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Jason Gonsalves,
Vice President - Corporate Planning & IT,
Kansai Nerolac
How long at current company: 14 years
Education: I am a production engineer with MS in operations
Career accomplishments I am most proud of: During my tenure at Kansai Nerolac, I handled different functions over a period time, each requiring different skill sets and approach, and did a fairly good job in each. But the experience that I would rate topmost was being part of the core team which ushered in IT within the organization. Our efforts have been recognized through awards in various forums.
Most important career influencer: In our company, we have a system where managers are given opportunity to work in different functions and groom themselves in the process. This makes for well rounded business leaders exposed to various facets of business and gives them an understanding and appreciation for it. Not that I chose IT, but I went through this process and developed a tremendous respect for it. Not only has it helped me become a better manager, but also a better human being.
How IT and business can work together: I regard myself as a business manager. IT is basically an enabler; it doesn’t own anything. IT basically executes the task which could be an enterprise application, networking, etc that the business needs to function. It helps if you have a business head looking after IT because he is able to understand with the strategic intent of the business and in turn, put it in the system.
Best piece of advice for future CIOs: A CIO’s core responsibility is to align IT with business, understand business strategy and understand what the organization needs. Even if he doesn’t possess a technology background, but grasps all the aforementioned and builds up a good team, he is on the path to success.
What’s the next best thing for my industry: I believe that India is at a strategic inflection point. As a major paint company, we are working towards staying ahead of this challenge, emerge a winner and contribute to the progress of the country. These are exciting times for Indian industry and very exciting times for us too. Being in an industry that supplies to other industries, we have to rise up to the challenges and ensure a good job.
Best book read recently: I read books that interest me and captivate my attention, and that includes non-management books as well. At a given point, I am reading 3-4 books.
If I weren’t a CIO, ….. Right now, I am already into a different role and IT is part of my portfolio…..
--------------------------------------------------------- As told to Anoop K Menon
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