Sujithkumar Vavullipathi : Helping Businesses Leverage Digital Solutions To Streamline Their Business Operations
Sujithkumar Vavullipathi
COO
Sujithkumar currently manages Enterprise, ICT, and Digital Business profit center at Covenant Group, UAE. Previously, he successfully managed three profit centers, ensuring consistent business performance over more than eight years. With nine years of leadership experience in the UAE in the roles of Business Head, General Manager and COO, Sujithkumar holds a B.Tech in Electrical & Electronics Engineering, an M.Tech in Quality Management, and an MBA in Operations Management. Ad- ditionally, he has completed an Executive General Management Program at IIM Bangalore and holds several professional certifications, including PMP and DCPP, showcasing his commitment to continuous learning and excellence. Let’s read on.
You have three decades of experience. Could you share your journey to success and your key to achieving it?
My three decades of experience have been a mixed bag, full of achievements, accolades, dif- ficulties, and challenges. The meaning of success varies from person to person. For me, the four success mantras are clarity, commitment, perseverance, and confidence. I believe that failure is not the opposite of success but a necessary ingredient on the path to it. As a people manager, my goal is to bring value to the organization in everything we do.
Dedication and integrity are crucial to success. I strongly believe in doing everything with passion, a principle I've adhered to throughout my career. I've always remained
focused on goals while being flexible and adaptable to the dynamic business environment. Embracing new ideas and staying updated with changes in technology and business are vital. Lastly, ensuring a work-life balance is an important aspect of a professional journey.
Tell us about your leadership approach. What guidelines or methodologies do you follow as a leader?
My leadership approach is rooted in delegation and fostering a collaborative and participative environment. When facing challenges, I encourage my team to propose multiple solutions, allowing us to choose and implement the best one. Empowering and trusting team leaders is crucial, as are transparency and open communication. Regular informal professional interactions with team members are essential. A leader must identify and nurture talent, preparing them for future opportunities and challenges. Leadership style should adapt to the organization's stage, whether startup, scale-up, or mature. In a mature organization, a leader should blend operational efficiency with trans-formational vision.
How do you stay updated with industry trends to guide your organization toward the future?
Staying updated with dynamic industry trends is essential. To achieve this, I regularly attend technical and business symposiums, workshops, expos, and product launches. These events provide oppor-tunities to network with like-minded professionals and experts across various fields, allowing me to acquire new knowledge and capabilities. Continuous learning is key, so I frequently enroll in certification and short term courses to enhance my skills. I also look for market opportunities and subscribe to business and technology journals and newsletters to stay informed about industry trends.
In my current role, my focus is on scaling up the business by leveraging niche technology opportunities, positioning our organization as a trusted partner for digital transformation and ICT
Continuous learning & reskilling, both formally & in- formally, are essential in the face of rapid technological adv- ancements
Tell us about your leadership approach. What guidelines or methodologies do you follow as a leader?
My leadership approach is rooted in delegation and fostering a collaborative and participative environment. When facing challenges, I encourage my team to propose multiple solutions, allowing us to choose and implement the best one. Empowering and trusting team leaders is crucial, as are transparency and open communication. Regular informal professional interactions with team members are essential. A leader must identify and nurture talent, preparing them for future opportunities and challenges. Leadership style should adapt to the organization's stage, whether startup, scale-up, or mature. In a mature organization, a leader should blend operational efficiency with trans-formational vision.
How do you stay updated with industry trends to guide your organization toward the future?
Staying updated with dynamic industry trends is essential. To achieve this, I regularly attend technical and business symposiums, workshops, expos, and product launches. These events provide oppor-tunities to network with like-minded professionals and experts across various fields, allowing me to acquire new knowledge and capabilities. Continuous learning is key, so I frequently enroll in certification and short term courses to enhance my skills. I also look for market opportunities and subscribe to business and technology journals and newsletters to stay informed about industry trends.
In my current role, my focus is on scaling up the business by leveraging niche technology opportunities, positioning our organization as a trusted partner for digital transformation and ICT
needs. We engage with both current and prospective clients to educate and create awareness about the latest trends in technology and industry. This approach not only creates business opportunities but also fosters partnerships and colla-
borations with organizations that enhance our capabilities and enrich our offerings portfolio.
What is your ultimate goal for the future?
My goal is to scale up and ensure sustainable growth for the organization. Competing in this digital era is becoming increasingly challenging as technology advances at an unprecedented pace. Organizations face challenges from both traditional and new digital native competitors. Driving the organization and developing a strategy to ensure superior customer experience will be key to acquiring and sustaining business and capturing more market share. In the near future, the focus is to position the organization as a one-stop partner for all digital transformation and ICT needs. On a personal front, I aim to give back to society through support, knowledge and experience sharing, and skill development for budding entrepreneurs and graduating students entering the job market.
What advice would you offer to emerging leaders in the industry?
For aspiring leaders, I recommend prioritizing tasks and networking with peers, seniors, and professionals within and outside your domain for diverse perspectives and insights, enhancing your learning curve. Always aim to add value to yourself and your organization in every task or assignment you undertake, maintaining focus, transparency, and openness, with integrity as a cornerstone. Given the current era's emphasis on climate change and sustainability, it's crucial to be mindful of and care for the planet. Continuous learning and reskilling, both formally and informally, are essential in the face of rapid technological advancements. Embrace change with openness, recognizing that change is the only constant.
Sujithkumar Vavullipathi, COO - Enterprise & ICT Business, Covenant Group
Sujithkumar Vavullipathi is an experienced technology and business professional with over 30 years of expertise. He has held leadership roles in Telecom, ICT, and Digital Technology sectors, boasting global exposure and a track record of ensuring growth, operational efficiencies, and transparency.
borations with organizations that enhance our capabilities and enrich our offerings portfolio.
What is your ultimate goal for the future?
My goal is to scale up and ensure sustainable growth for the organization. Competing in this digital era is becoming increasingly challenging as technology advances at an unprecedented pace. Organizations face challenges from both traditional and new digital native competitors. Driving the organization and developing a strategy to ensure superior customer experience will be key to acquiring and sustaining business and capturing more market share. In the near future, the focus is to position the organization as a one-stop partner for all digital transformation and ICT needs. On a personal front, I aim to give back to society through support, knowledge and experience sharing, and skill development for budding entrepreneurs and graduating students entering the job market.
What advice would you offer to emerging leaders in the industry?
For aspiring leaders, I recommend prioritizing tasks and networking with peers, seniors, and professionals within and outside your domain for diverse perspectives and insights, enhancing your learning curve. Always aim to add value to yourself and your organization in every task or assignment you undertake, maintaining focus, transparency, and openness, with integrity as a cornerstone. Given the current era's emphasis on climate change and sustainability, it's crucial to be mindful of and care for the planet. Continuous learning and reskilling, both formally and informally, are essential in the face of rapid technological advancements. Embrace change with openness, recognizing that change is the only constant.
Sujithkumar Vavullipathi, COO - Enterprise & ICT Business, Covenant Group
Sujithkumar Vavullipathi is an experienced technology and business professional with over 30 years of expertise. He has held leadership roles in Telecom, ICT, and Digital Technology sectors, boasting global exposure and a track record of ensuring growth, operational efficiencies, and transparency.