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CHIEF INFORMATION OFFICER (CIO), ICI INDIA LIMITED. July 1998 to July 2000:
Top management
responsibility for the Information Technology and Knowledge Management
activities at ICI India Ltd. ICI India is a large speciality chemicals
multinational in India with a turnover of Rs. 1000 crores.
Reporting
to the Board of Directors, was responsible for Information
Technology & Management Information Systems Functions across all Group
Companies as well as all Divisions of the company. With a divisionalised
structure and a lean head office function, the company sought to make a
quantum leap in its internal use of information technology. Board commitment
to the transformation of the business through the deployment of leading edge
solutions was high. Had been able to influence the Board where IT was seen
as a powerful cost saving and
productivity enhancing tool.
Role
relating to Information Systems covered
understanding how the business currently runs and how technology can improve
and be applied to solve problems and improve operations so that IT is used
to make better decisions and manage the business:-
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Have
been the architect/evangelist responsible for assimilating all tactical and
strategic direction from the Divisions, industry trends, and customer
requirements into cohesive
roadmaps and clear technology directions. This includes planning
& policy issues, data resource management, applications resource
management, and technology resource management.
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Developing
Group wide strategic, operational and tactical plans for ensuring
alignment of IT with overall business strategies, recognising the
use of IT as a strategic business tool, and providing leadership and
vision for the effective integration and delivery of business
information services.
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Developing
detailed blueprints for the implementation of the IT initiative dovetailed
with the HR, OD or other Change initiatives simultaneously being
implemented,
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IT
enabled re-engineering of business processes throughout the group companies
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Evaluation,
selection and implementation of ERP/MRP packages which included
international packages such as SAP R/3, Oracle, BPCS, BaaN, MfgPro,
Avalon etc. and local products such as Ramco Marshal & Mamis, under
different environments like C, C++, Visual Basic, HTML, Java, Interdev,
Oracle, MS-SQL, DB2, OS/400, UNIX, and Windows NT.
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Unparalleled
understanding of when and where to leverage out-source
partnerships and the experience of successfully managing such
partnerships. Clinching the best deals for the organisation in the
procurement of products and services while managing
a multi crore IT budget. Work with outside vendors (the 'best of
breed' of today's technology leaders like Microsoft, Oracle, IBM,
Hewlett Packard, Dell, Bay Networks, Lotus Domino, and more), to
schedule and implement system upgrades and/or enhancements
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Enterprise
wide communication solutions including VSATs, Leased lines and Dial up
facilities. Responsible for advancing shared
information architecture throughout the organisation. Familiarity
with current standards in network and desktop hardware and software,
file/print services, messaging / GroupWare, and LAN/WAN management
systems for complex enterprise networks and large centres of
geographically diverse computing resources. Responsibilities include network
architecture and design, building high availability, high reliability
systems that include mirroring and redundancy, implementing System
and Network security tools and procedures. Knowledge and experience with
SSL, encryption, Firewalls, Routers, as well as convergence of data and
voice technologies. Involvement in upgrading of networks, remote access,
business recovery plans and imaging/document management.
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Outsourcing
development of a web-based dot-com solution Designing and developing Electronic
Commerce, EDI, Internet, Extranet and Intranet based enterprise-wide
strategies and architectures. Planning, designing and guiding the
secure development of external and internal network computing
environments, architecture and infrastructure (web, firewalls, etc.)
including secure remote access infrastructure, including dial-in and
dedicated communications with business partners. Providing web and
application hosting services as well as eCommerce solutions to driving
mission critical 24 x 7 delivery of a vertical Internet
business-to-business web hosting service
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Strong
& large scale contract management, project management and vendor management experience
for ERP implementation while ensuring day-to-day operations of
computer facilities and networks through proper interfacing with service
providers.
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Member
of the senior executive
management team with a demonstrated ability to use benefits of IT to
solve business issues while also managing costs and risks. Managed a
budget of Rs.100 million, and motivated and directed more than 30
professionals. Demonstrated skill as an exceptional
communicator and team player who thrives in a collaborative,
values-based environment.
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Have
been responsible for internal consulting and strategic development projects. facilitating
business unit efforts to develop business plans and strategies, leading
cross-functional teams to rationalise and improve processes. Other
responsibilities included acting as member of IT
steering committee of all the Divisions.
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Leading
the group through a transition from the current systems & operations
to an environment where IT plays
a mission critical role.
Responsibilities
include:
Responsibilities
included technology, architecture,
and application development. Major functions included the development of
multiple applications in various platforms in a client-server and web-based
environment, and establishing the technology direction company-wide. Tracked
record of success in design,
development, and large-scale technology implementation.
SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT - HUMAN RESOURCES & INFORMATION SYSTEMS, VAM ORGANIC CHEMICALS LIMITED. November 1996 to June 1998:
Top management responsibility for three crucial
departments at Vam Organic Chemicals. Vam is one of the leading chemicals
companies in the country with a turnover of Rs.300 crores.
Reporting
to the Chairman & Managing Director was responsible for the Human
Resources, Information Technology & Management Information Systems
Functions across all Group Companies as well as all Divisions of the
company.
Responsibilities
under Human Resources
encompassed Planning, Strategy and Review:-
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Organisation structure Design and HR planning, Linking HR needs with the Business Plans, Restructuring and Relocation of relevant people as per changes in business needs.
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Recruitment, Induction and retaining technical staff, particularly for senior and sensitive positions
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Training and Management Development, including the Management Trainee and Graduate Engineer Trainee schemes
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Performance Appraisal, Promotions and Career Planning, Based on quantitative targets linked to business plans
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Employee Relations, Long term settlements, Productivity linked Incentives, Voluntary Retirement Schemes etc.
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Organisation Development & OD Interventions, Job evaluation, Job competencies, Assessment Centres, Psychometric testing, Outplacements etc.
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Payroll Administration, including Full and Final settlement cases
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Statutory obligations & Welfare activities,
P.F.,E.S.I., Health Insurance, Staff Colony, Educational subsidy etc
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Compensation Review, Comparison with relevant industry segments, levels and geographic locations.
Had
also set up formal systems and procedures in the Human Resources function
from scratch.
Role relating to
Management Information Systems was similar to the one described above at ICI
India Ltd.
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Had
been the key driver in creating the appropriate management structure to
align technology to meet the organisation’s aggressive growth and
goals and had provided executive leadership, direction and supervision
to implement and maintain a comprehensive plan to effectively apply
information technology to achieve the organisation’s mission, goals,
and objectives.
Synergy between heading
the MIS & HRD role:
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Strong
experience in the management of organisational change, group dynamics
and facilitation of the cultural transformation experience, background
in training design and delivery, understanding of corporate organisation,
project management and supervisory skills, and process design
experience.
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Ability
to work with others on a team and demonstrate leadership qualities. Ability
to manage a change implementation
I
also looked after the entire process of Planning,
Budgeting and Performance Monitoring for the complete organisation.
GENERAL MANAGER - HUMAN RESOURCES & INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY, APOLLO TYRES LIMITED.
January 1995 to November 1996:
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Head
of two important Departments at Apollo Tyres. Apollo is one of the
largest and fastest growing tyre companies in the country with a
turnover of Rs.1250 crores.
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Reported
to the President and the Managing Director. Was responsible for the
entire Human Resources & Information Technology Functions across all Group
Companies as well as all Profit Centres viz. the Plants, Domestic
& International Marketing & the Corporate Office.
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Responsibilities
in HR & IT were similar to those at Vam Organics, which are
described above.
HEAD
- INFORMATION SYSTEMS, NESTLE INDIA LIMITED. January 1986 to January 1995:
Group
Information Systems Manager for Nestle operations in India. Nestle is
one of the largest and well-known food companies in the country.
Reported
to Executive Vice President (Finance & Accounting). Was responsible for
setting up this function from scratch. Major responsibilities included:
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Evaluation
and acquisition of Computer hardware & software
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Design
of MIS for management after work
rationalisation and system simplification
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Managing
Systems Development activities through the
IS Development Manager in respect of all commercial applications across
all locations involving complex multiple projects. The different
platforms used include RDBMSs
& 4GLs like INGRES and INFORMIX under UNIX, standard international enterprise wide packages like BPCS,
CASE methodology and tools like Navigator / ADW, WDOS/COBOL, MSDOS/DBASE, CLIPPER, Client Server
based GUI front end tools like Powerbuilder
and WINDOWS based office
automation tools such as LOTUS, MS OFFICE etc.
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Smooth
implementation and support of signed off systems
with user departments through IS Support Manager and IS Support
Executives at various locations.
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Data
communications (both synchronous and
asynchronous) across locations including factories, branches, head
office and the principals in Switzerland using Wide Area Networks
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Setting
up of Local Area Networks at various locations.
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Managing
computer resources and data processing operations
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Spreading
the systems culture through user
interaction, seminars, workshops & training courses.
The
organisation had 12 UNIX based minicomputers including RISC based HP 9000
servers, LANDMARK (Intel 80486 based servers) interconnected into a Wide
Area Network based on TCP/IP over INET (the Indian Government's Public Data
Network) using X.25 and X.28 connectivity, 6 WDOS based minicomputers, two
AS/400 mid range computers, a LAN with 60 nodes at the Head office and about
60 standalone Personal Computer systems. Similar LANs existed at the 3
factories and 4 Branch Offices. Another 6 UNIX based minicomputers were on
order with delivery expected in a month at the time of leaving. Had been
responsible for induction of the latest state of the art technology into the
organisation.
In
terms of application areas computerised the following were important:
PLANNING & CONTROL APPLICATIONS:
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HO & Branch Sales and Distribution Planning
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HO Production Programming
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Factory Finished Goods Movements and Warehousing
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Mother Go-down Operations
TRANSACTION PROCESSING & REPORTING APPLICATIONS:
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Financial Accounting at all locations
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Stocks and Sales Accounting
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C & S Operations
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Customer Data Base
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Materials Accounting
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Payroll
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Milk Accounting and
Payments
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Fixed Assets
Control
MANAGER (MANAGEMENT SERVICES), SHRIRAM FIBRES LIMITED. August 1984 to December 1985:
Shriram Fibres Ltd. is a large nylon tyre cord
manufacturer. Reported to Vice President (Planning & Diversification).
This job also involved setting up the function afresh in the
organisation. Responsibilities were similar to those at Nestle.
CONSULTANT
/ SR. CONSULTANT, A.F.FERGUSON & CO. April 1979 to July 1984:
A.F.Ferguson
& Co. was the Indian associate of KPMG Peat Marwick and amongst the best
known auditing and management consulting firms in India. Responsible for
business development as well as for project management on time and cost
parameters. Interaction with top management while conducting and supervising
during the design and implementation stages a wide range of consulting
assignments for small, medium & large organisations in the public &
private sectors in the following areas:
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Review of organisation structure, staffing, personnel policies, job evaluation and salary restructuring.
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Marketing strategy determination and market surveys.
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Corporate planning, diversification, opportunities identification, feasibility studies, project appraisals, organisational diagnostics, operations management including
TQM, TPM etc. and rehabilitation of sick units.
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Development of systems in finance, accounting, costing, budgeting and MIS, project and cost monitoring etc.
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Recruitment for senior managerial positions.
CORPORATE
PLANNING ENGINEER, BHARAT HEAVY ELECTRICALS LIMITED. June 1975 to April
1979.
Bharat
Heavy Electricals Limited is a heavy electrical equipment company of the
Government of India. I was responsible for:
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Divisional,
functional and product Budgeting & Management information reporting.
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Investment planning, capital budgeting & project review and
monitoring.
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Long
range perspective planning.
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