Dr N. Sivasankaran: Visionary Innovator Driving Transformation And Sustainable Growth Across Diverse Industries
Dr N. Sivasankaran
Director - Innovation & Technical
Dr. N. Sivasankaran exemplifies this role, bringing over 28 years of rich and diverse experience across industries such as plastics, automotive, writing instruments, and home appliances. He has contributed to both small and big brands, including Reynolds, Preethi, and Philips.
Starting his career in production planning, he has excelled in roles spanning production, operations, projects, quality, innovation, and new product industrialization. Currently, as the Director of Innovation and Technical at Viruksa Manufacturing Solutions, he leverages cutting-edge technologies like IoT and AI to develop next generation products and deliver innovative solutions for a diverse range of customers.
Dr. N. Sivasankaran is closely associated with Sri Rajeswari Home Appliances, where he shapes innovation roadmaps for advanced kitchen solutions. Additionally, he collaborates with Udama Industries International Pvt. Ltd. in Mumbai, driving business transformation and pioneering BLDC motor-based products.
My success mantra is simple, which is to innovate with purpose, lead with empathy, and never stop learning. For me, success is not just about personal milestones but about creating a legacy of innovation, inspiring others, and fostering a culture of growth and excellence.
His passion for innovation extends beyond product development to empowering people and processes to think differently, embrace change, and achieve excellence. With a purpose-driven approach, he is committed to solving complex challenges, driving sustainable growth, and inspiring others to push boundaries.
In an exclusive interaction with CEO Insights, Dr. N. Sivasankaran shares insights into his professional traits and leadership expertise.
You possess over 28 years of experience. How has your path to success been and what is your success mantra?
My 28-year journey has been a dynamic blend of challenges, learning, and growth. Success hasn’t come on a straight path - it has been shaped by resilience, adapt ability, and a relentless drive for innovation. From early engineering roles to leading teams as an Innovation Head, I’ve embraced change and
sought opportunities to create meaningful impact. Each setback reinforced perseverance, and each achievement highlighted the value of collaboration and forward-thinking.
What does technology leadership mean in today’s complex, high-demand technology ecosystem? As a leader, how do you contribute to this?
In today’s fast-paced technology ecosystem, leadership is about anticipating change, embracing disruption, and aligning innovation with strategic goals. A technology leader uses technology as a catalyst for transformation - solving problems and delivering value across the business.
Key pillars of technology leadership include visionary thinking, empowering teams, driving sustainability, and fostering customer-centric innovation.
As a leader, I focus on three core principles: inspiring a culture of innovation, staying future-ready through continuous learning, and prioritizing impactful technology solutions. For instance, I have championed initiatives that integrate IoT and AI into product design, enhancing functionality, and creating differentiated user experiences that add tangible deliver tangible value to customers and stakeholders.
How do you keep yourself up-to-date with ongoing industry trends to steer your organization towards the future?
To stay ahead of industry trends, I adopt a multifaceted approach centered on continuous learning, collaboration, and hands-on exploration. I regularly engage with industry reports, thought leadership articles, and platforms like Gartner and McKinsey. Attending webinars, conferences, and workshops helps me stay updated on emerging trends. Networking with peers, collaborating with startups, and experimenting with new technologies through pilot projects enrich my strategic perspective. I prioritize customer insights to align innovations with real-world needs and foster a culture of shared learning within my teams. This proactive approach empowers me to steer my organization toward sustained growth, innovation, and industry leadership.
What future destination are you heading towards?
My future vision is focused on empowering education, fostering innovation, transforming industries and redefining customer experiences. A key milestone in this journey is Experia4.0—an experience center designed to bridge academia and industry, offering hands-on exposure to Industry 4.0 technologies and equipping individuals with job-ready skills.
I aim to revolutionize smart appliances by integrating IoT, AI, and sustainability to deliver personalized, meaningful solutions.
Additionally, I’m authoring transformative books on innovation and entrepreneurship
What does technology leadership mean in today’s complex, high-demand technology ecosystem? As a leader, how do you contribute to this?
In today’s fast-paced technology ecosystem, leadership is about anticipating change, embracing disruption, and aligning innovation with strategic goals. A technology leader uses technology as a catalyst for transformation - solving problems and delivering value across the business.
Key pillars of technology leadership include visionary thinking, empowering teams, driving sustainability, and fostering customer-centric innovation.
As a leader, I focus on three core principles: inspiring a culture of innovation, staying future-ready through continuous learning, and prioritizing impactful technology solutions. For instance, I have championed initiatives that integrate IoT and AI into product design, enhancing functionality, and creating differentiated user experiences that add tangible deliver tangible value to customers and stakeholders.
My success mantra is simple: innovate with purpose, lead with empathy, and never stop learning
How do you keep yourself up-to-date with ongoing industry trends to steer your organization towards the future?
To stay ahead of industry trends, I adopt a multifaceted approach centered on continuous learning, collaboration, and hands-on exploration. I regularly engage with industry reports, thought leadership articles, and platforms like Gartner and McKinsey. Attending webinars, conferences, and workshops helps me stay updated on emerging trends. Networking with peers, collaborating with startups, and experimenting with new technologies through pilot projects enrich my strategic perspective. I prioritize customer insights to align innovations with real-world needs and foster a culture of shared learning within my teams. This proactive approach empowers me to steer my organization toward sustained growth, innovation, and industry leadership.
What future destination are you heading towards?
My future vision is focused on empowering education, fostering innovation, transforming industries and redefining customer experiences. A key milestone in this journey is Experia4.0—an experience center designed to bridge academia and industry, offering hands-on exposure to Industry 4.0 technologies and equipping individuals with job-ready skills.
I aim to revolutionize smart appliances by integrating IoT, AI, and sustainability to deliver personalized, meaningful solutions.
Additionally, I’m authoring transformative books on innovation and entrepreneurship
and launching programs like SEAD 360 (Successful Entrepreneurial Ability Development) to drive growth and excellence, targeted to develop more meaningful innovators. My ultimate goal is to create a holistic ecosystem that accelerates transformation, inspires leaders and equips individuals and organizations to thrive in a dynamic, technology-driven future.
What would be your advice to the professionals aiming to set benchmarks in their careers?
To set benchmarks in your career, professionals should cultivate a growth mindset by staying curious and continuously upgrading their skills. Adapt quickly to emerging trends and view challenges as opportunities to innovate. Prioritize innovation and value creation by solving real-world problems that enhance lives. Collaboration is vital, as teamwork fosters diverse perspectives and creativity. Resilience and persistence are crucial to over coming setbacks and learning from failures. Aligning passion with purpose ensures motivation and a lasting impact. Additionally, staying ahead of trends, building a strong personal brand, and maintaining a customer-centric approach will help professionals create a transformative legacy in their industry.
Dr N. Sivasankaran, Director - Innovation & Technical, Viruksa Manufacturing Solutions
Dr N. Sivasankaran brings 28 years of experience across industries like plastics, automotive, and home appliances. He has excelled in roles spanning production, operations, quality, innovation, and new product industrialization. As Director of Innovation and technical at Viruksa Manufacturing Solutions, he leverages IoT and AI for next-gen products. He also collaborates with Sri Rajeswari Home Appliances and Udama Industries on innovative solutions and business transformation.
•Hobbies: Reading books, traveling to spiritual places, traveling across, and understanding customer behaviors and pain points
•Favorite Cuisine: Indian cuisine (especially vegetarian food)
•Favorite Book: Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill, Power of Thought by Swami
Mukundananda, Start with Why by Simon Sinek, Blue Ocean Strategy by W. Chan Kim and Renée Mauborgne, Zero to One by Peter Thiel, Good to Great and Built to Last by Jim Collins, Good Strategy Bad Strategy by Richard Rumelt
•Favorite Travel Destination: India
•Awards & Recognition
•Created 3 successful sub-category businesses with my team, earning industry acclaim
•Received awards for excellence in product development and fostering industry academia partnerships
•Received Best MSME award from India 5000 for Quality Excellence
•Honored for mentoring future leaders and innovators
•Valued for earning trust and respect from peers and communities
What would be your advice to the professionals aiming to set benchmarks in their careers?
To set benchmarks in your career, professionals should cultivate a growth mindset by staying curious and continuously upgrading their skills. Adapt quickly to emerging trends and view challenges as opportunities to innovate. Prioritize innovation and value creation by solving real-world problems that enhance lives. Collaboration is vital, as teamwork fosters diverse perspectives and creativity. Resilience and persistence are crucial to over coming setbacks and learning from failures. Aligning passion with purpose ensures motivation and a lasting impact. Additionally, staying ahead of trends, building a strong personal brand, and maintaining a customer-centric approach will help professionals create a transformative legacy in their industry.
Dr N. Sivasankaran, Director - Innovation & Technical, Viruksa Manufacturing Solutions
Dr N. Sivasankaran brings 28 years of experience across industries like plastics, automotive, and home appliances. He has excelled in roles spanning production, operations, quality, innovation, and new product industrialization. As Director of Innovation and technical at Viruksa Manufacturing Solutions, he leverages IoT and AI for next-gen products. He also collaborates with Sri Rajeswari Home Appliances and Udama Industries on innovative solutions and business transformation.
•Hobbies: Reading books, traveling to spiritual places, traveling across, and understanding customer behaviors and pain points
•Favorite Cuisine: Indian cuisine (especially vegetarian food)
•Favorite Book: Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill, Power of Thought by Swami
Mukundananda, Start with Why by Simon Sinek, Blue Ocean Strategy by W. Chan Kim and Renée Mauborgne, Zero to One by Peter Thiel, Good to Great and Built to Last by Jim Collins, Good Strategy Bad Strategy by Richard Rumelt
•Favorite Travel Destination: India
•Awards & Recognition
•Created 3 successful sub-category businesses with my team, earning industry acclaim
•Received awards for excellence in product development and fostering industry academia partnerships
•Received Best MSME award from India 5000 for Quality Excellence
•Honored for mentoring future leaders and innovators
•Valued for earning trust and respect from peers and communities