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Anirudh Menon

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Anirudh Menon

Manager Business Development

ACE Infoway Pvt. Ltd.

Advice For New Professionals:

The initial couple of years are very critical. They should constantly be in a learning mode and try to capture all possible knowledge that they come across. Not saying that after 2 years learning phase stops, but first 2 years are very critical. Keep oneself abreast with the latest news and reviews.

Growth Strategy:

I do attend webinars, seminars, workshops, conferences, expos that helps me to upgrade my knowledge, which helps me to enhance my skills thereby forcing an overall upgrade

Other Thoughts:

Managers today need to be strike a balance between their team's expectation and the customer expectation. If we try to tilt the balance on either side, it creates a turbulence. Its like flying the aircraft at the right height - a slight variance above or below results in turbulence :)

Career Profile:

My current role is more of strategic in nature. I am responsible for new business development in the organization targeting and mid and mid-large size customers. I am also defining Go-To-Market strategies for new territories. I am also responsible for signing up partners in key sectors.

Working Life Management:

I ensure that on weekends and on certain specific days like anniversary or birthday. Only if required I work from home otherwise I ensure that my work does not go to home. Yes it sounds a bit weird in today's internet and technology era, but I am doing that and its going good so far.

Done Differently:

If I had to start my career all over again, I would have preferred getting into a field where I can interact with people, talk to them and just give solutions. Work like a "pure consultant"

Required Reading:

Books
Be A People Person - John Maxwell
Solve Your Problems The Birbal Way -Luis S R Vas, Anita S R Vas
The Professional - Subroto Bagchi
Stay Hungry Stay Foolish - Rashmi Bansal

Professional Strengths:

I believe that communication is my strongest skill because if I don't have that, I cant do what I am doing right now. This helps me in achieving another skill that is - New Client Acquisition.

Plans For The Future:

I would definitely see myself as Head of Sales in a IT/Consulting firm.

Involvement in the Industry

Transition of 3 client processes back in 2005 when I was completing my 1st year in career

Revived a lost account in my previous company and actually gave a discount of USD 3000 to the customer on the next project that we did. This was a gesture showing our commitment towards them.

Role Model:

Actually there is no one individual who inspires me. I am really inspired by the way some of the entrepreneurs today work and do business. So it becomes difficult to single out one particular individual.

Prized Accomplishment(s):

During my BPO days I had successfully transitioned 3 client processes (year 2004-2006)
I joined my current company 6 months back, and within 3 months of joining I closed a deal of 115K USD in Middle East.These two achievements are something that I am really proud of.

The Journey So Far:

I started as a Management trainee in a BPO firm in Ahmedabad doing client services activities like documentation, marketing. Then I was shifted to BPO operations where I spent 4.5 years of my career. I always wanted to get into Sales which I got through an IT company and now its almost 5 years in IT

The Decisions That Matter

Biggest decision I made was to leave BPO sector and get into IT and more importantly IT sales. I took that decision inspite of the fact that I did not have any knowledge of IT. The technology .NET for me back in 2008 was just 3 alphabets and one special character.