Hailing from Thrissur, Kerala, Ajayya Kumar is a management thinker, mentor, business advisor, art enthusiast and an author who has qualified in CMA from ICMA, the USA, and a Master Financial Professional from the American Academy of Financial Management along with having a doctorate degree in Organisational Behavior. With so much talent and capabilities in a single person, he is now a name known by many as a virtuoso. Beginning his long journey in 1994, starting with ABB, the man has worked with some of the leading names in the domain, this includes ABB, IPCA Laboratory, and Federal Foods.
Currently COO (Chief Operating Officer) of Emircom, he is an avid reader and a successful author too. He has been the co-author of four books that are slated for launch in 2021. Having tremendous love for art, he has curated six editions of classical concerts and taken out 10 short films with his production company. Talking about his life, Ajayya Kumar answers a few questions that give an insight into his incredible journey.
1. How has your journey been in this industry?
“Fulfilling” - if i had one word. It started in 1994 when I joined the technology giant ABB as Management Accountant. With stints at industry leaders like ABB, Federal Foods, my exposure, and my experience got enriched. I joined Emircom in 2004 as the Chief Financial Officer and played a crucial role in making the company a market leader in ICT in the Middle East. I strengthened it by laying out a solid, strong financial foundation. My relationship with Emircom spans over 2 decades.
2. What are the major challenges you have faced?
Growing a company isn’t easy, especially when you are at the helm of affairs with major economic events - like the 2008 recession and now the pandemic.. It is only by following a farsighted objective approach, making the right investments, and taking calculated risks that one can prepare an enterprise to cruise through tough times. I believe that there is no challenge too big to halt our progress if you develop the right mindset and equip yourself with the right tools
3. As a leader what are the points that you always keep in mind to mentor any start-up better?
As I said it all begins with the mindset. I make sure that people who come to me have the right entrepreneurial mindset – a commitment to their cause, perseverance to not quit when the going gets tough, and ability to learn especially from failures.
Then it comes to the tools to tackle organizational management from finances to risk management. I tell most startup leaders to develop practical and financial wisdom. These two concepts are at the core of my upcoming book – Formula G – How to Scale your Startup to be a Growth Machine – which I have co-authored with peers in the industry. It is scheduled for publication end of the year.
4. What are your major goals for 2021 to achieve?
We are in the last quarter of 2021. This year I put health at the forefront. I believe that a leader has to be physically and mentally fit. I cycle 15kms every morning which is when a lot of visualization and planning happens. Since I set long term goals, this decade of my life is committed to fostering innovative ideas in management and education and help groom the next generation of students and entrepreneurs by sharing the knowledge and the wisdom I have gained over the years.
On other fronts, there are three books in the pipeline, all of them at the final stages of publication. I am also looking forward to doing more with my art and cultural organization –Sarvamangala Arts Initiatives.
5. Tell us something about Sarvamangala Art Initiatives?
SARVAMANGALA SABHA is a non-profit organization registered in Thrissur, India. It has a presence in India and the UAE. The inaugural concert of Sarvamangala was held in Abu Dhabi, UAE. Following the successful launch, we started the project, titled “Temple Series - Stories of temples and their arts”, which was dedicated to classical arts that developed and flourished around temples. To date, we have conducted a dozen events at prominent temples and art centers in South India. Our YouTube channel hosts original content and has some of the best archival materials around traditional and classical art forms.
6. Any interesting or memorable incidents or experiences while making films or OTT content?
Our very first film, "BURNING" won critical acclaim and was selected in the Panorama of the International Film Festival of India 2018 and has so far been screened at 45 film festivals across the globe. Walking the red carpet at the Panorama was an incredible experience. As a producer I trusted the script (Jinoy Jose) and the Director (Sanoj). The result is out there to see. You can watch "BURNING" on our youtube channel- Sarvamangala Productions.
And our second, Vikram Kochar starrer "DAMMY '' written by Jinoy Jose and directed by national award winning director Rukshana Tabassum. Its world premiere at the Indian Film Festival, Stuggart is this July. The Production House plans to venture into producing full-length feature films and web series in the next year.
7. Anything you are doing to help society/ industry during these trying times?
Well, I am giving back to the industry through CSR activities. Recently we partnered with an e-commerce platform in the UAE and a multinational computer technology company to provide laptops to students in the UAE at a much-subsidized rate. Our effort came as a relief especially to families with more than one child attending online classes at the same time. The CSR campaign was a success.
Through Sarvamangala Arts Initiative we have been supporting more than 1,000 artists by giving direct financial aid.
