Arthur Filip (EVP - Sales Transformation & Marketing) shares his views with Fortune India Exchange on how HCL Technologies continues to support its clients and help global enterprises adopt next-generation technologies in these disruptive times of the global pandemic

The pandemic has made a tectonic shift in the outlook of enterprises such as start-ups, unicorns etc. in providing services. As someone who encourages and uses a stable of such service providers, how will this change in dynamics impact on your operations?

Covid-19 has made a massive disruption in ways businesses run and as it continues to dramatically reshape the world, the relationship between technology, human ingenuity and resilience has become “The New Essential,”. It has certainly accelerated the rise of several start-ups and unicorns. HCL Technologies also continues to help global enterprises adopt next-generation technologies that will propel their transformation journey and ensure their future success.

The key components in fueling homegrown entrepreneurship in India are innovation, technology, globalization, and funding. How do you see the scenario evolving, given the economic disruption the world over because of the pandemic?

India’s startup ecosystem is extremely vibrant and has undergone a positive structural shift in the past few years. But in these disruptive times the entrepreneurial spirit of these companies coupled with their quick adaptability to next-gen technology and newer ways of working is a great enabler. I see this impressive trend growing further in the days to come.

Going forward, what does ‘handling transformational business changes’ mean for you in your area of operation in the ‘new normal’?

I feel that Marketing as function has changed and taken on an even higher purpose during the pandemic, and it will further continue to change in times to come. Also, there are several key themes that permeate throughout our efforts – translating the great capabilities and potential of digital technologies to rapidly transform businesses, humanizing technology, finding new ways of working across all industries through sustainability, and providing a voice and spurring innovation through our platforms and ecosystem.

How important has ‘adaptability’ been a part of your arsenal to give your people a direction?

Adaptability is a key component of leadership success. I firmly believe in a flexible cognitive approach that allows to experiment with different thought process, ideas, and strategies. As a company, HCL Technologies was quick to adapt to the changing requirements and maximized its work from home capabilities very early in this crisis and continues to do so.

How do you see customer relationship evolving for a more sustainable culture, despite a crisis such as the pandemic, in time to come?

Over the past year of the COVID-19 pandemic, everyone at HCL has been working tirelessly to help clients reshape their businesses. Many of our clients keep showing great confidence in us and continue to give us new programs, which help them to survive and thrive in the new world.

How do you see the landscape of new innovators, disruptors, and rule-breakers as value additions to HCL operations in the future?

For more than 44 years, HCL’s incredible business momentum and impact in society have been fueled by its people-centric culture. One of the key ingredients of that culture is a value known as ideapreneurship™– where brilliant ideas and entrepreneurial spirit of 168,000+ HCLites come together. At HCL, innovation is part of its organizational heritage and DNA, and this allows every employee to ideate and set a new business model.

In a nutshell what would you rate as the 10 leadership lessons post-pandemic?

Empathy, compassion, and speed. These are new attributes that have helped us in an environment where the circumstances can change by the minute. The pandemic has made us adaptive and flexible in working with limited resources and it’s been a valuable lesson for us to keep the spirits of your teammates high and effectively communicate to keep people connected.