the rise, and that has brought my best moments in the corporate world.
“Information technology will be the fastest runner in the globe. There is no doubt that consumption of information using print and other traditional media will soon perish, and the digital world will overtake everything. If you say that one picture speaks a hundred words I would say one video is worth thousands of pictures, that too jumping over the language barrier, and that says it all. Digital is all set to rule”
Be with them and lead them from the front. That will do a world of good to them. Let me talk about the only part I know about, that is technology. We are a media company with technology focus, and technology should be implemented, that is my target. Information technology will be the fastest runner in the globe. There is no doubt that consumption of information using print and other traditional media will soon perish, and the digital world will overtake everything. If you say that one picture speaks a hundred words I would say one video is worth thousands of pictures, and that too jumping over language barrier, and says it all. Digital is all set to rule.
I love cooking. That is one way I relax. I do spend time with my family, travelling. Penning poems is also another way.
The closer one works for the consumer the better one becomes. One has to find what he/she wants. Ideation is good, but implementation is the key. Look for good habits of leadership; look for alternatives, not road- blocks. Inspire trust and be what you say.
By Joe Williams
