The Most Inspirational CEOs to Watch In 2020 June2020

Robbie Antonio Founder and CEO

EDITOR’S DESK

Change is the only constant and in the world of commerce, this change is mostly driven by technologies. Technology has evolved at an exponential rate and so has its involvement in business.

The digitalization, upstart competitors, the dire need for breakneck speed, and agility is now demanding workforces to ask more from business leaders than what most can offer

The growth in connected digital technology has also disrupted the concept and application of leadership For instance, gone are the days when leaders thought that managing and leading on the premise that they were co-located was a necessity. This has changed and now teams need not be in the same building or same time zone and this has been made possible through technology.

Success Today – A Dynamic Combination of Women and Business

With smart automation and digitization abilities, technology will gradually take over all the data work. This might even risk the job of a data analyst in many companies, even CIOs and other executives. These are just two of the instances of how technology has changed business.

This in return is also eventually disrupting leadership The focus has now shifted from leader-experts to leader-learners. Attempting to know all is a flawed approach in today’s world. Leaders today are required

Robbie Antonio Founder and CEO

to develop a more sophisticated skill-kit based around emotional intelligence, in addition to technical competency. This fundamental shift will help business leaders recognize the need to focus on their growth and development—a growth mindset. The key here is to be a disruptive leader than being disruptive

The need for change is so urgent that any leader who believes they are immune to disruption themselves is naive. The actual skill of a leader in this digitized era lies in the ability to introspect the mismatch and realities between riding the waves of technological disruption and harness it for success. Another reason that leaders should adapt to these technologies is due to the emerging young workforce generation who are digitally equipped and already are aware of working efficiently with the given technology

All of this leads us to think that technology in itself is neutral. It does not inherently increase productivity. It solely depends on how those new technologies are applied and understood to achieve superlative success. The purpose of designing any particular technology was to improve efficacy hence, mastering it will only determine our success. This again calls back to mind the need for a growth mindset — that allows everyone to learn instantly or continuously. Thus, trailblazing leaders will recognize this and will transform themselves to efficiently transform their associated organizations.

Recognizing the same and our quest to find disruptive leaders who are transforming themselves to efficiently transform their

organization compelled us to derive this edition titled, The 10 Most Inspirational CEOs to Watch 2020.

Featured on the cover of the issue is, Robbie Antonio who is a branding magnate and a leader of tech-driven start-ups. Antonio is an ideal example of one such leader who instead of getting swayed by the omnipresence of technology has leveraged it pervasive power into business.

The other hand-picked executives or entrepreneurs who are turning the tables and have innovatively used technology into their associated organizations are Viv Allanson, Ruslan Desyatnikov, Don Berchoff , and Rob Leslie.

Patsy Tremblett-Di Nillo, Ronnie Sternberg, Liz Youngs, Roy Katmor, and Ari Grobman are the few other leaders whom we would like to enlist in this issue. Their avant-grade and innovate approach has heralded a new era in business

While flipping the pages you might also come across articles and CXO-articles penned by our inhouse writers and executives respectively. We believe that these articles will further give insights into how strong-headed leaders are changing the world.

Happy Reading!

Publishing Control Team Shruti Quality Assurance Team Abhishaj, Sneha

sales@insightssuccess.com

JUNE,

Ofce

A BRANDING MAGNATE AND LEADER OF TECH-DRIVEN STARTUPS

Today’spaceofchangeisrelentlessdueto globalization,technologicalinnovation,andthe growingnumberoflinkagesamongpeople.People alsomixandmingleandforgenewpartnershipstocreate moreculturallydiverseworkplaces.Asaresult,thereisan increasinggroupofcompaniesthatcollaboratesto investigatenewopportunitiesandexplorenewmarkets alongwithnewtechnologiesthatcanshakeupentire industries.

Hence,asthepaceofthischangeaccelerates,thereisa greaterneedforeffectiveleadership.Companiesneedan irreplaceableleader,whokeepsupwiththetimes.They knowthattostayabreastofthismovingworld,oneneedsto beagile,creative,innovativeandwillingtochangeata sheerpace.Suchleadersaretheoneswithadaptabilityand foresight.

Also,whatmakessuchleadersuniqueandstandoutistheir clearvision.Theiraimisnotjusttodistinguishtheir business,buttocreateuniqueandcustomer-centricservices withoutdeviatingfromthecompany’soriginalmission. Suchoutspokenleaderstakecompaniestothezenithof successthroughtheirskillfulcommandandadynamicand collaborativeapproach.

FeaturedonthecoverofthiseditionofInsightsSuccessis thestoryofonesuchdynamicleader,RobbieAntonio, Founder,andCEOofResidentHoldings.Hisvibrant visionletshimcutthroughtoday’sclutterofinformationto communicatetomultiplestakeholdersorpartnersina memorableway.

TheJourneytoProminence

Arealestatedeveloper,techentrepreneur,andartpatron, Antoniohasmanyidentities.Thoughalloftheseidentities standout,themostacclaimedandcreditedoneisthatofan entrepreneurandabrandingexpert.Beforewedigdeeper intotheentrepreneurialjourneyofAntonio,letuslookat thechainofeventsthatinitiatedthisjourney

Antonio’supbringinginabusiness-orientedfamilyisthe resultofwhyhewasalreadyawareoftherealestate market.Thefactthathegrewupinabusiness-oriented familyonlyintensifiedhisdesiretobuildauniquerealestatecompanyusinghisabilities,network,and experiences.Hisearlyexposuretothissectormadehim appreciateitsintricaciesandcomplexities.

However,thesteppingstonetowardsachievinggreatnessis goingagainstthenorm.Afterspendingyearsdoing research,Antoniohadforeseenthepotentialandgrowthof prefabinthereal-estateindustry Theresultoftheresearch iswhatweseeasRevolutionPrecrafted;theflagship companyundertheholdingcompany-ResidentHoldings. Truetoitsname,thiscompanyhasledarevolutioninthe prefabindustry,eventuallymakingAntonioandRevolution Precraftedaprominentnameinthisbusiness.

Todate,Antoniohasworkedwithmorethan100Pritzker PrizeArchitects/firmssuchasPhilipJohnsonAlanRitchie architects,ZahaHadid,PauloMendesdaRocha,I.M.Pei, andChristiandePortzamparc.Hehasalsocollaborated withrenowneddesignersincludingTomDixon,Philippe Starck,MarcelWanders,RonArad,andCampanaBrothers.

Hehasalsoworkedwithmorethan100notablebrandsin variousfields includingHollywood,fashion,design, luxury,andart.Hehasalsosuccessfullyestablishedthe largestnumberofluxurybrandedrealestatedevelopments acrosstheglobe,byworkingwithVersaceHome, WallpaperMagazine,ParisHilton,GiorgioArmanifor ArmaniCasa,LennyKravitz,andMissoniHome.

Creatingaproperty-techcompanywasonlythebeginning forAntonio,however.Becauseofhiskeenpassionto exploremoreindustries,hehasleveragedhisbranding skillstonumerousbusinessesandultimatelycreatedan umbrellaorganizationthatchampionscelebrity-curated brands,productsandservices:ResidentHoldings.

AReviewofResidentHoldings

Launchedin2019,ResidentHoldingsisfastbecominga householdnamebecauseofitssuccessfulbusinessesacross multipleindustries.RevolutionPrecraftedcurrentlyserves astheflagshipcompanyundertheumbrellafirm,and Antoniohascreatedover15businessunitsengagedin fashion,beauty,directmarketing,e-commerceandretail. WhatconnectsallofthesecompaniesisaDNAof celebrity-branding.

“Wewantedtocreatebusinessesthatwillharnessthepower ofcelebritybranding.Webelievethatbypartneringwith celebrities,wecreatevalue-addedproductsandservices thatconsumerswillpatronizeandenjoy,”Antonioadded.

Oneofthemostsuccessfulunitsunderthecompanyis RoaringPetsCompany,anonlinemarketplaceforpettoys

andaccessories.Onewouldthink,thatsuchbusinesses won’tbelucrativebutthecompanyhasenjoyedstrong salessinceitsrolloutlastSeptember2019.

“Becauseofthegreatdemandforuniqueitemsfortheir pets,RoaringPetshasseensteadilysalesdespitethe presenceofnumerouscompetitors.Thatonlyprovesour businessmodel.Byaskingcelebritiestocuratetoysand accessories,youoffersomethingnewtothemarket,” Antonioadded.

OthersuccessfulbusinessunitsunderResidentHoldings include:

• Renegade Branding Concepts isaone-stop-shopfor franchisingandlicensingconceptsthatofferan unparalleledlistofpossibleretailandbusiness opportunitiesinpartnershipwithsomeofthebiggest celebrities.

• Renaissance Touch isanonlinemarketplaceforcelebritycuratedhomeaccessoriesandinteriorspaces.

• Rebel Specs Design —acelebrity-brandedeyewearecommercecompanythatfeaturessleek,top-notchdesign withunbeatableprices.

• Regal Jewelry Selection —acuratede-commercejewelry brandthatsellsgorgeouscelebrity-brandedrings, necklaces,earrings,andbracelets

• Radiant Beauty Selection —ane-commercecompanythat providesbeautyproductsandperfumes.

• Replenish Corporation —thepremierecelebrity-inspired nutritionandvitamine-supplementscompany

ACuratorofArt

Apartfromhislovefordesignsandtechnologywhichis visibleinallhiswork,Antonioisalsoknownforhis extensiveloveforartandisoneoftheyoungestcollectors

ofinternationalmodernandpost-warcontemporaryartin theworld.Hispassionforarthasalsoledhimtocollaborate withartistssuchasMarinaAbramovich,JulianSchnabel, DamienHirst,MarilynMinter,JulianOpie,ZhangHuan, DavidLaChapelle,FrancescoClemente,Takashi Murakami,andJulianSchnabel.

Hisaccomplishmentsasanartcollectorhavehelpedhim receivenumerousawardsfromdifferentorganizations. ArtnetrecognizedAntonioasoneofthe‘12YoungArt CollectorstoWatchin2016,’andasoneofthe‘TheWorld's Top100ArtCollectorsfor2016.’Intheyear2014,Artnet hadrecognizedhimasoneofthe‘20oftheWorld’sMost InnovativeArtCollectors,’andin2015,healsopartof Artnet's‘Top200ArtCollectorsWorldwide.’

AManofManyFeats

ThegloriousodysseyofRobbieAntoniodoesnotendhere. Hisachievementsforartcanbecalledasarewardforhis passion.However,theachievementsforhisworkarewelldeservedandareminderofhiscontributiontotheindustry. Onewouldgooutofwordstodescribethetenacityof Antonioandhiszealtobringchangeintheindustries. Below-mentionedarejustsomeofAntonio'sachievements:-

• RealEstatePersonalityoftheYearbyPropertyGuru • 25MostInfluentialPersonalities”bythePhilippineStar

Under50”byTown&Country • RealEstateAll-starsinNewYork"byRealEstateWeekly, NewYork

• Top40RisingStarsofRealEstateGlobally”by InstitutionalInvestorMagazineattheageof28

Hewasalsonominatedasoneofthe ‘25 Pioneers Who Are Transforming the Built World’ byBuiltWorldsand‘50 Asians Who Are Transforming the Way We Live’by The SingaporeStraitsTimes.

Asyoureadthis,Ihopeyouareenjoyingabright sunnydayorthinkingoftakingadayofffrom worktoenjoythelightshowerthatgoespitterpatteronyourwindow Whetheryoulikeitornot,talking abouttheweatherisagreatice-breaker.However,theway theconversationshapesupfurtherisasunpredictableasthe weatheritself.Butwithscienceandtechnologyinour pockets,eventheunpredictabilityofweathercanbe curtailedtoagreatextent.

RealizingaChildhoodDream

Asakid,wehavetheimaginationandfreedomtochoose anyprofessionwewant.Butaswegrowup,weanalyzeour interestsinabetterway.DonaldBerchoffdiscoveredhis nd passionformeteorologyinthe2 grade.Heconsiders himselffortunateenoughtohavespentthelast35years applyinghisloveofmeteorology,scienceandcritical thinkingtoaddressimportantnationalsecurity,societaland economicchallenges.

Aftercollege,hewascommissionedintheAirForce.There hehonedhismeteorologyskills,recognizedthepossibilities oftechnologytofuseweatherdatawithmissionanalytics andmasteredweather’simpactsonaircraftsensorsystems andothermilitaryoperations.Hereminisces, “The military challenged me to embrace and become comfortable with uncertainty, leading and empowering airmen in difficult

DONALD BERCHOFF

Devising Seamless Weather Strategies for Businesses

environments and becoming a strategist and planner of complex systems.”

HisgrowthcontinuedintheNationalWeatherService.He recognizedthatinnovativeweatherscienceandtechnology were‘trapped’inuniversities,labsandsmallbusinessesto thedetrimentofsocietyandbusinesses.

In2001,hisweatherteamwasnominatedfortheAirForce ChiefofStaffExcellenceawardforimplementingaweather riskmanagementframework.Inoneyear,theweather decisionsystemincreasedaviationmissioneffectiveness andefficiencyby15percent,saving$200million.Thisis theframeworkthatDon’sstartup,TruWeatherSolutionsis implementingtoreduceweather’scostsintheweathersensitiveUnmannedAutonomousSystems(UAS)industry

AnUntappedPotential

th

TheWeatherIndustryinthe20 centurywasdevelopedand ledprimarilybygovernmentsandgovernmentagencies. Withscienceandtechnologyadvancingsoquickly, governmentsdonothavetheresourcesnoragilitytokeep upwiththechangestoservelocalmicro-climatebusiness andemergencymanagementneedsadequately

Theprivateweatherindustryisoutpacinggovernment agenciesincomputerprocessing,weatherobservationsand moregranularweatherpredictions.TheWeatherServices Industry,currently,isa$3billionindustryservingmany verticalsandbusinesses.Still,thecostofweather-related lossesanddisastersexceeds$634Bayearcausedbyalack ofweatherdataprecisionandinadequatetechniquesfor fusingweatherdatainbusinessdecisionsystems.

Thereareaddressablegapsinthescience,observations, modelingandbusinessanalyticsintheWeatherIndustry As astart-up,DonaldledTruWeatherSolutions,isinclined towardsaddressingthesegapareas.

AllWeatherSolutions

TruWeatherSolutions,afteritslaunchin2015,was contractedbytheGovernmentofThailandtodelivera

Donald Berchoff

world-classWeatherResearchandForecast(WRF) modelingsystemtoincreasetheaccuracy,precision,and latencyofweatherforecasts.Itbuiltateamofexpertsto completetheprojectinlessthan6months.

ThecompanybeganfocusingonUnmannedAutonomous System(UAS)weatherapplicationsin2018.Donshares, “A Federal Aviation Administration MIT Lincoln Lab study determined current aviation weather products are insufficient to support the UAS industry. Working in the NY State Test Range with UAS stakeholders for the past two years, we honed our understanding of UAS weather pain points and developed TruFlite™, Software-as-a-Service micro weather, and analytics service.”

TruFlite™acquiresandaggregatesterabytesofweather datainreal-timeandproducesacustomweathersolution foreachmissionprofile,intimeandspace,tooptimize missionsafety,successandprofitability.

FacingRoughWeather

Beinganindustryveteran,Donbelievesthatthe governmentmustprovideforcitizensafetyandsecurity.He argues, “Conflictinginformationdisseminatedtothepublic inthemiddleofaweatheremergencydoescostlives.Itisa challengingproblem—whereisthelineandhowdothe governmentandprivatesectoravoidsteppingoneachother, whilenotstiflinginnovation?Theprivatesectoristhe enginetodriveweatherinnovationintothemarket. AcceleratingScienceandTechnologytransitionfromour Nation’slabs,universitiesandsmallbusinessesprovide betterchoicesandoutcomesforpeopleandbusinessesthat enhanceoureconomiccompetitivenessglobally.”

Asaresource-constrainedstart-up,tryingtostrengthenits foothold,TruWeatherwasdriventobuildpartnershipswith innovativeprivatesectorcompanies,thebestofthebest,to integratewithitsbusinessanalyticsplatform.Donadds, “The challenge of realizing a big vision with limited resources meant developing an agile, powerful platform that takes advantage of our strengths in understanding the aviation and logistics industries while allowing quick onramping of the best science and technology from a global consortium of partners.”

Life@TruWeather

Asaleaderathisfirmandarespectednameinthedomain, Donunderstandstheimpacthecanhaveoverothers.And theinfluencerthatheistoday,istheresultoftheinfluences hehashadasayoungman.

Herecalls,“Withmostpeople,theexperiencesasayoung personinfluencehowIleadorinfluenceothers.Forme, therewasfamilyillnessandfinancialhurdlestoattending

collegeandpursuingmydreamcareer.Fortunately,the StateofNYrecognizedmypromiseandselectedmeto attendSUNYatOneontawithlessthanstellarhighschool gradesandprovidedafullscholarshiptocovertuition, housing,andmeals.WhenIspeakpublicly,Igenerally mentiontherewereyearsIpaidmoreintaxesthanmy entirecollegebill.Theassistancegavemealifelineanda ladder.Iexperiencedtheimportanceofprovidingyoung folksthetoolsandopportunitiesneededtosucceedfrom anywalkoflife.”

ForhisextendedfamilyatTruWeather,hehasthreesimple tenets:

• becomecomfortablebeinguncomfortable;

• alwaysassumebestintentionsuntilprovenotherwise; • andeverydayisatrainingday…forhimandeveryone else.

Hefeelsthatbusinesssuccesscomeseasierwith empoweringpeople,holdingthemaccountableand providingasafeenvironmentforthemtolearnfrom mistakes.Thesamefeelingechoesinhisadvicetothe youngentrepreneurs.Headvicesthemto, “Focus on your core competency. Everything takes longer than you plan. Collaboration makes you stronger, so nurture your business relationships. Trust and challenge your people and set the example by staying true to the core values of the company.”

PredictingtheFuture

NowthatTruFlite™isinthemarket,TruWeatherwillfocus onrevenuegrowth,expandingbusinessanalyticcapabilities andscalingglobally.In2020,itwillbuildoutaUASAir WeatherOperationsCenterinSyracuseandgrowits ScienceandTechnologyCenterintheUniversityof Albany’sEmergingTechnologyandEntrepreneurship Complex.Thecompanywillnurtureitspartnershipswith innovativesensingsolutionsandmachinelearningmodels toadvancetheapplicationofweatherscience.Eventually, thecompanywillexpandintootherunder-servedindustry verticals.

“

ROB LESLIE

Rob Leslie, Founder & CEO

Theintricaciesanddepthoftruebusinessleadership canonlybemeasuredwhenonestepsintotheshoes ofaleader.Onehastowitnessfirsthand,howvital itistobepreemptivelydecisive,tocalculateeverymove consideringtherisksinvolved,andalongthewayplanting seedsofsuccessandexcellencewithintheconsciousnessof everysubordinate.

Individualswhopossessandavidlyexhibitsuchtraits, possessthecapabilitiestodriveabusinesstozeniths. Takingthesameintoconsideration,thiseditiontitledThe MostInspirationalCEOstoWatchin2020,bringstoyou storiesofinfluentialleadershipandentrepreneurship.

OnesuchstoryisthatofRobLeslie,thefounderandCEO ofSedicii.BeinganElectronicsEngineerbyprofessionand havinggraduatedfromDublinCityUniversityinIreland, RobfoundedSediciiin2013.

PriortoSedicii,Robco-foundedKyckr(ASX:KYK)which isnowlistedontheAustralianStockExchange.The companyprovidesorganisationalidentityverification servicesforcompliancewithKYCandAMLregulationsto banksandotherfinancialinstitutionsacrosstheglobe.

Previouslyhespent20yearsinJapanwherehewasapart oftheoriginalmanagementteaminDellJapanthat establishedandgrewthebusinesstoalmost300employees and$300Mturnoverinitsfirst4years.

RedefiningExcellence

Sediciipossessesoperationalandacademicexpertiseinthe fieldsofFinTech,CyberSecurity,Compliance,Fraud Detection,IdentityManagement,andsecurity The companyhasdevelopedandpatentedazeroknowledge proofprotocolwhichusesadvancedcryptographytohelp peopleandbusinessesprovetheiridentitiesinreal-time withoutcompromisingtheirrighttoprivacy.

Robbelievesthatartificialintelligenceandmachine learningaregoingtotransformhowdataisusedinorderto taketasksthatwerepreviouslydonebyhumansand transformthemintoautomatedprocesses.Pertainingtothis, hestatesthatSediciiisusingmachinelearningandAIinits useofdatatohelpidentifyfraudandmoneylaunderingin thefinancialsystemasearlyaspossible.

Sediciihaswonover20technologyandinnovationawards includingtheBBVAOpenInnovation‘FintechforFuture’ Award.BBVAistheoldestandlargestFintechInnovation ProgramintheworldandhashighlightedSediciias“the start-upwiththegreatestpotentialtotransformthefinancial sectorinthenext10years!”

Sediciiiscurrentlyateamof15peopleanditismultilocationalinIreland,Belgium,UnitedKingdomandthe CanaryIslandofTenerife.Robbelievesitisvitalforthe developmentofthecompanythatheensuresinclusivityof everyoneatthecompany’sdevelopmentphase.

Tothisend,Robinsistsonregularweeklymeetingswhere everyoneisencouragedtoparticipateandmakesuggestions andalsoencouragedto“thinkoutsidethebox”.Theentire

Creating A Secure Future for Companies through Transformative Innovation

teamiswellawarethatRobalwayspromotesanopen-door policy.

SurpassingChallenges

Whenaskedaboutthechallengeshefacedandovercame,in hisroleoffounderandCEO,Robexpresses,“Likeallstartupcompanies,thelastsixyearshaveseenmanychallenges. Initially,Ispenttimeexperimentingwiththetechnology andgaininganin-depthknowledgeandunderstandingofits possibleapplications.”

WiththeintroductionofGDPRinMay2018,Robsaw acceleratedinterestandneedforZKP Totakeadvantageof thisopportunitythebiggestchallengeforhimwasfinding like-mindedinvestorswhosawthepotentialandbenefitsof whatSediciiistryingtoachieve.

ThecontinuingchallengeforRobandSediciiisfinding governmentbodies,financialinstitutionsandprofessional bodieswhocanseeandbelieveinthe seismic mind-change neededwhenitcomestodataprivacy.“20 years ago, no one could have foreseen the advances in information technology, ZKP has the potential to bring technology to an even higher level,”saysRob.

Toelucidateonthischallenge,Robregularlyusesthe analogyoftheemptyswimmingpool.Hestatesthatempty swimmingpoolscauseaninitialreactionoffearinpeoples’ minds;theremustbesomethingwrongwiththepool becauseno-oneisinit.However,assoonastherearea coupleofpeopleinit,everyoneishappytogetin.“What we are doing with identity, personal data and privacy engenders the exact same reaction – initially fear of the unknown but once the first few have jumped into the pool, everyone is willing to follow,”explainsRob.

SpeakingabouthisachievementsRobexpresses,“My proudest accomplishments to date was being named a World Economic Forum Technology Pioneer for our work on the zero-knowledge proof protocol and getting the opportunity to speak at Davos on cybersecurity, digital identity and other technology issues affecting the world’s economies.”

PassingontheKeystoSuccess

UpholdinghisresponsibilityasaninspirationalleaderRob

providesguidanceandadvicetothebuddingandaspiring entrepreneurs.Inhiswords,“Toanyonewithanideaandan entrepreneurialspirit,Isaytryitanddon’tgiveupatthe firsthurdleyoufailtogetover–persistandpersevere!If youbelieveinaproduct,serviceoridea,teaseitoutwith others;findother,moreseasonedentrepreneursandmentors whohavebeenthroughthesameprocessandquestion, question,question.”

“There is no such thing as a wrong question – sometimes it’s the most simple thing that causes us to slip up along the way. Refine your thoughts and have a good sounding board for those whom you trust. As you go along the journey there are sure to be bumps and challenges, however look at these as opportunities rather than obstacles,”headds.

“Believe in yourself. Listen to your colleagues and always be prepared to work ‘in’as well as ‘on’your business. After all, in the words of former US President Truman “the buck stops here”(withtheCEO),”Robconcludes.

BeholdingtheFuture

Robandhisteam’splanforSediciiistogrowthe company’scustomerbase,alliancesandclients.“The aspiration is to have a global network which can harness digital identity and allow it to enable the services we all want, while at the same time protecting our right to privacy and confidentiality,”saysRob.

Sediciiaimstodeliveracustomercentricexperiencethat future-proofsanindividual’srighttoprivacywhile,atthe sametime,beingGDPRcompliant,enablingbusinessesto dowhattheyneedtodotoprovidetheircustomerswith services.

“

In three years time, our plan is that we will have grown the company to scale and be well on our way to fulfilling the BBVA prediction that Sedicii will transform the financial sector in the next 10 years,”concludesRob,exhibitinghis andhisteam’sdeterminationandconfidence.

L S E E H AD P R I

An Important Trait Driving Businesses ToSuccess

Withineachofuslietwoselves,onewho buildsaresumeandtheotherwhoseeks qualitieslikeconnection,love,community, andrespect.Allofthesemakeforagreateulogy The resumevirtuesaretheskillsthatonebringstothemarket place.Theeulogyvirtuesaredeeper.Itdefineswhoa personcanalsobe.Anefficientleaderbringsbothtothe table.Theyunderstandthathavingtop-notchskillsis equallyimportantashavingcompassion,humanity,and respect.Hence,combiningboththetraitstheymolda cultureintheircompanythatdrivessuccess.

Successistheoutputofgoodleadership.Theneedto succeedputsaleaderinadriver’sseat,whothencarves apathandnavigatesthesteeringofthecompanytothe zenithofsuccess.However,noleadercanreachthetop untilheorshehasareliableengine.Theengineweare talkingabouthereisthe‘employees’orallthepeople associatedwiththecompany Therateofsuccess dependsonhowgoodtheengineis.Toreachthetopthe

# LEADERSHIP

peopleassociatedwiththecompanyandevenleader shouldworktogethertowardsthecommongoal;thisis whereemployee-engagementcomesintoplay.Engaging employees bringthebestresultsandthecompany’s workcanalsobedonemoreeffectivelyandefficiently. Sohowcanaleaderbuildaculturethatdrivesthe growthfornotonlythecompanybutalsoofits employees?

Leading by Example

Asaleader,itisimportanttoknowthatthepeopleof yourcompanyarecloselywatchingyou.Henceitis importanttonoteyouractions;iteitherswaysthe employeespositivelyornegatively Thebestwayto bringapositiveimpactistoleadbyexample.Leaders havetocarefullythinkthroughtheactionstheyplanon implementinginthecompany.Forexample,ifthe businessimpliesgivingawaysomethingtothe community.Planacharityeventwiththeemployees;let themseethatyoustandtruetoyourwords.Thiswill developasenseoftrustwithinemployeesandtheywill lookforwardtocompassionandguidancefromleaders.

Their Strength is their Team

Aleaderhastorealizethathehashand-pickedallhisor heremployeesandhence,theyshouldknowwhois capableofwhat.Thisrealizationcanbringaparadigm shiftwithinthecompany.Once,theemployeesrealize thattheirbossknowswhotheyare;theywill continuouslyputineffortstomaintainthatrespect. However,toreachthatlevelofrelationship,aleader shouldalwaystrytoknowhisteammembersand supportthemcontinuously.

Appreciate the Efforts

Thisisanothermostimportantthingthat shouldbekeptinmind.Anemployee learnsfromhisorherleader,however, leadersshouldlearnfromthemtoo.It

happenswhenleadersappreciatenewideasputforward byemployees,talkabouttheplausiblewaysto implementit,theoutcomesandevendrawbacks. Animpeccableleaderwillrealizethateveryonehas somethingortheothertoputinfrontofthetable.And whiletheemployeesbrainstormtobringnewinnovative ideas,appreciatetheireffortandlearnfromit.

Nomatterhowmanyarticles,booksorblogsoreven guidelinesarewrittenuponleadership,leaderscannever leadfollowingtherulebook.Ithappenswithinstinctwith passionandperseverance.Also,thereisnoshortcutto successuntiltheemployeesofacompanyareengagedin thegrowthprocess.However,toachievethisitis importantthataleadershapesthecultureofthat companyinsuchawaythatdrivessuccess.Thisculture canonlybeshapedthroughmodeling,feedback, purpose,andequalparticipationofemployees.

Foranygivenbusinessintheworld,thebestway toretaincustomersisdeliveringqualityproducts andservices.Whenabusinessdeliversaquality productorservice,theydelivertheirpromiseofcreating anddeliveringaproductthatnotjustmeetsclient expectations,butexceedsthem.Andtodosotheyneed toputeffortsinallstepsofcreatingit,withspecial emphasisonQualityAssurance(QA)andTesting.

Forovertwodecades,QAMentorhasbeenhelping variousorganizations’QAdepartmentsaroundtheworld toimprovetheirQAprocessesandtransformtheminto morematureQAorganizations.QAMentorisallabout mentorship,guidance,training,supporting,and providingstrategicsupporttoclientorganizations.

RuslanDesyatnikov,CEOandFounder,speaksabout howhebuiltthecompanyfromscratchandisnowina questtobecomethe#1leaderintheQAandtesting space.

Kindlybriefusaboutyourprofessionaljourneysince thebeginningofyourcareer.

RUSLAN DESYATNIKOV

Delivering Quality Solutions for Business

IstartedmyprofessionalQualityAssurance&Testing Careeralmost23yearsago.Ihadaveryhardtime findingajobaftercollege.AllmyfriendswithwhomI graduatedfoundjobsinveryprestigiouscompanieswith verygoodsalariesandsign-onbonuses.Someofthem wereacceptedintoprogramswherecompaniestrained for2yearsstraightandIwasstillstrugglingwithno options.IhadnothingtolosesoItookthefirstofferI hadonthetablefor$35,000ayearwhichwas $25,000 lessthanwhatmostpeopleinITreceivedaftercollege.I startedinaNewYorkstart-upasaJuniortesterwhereI hadnoideawhatthejobwasallabout,sinceeveryone wantedtobecomeaprogrammeratthattime.

IwasonthebottomrungofaverytallladderthatI continuedtoclimbyearafteryearbydoingpractically everysinglejobinQA.Iwasanautomationengineer, performanceengineer,projecttestcoordinator,andQA manager ThenImovedintoprogressivelybigger managementrolesinmanydifferentorganizationsuntilI decidedthatIwasreadytostartsomethingonmyown.

Sharewithusthenotedmilestones,accomplishmentsof yourjourneyalongwithhighlightingthecompany’s achievementsunderyourleadership.

QAMentorhaswonmorethan60awardsand recognitionsaroundtheglobe.Amajorawardwas receivedinLondonattheEuropeanSoftwareTesting Awards.QAMentorwonthemostprestigiousaward–LeadingVendor.Tous,itwastheequivalentofwinning agoldmedalattheOlympicsascompetitorswerevery well-knownmulti-billion-dollarcompanies.Another

Ruslan Desyatnikov, CEO & Founder

majorrecognitionwasbyGartnerwhoincludedusinthe top10BestPurePlayMobileTestingProvidersdueto ourstate-of-the-artlabswithover400mobiledevices andouruniquemobiletestingmethodology

Kindlytellusaboutthechallengesyoufacedasa CEOthroughoutyourongoingtenure.

Mycurrentteamisadreamteamandmakingthisdream cometruewasahugechallenge.Forthoseofyouwho knowme,Iamnotaguywholikestosugarcoatthingsto saysomethingthatIdon’treallymean,buttheteamwe builtatQAMentor,whichisaninternationalteam locatedin8differentcountriesandspeaksmany languages,isamazing.

Ihandpickedandpersonallyinterviewedeverysingle personandhiredthosewhowantedtogrowwitha company,createanimpacteverydayandmakea difference,learnandcontinuallyraisethebar,andnever relysolelyonpreviousaccomplishmentsbuttoinstead trytowinwitheveryopportunity,everysingleday.

IrememberatimewhenIhadabsolutelynomoneyto paysalaries,IcalledameetingandIexplainedthe situation.Ipromisedtopayoutstandingsalaries,butI alsotoldmyguysthatIwouldnotbeupsetifthey startedlookingforanewjobwithstablesalaries.Itwas thedarkestdayinmylifebecauseIdidnotknowwhatto do.Notasinglepersonleft,andeveryonesaidthatthey willcontinuewithoutsalariesuntilthesituation improved.ThisissomethingwhichIwillneverforget. Thatshowedthatwearenotjustateam,butwearea familyandwetrusteachother.Itmadeusstrongerand putusontheroadtosuccess.

Whatisyouradvicetothebuddingandaspiring CEOs?

Youhavetofollowyourdreams.Youareincontrolof yourownsuccess.Itisuptoyoutoeitherbesuccessful orgiveupattheearly.Itisanextremelydifficultroad withmanybumps,obstacles,surprises,challengesand unpredictablecircumstances.Youmustbereadyforthis andkeeppositive,moveforward,andbelieveinyourself

andyourteambymovingtowardsyourgoals. Sometimesyouneedtoslowdown,sometimesyou mighttakefewstepsback,butitwillhelpyoutomove furtherinthelongrun.

Formebusinessisagame–averychallengingand toughgamewhereinordertowinyoumustgive100% andbepassionateaboutwhatyoudo.Youshouldnever beconcernedaboutmoney,wealth,andsuccess.You shouldbeconcernedaboutthehappinessandsuccessof yourcustomersandhappinessofyourownemployees. Whenyouhaveachievedthat,youwillbesuccessfuland atruewinner

Whatarefutureplansforyouandyourcompany? Wheredoyouseethecompanyintheyearstocome?

Wehaveverybrightfutureaheadofusandwewillnot stopwithourcurrentaccomplishments.Wewillcontinue oursuccessfulacquisitionstrategybyacquiringyoung andambitiousinternationalQAcompaniesaswewantto establishafootprintineverysinglecountrytopromote ourproprietarymethodologies,bestpracticesand innovativeapproachesandtohelplocalcompaniesto achievesuperiorqualityontheirproducts.Wewill continuebuildingmoretestingproductsandsolutions similartoourQACoverageTestManagementPlatform whichiscurrentlyserving384clientsaroundtheworld.

OurnewproductQAMometorwhichwearelaunching inQ2of2020,shouldbeverysuccessfulandweaimto haveeveryQADepartmentusingit.Wewillcontinueto launchnewinterestingQAservicesandwewillcontinue tostayontopofnewtechnologiestobeabletoreact quicklytoclientneeds.

Maroba Caring, CEO

Love,careandcompassionarebasicaspectspresent inbothanimalsandhuman.Thesearethefeelings thatkeepustogetherasfamily,friends,society, nationandultimatelytheworldasitis.Whileeveryone caresfortheirfamilyandfriends,thereareafewwho trulyconsidertheworldastheirownandextendtheir compassionforeveryonetheycomeacross.Suchpeople findtruejoyindevotingtheirlivestothecauseofothers. Nurses,acrosstheworld,personifythebestofthese aspects.Nursingisn’tjustaprofession,butaresponsibility thatonlythetoughestandyetthegentlestofhumanscan bear

Atage15,VivAllansonenlistedasaVolunteerPinkLady. Thisfirstsmallstepintoahealthcarerolegavehera degreeofconfidenceinahospitalenvironmentthatshe wouldnothaveotherwisehad.Thisexperienceconfirmed whatVivhasknownsincechildhoodthatshewantedtobe anurseandstartedtolearnallthatshecould,assheknew itwouldbeherlife’swork.

Viv’snursingcareerstartedin1975asastudentnurseat RoyalNewcastleHospital.Shereceivedmany

VIV ALLANSON

Making a Difference While Caring for the Elderly

opportunitiestogrow,manageandleadinthevarious specialitiessheventuredinto,includingMidwifery,Renal andDialysis,NurseEducationandNursing Administration.InViv’searlyyears,shewaselectedby herpeersandappointedbythethenMinisterforHealth ontothefirstNewcastleAreaHealthboard.Vivthen experiencedwhatitwasliketocarrytheresponsibilityof aDirectorandthusbeganherjourneywithleadership roles.

MomentsthatDefineLife

Vivundertookfurthertertiarystudiesandcompletedthe DiplomaofNursingAdministrationandthencompleteda MastersofHealthServicesManagementasshe transitionedintotheAgedCaresector.Shewasadvised againstthemovebyherfriendsastheyopinedthat nothinghappensinAgedCareandthatVivwas committingCareersuicide.TothisVivchallengedthem with ‘Don’t you want the best for your Nan!’, because I was fully persuaded that I could make a difference to the standard of care and service that was acceptable back in those days.”

Viv,whobelievesindoingwhatshesaysshewill,went aheadwithherchoiceandhasn’tlookedbackasshehad manyopportunitiesopenuptoher.Continuingher leadershiprolesrepresentingthesectoratregional,state, nationalandInternationallevel,Vivnowservesasthe CEOofMarobaCaringCommunities.

MarobaCaringCommunities

Growingoldisnotamatterofchoice,butgrowingold withdignitycertainlyis.Nomatterhowyoungoroldwe are,weallwanttobetreatedwithdignityandloved

unconditionally.However,withtheworldcomingcloser andourlovedonesspreadingacrossit,lonelinesshas becomeapersistentallytoold-age.Whilethismightbea st21 centuryissue,thefoundersofMarobaCaring Communitiessensedtheneedwaybackin1954.Itwas startedbythemenandwomenoffaithtoprovidecareto elderlywomeninthelocalchurch.Thefoundingstatement ‘LoveyourNeighbourasYourself’remainsasrelevant todayasitdidallthoseyearsago.

LocatedinNewSouthWales,theMarobaAgedCare facilityprovidesasafe,relaxedandwelcoming environmentforelderlyresidents,clients,community, staff,volunteersandstudents.Itsteamofdedicated professionalsarefocusedaroundcreatingbeautiful communitiesandstrivetohelpresidentsstayhealthyand happy.

Maroba’svisionistodeliverexperienceslikenoother Whilethetraditionalservicessuchasresidentialagedcare andretirementaccommodationremainitsfocus,Maroba hasintroducedanewrangeofwellnessandsupport servicesthatarestructuredtosupporttheolderperson. KnownasCommunityServices,theseprogramsarealso opentothewiderCommunity Theprogramsoffera healthyapproachtoageingbyaimingtoimprovethe participant’squalityoflife,andbysupportingthemtobe moreindependent.

Marobaiswell-establishedandhasbeenservingthe familiesoftheregionsince1954andinsomecasesthey caredformanygenerationsofthosefamilies.Marobadoes allitcantomakethestaycomfortablefortheresidents andclients.Vivadds, “When you truly love the people, you are naturally inspired to create a better living and working environment for all. That’s what we do here…we keep asking, How can we make lives more meaningful, How can we enhance the living environment, How can we better engage our teams…Everyone is family to me.”

ExtendingEmpathy

TheMarobateamisalsoinvolvedwiththecommunityand variouscharitableorganisations.Theteamengagesin corporatesponsorshipsandseeksinvolvementinnetworks andcommittees.Itsgoalistocollaboratewithcommunity andorganisationalpartnerstodelivermeaningfulhealth

andwell-beingprogramstobenefiteveryoneinvolved.It iscommittedtobuildingrelationshipswithlike-minded organisationsandindividualswhosharetheirvaluesand arefocusedonbringingpositivechangetothelivesofall people.

AstheCEO,Viv,alongwithherteam,isfocusingon furtherexpansionandupgradesofthebuiltenvironment. Sheisalsolookingatgrowingandevolvingservice offerings,furtherdevelopmentandembeddingofamultigenerationalservicethroughlocalpartnerships.Vivisalso lookingtofurtherstrengthenMaroba’steachingfacility modelwhichhasgrownsuccessfullyonthegoodwill economyfor25years.

“

TheFuelfor Leadership Passion;

Justlikeancientkingdomsandempires,companies

cancomeandgowiththetimes.However,unlike somebusinesses,fewflourishandlastforages. Thesecretbehindthisisgreatleadership.But,what drivessuchleaders,orwhatmotivatesthemtoachieve greatsuccess.

Effectiveleaders,whobuildempiresontheirshoulders haveadeepdesiretodotheirworktothebestoftheir ability Theyareonacontinuousquesttoinspiretheir teams,sharetheirpassionandreachsuperlativegoals.

AstudyconductedbyCornellUniversitystatesthatbest leadershaveanacutesenseofcompassionandempathy thathelpsthemleaddistinctively.However,thequestion hereiswhoisacompassionateleader?Andhowdothey leadwithadifference?

Acompassionateleadercaresabouttheworldaround them.Thenumberofbookswrittenonleadershipis countless.Onecanpickanyoneofthemandreadit closely.However,alltheknowledge(only)willnotmake themagoodleader.Suchleadersleadfromtheheartand careforemployeesasmuchastheorganization.

Theircompassiontowardsbothiswhatbringssuccess. Equalpassionforthecompany,projectsandforthe peopleinvolvedarethekeyattributesofsuccessful leadership.Drivenbycuriosityandthemotivationto learnabouttheworldaroundthem,passionateleaders worktogetherwiththeiremployeesorpeopleinvolved.

So,arethereanyparticularguidelinesorarulebookthat stateshowcompassionateleaderslead?No,leadingfrom passioncomesfromwithin.Thisleadsustoaquestion, howexactlydoesapassionatelead?

ThereisEnergyEverywhere

Apassionateleaderissoimmersedinhisorherwork that,theywilldoanythingplausibletomakethings happen.Suchleadershaveanaurathatspeaks dominance,butwithcareandsimplicity.Theyhave withinthemselvesthepowertoinspireandignite people’smindstodomore.Themomentyoumeeta passionateleader,heorsheemitsenergythatliftsothers up.Actingaswherewithal,thisenergydrivespeopleto pushharderandtogobeyond.

WithPassionFollowsVision

Ultimately,thesuccessofanycompanyresidesinthe handsofboththeleaderandemployees.However,the keyhereistounderstandthevisionofthecompanyor thevisiontheleaderhasandtoworktowardsit.Thisis oneofthemanychallengesthatleadersface.

Acompany’svisionlooksniceprintedonabrochureor paintedonthewall,however,toliterallyhaveitinthe DNAoftheteamisadifferentstory.But,asstated before,aleader'spassionwilldriveeveryoneinthat companytotirelesslyworkuntilitisachieved.

ConstantlyInfluencingThosearoundYou

Bynowitisveryevidentthatpeoplewanttofollow passionateleaders.Hence,thewords,actionsofsuch leadersnaturallyinfluenceandmotivatethosearound them.Peoplealsowanttoaroundtheon-goingsandso, iftheyseeworkinghard,achievinggreatnessorlearning somenew,theywanttobeapartofittoo.

WhatdoPassionateLeadersteachus?

Beingpassionateisnotsomethingthatonlytheleaders possess.Infact,itissomethingallofushave.Havingan undyingpassionwilldriveyououtofyourcomfortzone. Itwillbringnewopportunitiesandopenthedoorto success.Thereasonbehindthisisthatwhenoneis passionateaboutwhatheorsheisdoing,itmovesone closertotheirpotential.However,wantingtobe passionateornotisalwaysone’schoiceitshouldbea needoracalling.