Transformational Business Leaders June 2023.pdf

2023
2023
Seismic Shift
New Normal Era's
Changing Demands
from the Transformational
Leadership
Emerging Empowerers
Top Five Transformational
Leadership Styles for
the Novel Times
Issue 03
Vol 06

“
Our chief want is someone
who will inspire us to be what
– Ralph Waldo Emerson, essayist, poet and
we know we could be.
“

THE MOST INFLUENTIAL
AND FORWARD-THINKING
FUTURE REVOLUTIONARIES
Editor’s Note

ransformational business leaders possess the vision,
Tinnovation, and strategic acumen to drive signifi-
cant changes and bring about transformative
outcomes in their organizations and industries. These
leaders are catalysts for growth, disruption, and positive
change, reshaping the business landscape profoundly. As
we enter the second half of 2023, we must highlight the
remarkable achievements and potential of these
transformative leaders who are set to impact the global
business stage significantly.
Future presents unique challenges and opportunities across
industries, from the ongoing digital transformation to the
evolving sustainability agenda and the emergence of
disruptive technologies. Transformational business leaders
are at the forefront of addressing these challenges and
driving their organizations towards success in an ever-
changing business landscape.
These leaders possess diverse skills and attributes, includ-
ing strategic thinking, resilience, adaptability, empathy, and
a relentless pursuit of innovation. They are unafraid to
challenge conventional wisdom, take calculated risks, and
reimagine traditional business models to stay ahead of the
curve.
Transformational business leaders leave an indelible mark
on their respective sectors, from the tech industry to
finance, healthcare, retail, and beyond. They disrupt
established norms, foster collaboration, nurture diverse
talent, and champion inclusive leadership practices that
drive business growth and societal impact.
In addition to their achievements, these leaders often drive
broader industry and societal transformations. They
influence policy discussions, shape regulatory frameworks,
and advocate for responsible business practices that
prioritize sustainability, social responsibility, and ethical
conduct.
The stories of these transformational business leaders serve
as a source of inspiration and guidance for aspiring
entrepreneurs, established business professionals, and the
wider business community. Their success stories exemplify
the power of bold ideas, visionary thinking, and the courage
to challenge the status quo.
In Insights Success's new edition, we will delve into the
lives and accomplishments of some of the most influential
and forward-thinking Transformational Business Leaders
2023. These individuals have exhibited extraordinary
leadership qualities, demonstrating the ability to navigate
complexities, embrace emerging technologies, adapt to
shifting market dynamics, and inspire their teams to achieve
greatness.
Through their remarkable achievements and ability to drive
positive change, these leaders are shaping the future of
business, ushering in a new era of innovation, sustainability,
and inclusive growth. Read on and explore the journeys,
accomplishments and leadership philosophies by further
gaining insights into the industry with two crafty articles
curated by our editorial team. Enjoy!
Gaurav PR Wankhade
Managing Editor
gaurav.wankhade@insightssuccess.com

C O N
A r t i c l e s
C o v e r S t o r y
28
08
16Seismic Shift
New Normal Era's Changing Demands
from the Transformational Leadership
Emerging Empowerers
Leadership Styles for the Novel Times

T E N T
P
r
o
f
i
l
e
s
20
Drijesh Patel
Champion Inﬂuencer Future Leader Accelerating
Customer Success
24
32
36
Kanishk Agrawal
Revolutionizing the Principles of Futuristic Knowledge-Economy
Shyamal Kumar
Enhancing Business Potential Through Modern Networking Architecture
Vasanthan
Ramakrishnan
Making Important Strides in Creating a World with Zero Barriers

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JUNE, 2023
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2023
2023
Seismic Shift
New Normal Era's
Changing Demands
from the Transformational
Leadership
Emerging Empowerers
Leadership Styles for
the Novel Times
Issue 03
Vol 06

Featuring Brief
Organization
Leading by his exemplary championing and eternal vigour, Mr
Mahendar Puri ensured that MSA Global becomes a leading
integrated and multimodal logistic service provider that offers end-
to-end solutions.
A Volunteer Influencer Awardee - 2022 and the Champion Learner -
Gold – 2022, both for IBM, Drijesh is an expert Program Manager in
Product Development, a problem solver providing value as a service
to help accelerate customer success.
Kanishk Agrawal, the Official Member (2022) of the Forbes
Technology Council is revolutionizing the principal streams of the
futuristic knowledge economy: Web 3.0, Quantum Computing,
Artificial Intelligence, IoT and Virtual Reality.
Mahendar Puri,
Chairman and Managing
Director
Drijesh Patel,
Program Manager
Kanishk Agrawal,
Senior Director of
IT Product and Delivery
MSA Global Logistics
Pvt. Ltd.
IBM
The Judge Group
India
Shyamal Kumar is leading Lavelle Networks, a modern IT networking
solutions enterprise that strengthens business organizations through
advanced networks.
Shyamal Kumar,
Chief Executive
Officer (CEO)
Lavelle Networks
Vasanthan Ramakrishnan, is a visionary leader committed to help
people of all races, faiths, and colors escape the social swamp of
outdated ideals that has caused them generational suffering.
Vasanthan Ramakrishnan,
Founder and Chair
Feminist Pen
Foundation
2023

uccessful organizations are
Sdriven by strong and inspiring
leadership that transforms every
aspect of the business and motivates
employees to perform to their fullest
potential. The leaders provide direction
and vision, motivate and inspire others
to achieve the organization's goals and
help to create an environment
conducive to success by promoting
communication and collaboration
among team members.
Logistics is an industry demanding
revolutionary leadership to keep up
with dynamic markets and evolving
times. Technological advancements are
happening in the industry. Many
companies are embracing major tech
advancements in their core
functioning. On the ground, though,
implementing these strategies need the
strongest professionals of the highest
calibre.
This is where the effective leadership
personality of Mr Mahendar Puri, the
Chairman and Managing Director
with over three decades of experience
and expertise, can make all the
difference between the most successful
logistics organization–MSA Global
Logistics Pvt. Ltd. and the rest of the
lot.
The Legend of Logistics
Leading by his exemplary
championing and eternal vigour, Mr
Puri has adeptly guided his team of
stalwarts–Mr Abhishek Poddar,
Mr Sachin Jagtap, Mr Yogesh Naik, Mr
Vardhaman Shah, Mr Mukund
Vishwakarma, and the recent joined
Captain Vivek Anand as the CEO–to
take MSA Global on the higher
echelons of success.
According to Mr Puri, Logistics played
a huge role in revitalizing the global
economy after the three years lull of
the pandemic. Successful businesses
understand the importance of logistic
management as it is the most vital
factor in determining how the goods
are acquired, stored and transported
seamlessly to the end consumer to keep
the industrialization wheel moving.
Thus, logistics impact the shipment of
goods and how quickly they can get to
the consumer, adding a competitive
edge to all the business players in the
loop.
MSA Global Logistics Private Limited
is an excellent example of a futuristic
logistics company delivering more than
promised. A Mumbai-based logistic
company established in 2012 by
professionals with decades of
experience in the logistics industry,
who are well known for their domain
expertise and business acumen. The
company has commendable experience
and expertise in developing,
maintaining, and operating CFSs and
ICDs across India, along with various
Empty Container Yard stations.
Mr Puri states that their vision is to be
a leading integrated and multimodal
logistic service provider that offers
end-to-end solutions. He adds, “We
provide innovative and customized
services with capabilities of state-of-
the-art infrastructure and advanced
equipment and superior technology,
which is delivered by a highly
motivated team with a total
commitment to all of its stakeholders.”
An Exemplary Saga of International
Excellence
MSA operates and manages Container
Freight Stations, Empty Container
Repair Depots, Warehousing, Freight
Forwarding, and Customs Clearance
and Contract Logistics.
Through the years since its
establishment, MSA has successfully
sailed uncharted territories and
strengthened its brand name by
launching new companies under its
umbrella. They are MSA Global
Logistics (Chennai) Pvt. Ltd. and EPIC
Global Services Pvt. Ltd. The first one
controls operations of container freight
stations and management of general
and bonded warehouses at Chennai,
and the second one, Epic Global
Services Pvt. Ltd., deals with handling,
storage and repair of Empty Containers
of various well-known liners.
The Success Logic
The success of MSA did not happen
overnight. It was the hard work and
determination, and numerous sleepless
nights of the management and
Transformational Business Leaders 2023

leadership team that was able to raise
MSA to the level it is at the moment.
Mr Puri has set up a very strong
foundation for the company. He is a
qualiﬁed Chartered Accountant from
the Institute of Chartered Accountants
of India, and this knowledge has
helped him gain invaluable experience,
domain expertise, and business
acumen, all necessary tools for tackling
the industry's numerous challenges.
His total experience equals more than
30 years, out of which his early
experience ranged from working for
CA Firms to Oil Companies. Being a
University of Rajasthan alums, Mr Puri
has held the CEO position at Hind
Terminal Pvt. Ltd. and Managing
Director position at Speedy
Multimodes Ltd. In his free time, Mr
Mahendar Puri plays golf and helps
him stay agile and focused.
MSA Global Logistics Private Limited
(MSA) has entered into a Strategic
Alliance for Management and
Operations (SAMO) Agreement with
Central Warehousing Corporation
(CWC) for the operations and
management of their facility ‘CWC
Impex Park’ in Nhava Sheva, for a
period of 15 years in Feb 2020. During
the pandemic, the Company has
managed to sustain its Growth and
customer satisfaction by ensuring
prompt services. At the pandemic's
peak, the Company also started a new
CFS Facility in Chennai in August
2020. MSA has developed a state-of-
the-art facility with proper Fireﬁghting
systems and Security systems at the
proximity of Five km from
Ennore/Kattupali port and 26 km from
Chennai port named “SCL Logistic
Park.”
Fostering an Ecosystem of
Innovations
MSA Global Logistics is one of the
esteemed players empanelled with
Indian Railways (RITES), Government
of India undertaking, for handling their
containerized and Break Bulk
shipments from/to India. MSA has
successfully executed certain projects
handling shipments for RITES and
actively participated in various
Breakbulk Shipments of RITES from
India to multiple locations outside
India. MSA is one of the Project
handling consultants of Hanbi India for
managing all their Break Bulk and
Containerized cargo. Hanbi is working
on one of the Esteemed government
projects of Nhava - Shivdi Bridge, and
MSA is the Logistics Partner of Hanbi
India and Daewoost.
MSA Global is also into the Freight
forwarding division in a big way,
having an experienced team for
handling shipments worldwide. MSA
Global Logistics is an MTO operator
registered with WCA and AMTOI. The
Company is also holding FMC
License, which is a must to serve US-

bound sectors. We have a global
presence through a network of
worldwide agents. A few Russian
Agents have also appointed MSA
Global as their Agent in Russia for
handling all their EXIM shipments
from India to Russia and vice versa.
The constant eﬀorts of MSA towards
innovation have helped it develop new
products and increase the number of
services available to its customers. It is
this innovation that Mr Puri is a strong
advocate for the future of this industry.
He encourages youngsters to think out
of the box. He advises budding
entrepreneurs to use and maintain their
business capital properly. He believes
that there are numerous opportunities
for young minds to unlock success
doors in the tech-enabled commercial
industry.
Captain MSA Global
On similar lines, introducing MSA’s
newest CEO, Captain Vivek Anand, Mr
Puri says, “Capt. Vivek needs no
introduction to the shipping and
logistics fraternity in India.” A stalwart
with years of experience in multiple
leadership positions, he is renowned
for his business acumen, knowledge
and erudition. His wide-ranging and
elite experience encompasses the liner
container business, break-bulk, car
carriers, passenger vessels, etc.
We adhere to strict
quality and service
standards that meet
the international levels
and aim to achieve
customer satisfaction.

In a stellar tenure of 18 years with
NYK, which he joined in 2004, Capt.
Vivek started NYK’s Biz Development
vertical for the first time in India and
was subsequently elevated to head the
All-India Operations for their Liner
(Container) Biz, Break-Bulk, Car
Carriers and Passenger Vessels
verticals from 2010 onwards. Among
the highlights, he was chosen as the
Project Manager to set up India’s first
port-based Pre-Dispatch Inspection
facility for Maruti Suzuki at Mundra
Port for the export of finished
automobiles to the European market;
he started and headed the Energy
Division of NYK Line India, and also
led its Multi Biz Projects Team.
Commendable Credentials
Before joining MSA Global Logistics,
Capt. Vivek worked as Director with
NYK Line (India) and was also on the
Board of TMILL (TATA Martrade
International Logistics Ltd.), a Tata
Group Company, as a Promoter
Director.
As a Master Mariner, he has also
represented the Shipping and Marine
Industry at several leading National
and Global forums besides being
associated with Industry Bodies like
FONASBA, ASSOCHAM, FICCI, CII,
MANSA, Federation of Indian
Logistics Association (FILA), and
President of MANSA to name a few.
Winner of multiple awards and
accolades, including
~ ‘Dynamic Logistics Professional of
the Year,
~ ‘Most Exemplary Multi-Faceted
Personality of the Year,
Capt. Vivek has also authored White
Papers on Maritime Sector Policies to
facilitate reforms. Among these are
• ‘Master Plan for Development of
Indian Ports & Terminals,’
• ‘Ease of Doing BIZ (101 issues)’
and
• ‘Development of Hinterland
Connectivity, Multimodal
Logistics & Coastal Shipping in
India.’
A Stellar Technocrat
Understanding the importance of
technologies in modern business, Mr
Puri has already taken the initiative to
use and implement advanced
technologies in various stages of the
organization. He is having frequent
interactions with the respective team
leaders on the efficacy of the softwares
and systems executed and how these
systems are bringing about a change
and facilitating efficient working.
Mr Puri has analyzed the current
practices and is exploring newer
possibilities for increasing the
outcomes of the process. He is a
progressive and modern-thinking
professional who has always liked
researching and discussing new
technologies that could be useful in
creating wider opportunities.
The Great Wisdom of Ages
The constant efforts of MSA towards
innovation have helped it develop new
products and increase the number of
services available to its customers.
Mr Puri is an experienced senior
professional with a proven track record
in leading teams to deliver successful
logistics management, project delivery
and business outcomes. An innovative
logistics solutions expert, Mr Puri,
advises young industry professionals to
explore new avenues and think
differently.
He says to -
• Understand the customer
requirements and organize the
operations accordingly.
• Focus on timely delivery with
quick and regular customer
communication.
• Implement modern technologies
effectively to achieve optimum
work efficiency.
Visionary Guardian of the Future
Being an ambitious and farsighted
professional, Mr Puri has been a
remarkable leader and has a great plan
for MSA Global Logistics. He guides
and motivates the employees towards
efficient and result-oriented work.
Moreover, Mr Puri has planned various
growth-centric policies and is
developing new avenues for expanding
newer geographies, enabling MSA
Global Logistics to connect,
communicate and collaborate for a
mutually beneficial association. He has
ambitiously focused on leveraging the
power of technologies to connect with
scores of organizations which will
facilitate long-term growth in the
evolving organizational ecosystem.
Identifying the global
customers' needs, we offer
the best logistics solutions that
fulfil their requirements
and enable the progress further.

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16 | June, 2023 | www.insightssuccess.in
Seismic Shift

New Normal
he COVID-19 pandemic has brought about
Tunprecedented disruptions and reshaped the global
business landscape. As the world adjusts to the
"new normal," the demands placed upon transformational
leaders have evolved significantly.
Today’s leaders must shed their conventional inhibition and
embrace the changing winds of evolution. And they are
exactly doing that. Let us see how the changing
expectations and demands in the post-pandemic era is
compelling leaders adapt transformational qualities and
meet the challenges of this new normal.
Agility and Resilience: In the face of uncertainty and
volatility, transformational leaders must exhibit agility and
resilience. They need to respond swiftly to changing market
conditions, adapt their strategies, and make informed
decisions based on emerging trends. Flexibility and the
ability to navigate through uncertainties are key attributes
that allow leaders to steer their organizations towards
success amidst the challenges posed by the new normal.
Embracing Digital Transformation: The pandemic
accelerated the adoption of digital technologies across
industries. Transformational leaders must embrace digital
transformation and leverage technology to drive innovation,
enhance operational efficiency, and deliver superior
customer experiences. They need to invest in advanced
digital tools, implement robust cybersecurity measures, and
explore emerging technologies like artificial intelligence,
blockchain, and the Internet of Things (IoT) to stay
competitive in the digital age.
Remote Work and Distributed Teams: The widespread
adoption of remote work has become an integral part of the
new normal. Transformational leaders must navigate the
complexities of managing distributed teams, ensuring
effective communication, collaboration, and productivity.
They need to foster a culture of trust, provide the necessary
tools and resources for remote work, and promote employee
well-being and work-life balance in a virtual work
environment.
Era's Changing Demands from the
Transformational
Leadership

Empathy and Emotional Intelligence: The new normal
has brought about increased challenges in terms of mental
health, work-life integration, and personal well-being.
Transformational leaders must demonstrate empathy,
compassion, and emotional intelligence to support their
teams through difficult times. They need to prioritize
employee well-being, create a supportive work culture, and
provide resources for mental health and work-life balance
to ensure the overall success and happiness of their
workforce.
Sustainability and Social Responsibility: The pandemic
has underscored the importance of sustainability and social
responsibility. Transformational leaders are expected to
prioritize sustainable business practices, embrace ESG
(Environmental, Social, and Governance) principles, and
contribute to the well-being of society.
They need to align their strategies with sustainable
development goals, implement green initiatives, and engage
in responsible corporate citizenship to meet the changing
demands of consumers, investors, and stakeholders.
Crisis Preparedness and Risk Management: The
COVID-19 pandemic served as a stark reminder of the
importance of crisis preparedness and risk management.
Transformational leaders must proactively identify and
mitigate risks, develop robust contingency plans, and build
organizational resilience to future crises. They need to
prioritize risk assessments, business continuity planning,
and scenario analysis to navigate through uncertainties and
ensure the long-term sustainability of their organizations.
Stakeholder Engagement and Collaboration: The new
normal demands increased collaboration and stakeholder
engagement. Transformational leaders must actively
collaborate with partners, industry peers, and government
entities to address common challenges, drive innovation,
and advocate for policy changes. They need to build
strategic partnerships, engage in industry associations, and
leverage collective intelligence to create shared value and
contribute to the larger ecosystem.
Data-Driven Decision Making: Transformational leaders
need to harness the power of data and analytics to make
informed decisions. They should prioritize data collection,
analysis, and interpretation to gain valuable insights into
customer behaviour, market trends, and operational
efficiencies. By leveraging data-driven decision-making
processes, leaders can drive innovation, optimize resources,
and enhance business outcomes.
Focus on Employee Development and Upskilling: In the
new normal era, transformational leaders must invest in the
development and upskilling of their workforce. They need
to identify skills gaps, provide training opportunities, and
foster a continuous learning culture. By empowering
employees with the necessary skills and knowledge, leaders
can build a resilient and adaptable workforce capable of
navigating future disruptions.
Purpose-Driven Leadership: The new normal has
highlighted the importance of purpose-driven leadership.
Transformational leaders must articulate a clear vision and
purpose that goes beyond profit-making. They should
inspire their teams by aligning organizational goals with a
broader social or environmental mission. By fostering a
sense of purpose and meaning, leaders can enhance
employee engagement, attract top talent, and build a
positive brand reputation.
Customer Experience Excellence: Customer expectations
have evolved in the new normal, with a greater emphasis on
exceptional experiences. Transformational leaders must
prioritize customer-centricity, personalization, and seamless
interactions across all touchpoints. They should invest in
customer feedback mechanisms, analyze customer
journeys, and continuously improve the customer
experience. By delivering outstanding experiences, leaders
can build customer loyalty and drive business growth.
The post-pandemic era has redefined the expectations
placed upon transformational leaders. Adapting to the new
normal requires leaders to exhibit agility, embrace digital
transformation, foster remote work environments,
demonstrate empathy and emotional intelligence, prioritize
sustainability, enhance crisis preparedness, and engage
stakeholders through collaboration. Leaders can navigate
the challenges of the new normal and position their
organizations for long-term success in an ever-changing
business landscape by embracing these evolving demands
and demonstrating transformative leadership.

verybody has strengths and weaknesses. Only
Eleaders keep constantly working on their strengths
and minimizing their weaknesses. All the
weaknesses arise from the force of negative emotions in
humans. Emotions like sadness, anger, disgust, and fear–the
most powerful of all emotions.
According to Drijesh Patel, there's a reason why fear is one
of the most powerful emotions in the world. He adds, “It
can keep us from doing things we want or achieving our
goals. But what if I told you that everything you've ever
wanted was on the other side of fear?”
It's true. All the success, happiness, and fulfilment you
could ever imagine is waiting for you. But you must be
willing to take a chance and face your fears head-on.
Don't be afraid to fail. Failure is part of the journey, and it's
how we learn and grow. So don't let fear hold you back any
longer. Step up to the challenge, and see what you're
capable of achieving.
A Volunteer Influencer Awardee - 2022 and the Champion
Learner - Gold – 2022, both for IBM, Drijesh is an expert
Program Manager in Product Development, a problem
solver providing value as a service to help accelerate
customer success. He launched multi-million dollar
programs while working in the US.
A Multi-Million Dollar Problem Solver
He assures, “If you want to get something done, you come
to me — everyone knows that!”
Drijesh likes to solve problems. Whether it's finding a
technological integration for an unknown product or finding
team members for a product team, he has been able to
quickly uncover a customer's pain point and identify a
strategic solution.
He has committed himself to learning new things each year,
be it technology/language/functional/lifesaving skills, to
help him stay relevant in the ever-changing business
landscape; this has also helped him earn his Executive
MBA recently and numerous other certifications.
Drijesh was handed over Project Management
responsibilities for a large Investment banking client just
after six years into his professional career (he started as a
trainee), making him the youngest Project Manager in the
35+ years of the company's history (not bragging here).
Have managed and delivered projects encompassing BFSI,
Healthcare, and Insurance clients across technologies
consisting of ETL, Data Warehousing, AI/ML, Cloud
Technologies, and Custom Reporting Frameworks.
Drijesh’s Professional Skills include Program Management,
Strategic Planning, Agile Development, Customer, Partner
and Client Relations, Process Improvement, and Risk
Management.
A Leader of Greatest Achievements
His most recent successes include
Ÿ Increasing support ticket resolution by 25% via
conducting a gap analysis to fine-tune and build a
standardized process leveraging process improvement
techniques.
Ÿ Leading a cross-functional team of 14 members to
determine process improvement measures to improve
collaboration between in-house and 3rd party
applications, reducing the bugs by 35%.
Ÿ Developing mechanisms to monitor risks, issues,
dependencies, contingency plans & resources to remove
roadblocks, leading to SLA adherence of 92%.
Ÿ Mentored and coached 50+ consultants through
interactive and immersive Agile
development/Technology upskilling workshops to
understand their key skills and career mapping, helping
better alignment with their progress further.
Champion In uencer Future Leader Accelerating Customer Success
Drijesh Patel

Everything you've ever
wanted was on the other
side of fear.
“
“
Drijesh Patel
Program Manager,
IBM

Drijesh’s biggest strength is quickly and
easily seeing skills, gifts, and talents that
people don’t even realize they have. “I’ll
bend over backward to help others’dreams
come true, but I also understand the
importance of standing your ground and
holding your own,” he promises.
Outside of work, you’ll see him cooking in
his kitchen, listening to Hindi classics music,
or roaming around the city with a camera
and capturing moments to create memories.
When he’s not at work or in denial about
having a social life, Drijesh is at home
mentoring his favourite little five-year-old
son and cooking his most liked delicacies.
He says you're not alone if you're feeling
stuck and not seeing the growth you desire in
your career or business.
“Many of us hit roadblocks that can be
difficult to overcome. But before you can
move forward, it's important to understand
why you're not growing.”
Crossing the Roadblocks
Here are a few reasons why you might not be
seeing the progress you want:
Lack of focus: Are you trying to do too
many things simultaneously? It's important
to identify your priorities and focus on them.
Limited network: Your network is a
valuable asset. Without a strong network,
you may miss opportunities and valuable
connections.
Lack of skills: Are there skills you need to
acquire to advance? Identify what skills you
need to develop and take steps to acquire
them.
Fear of failure: Fear can hold us from
taking risks and trying new things. It's
important to push past this fear and embrace
failure as an opportunity to learn and grow.
Not taking action: Sometimes, it's as simple
as not taking enough action. Even small
steps can make a big difference.

Identifying why you're not growing is the first step in
overcoming those roadblocks.
Take a step back, evaluate your situation, and take action to
move forward.
Remember, growth takes time and effort, but it's ultimately
worth it.
When revamping legacy systems, client objections are not
an anomaly!
From understandable apprehensions regarding fees and
disruptions to misgivings about change itself—it's easy for
clients to feel uneasy.
Facing these issues head-on is key to ensuring a successful
modernization process while satisfying your business's and
its customers' needs.
A Path to Success
By following the finest practices when tackling legacy
modernizing efforts, you can guarantee everyone will be
more than satisfied with the final results!
He asks, are you ready to succeed in 2023?
In answer, he says, here's a roadmap to help you get there:
Ÿ Stay up-to-date with the latest industry trends.
Ÿ Set clear, measurable goals for the year.
Ÿ Develop a strong personal brand.
Ÿ Network, network, network.
Ÿ Prioritize self-care.
With these steps, you'll be well on your way to achieving
your goals in 2023.
“Let's make this year our best yet! As we enter a new year,
it's important to reflect on past mistakes and learn from
them to be more successful.”
Mistakes to Avoid
Here are some mistakes to avoid in 2023:
Ÿ Failing to adapt to new technologies: With the rapid
pace of technological advancement, it's essential to stay
up-to-date and be willing to embrace new tools and
platforms.
Ÿ Neglecting personal and professional development:
Investing in yourself is key to staying relevant and
competitive in today's job market.
Ÿ Ignoring the importance of networking: Building a
strong professional network can open doors to new
opportunities and provide valuable support throughout
your career.
Ÿ Underestimating the importance of work-life
balance: It's important to prioritize your mental and
physical well-being to succeed in both your personal
and professional life.
Ÿ Being too afraid to take risks: Taking calculated risks
can lead to big rewards, but weighing the potential risks
and benefits before deciding is important.
He says 2023 is a new year, an opportunity to learn from
our past mistakes and make better choices. Let's make it a
great one!
A Testament to the Power of the Team Leader
Drijesh is thrilled to announce that he has been honoured
with the Volunteer Influencer award by IBM for 2022. “I
am truly humbled and grateful for this recognition,” he
says.
He would like to take this opportunity to thank IBM for
their unwavering support and for providing him with the
platform to make a difference in his community. The
company's commitment to volunteerism and giving back to
the community is truly inspiring, and he’s proud to be a part
of such an impactful organization.
He would also like to thank his colleagues, friends, and
family for their support and encouragement throughout this
journey.
This award is a testament to the power of teamwork and
collaboration.
He is honoured to receive this award, and he looks forward
to continuing to positively impact the community through
volunteering and giving back. “Thank you, IBM, for this
incredible opportunity. I am thrilled to share that I am a
Champion Learner - Gold - 2022 at IBM. My curiosity and
consistency define my growth, and I contribute to the
growth of IBM,” he concludes.
Drijesh is also listed as one of the ‘Future Leaders 2023’
By Glantor X.

ccording to the Hindu Lord Brihaspati–the ruling
Adeity of all gods and the embodiment of
intelligence–the cosmic ocean expands in the
universal waves via fundamental forces of sacred wisdom:
Creation, Life, Evolution, and Infinity. Reflecting this
interstellar reality in the modern global industrial expansion
of digital transformation, Kanishk Agrawal – the Official
Member (2022) of the Forbes Technology Council and
Senior Director of IT Product and Delivery of Judge
Group – is revolutionizing the principal streams of the
futuristic knowledge economy: Web 3.0, Quantum
Computing, Artificial Intelligence, IoT and Virtual Reality.
Under Kanishk's great leadership, The Judge Group has
become an industry leader in technology, with products and
solutions that meet the changing needs of the modern
enterprise or government. Kanishk's forward-thinking ideas
for The Judge Group have led to the company's growth into
new markets and the creation of new, innovative products
and services. Founded in 1970, The Judge Group operates
across various locations in the United States of America,
Canada, and India.
Judge India Solutions…
…is a part of a 52-year-old legacy. Kanishk informs, “Our
parent company, The Judge Group, was founded by Martin
E. Judge in 1970 as a professional services company.” It
continued to rapidly expand its offerings into new
industries, new states, and even new countries over the next
52 years. “We proudly cater to the needs of 50+ Fortune
100 companies,” shares Kanishk.
Today, The Judge Group provides a full line-up of
professional services across various verticals from 30+
office locations in the US, Canada, and India. “We offer
innovative Technology, Learning, and Staffing solutions to
leading brands globally,” he adds.
In September 2016, The Judge Group launched Judge India
Solutions, located in Noida, a key component of its global
delivery strategy. Kanishk says, “We started with a small
team of 17 employees, and today, we are a strong talent
community of 500+ experts. We’re also expanding to new
horizons in the Indian subcontinent with two new offices –
in Bangalore and Hyderabad.”
Recent Achievements and Recognitions:
Ÿ The Judge Group India: India’s Most Trusted Brand
Awards 2022 (India’s Most Trusted Consulting,
Learning, and Talent Solutions Firm),
Ÿ Won The Stevie International Business Awards for the
‘Most Innovative Tech Company of the Year,’
Ÿ Won AsiaOne ‘Global Brand of the Year 2020-21.’
Mastering the Sacred Wisdom
Detailing about the two pioneering solutions developed by
The Judge Group India Team, Kanishk says these are,
Revolutionizing the Principles of Futuristic
Knowledge-Economy
Kanishk
At The Judge Group, we
are in a constant mode of
innovation through
advanced technology,
whether it is in our
operations or our
solutions.
‘ ‘

Kanishk Agrawal,
Senior Director of
IT Product and Delivery

gap areas that their organization could fill using their
immaculate services. Other challenges were expansion
across the globe, financial management, and hiring the right
team who could take their vision forward. Working at the
crossroads of people and transformative technologies, their
organization has delivered innovative business solutions-
powered by top talent- to match the strategic goals and help
their clients reach their highest potential.
“Our successful legacy of 52 years is a testament to our
cutting-edge solutions and the trust of our clients. It further
inspires trust in our clients about our solutions and
products. Our consistent growth and expansion across the
globe and within India and the growth in our talent
community speak volumes about our dedication and
commitment to our vision. The value of customer
centricity is our business imperative. As we call ourselves
a people-powered organization, our people are our brand.
Our clients appreciate our professionalism, integrity, and
commitment to excellence. We always put our client’s best
interests first, and they know they can rely on us to provide
them with high-quality services. They also value our
personalized approach and our ability to tailor our services
to their specific needs. We always go the extra mile to
ensure that our clients are completely satisfied with our
work.” reflects Kanishk.
A Constant Mode of Innovation
Highlighting their brand, The Judge Group’s USPs, Kanishk
says some of the things that make them stand out are their
experience, customer service, and ability to meet a wide
range of needs. Reiterating that they have been in business
for over 52 years and have built up a strong reputation for
being a reliable and trustworthy company, he believes that
their customer service is second to none, and they are
always available to help their clients with whatever they
need.
He asserts, “We are in a constant mode of innovation
through advanced technology, whether it is in our
operations or our solutions.” Recently, they have
successfully created a suite of e-learning software, Brihha –
which is 100% online and enables users to efficiently create,
manage, and deliver eLearning content through various
forms, such as Video Conferencing, AR/VR, etc., all in one
place. “We have also received a great response from the
market as we provide a personalized system to resolve their
specific issues,” states Kanishk.
*Brihha LMS-Learning Management System
According to Kanishk, technology is the enabler in the
transformation of the world. Judge India Solutions uses
technology to solve the bigger challenge of making learning
accessible to all, irrespective of their geographical locations
or internet bandwidth. “In a world where digitalization has
become the new normal, we have a dream of providing
quality learning and upskilling to learners sitting in even
tough terrains with lower internet bandwidth.
With the same objective, we developed a revolutionary
product-Brihha LMS,” mentions Kanishk.
True to its name, which is inspired by Guru Brihaspati
(Guru of the Gods, Master of sacred wisdom), their product
Brihha is committed to transforming the education
experience with an LMS that inspires a passion for learning,
fosters engagement, offers experiential learning, and
expedites continuous improvement with deep insights and
feedbacks in teaching and learning. It provides
centralization of all the amenities that learners and
administrators require for knowledge retention and
increased engagement.
Along with all the traditional features, Brihha LMS with an
AR/VR Studio, whiteboard feature, an ability to support
four lacs users simultaneously, and indigenous proctoring
support – is a revolutionary LMS tool that makes
experiential learning possible and accessible for all.
*VARDAAN – A disaster management solution to
safeguard a population during a disaster
During the pandemic, the government and disaster relief
agencies needed to predict, prepare and respond to disasters
and unfavorable situations in real-time. Kanishk adds, “We
developed Vardaan to allow agencies to collaborate across
different agencies, citizens, and volunteers to manage the
pandemic.” It helped with relief materials supply,
warehouse management, shelters, hospital–bed availability,
and teleconsultation by enabling virus traceability and
contact tracing. “We also created an e-marketplace to
enable essential supplies during the lockdown and
unfavorable conditions,” he reveals.
A Timeless Legacy of Trust
Speaking about the initial obstacles they had to surmount to
ensure their venture reached greater heights of success,
Kanishk says the initial challenges were analyzing the
business market and competition to understand the need and

An Eternal Sense of Self-Belief
As an experienced leader, Kanishk says that there are a few
things that he would advise budding aspirants who wish to
enter the business world. First and foremost, it is important
to be passionate about what you do. If you’re not passionate
about your work, it will be very difficult to succeed.
Second, always be willing to learn and grow. The business
world is constantly changing and evolving, so it’s important
to stay abreast of new trends and developments. Finally,
always remember that networking is key. Get out there and
meet people in your field. You never know when one of
those contacts could lead to a great opportunity.
Kanishk is launching his podcast “BeAgileLeader” to
discuss best practices and be a leader in Innovation, Design
Thinking, Business Agility, and Digital Transformation. He
says, “These are just a few pieces of advice that I would
give to anyone looking to enter the business world. But at
the end of the day, the most important thing is to follow
your dreams and never give up. If you believe in yourself,
anything is possible.”
Aspirational Future of Crafting Modernisms
On envisioning The Judge Group India’s operations with
the emerging technologies and automated tools that are
revolutionizing the business world by enabling innovations,
Kanishk shares, “Our vision is to provide the best
technology, talent, and learning solutions in the world.” As
per Kanishk, innovation has curated the never-ending curve
of the constant need to adopt technological advancement in
operations. “Our bold aspirations and the future we are
trying to craft require innovation. We see our company’s
operations benefit significantly from emerging technologies
and automated tools,” he furthers.
They have focused on utilizing new tools incrementally to
help them utilize their full potential. They invested in
technologies such as NLP, computer vision, IoT, AR, VR,
quantum computing, and the Metaverse. These technologies
and tools could change the business world by making it
possible to do things that weren’t possible before. He
believes their company is well-positioned to take advantage
of these new technologies and tools to improve their
operations and competitiveness. “We are constantly
exploring new ways to utilize these technologies and tools
to benefit our company. We are excited about these
technologies’potential and believe they will help us
improve our operations significantly,” he concludes.

Emerging Empowerers

inspire creativity, innovation, and a sense of purpose within
their teams. They foster a culture of continuous
improvement, encourage personal growth, and empower
individuals to take ownership of their work. By nurturing a
transformative mindset, these leaders drive positive change
and propel their organizations towards success.
Transformational leaders need to demonstrate high
emotional intelligence and empathy in novel times. They
should be able to understand and manage their own
emotions, as well as empathize with the emotions and
experiences of others. By showing empathy, leaders can
create a supportive and inclusive environment that fosters
trust, collaboration, and well-being.
Adaptively Resilient Leaders
Adaptive leadership is about being flexible and responsive
in the face of constant change. Leaders who embrace this
style are quick to assess and understand new situations, and
they adjust their approach accordingly. In novel times,
adaptive leaders proactively seek opportunities for growth,
experiment with new strategies, and encourage a culture of
learning and agility within their teams. They are
comfortable with ambiguity and are skilled at making
informed decisions in rapidly evolving situations. By
fostering adaptability, these leaders ensure that their
organizations can effectively respond to and thrive in
unpredictable environments.
Resilient leadership is crucial in novel times characterized
by volatility and uncertainty. Leaders who exhibit resilience
are able to bounce back from setbacks, adapt to changing
circumstances, and maintain a positive outlook in the face
of challenges. In novel times, resilient leaders provide
Top Five
Transformational Leadership
Styles for the Novel Times
As the world grapples with unprecedented
challenges and rapid change, leaders must adapt
their leadership styles to navigate the novel times
we find ourselves in. Transformational leadership, with its
focus on inspiring and motivating teams to achieve
exceptional outcomes, is particularly relevant in these
dynamic and uncertain environments.
As we navigate novel times filled with uncertainty and
rapid change, adopting the right transformational leadership
style is crucial for leaders to effectively inspire and guide
their teams. Visionary, adaptive, collaborative, servant, and
ethical leadership styles empower leaders to navigate
challenges, seize opportunities, and foster a culture of
growth and resilience within their organizations.
Transformationally Visionary Leaders
Visionary leadership is characterized by a leader who has a
clear and compelling vision of the future. These leaders
inspire their teams by articulating a bold and aspirational
vision that motivates individuals to contribute their best
efforts. In novel times, a visionary leader provides a sense
of direction, encourages innovation, and guides the
organization through uncertainty with a forward-thinking
mindset. By effectively communicating the vision and
aligning the team's efforts, visionary leaders inspire and
empower their teams to overcome challenges and seize
opportunities.
Transformational leadership focuses on inspiring and
motivating individuals to achieve exceptional results.
Leaders who embody this style are charismatic,
enthusiastic, and have a strong ability to articulate a
compelling vision. In novel times, transformational leaders

stability and reassurance to their teams, helping them
navigate through turbulent times. They demonstrate
perseverance, manage stress effectively, and encourage a
growth mindset. By embodying resilience, these leaders
inspire confidence, promote perseverance, and drive
organizational success.
Collaborative Leaders
Collaborative leadership emphasizes the power of collective
intelligence and teamwork. Leaders who adopt this style
foster an inclusive and collaborative culture, valuing
diverse perspectives and encouraging active participation
from team members. In novel times, collaborative leaders
leverage the collective expertise of their teams to solve
complex problems and make informed decisions. They
facilitate effective communication, promote knowledge-
sharing, and create a sense of ownership among team
members. By fostering collaboration, these leaders unlock
creativity, enhance problem-solving capabilities, and
promote a sense of unity and shared purpose.
Authentic Leaders
Authentic leadership emphasizes the importance of being
true to oneself and aligning personal values with leadership
actions. Leaders who practice authentic leadership are
genuine, transparent, and lead with integrity. In novel times,
authentic leaders build trust and credibility by being honest,
open, and vulnerable. They value authenticity and
encourage open communication, creating an environment
where individuals feel safe to express their opinions and
ideas. By fostering authenticity, these leaders cultivate
strong relationships, promote collaboration, and inspire
loyalty and commitment among team members.
Ethically Inclusive Leaders
Ethical leadership centres around principles of integrity,
fairness, and ethical conduct. Leaders who practice ethical
leadership inspire trust, demonstrate transparency, and
uphold high ethical standards. In novel times, ethical
leaders navigate complex ethical dilemmas with integrity,
considering the long-term impact of their decisions on all
stakeholders. They create a culture of accountability and
promote ethical behaviour throughout the organization. By
exemplifying ethical leadership, these leaders foster a sense
of trust, loyalty, and ethical responsibility within their
teams.
Inclusive leadership focuses on creating a diverse and
inclusive environment where every individual feels valued
and respected. Leaders who embrace this style actively seek
out diverse perspectives, encourage collaboration, and
champion equity and inclusion. In novel times, inclusive
leaders leverage the diverse backgrounds, experiences, and
ideas of their team members to drive innovation and solve
complex problems. They promote a sense of belonging,
ensure equal opportunities, and create a culture that
celebrates diversity. By fostering inclusivity, these leaders
unlock the full potential of their teams and enhance
organizational performance.

Shyamal
Kumar
Enhancing Business Potential
through Modern
Networking Architecture
usiness Organizations in the modern digital age
Bwork on complete IT infrastructure with all the
departments in close integration. However, there
are challenges that arise abruptly due to the absence of
planning in the proper digital network.
Technology malfunctioning and uncertain connections often
lead to work disruptions that could probably be very costly
and damaging. There arises a need for a solid and reliable
network foundation that can ensure consistent high-speed
connectivity and maintain the security of the entire system.
Network Professionals like Shyamal Kumar offer all-
inclusive robust network infrastructure that helps to
minimize downtime, streamlining the network process in
enabling swift communication between the devices on the
same network and empowering the workforce toward better
efficacy.
Shyamal Kumar is the CEO of Lavelle Networks, a
modern IT networking solutions enterprise that strengthens
business organizations through advanced networks, which
fortifies the entire network by shielding the system from
external threats and keeping it up to date with the latest
software.
A graduate of BITS, Pilani, India, Shyamal has been in the
data networking space for the last 18 years leading products
at Tata Elxsi, Juniper Networks, Inkra Networks, Telsima
Communications, Riverstone Networks, NetContinuum,
and Versa Networks, among other companies.
In an engaging interview with the Insights Success team,
Shyamal opened on the exciting saga of commencing his
business, the inspirations behind the drive, the initial
challenges faced, business features, and his vision of the
organization.
Please tell us about Lavelle Networks in detail.
Lavelle Networks, founded in 2015, is an enterprise
networking software company with over 100+ customers
and several of them being in the Top 25 companies on the
national stock exchange. We offer network-as-a-service,
where we use our software to manage, optimize, and secure
our customer networks across their branch offices, data
centers, and cloud locations. Our customers can interface
with us using standard help desk tools rather than spending
their time on enterprise network configurations, tools, and
troubleshooting. We let the customer focus on their core
business applications while we keep their networks up, fast,
and secure.
Please brief us about yourself and shed light on your
professional tenure.
I am leading this company as a Co-founder and CEO,
driving the vision and strategy for customer success,
shareholder growth, and employee engagement. I am a
product leader and have introduced product-led growth
concepts throughout the organization creating a deep sense
of empathy for customer needs in all team members. I am
deeply committed and passionate about putting the
company and customers ahead of everything else in the race
to fast growth and value creation.
What was your inspiration behind venturing into the
networking industry?
In 2015, we saw the huge growth in public cloud services in
enterprises and felt that a huge, underserved need in
enterprise networks connecting to the cloud will open
opportunities for challengers like us to ride the tailwinds of
the market inflexion point – today, we call that inflexion
point – SD-WAN. We used to frequent a Café Coffee Day

We wanted to build a technology and
product company with the unique identity of
Bangalore. Since the idea struck us at a
coffee shop on the famed Lavelle Road, an
epitome of Bangalore’s culture and heritage,
we decided to identify ourselves with
innovation in Bangalore, the place where the
idea ﬁrst came to us. And so started the
journey of Lavelle Networks!”
“
Shyamal Kumar
CEO
Lavelle Networks

on Lavelle Road, in the heart of Bangalore, and it gave us
the inspiration to call our company – Lavelle Networks. I
drew the initial product architecture on a paper napkin and
saved it for a long time as a souvenir. We built our software
on the cloud, way ahead of our industry peers, and today
that has made us the best multi-cloud solution for SD-
WAN.
What professional values and qualities do you think
your clients value in you and Lavelle Networks, the
most?
The enterprise IT world today is in a state of disruption
today due to digital transformation. IT leaders are needing
to business demands that were unheard of a few years back.
No one is happy anymore if IT just works. The business
leadership wants IT to empower, enable, and accelerate
business growth.
In such a world, the fact that we are technology experts and
have tremendous know-how in enterprise networks is the
biggest quality that endears us to our customers. They can
trust our information and opinion, and they might or might
not buy from Lavelle Networks – but they know that they
can depend on our conversations.
That’s super critical today. Customers need to know that in
the cacophony of digital marketing, targeted Ads, high-
decibel messaging, and multi-cloud realities – their
technology partner is someone they can depend on and
trust.
Even though we are a young company – we have won the
trust of our enterprise clients, and that I believe is what they
value most in us.
What were the initial challenges you faced while
venturing into the respective industry, and what are the
challenges now, as a business leader, how do you
overcome these challenges?
The greatest challenge is building the skill to focus on what
matters and learn to let the rest take its course. Saying no to
the things that you are not focusing on is the biggest
challenge in working for our company – Lavelle Networks.
As a young startup, there are so many demands on the
product from every quarter – sales want new features,
engineers want to ﬁx yesterday’s features, customers want
you to build everything the competition has, investors want
you to have all the right keywords from the latest
technology trends in your product – and in the middle of all
this you have to decide what’s right and what’s important
for the product, and then focus on those decisions.
What are the USPs that highlight Lavelle Network’s
uniqueness?
The software architecture allows us to scale on any kind of
platform – hardware, cloud, or SaaS (Software as a
Service). So, we have built the largest networks in India
from our entry into the market till today. The second aspect
of our company is a relentless focus on customer
experience. It is tough to run a nationwide network across
multiple kinds of operator links and applications. Our
customers do that. So, we are always focused on helping
our customer IT teams to the best of our abilities. This has
created a strong word-of-mouth reference for us across the
industry.
As an experienced professional, what would you like to
advise the budding aspirants willing to enter the
respective niche you are catering to?
Innovation needs to be driven for customer success, and
your business is built on strong foundations. Place your
product at the center of your lives in the organization, and
relentlessly focus on operational and execution excellence.
This will get you as close to your vision as you can.
What are the future goals of Lavelle Networks, and how
do you envision its operations eventually?
We are looking to grow 10X in the next couple of years. We
are taking our company to more than a thousand customers
and a market leadership position in the network as a service
space. We are an early leader now – we rate among the Top
three choices for SD-WAN across our market – we are now
going for the top spot. We believe that the Indian enterprise
IT market is set for huge growth, and it is tremendously
underserved today. The government is putting a lot of focus
and energy behind – Make-In-India, Startup India, and
Digital India – and these three initiatives are going to mean
that technology product companies in India are going to
take the world by storm. Lavelle Networks represents the
bold vision of our country to take the best of digital –
software, cloud, mobile, and internet – and use it to make
the world a better place.

Making Important Strides in Creating a World
with Zero Barriers
ho comes to mind when you think of a
W“Visionary Leader”? Is the late Steve Jobs
making an announcement about a new device
that will once more transform culture and communication?
Elon Musk, the fearless outlier who is breaking new ground
in the development and manufacture of vehicles and
opening the door to the prospect of your own space travel?
While it might be easy to refer to someone like Jobs or
Musk as “Visionary Leaders,” such leadership does not
always have to be obnoxious and pompous. Imagine a
world where every child has access to clean water to drink,
wholesome food to eat, and a family that has been rescued
from the depths of abject poverty.
Vasanthan Ramakrishnan, Founder & Chair of
Feminist Pen Foundation, is one such visionary leader
who is committed to help people of all races, faiths, and
colors escape the social swamp of outdated ideals that has
caused them generational suffering.
Young Vasanthan had a highly constrained and limited
perspective of the world because he was born in rural
Madurai into a family of educators. He discovered as he
grew up that he was innately driven to help others and that
having an effect on someone's life brings about a sense of
joy and purpose.
His dreams didn’t come true, though, until he eventually
made the plunge into something he views as the realization
of his prophecy in his early 20s. The Feminist Pen
Foundation was founded as a result of his creative use of
the limitless opportunities surrounding him.
A Journey towards Greater Good
Vasanthan had relatively limited experience in the
professional world before embarking on his entrepreneurial
career. He holds an undergraduate degree in engineering
from one of India's top engineering colleges and a master's
degree from a Big 10 university in the US. He made up for
his lack of expertise with zeal and a never-ending desire to
change the world.
Vasanthan started volunteering for non-profit organizations
through campus chapters like Red Cross India and Habitat
for Humanity in his late teens, which marked the beginning
of his journey toward impact creation. He gradually started
to comprehend the egregious inequity that afflicted the
nation at the time and what took the shapes of racism,
religion, colorism, ageism, sexism, and casteism.
With a relentless curiosity to learn more and gain a global
perspective, after graduating from one of the top
universities in India (VIT University), Vasanthan moved to
the US to pursue his master’s at a Big 10 university. The
Red Cross, Habitat for Humanity, Feeding America, and
homeless shelter volunteering were all stops on his path to
creating impact. Vasanthan was more shocked to learn that
there was still poverty, starvation, and injustice in the US
and that these issues were universal human concerns that
affected everyone.
He had always strongly gone by his favorite quote from
Mahatma Gandhi, “Be the difference you want to see in the
world around you.” And while volunteering made a
difference locally, he couldn’t see himself making a large-
scale difference with volunteer work, so he decided to be
the change he wanted to see.

Feminist Pen Foundation
implemented an electronic
timekeeping system in 2022 that
was created internally by its own
so ware development team.
Vasanthan Ramakrishnan
Founder
Feminist Pen Foundation

Thus, the Feminist Pen Foundation was born. In 2020,
when COVID hit and Vasanthan visited his family in India,
he got stuck for over six months because of the global
lockdowns, and that time was his muse for creating
Feminist Pen Foundation. In two years, what began as a
blogging website grew to an award-winning international
non-profit organization with a presence in four countries:
India, the United States, the Netherlands, and Dubai.
Today, Feminist Pen Foundation has employees working
from over six countries, three continents, and seven
different time zones, and the organization has multiple
subsidiary organizations that function independently from
Feminist Pen Foundation, such as the Center for Innovation
in Emerging Technology (CIET) that works on developing
technological applications to benefit the common good.
Bequest of Excellence
Today, 1 in 3 women will encounter gender-based violence
(GBV) at least once in their lifetime, while over 9% of the
world's population (689,000,000 people) live in severe
poverty and make less than $2 a day. Less than 16% of the
world's countries have allowed same-sex marriage as of
July 2022, while 11 nations throughout the world have
executed those found guilty of consenting to same-sex
conduct.
The team at the Feminist Pen Foundation set out to address
every issue that prevents or harms international human
equality since there is so much more in our world that is
obviously wrong, unjust, noncommunal, destructive, and
discriminatory.
As a non-profit human rights organization, Feminist Pen's
goal is to provide human rights advocacy to some of the
most oppressed people in the world. Feminist Pen firmly
believes that change comes about via education, and its
fundamental mission is to spread feminism's principles as
they pertain to the greater idea of human equality, as
opposed to the more popular gynocentric interpretation of
the term.
Feminist Pen was established in 2020, and despite its short
existence, it has already managed to garner national media
attention and won four renowned business awards for
excellence. Feminist Pen operates internationally with a
staff of more than 50 people, annually reaching an audience
of more than 500,000 people from over 17 nations.
Through advocacy, campaigns, and global partnerships with
some of the largest organizations in the world,
Feminist Pen is taking small leaps towards closing the
global gender parity gap, the economic crisis and tackling
human rights violations across India, Iran and Indonesia.
The Initial Challenges
It is widely acknowledged that COVID-19's intrinsic
limitations led to historically significant legislative changes
that people all around the world are working to overturn.
For instance, since governments began tracking the cell
phones of COVID-affected people throughout the world,
the right to privacy, especially digital privacy, has
drastically decreased.
This unintentionally exposed racial minorities, social justice
activists, journalists, and other vulnerable people to
heightened scrutiny from the government and organizations
regulated by the government.
There are several difficulties in starting and maintaining a
global non-profit organization now. Some of Vasanthan and
Feminist Pen Foundation's initial challenges were having a
sufficient funding source to run the group, which resulted in
sluggish expansion and difficulties employing additional
staff.
The foundation faced difficulties getting a budget since it
seeks to be competitive in all areas of business, including
paying fair wages to all employees, including interns, and
always learning how to better its approach to achieving its
objective. The management at Feminist Pen is creating
several revenue streams, from starting an apparel-fashion
business to focusing on developing a large-scale
cryptocurrency and NFT platform. 90% of non-profits in
India get all of their funding from fundraising. Instead of
relying on a century-old practice, the foundation strives to
be different, and that offers it a unique path to sustainable
development and the realization of its future goals.
Values that Make Feminist Pen Unique
Feminist Pen Foundation’s vision of achieving "One world
with zero barriers" is the USP of almost every human right
non-profit organization. However, what separates them
from the crowd is the foundation’s methodology and
execution that will lead to achieving its vision. Unlike 80%
of non-profit organizations, Feminist Pen was founded with
the intention of functioning internationally and is doing so.
In addition, the Feminist Pen Foundation was founded on
the pillars of technology, operating remotely across all of its

continental locations and beginning as a digital-first
organization with just one administrative office. Feminist
Pen has continued to accept and improvise on technologies
that influence our operations, despite the fact that less than
30% of non-profit organizations use cutting-edge and new
technologies in their work.
Feminist Pen Foundation implemented an electronic
timekeeping system in 2022 that was created internally by
its own software development team. Since 100% of the
team from all offices collaborates on the cloud, there is no
longer any need to retain any physical documentation.
Additionally, the whole firm uses the cloud for everything
from financial transactions to staff interactions, accelerating
the adoption of technology.
A Note for Emerging Visionaries
The best piece of advice Vasanthan has ever received—and
the one he will give to young business people just starting
out or considering launching a business—is to have a dream
and to passionately pursue that dream. Before anybody else
can decide, he says that the biggest mistake an individual
can make is self-rejection. Self-rejection kills possibilities,
and bright ideas are buried behind uneasiness and anxiety.
Vasanthan says, "Success is made up of a thousand failures,
so it is important to keep the eye on the prize (one’s dream)
and work until they make it." He further adds that this
advice helped him get Feminist Pen to where it is now, and
anybody can do it as long as they put their mind and heart
into it.
Revelation of Future Ideas
Since last year, the Feminist Pen Foundation has
experienced explosive growth. It expects to introduce at
least five distinct programs that will function separately
from the main company and involve teams from at least 15
different nations.
At this rate, Feminist Pen will be one of the less than ten
organizations with headquarters in the state that have
consultative status with the UN, have collaborations with
several governments, and have the capacity to reach over 10
million viewers annually from at least 25 different nations.

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