43-year-old Sundar Pichai is an IIT-graduate who will be the next CEO of Google, adding to the list of Indian hotshots who are at the top of the global tech world.
Here’s a list of people who prove that Indians are not just obedient yes men, but creative, visionary and confident world leaders who can enable change and guide their companies into the next wave of transformation.
1. Satya Nadella
There’s a fine line between confidence and hubris. To assume destinations in my mind is hubris, not confidence.
– Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella on whether he aimed to be at the top
47-year-old Satya Nadella grew up playing cricket in an idyllic Hyderabad. The Manipal University graduate has taken over as Microsoft CEO at a time when the company is at its lowest ebb. With the recent Microsoft 10 launch, Satya is trying to save the company.
Can he do it?
Bill Gates certainly seems to think so. He said, “Satya is a proven leader with hardcore engineering skills, business vision and the ability to bring people together.”
2. Rajeev Suri
While 2014 was a year of reinvention, we see 2015 as a year of execution.
– Nokia CEO Rajeev Suri after Nokia beat profit forecasts in January this year
Another Manipal Institute of Technology graduate, 48-year-old Rajeev Suri took over as Nokia CEO in May 2014. Once the largest maker of mobile phones, Nokia sold its handset business to Microsoft after finding itself eclipsed by Apple and Samsung. Under Rajeev Suri, Nokia is plotting its return to the mobile phone market by 2016, which is when the non-compete deal with Microsoft expires.
3. Shantanu Narayen
If your business strategy is to preserve the status quo, it’s not a very compelling strategy.
– Adobe CEO Shantanu Narayen on the need to adapt in the tech industry
52-year-old Shantanu Narayen is from a family of engineers and took over as the CEO of the software company during its transition to cloud computing and mobile internet. His biggest challenge was to stabilise the company after the 2009 crisis. From an annual growth of 20%, the company saw an 18% drop in sales. Shantanu Narayen ensured Adobe emerged by talking to more design professionals and streamlining internal processes.
4. Sanjay Jha
Establishing a reputation for execution, grabbing market share and improving financial performance would lead GlobalFoundries to where it can consider strategic options.
– GlobalFoundries CEO Sanjay Jha on winning in the marketplace
While most companies are trying to adapt and advance, GlobalFoundries under CEO Sanjay Jha, is looking backwards. The 52-year-old was announced as the CEO of the second largest outsourcing chip maker in January 2014.
To stay competitive, Jha is looking backwards and is offering a new production technique that is deliberately less advanced than state-of-the-art. He was a part of Motorola, before Google Inc decided to buy the company.
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