Intelligent CIO Africa Issue 42 | Page 71

GET TO KNOW... On the lighter side of things, we ask the industry experts what makes them tick. . . . Atisha Raghunanan, Director, Cleeks Cloud WWhat would you describe as your most memorable achievement? I founded this business; so, my response is that the ability to ease into starting a business while balancing family life with the demands of the technology industry and getting a start-up off the ground. I think that would qualify as one of my most memorable achievements. I think many working women find achieving this balance difficult. It requires the ability to push oneself out of comfort zones. “ AT TIMES I AM REQUIRED TO BE A BUSINESS LEADER AND ON OTHER OCCASIONS A COACH TO EITHER OUR STAFF OR CUSTOMERS IN NEED OF ASSISTANCE. What first made you think of a career in technology? I never specifically thought of a career in technology, but life often leads one in uncharted and unplanned waters. I started off in sales and I enjoyed the people contact and helping clients, which often led to assisting with technical support. I enjoyed the fulfilment of solving problems for customers; assisting them with the implementation of solutions that gave them the ability to grow their businesses and ultimately elevate the experiences of their customers. I have to say that having a client report back to say that the solution was a success and their business was enhanced by it – yielded and still does, a great sense of self fulfilment. We grow with our customers and want to be the instrument of their success through the implementation of technologies that helps them to outstrip their competition. I believe in partnership with our customers with one end in sight – their success, and of course, in turn, we travel the road with them. What style of management philosophy do you employ with your current position? I do not procrastinate – it is not a recognised management tool. Business is not about problems not arising, it is about how they are handled when they do present. I do not www.intelligentcio.com INTELLIGENTCIO 71