To enhance customer experience (CX) and leverage technology for competitive advantage, organizations are increasingly seeking innovative solutions.
Effective utilization of platforms like Salesforce can significantly boost an organization’s ability to manage customer relationships, streamline operations, and drive growth.
Achieving this requires not only a deep understanding of the technology but also the expertise to integrate and customize these solutions to fit unique business needs.
UnfoldLabs Inc. under the leadership of CEO Asokan Ashok is a leading provider in this domain.
Asokan Ashok, CEO of UnfoldLabs Inc., is a visionary leader with extensive experience in technology strategy, innovation, and leadership.
His career spans established companies like Samsung, and Motorola and dynamic start-ups, providing him with a unique perspective on navigating the complex realm of technology.
Here, he shares insights on his journey, principles, and vision for the future of technology.
Pushing Technological Boundaries
One pivotal moment in his career was during his tenure at HiTech Services. Asokan was part of a team working on a major project that involved creating an innovative telephone solution for remote areas.
This project required the team to push the boundaries of what was technologically possible at the time. The success of this project taught him the importance of having a bold vision and the tenacity to see it through, even when the odds seem challenging.
Navigating the challenges in established companies versus start-ups requires a flexible mindset and an adaptive approach. In established companies, the challenge often lies in driving innovation within a structured environment with well-defined processes and hierarchies.
Here, it’s crucial to foster a culture of intrapreneurship, where employees are encouraged to think creatively and challenge the status quo.
Innovative Approach to Driving Technology Strategy
In start-ups, the challenge is more about survival and scaling. It is a fast-paced environment where decisions need to be made quickly, and resources are often limited.
Here, agility and a strong focus on execution are key. Drawing from his experiences in both environments, Asokan has learned to blend the strategic foresight and resourcefulness of a start-up with the operational excellence of an established company to drive success.
According to Asokan, driving technology strategy and vision within an organization involves adhering to several key principles:
- Customer-Centricity: Starting with the customer and working backward. Understanding their needs, pain points, and aspirations to guide the technology roadmap.
- Innovation: Fostering a culture where innovation is encouraged and rewarded. This involves creating an environment where experimentation is allowed, and failure is seen as a stepping stone to success.
- Agility: In the rapidly evolving tech landscape, being agile is crucial. This means being able to pivot quickly in response to market changes or new insights.
- Collaboration: Encouraging cross-functional collaboration to leverage diverse perspectives and expertise. This often leads to more holistic and innovative solutions.
- Sustainability: Focus on building sustainable technologies that not only solve today’s problems but are also scalable and adaptable to future challenges.
Securing Tomorrow
One successful project that stands out at UnfoldLabs is the development of MySecureME, a mobile device management solution. The team identified a growing concern among consumers regarding the security of their mobile devices.
Through extensive market research and customer feedback, they pinpointed specific device management features in high demand.
These insights were seamlessly integrated into the product development process, with a focus on creating a user-friendly and highly secure mobile platform.
The outcome was a scalable product that not only addressed the immediate needs of customers but also possessed the flexibility to adapt to emerging security threats. This project highlighted the significance of listening to customers and leveraging their insights to drive innovation.
Asokan believes that the most critical technology trends shaping the industry today are:
- Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML): These technologies are revolutionizing industries by enabling automation, predictive analytics, and personalized experiences. Companies should invest in AI/ML capabilities and explore how these technologies can enhance their operations and customer offerings.
- Internet of Things (IoT): IoT is driving the creation of interconnected ecosystems. Companies should focus on developing IoT-enabled products and services that can provide real-time data and insights.
- Blockchain: Beyond cryptocurrencies, blockchain has the potential to revolutionize supply chains, finance, and secure data management. Companies should explore blockchain applications relevant to their industry.
- Mobile Technology: With its high-speed and low-latency capabilities, the futuristic mobility protocols and networks will transform various sectors, from telemedicine to smart cities. Companies should prepare by upgrading their network infrastructure and exploring new business models enabled by cool new mobile technologies.
- Sustainability Tech: As environmental concerns grow, sustainable technologies are becoming increasingly important. Companies should invest in green technologies and practices to reduce their carbon footprint and appeal to eco-conscious consumers.
Navigating the Startup Journey
Asokan suggests prospective start-ups hoping to break into the technology industry to pinpoint a legitimate issue and make sure the solution truly solves a demand. He stresses how crucial it is to carry out in-depth market research to validate the concept.
A brilliant idea is only as good as its execution; hence it must be done well. Ensuring the quality of the product and fulfilling commitments are crucial.
Asokan emphasizes the value of putting together a solid team with gifted, committed members who have a range of skill sets and viewpoints, as these are essential for creativity and problem-solving.
He advises remaining flexible, ready to change course, and making adjustments in response to client and market input. To successfully navigate the unknowns of the startup journey, flexibility is crucial.
According to Asokan, maintaining a lead in new developments necessitates a proactive, ongoing learning strategy.
To keep up with the most recent advancements and discoveries, he makes time to read research papers, industry reports, and credible tech magazines.
He can share ideas and learn fresh viewpoints by attending conferences, joining professional networks, and networking with peers in the business.
Asokan also stresses the value of practical experience. Through hands-on experimentation with novel technologies and instruments, he acquires a profound comprehension of their capabilities and constraints.
Through cooperative projects and knowledge exchange, he can maintain his position at the vanguard of innovation through partnerships with academic institutions, research groups, and other businesses.
Ideal Integration of Technology
Teaching and mentoring are also important facets of his methodology. Asokan interacts with new concepts and up-and-coming talent by coaching startups and imparting knowledge at workshops or seminars, which maintains his viewpoint relevant and dynamic.
He emphasizes the importance of technological integration. According to Asokan The intersection of AI, Natural Language Processing (NLP), Machine Learning (ML), and analytics is a powerful force driving business growth and innovation.
These technologies collectively enable organizations to extract valuable insights from vast amounts of data, automate complex processes, and create personalized experiences.
AI and ML enable predictive analytics, automate decision-making processes, and optimize operations across various domains.
NLP enhances human-computer interaction by enabling machines to understand and respond to natural language, making technologies more accessible and user-friendly.
Analytics provides actionable insights by analyzing data patterns, helping businesses make informed decisions, and identifying new opportunities.
By leveraging these technologies, companies can improve efficiency, enhance customer experiences, and drive innovation. Businesses must invest in these areas and develop the necessary expertise to harness their full potential.
Triumph Amidst Adversity
At a previous company, Asokan encountered a difficult scenario during a significant product launch.
There was a great deal of strain because major technical problems surfaced only a few days before the planned release, and postponing the launch was out of the question because of market obligations.
Asokan assembled a cross-functional task team with specialists from other departments to address the problem. They carried out a comprehensive investigation to find the source of the issue.
They carried out thorough testing to guarantee stability and put into practice a focused remedy after having a good grasp of the problem.
Clear communication and teamwork were essential throughout. Asokan made sure that everyone involved was informed and that problem-solving was done with flexibility but emphasis.
In the end, the product was successfully released on schedule, garnered favorable market response, and developed into a very successful product that is now accessible on millions of devices globally.
A Voyage to Empower Innovation
Asokan Ashok is driven by a strong enthusiasm for innovation and a desire to have a good global effect to seek new endeavors and opportunities in the technology sector.
The speed at which technology is developing offers countless opportunities to solve practical issues and enhance people’s lives all around the world.
He is driven by the challenge of pushing the boundaries of what’s possible and the excitement of bringing new ideas to life.
He is inspired and kept involved by the dynamic, ever-evolving start-up ecosystem and its prospects for expansion. Asokan is driven by the chance to guide and assist youthful, vibrant talent who is just starting.
Observing others flourish and use technology to improve the world is immensely fulfilling and strengthens his resolve to promote entrepreneurship and innovation.
Anyone wishing to traverse the intricate world of technology and innovation can learn a great deal from Asokan Ashok’s experience and thoughts. His beliefs, background, and vision offer a road map for achieving success in a field that is always changing.
