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Never walk into a dark room unprepared

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DQI Bureau
New Update

MG Raghuraman, CIO, has been part of the MphasiS for over 10 years. As a CIO, he drives integrated technology architecture, improves IT agility, and enhances MphasiS employee-technology experience besides reducing cost of revenue on technology. He speaks about his 32-year work experience with Dataquest, which includes a long stint in the manufacturing and transportation domain, when he worked for the Indian railways to his current stint at MphasiS, where he heads operation and delivering several projects including automation and IT. Excerpts

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Desicion-making...

The best part of the IT job is the power of decision making. As you grow up the ladder, the opportunities for IT professionals to make and implement decisions are tremendous. There is a lot to contribute, influence, and control in the IT space. IT decision making is phenomenal with the amount of powers delegated and the ability to influence and make a change to your team and customers. This is the hallmark of the industry. IT has been a great fortune turner for India. 15 years back no one would have believed India would become the IT leader.

Turning point...

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The big change in my career was when I was appointed as executive secretary to the GM which was a change in role from an engineer to an administrative profile. The last seven-eight years of my railway career included IT work and I brought in a lot of automation to inventory management, inventory ordering, and financial management. Having got hooked onto IT, I decided to make it my career.

Next change...

An opportunity came my way when EDS (Electronic Data System) was setting up its facility in Chennai and were looking for managers. At that time they were the largest IT service providers in the world. I went into software development and maintenance role and managed delivery for international clients like Sprint, Embarq, 7/11 and continental air. Software application maintenance and support soon became an area of specialty.

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Education support...

I did my post-graduation in software engineering from BITS Pilani to scale up to the new job requirements and completed courses such as 6 sigma and PMP in a span of three years. Then, I worked as the delivery head for about four years. Thereafter, I took on new challenges like infrastructure outsourcing, transitioned new business from UK and the US to MphasiS and eventually became interim president of ITO in MphasiS. Currently, I have been working as CIO for the last three years.

Challenges unfolded...

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The most challenging part of my career was the transition from a government job to working with the private sector and that too in IT. The environment, customers, the teams, peers and the bosses are very different, and of course including the pay scales and consequently the way you manage and work as a team. It was very critical to plan and anticipate these impending changes, prepare and rehearse them and implement the change plan to be successful in my new career in IT. I would say the lesson learnt was-never walk into a dark room unprepared.

IT attracts...

There are tremendous new opportunities in the field of information technology and it is never static. It is one of the fastest growing industries and the number of opportunities that strike you and options available are innumerable. The technology is changing so rapidly and the impact of IT on banking, finance, etc, is so incredible which throws many doors open. There are also so much learning opportunities and that makes the experience exciting and refreshing.

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The influence...

The influence you have on the client business is so high and amongst all industries, in IT, you find the shortest distance between you and the end customer. You realize that you are playing a crucial and responsible role in shaping customer experience. The sense of self-worth in this job is high because of the significant value delivered to the international clients.

Frank corner...

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The biggest challenge was customizing my communication style from a government profession to an IT job. Speaking of the style, the culture of dealing with customers is completely different. Learning to communicate effectively with international clients was the first big challenge from which I learnt and adapted a lot.

Recalling threads...

Exciting story in this journey: Significant change in my career was when I discussed and tended my resignation to the divisional railway manager, Gopinathan Nayar, who indeed was also my mentor, guide, and guru. He certainly encouraged and boosted my confidence to take on the challenges of a new career, and I will never forget those words of advice from him,"You need to be confident and convinced about your decision and once the decision is made, never look back, even if it turns out to be a wrong decision." I still follow those words diligently, "When you keep looking ahead and focus on the road in front, then opportunities keep turning up at every corner, when you least expect."

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Leading lights...

I was also fortunate to have my new leader in EDS, Abhay Gupte who understood and was very supportive of the transition I made from government to the IT sector. He steered me to several new opportunities and facets of IT in the early days in EDS. What more can you want in work-life?

A boss at the railway sector-Gopinathan Nayar, divisional railway manager (1999-2000) and a leader who inspired me in my first IT job in EDS, Abhay Gupte.

Second option...

If not for IT, I would have continued in the railway department as a mechanical engineer and moved up in the bureaucracy with time. Other career options would be taking up a training, teaching, and mentoring. Training would include professional guidance. Those options are still open.

Hobby factor...

I enjoy gardening and listening to country music and I am a passionate fan of Kishore Kumar. Occasionally I do sing as well and love to read books on history and science and evolution of religion. Reading has been one of the habits I developed during early childhood. I do enjoy playing contract bridge.

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