Manish Kakkar
Global Chief Sales Officer
Today’s growing digital cloud ecosystem demands an always-on hyperscale network infrastructure that is robust, reliable, and cost-effective. To manage diverse bandwidth requirements for end customers, enterprises need a technology partner that is able to support their evolving needs. This is where Lightstorm comes in. Lightstorm is helping enterprises and businesses to connect their digital assets on a robust hyperscale network infrastructure as a digital ecosystem enabler.
For more than two decades, Manish has worked to overcome obstacles to the development of profitable businesses, while also simplifying corporate procedures and developing new marketing strategies to increase company profits, increase sales, and foster a culture of teamwork.
In a conversation with CEO Insights magazine, Global Chief Sales Officer Manish talks about how he plans to help Lightstorm accomplish its mission, what inspired him to join forces with the company’s exceptional leadership team and how he consistently delivers positive outcomes, among other things.
Take us through your educational and professional background?
I graduated from Manipal Institute of Technology with a degree in Electronics and Communications after which I pursued my post-graduation and earned an MBA degree from the Delhi Productivity Council.
Throughout my career I have had the privilege of working with globally renowned organizations such as Sify Technologies, Tata Communi
cations, Airtel and Wipro. Over the years, I have honed a variety of sales and lead generation skills, as well as successfully managed the business cycle process, from client consultation to deal fulfilment. I believe my forte lies in recognizing possibilities and building strategic business solutions to realize the same. Additionally, I am adept at exploring new markets, helping businesses expand their reach and forming strategic alliances to monetize new opportunities.
One thing I lay tremendous importance on is the value of relationships in business, with both internal and external stake holders. I cherish close relationships with my team members and encourage a focus on resource re-skilling and upskilling to enable their growth. My goal is to build highperforming and motivated teams. With my clients too, I focus on building strong longterm relationships, which has resulted in high levels of customer retention and loyalty.
What inspired you to take up the role of CSO at Lightstorm?
My interest in Lightstorm was piqued by the company's unique business model, which I saw as a way to address critical issues in the Indian and Southeast Asian market places. The fact that Lightstorm was solving a real problem with a disruptive solution that would benefit millions of people is what inspired me to take up the role. Additionally, of course, the fact that the organization was helmed by a senior leadership team that shared similar values as mine was the cherry on the cake.
This position has given me an opportunity to work in a dynamic startup atmosphere and help build the company from the ground up. As a CSO of a vibrant company, I work on numerous aspects, including sales and marketing strategy, new addressable markets, expanding our reach and product portfolio, while challenging the status quo. This keeps my passion burning.
What has been the success mantra that constantly helps you deliver positive outcomes
I am committed to lifelong learning. I make it a point to regularly reskill and remain on top of the latest
With a strong emphasis on resource skilling and sales cadence my goal is to build highperforming teams and leadingedge businesses
One thing I lay tremendous importance on is the value of relationships in business, with both internal and external stake holders. I cherish close relationships with my team members and encourage a focus on resource re-skilling and upskilling to enable their growth. My goal is to build highperforming and motivated teams. With my clients too, I focus on building strong longterm relationships, which has resulted in high levels of customer retention and loyalty.
What inspired you to take up the role of CSO at Lightstorm?
My interest in Lightstorm was piqued by the company's unique business model, which I saw as a way to address critical issues in the Indian and Southeast Asian market places. The fact that Lightstorm was solving a real problem with a disruptive solution that would benefit millions of people is what inspired me to take up the role. Additionally, of course, the fact that the organization was helmed by a senior leadership team that shared similar values as mine was the cherry on the cake.
This position has given me an opportunity to work in a dynamic startup atmosphere and help build the company from the ground up. As a CSO of a vibrant company, I work on numerous aspects, including sales and marketing strategy, new addressable markets, expanding our reach and product portfolio, while challenging the status quo. This keeps my passion burning.
What has been the success mantra that constantly helps you deliver positive outcomes
I am committed to lifelong learning. I make it a point to regularly reskill and remain on top of the latest
technological advancements. Not just my own learning, I strive to facilitate the same for my team members as well. I ensure to empower them through sales training, competency building, and more. I firmly believe in leveraging people's strengths and channelling them in the right direction.
Moreover, I have been a longtime follower of the Art of Living philosophy, which has given me the confidence and strength to face adversities head-on, transform perceptions, and foster compassion, love, and camaraderie with those around me.
Being a CSO, how do you plan to apply your exceptional understanding of this domain to Lightstorm and take it to the nextlevel?
We are a young start-up with no prior industry baggage. This gives us the unique opportunity to address market pain points, establish novel business models and develop disruptive solutions that complement the digital world.
With digitalfirst businesses mushrooming across the region and established businesses embracing digitaltransformation, there is an imperative need to rethink and reimagine the digital infrastructure that can propel their growth. This is where Lightstorm comes in.
I have a deep understanding of the telecom and ICT industry and I aim to leverage my experiences to help Lightstorm build always available, ultrafast, and ultra-low latency networks across South Asia and South-East Asia region.
Based on your strong professional experience, what advice would you give to the upcoming leaders in the same industry?
Keep your ears to the ground, be agile and don't be afraid to challenge the status quo. The world around us is evolving at a breakneck pace. Leaders who want to make a real difference need to keep their fingers on the pulse of the market. What are the customer pain points, what do they desire, and how can you innovate to address these market needs? Leaders need to constantly ask themselves these questions to succeed.
Manish Kakkar, Global Chief Sales Officer, Lightstorm
With decades of experience under his belt, Manish is a change agent and problem solver. He has proven skills in helping businesses grow, build stalwart high performing teams, and create and sustain longterm relationships with valuable clients.
Moreover, I have been a longtime follower of the Art of Living philosophy, which has given me the confidence and strength to face adversities head-on, transform perceptions, and foster compassion, love, and camaraderie with those around me.
Being a CSO, how do you plan to apply your exceptional understanding of this domain to Lightstorm and take it to the nextlevel?
We are a young start-up with no prior industry baggage. This gives us the unique opportunity to address market pain points, establish novel business models and develop disruptive solutions that complement the digital world.
With digitalfirst businesses mushrooming across the region and established businesses embracing digitaltransformation, there is an imperative need to rethink and reimagine the digital infrastructure that can propel their growth. This is where Lightstorm comes in.
I have a deep understanding of the telecom and ICT industry and I aim to leverage my experiences to help Lightstorm build always available, ultrafast, and ultra-low latency networks across South Asia and South-East Asia region.
Based on your strong professional experience, what advice would you give to the upcoming leaders in the same industry?
Keep your ears to the ground, be agile and don't be afraid to challenge the status quo. The world around us is evolving at a breakneck pace. Leaders who want to make a real difference need to keep their fingers on the pulse of the market. What are the customer pain points, what do they desire, and how can you innovate to address these market needs? Leaders need to constantly ask themselves these questions to succeed.
Manish Kakkar, Global Chief Sales Officer, Lightstorm
With decades of experience under his belt, Manish is a change agent and problem solver. He has proven skills in helping businesses grow, build stalwart high performing teams, and create and sustain longterm relationships with valuable clients.