By Business & Finance 
Venkatesh Priyadarshi, head of Ireland Operations and Business Development at Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), takes the Business & Finance 60 second challenge.
Q. What was your first job?
I first joined TCS as a fresh grad in 1996 – I immediately knew I had found a place where I would be challenged.
I love challenges and TCS is all about finding the solution.
We work very closely with our clients so we can determine what they need to put in place to solve a problem and take their business to the next level.
Q. What would you regard as your greatest achievement to date?
Being at TCS has enabled me to grow and expand my horizons. The company’s focus is on innovation and on a personal level that translates into an encouragement to learn new things and push the frontiers of your own knowledge.
I advanced to become business relationship manager and now I’m head of Ireland Operations and Business Development.
It’s a role I’m really enjoying – I love living in Ireland and have found it to be a really dynamic place to do business.
Q. What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given?
An early boss of mine at TCS was always encouraging me to ask questions and not to be afraid of what you don’t know.
In business, a lot of people are reluctant to ask simple questions for fear that they do not seem informed.
But I have learned that, more often than not, at least one other person in the room is also wondering the same thing.
At TCS, we deal with complex subject matter but I believe that it’s essential to be able to boil something down and explain it in its simplest terms.
Q. If you could step into the shoes of one business person for the day, who would it be and why?
Richard Branson or Warren Buffett. Branson is a life-long innovator who brings his own unique style of entrepreneurship to many different industries, while Buffett’s insight into business value and the markets is unparalleled.
Q. In three words or less, how do you define success?
Innovate, learn, improve.
Q. How do you motivate yourself and your staff?
My motivation comes from seeing a challenge and then pairing it with the right solution.
We have a really talented team in Ireland who share my motivation and commitment to customers. I try to encourage people to look at how their role is being performed in the service of a wider solution.
Q. How do you relax?
The best way to relax for me is to watch a movie or a television comedy with the family. Team sports such as football, cricket and rugby are my other favourites. I love to exercise, which is a great stress-buster.
Q. What’s your motto?
I make it a point to try and recognise when people do a good job – so maybe ‘praise where it’s due’.
Q. What are your aspirations for the future of your business?
Technology is at a critical inflection point – it’s fascinating to see how new innovations are taking hold and reshaping business.
We see a future in working with our clients to help master new trends and utilise the latest tech tools to drive their business forward.
It’s a role I’m really enjoying – I love living in Ireland and have found it to be a really dynamic place to do business
THE IT CROWD
Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) is a global leader in IT services, digital and business solutions that partners with its clients with the aim of simplifying, strengthening and transforming their businesses.
The company offers comprehensive industry expertise and a global network of innovation and delivery centres.
Its full services portfolio combines traditional IT and remote infrastructure services with knowledge-based services such as consulting and business process outsourcing.
