The last week saw the culmination of a year long strife and struggle that the Indian IT flag bearer - Infosys was going through. With over 12 senior management members and scores of lateral employees leaving the firm, it was rather a tough time for Infoscions and the retired General Murthy was called back into service.
Now the haunting shadows of gloom are in the past. On 12th June, Infosys announced the induction of a new Managing Director and CEO Vishal Sikka. Mr. Sikka, a known name in the IT domain was mighty pleased to join Infosys.
In an exclusive tete-a-tete, he gives us his views on practically all matters worth discussing.
On joining Infosys...
I am on cloud 9 right now. The Cloud is the future of technology and it pleases me that I am already there. I had a dream of working with Infosys right from my childhood. It was a pleasant surprise when I got a call from them for an interview. I was doing a lot of Haan Naa Haan Naa at SAP but when Infosys beckoned, I just followed my heart.
What's in a name or is there?
Well, when my name came up for discussions, I am told that two factors that went in my favour were my name and my surname. The company wanted someone who could think big. Think BIG? Think Vishal!!! The company wanted someone who could get cash registers clinking. For the clinking sound, what do you need? Coins? Sikka!!!!
Vishal Sikka it was to be!!!
Top Priorities...
Well immediate priority is to cut costs. I have got Murthy to sign on all the books in his vast library. Infosys will hold an auction of these books and I expect a significant amount to be collected via this task. I have issued directives to all employees to effectively terminate all drivers and to drive their own vehicles. One point that still lingers in my memory of the interview - Infosys is such a company where even drivers are millionaires!!! Not any more now!!!!
Yes, there will also be some ancillary plans to reduce onsite resourcing, bring in efficiency in processes etc. We also plan to rent out the vast campus spaces for film shoots. Two targets will be achieved by this - a constant stream of earnings is guaranteed and resources on bench will not leave the company.
Personal Tastes...
I love chicken tikka and love to listen to songs of Mika. In my spare time, I love playing cards, especially Ikke pe Ikka.
Vision...
Well, as a part and culture and history and DNA of Infosys, this is a very important facet of any CEO. I have not been residing in India so am currently reading up on Modi, infrastructure woes in Bengaluru, what should the Karnataka CM be doing, what are the policy bottlenecks that is stopping the growth of India. Basically, about anything and everything.
During my induction, I have been told that primarily that would be the most crucial task for me. Rest of the things, the employees would anyways be working on. I should concentrate on media branding and giving eloquent interviews.
Office...
I have been living in California and would plan to continue living there. For all other matters that require my presence in Bengaluru headquarters, I have come up with some body doubles who would, if and when required, be present in various locations of the world at the same time. I am also saving on travel expenses!!!We need to have a global presence. I hope some of the future interviews will be far more entertaining than they ever were during Murthy's times.
.
What's in a name or is there?
Well, when my name came up for discussions, I am told that two factors that went in my favour were my name and my surname. The company wanted someone who could think big. Think BIG? Think Vishal!!! The company wanted someone who could get cash registers clinking. For the clinking sound, what do you need? Coins? Sikka!!!!
Vishal Sikka it was to be!!!
Top Priorities...
Well immediate priority is to cut costs. I have got Murthy to sign on all the books in his vast library. Infosys will hold an auction of these books and I expect a significant amount to be collected via this task. I have issued directives to all employees to effectively terminate all drivers and to drive their own vehicles. One point that still lingers in my memory of the interview - Infosys is such a company where even drivers are millionaires!!! Not any more now!!!!
Yes, there will also be some ancillary plans to reduce onsite resourcing, bring in efficiency in processes etc. We also plan to rent out the vast campus spaces for film shoots. Two targets will be achieved by this - a constant stream of earnings is guaranteed and resources on bench will not leave the company.
Personal Tastes...
I love chicken tikka and love to listen to songs of Mika. In my spare time, I love playing cards, especially Ikke pe Ikka.
Vision...
Well, as a part and culture and history and DNA of Infosys, this is a very important facet of any CEO. I have not been residing in India so am currently reading up on Modi, infrastructure woes in Bengaluru, what should the Karnataka CM be doing, what are the policy bottlenecks that is stopping the growth of India. Basically, about anything and everything.
During my induction, I have been told that primarily that would be the most crucial task for me. Rest of the things, the employees would anyways be working on. I should concentrate on media branding and giving eloquent interviews.
Office...
I have been living in California and would plan to continue living there. For all other matters that require my presence in Bengaluru headquarters, I have come up with some body doubles who would, if and when required, be present in various locations of the world at the same time. I am also saving on travel expenses!!!We need to have a global presence. I hope some of the future interviews will be far more entertaining than they ever were during Murthy's times.
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