INTERVIEW
Tell me something about yourself?
I am a positive, honest and loyal person with loads of confidenceand determination. My persistence and punctuality helped me achieve my goals and vision.
I have more than fifteen years of progressive experience in Software Development, Design and Implementation of Business Applications in different domains. I am an outstanding communicator and possess excellent skills in:
• Strategic planning for Product Development
• Customer Development and Retention
• Software Planning & Development
• Productivity Improvement
• Competitive Product
• Staff Training & Development
• Customer Problem Resolution
When did this idea click in your mind, to start a company?
I was involved in setting up profitable business units for various organizations that I worked for. After gathering ten years of experience, I thought, “If I can do for others why can’t I do it for myself”. Thus, Vidushi Infotech started in 2002, with a vision to create a world that is enhanced through Information Technology.
Our mission is ‘To win and maintain the confidence, trust and loyalty of our clients. Everything Vidushi Infotech has achieved and will achieve is due to the excellent and exceptional relationship it shares with its customers. We, at Vidushi Infotech, believe that these relationships are the company's most priceless and precious assets.’ Just as Microsoft, Google, Infosys, and Wipro—the global software giants—were built on the foundation of their dreams, vision and mission of people like Bill Gates, Larry Page and Sergey Brin, Narayan Murthy and Azim Premji.
What was the motivation behind the initiative?
My progressive experience and confidence backed by my family support. My wife, Nallini has been a driving force and a huge support to initiate the business by balancing our personal and professional life. The name of the company “Vidushi” was inspired by my daughter.
What was the planning required?
Planning was needed at various steps and for different factors, to name a few:
· License Fees for the Franchisee of WSI
· Manpower Planning
· Office Planning
· MSF Planning
I believe to convert a dream into reality, an intelligent planning is a must. It is one of the major factors for the success of Vidushi Infotech.
What were the problems faced?
After my sudden return from Jordon to Pune in 2002, I had a few assignments but no infrastructure to start a business. Undeterred by absence of resources like office, computers and other supporting facilities, I decided to start business from home. A computer was rented from my elder brother, Keshav who ran a placement agency on terms that it would be used in the afternoon when he went out. The work was divided between my cousin, Vijay and I. Vijay did the coding and I looked after marketing. A few months later, we needed a new member to work. However, initially, the joint family objected to the idea. They had to be convinced and only after their approval and support a new member joined.
As work started growing, we shifted to a rental place. The head count grew to six. Meanwhile, a client from Dubai heard about our growth and promised us business. However, on visiting our 100 sq. ft. office, the relationship ended the abruptly. This could have been a great setback for someone who works hard. I accepted the setback as a challenge, and continued working with a positive outlook deciding to relocate to a better place. I had to work for almost 20 hours each day non-stop for approximately one year.
Finally, ‘Vidushi Infotech Software Solutions Provider Pvt. Ltd.’ started in a decent commercial complex. The new place could accommodate a team of 20 people with good facilities and better internet connectivity. The team worked hard to bring in more business and added new clients. As the head count started growing, a neighboring office was rented. It was indeed a good achievement. With a feeling of pride, we invited a few clients to visit our office.
However, the happiness was short-lived as the international clients considered the office as an Internet Café. The growth phase had other problems like projects getting delayed due to attrition, clients demanding more advanced software, infrastructure. Also keeping the growing workforce happy was challenging as the bigger software companies always lured professionals with better pay packages.
Your core competence and key focus areas for development were…?
My imagination, tolerance and courage to take initiatives, backed by will power and discipline are the driving force. I believe in ‘Being Professional’.
What does being professional mean to you? What are your professional strengths?
According to me, in business, professionalism means to focus on:
· Providing Good Customer Care
· Offering Quality Deliverables
· Taking Ownership and responsibility
· Mentoring the employees and customers
My professional strengths that propelled my growth are:
· Notable interpersonal skills; capacity to relate to all levels of management, staff & customers.
· Dedicated to exceptional customer service; able to cultivate positive rapport & nurture relationships by offering service beyond expectation.
· Balanced management skills with effective combination of assuming multiple responsibilities & innovation to consistently meet organization objectives.
· Recognized for outstanding work ethic, integrity thoroughness and commitment to corporate goals.
What are the most important factors to run a company?
Stay Hungry—aspire for growth, in terms of responsibilities and wealth.
Stay Foolish—be a learner and develop the ability to ask questions.
Stay Humble—treat customers and employees with respect.
What were the major milestones while accomplishing the target?
The first major milestone for Vidushi Infotech was achieved in the year 2005 after acquiring a state-of-the-art corporate office. This office had aesthetic looking interiors, modern gadgets like LCD displays, conference room with projector, cabins for the department heads etc.
The second milestone for Vidushi was ‘Vidushi Gyaanpeeth’ a separate education and development center which accommodated about 70 developers.
The third major milestone for Vidushi was in hospitality sector, ‘Vidushi Food’, a sprawling cafeteria of about 2000 sq. ft. for Vidushi employees with a delightful ambience. The cafeteria was a long cherished dream of mine. I always wanted to provide better facilities to the employees. Simultaneously, we also started with a restaurant of about 2000 sq. ft. open to the public.
Currently, Vidushi is an ISO 9001-certified company with 120+ employees. It consists of a creative team of Graphic Designers, capable Tech Support team, dedicated Programmers and efficient Tech Writers. We also have an HR Department, Admin Department and a Quality Department.
Our clients are located in Brazil, Middle East, US, Europe and Canada.
We have plans to open support offices in Australia, the United States and Middle East. I believe with the support and dedication of its efficient employees it would certainly be one of the respected global software companies. Vidushi’s assets are the skilled, efficient and loyal employees who worked with us since our inception.
What would be your message to the budding entrepreneurs?
Success is achieved after many failures so “don’t give up!” If you believe in yourself and your idea, it will click for you. Gravity was discovered in just a few seconds that is the time taken for the apple to reach the ground. However, great scientist took years to put in words the law of gravity.
Suresh Kumar Prasad
Vidushi Infotech Software Solution Provider Pvt. Ltd.
