Vishal Sharma
CTO
One such visionary CTO making significant waves in the tech world is Vishal Sharma, who currently holds the position of Chief Technology Officer at RIPPLR. With a career steeped in leadership, innovation, and a passion for harnessing the power of technology, Vishal Sharma exemplifies the transformative capabilities of a CTO. Let’s hear more from him in this interaction.
Could you provide a brief overview of your professional background and journey? What inspires and drives your daily work?
I hold a degree in Computer Science Engineering from IIT BHU, graduating in 2009. My career commenced at Oracle, but the pivotal moment occurred in 2012 when I joined Myntra which introduced me to the dynamic environment of startup culture. I've had the privilege of working with two early-stage startups that later achieved unicorn status: Myntra and Livspace. Along this journey, I've gained invaluable insights into effective team leadership and what it takes to achieve success.
My motivation stems from my passion for contributing to companies during their growth phases. Each day in a burgeoning organization presents new challenges, and the satisfaction of solving these challenges is akin to building a house, step by step, and witnessing it come to life. Over the past 14 years, I've accumulated extensive industry experience in developing and scaling large-scale services within the fields of FinTech, supply-chain systems, and data analytics.
How would you define RIPPLR as an organization and its current position in the market?
Ripplr is a technology-driven distribution company, functioning as an authorized distributor for prominent Indian FMCG brands, such as HUL, Britannia, Nivea, Dabur, among others. Our overarching mission is to enhance and streamline the traditionally fragmented distribution ecosystem. We achieve this by providing integrated delivery operations for FMCG products to retailers across multiple cities. Our objective is to
leverage technology to bring value to the conventional distribution landscape, characterized by individual distributors exclusively partnering with a single FMCG brand within a specific geographic area. Ripplr's distinctive value proposition lies in our ability to orchestrate unified delivery operations for FMCG goods to retailers, resulting in substantial time and cost savings throughout the supply chain. Moreover, we have developed proprietary prescriptive algorithms that empower retailers with insights into the best-selling products in their region. These algorithms also identify areas suitable for new product launches from FMCG brands. By discerning trends in diverse hyperlocal markets across seasons, we optimize inventory management, pre ordering the ideal amount of stock to minimize holding time. We employ an AI-based customer risk analysis, which accurately predicts the creditworthiness of customers. This enables us to proactively manage credit risk and make informed decisions in our credit operations.
What is your take on the dynamic technology trends in the sector and how would you describe its interventions in your organization?
At Ripplr, we are committed to adopting new technologies thoughtfullyand strategically. We understand that not every trend is right for our business, and that new technologies should only be implemented if they solve a real problem.
Three of the most important trends that we are using are predictive analytics and generative AI and IOT
•Predictive analytics is helping us to optimize our supply chain operations in a variety of ways. For example, we use AI-powered algorithms to forecast customer demand,plan inventory and route shipments. This allows us to ensure that we have the right products in the right place at the right time, which reduces costs, improves efficiency, and increases customer satisfaction.
•Generative AI is helping us to automate tasks and improve productivity. For example, we use generative AI to build parts of our code and test cases, and to respond to internal customers' tech support queries. This frees up our team to focus on more strategic tasks, and it allows us to provide better customer service.
•Internet of Things(IoT): The IoT is connecting physical devices to the internet, allowing businesses to collect real-time data from their supply chains. At Ripplr we employ
Over the past 14 years, I've accumulated extensive industry experience in developing and scaling large-scale services within the fields of FinTech, supply-chain systems, and data analytics
What is your take on the dynamic technology trends in the sector and how would you describe its interventions in your organization?
At Ripplr, we are committed to adopting new technologies thoughtfullyand strategically. We understand that not every trend is right for our business, and that new technologies should only be implemented if they solve a real problem.
Three of the most important trends that we are using are predictive analytics and generative AI and IOT
•Predictive analytics is helping us to optimize our supply chain operations in a variety of ways. For example, we use AI-powered algorithms to forecast customer demand,plan inventory and route shipments. This allows us to ensure that we have the right products in the right place at the right time, which reduces costs, improves efficiency, and increases customer satisfaction.
•Generative AI is helping us to automate tasks and improve productivity. For example, we use generative AI to build parts of our code and test cases, and to respond to internal customers' tech support queries. This frees up our team to focus on more strategic tasks, and it allows us to provide better customer service.
•Internet of Things(IoT): The IoT is connecting physical devices to the internet, allowing businesses to collect real-time data from their supply chains. At Ripplr we employ
this and use this data to track the movement of goods, monitor inventory levels, and identify potential problems early on. For example, IoT-enabled sensors are used to track the temperature of perishable goods during transportation, ensuring that they arrive at their destination fresh and safe.
Tell us about your leadership approach. What are the guidelines or methodologies you follow as a leader?
I firmly believe in enabling my team members to make decisions and take ownership of their work. I provide them with the necessary resources and support while granting them the freedom to be creative and innovative in their roles.
Collaboration is another fundamental aspect of my leadership philosophy. I foster an environment where team members feel encouraged to share their ideas and work collectively to address challenges.
Transparency is a key element of my leadership style. I ensure that my team members are well-informed about my expectations and the company's overarching goals and objectives. Additionally, I share essential information about the company's financial performance and other critical metrics, promoting a sense of trust and shared purpose.
I am deeply committed to the development of my team members. I actively seek out opportunities for their training and professional growth, assisting them in identifying and reaching their career aspirations. My leadership approach is geared toward creating a high-performing team that is intrinsically motivated to achieve the company's objectives.
In the light of your strong experience within the industry, what advice would you give to the upcoming industry leaders?
Foster curiosity and maintain a relentless thirst for learning. Embrace change and stay ahead. Don't shy away from novel ideas and calculated risks; innovation thrives on bold experimentation. Assemble a competent team and empower them to excel, granting them autonomy and decision-making authority. Customer-centricity is vital. Always prioritize your customers, fostering loyalty and business growth. Operate with ethics and responsibility, promoting transparency, sustainability and environmental friend liness. The future is bright for those who embrace learning, innovation, and leadership in the dynamic industry of supply chains.
Vishal Sharma, Chief Technology Office, Ripplr
With a wealth of industry experience spanning more than 14 years, Vishal serves as a seasoned technology leader, driving innovation and scalability. His expertise encompasses the development and expansion of large-scale services in the domains of FinTech, Supply-Chain systems, and Data Analytics.
Tell us about your leadership approach. What are the guidelines or methodologies you follow as a leader?
I firmly believe in enabling my team members to make decisions and take ownership of their work. I provide them with the necessary resources and support while granting them the freedom to be creative and innovative in their roles.
Collaboration is another fundamental aspect of my leadership philosophy. I foster an environment where team members feel encouraged to share their ideas and work collectively to address challenges.
Transparency is a key element of my leadership style. I ensure that my team members are well-informed about my expectations and the company's overarching goals and objectives. Additionally, I share essential information about the company's financial performance and other critical metrics, promoting a sense of trust and shared purpose.
I am deeply committed to the development of my team members. I actively seek out opportunities for their training and professional growth, assisting them in identifying and reaching their career aspirations. My leadership approach is geared toward creating a high-performing team that is intrinsically motivated to achieve the company's objectives.
In the light of your strong experience within the industry, what advice would you give to the upcoming industry leaders?
Foster curiosity and maintain a relentless thirst for learning. Embrace change and stay ahead. Don't shy away from novel ideas and calculated risks; innovation thrives on bold experimentation. Assemble a competent team and empower them to excel, granting them autonomy and decision-making authority. Customer-centricity is vital. Always prioritize your customers, fostering loyalty and business growth. Operate with ethics and responsibility, promoting transparency, sustainability and environmental friend liness. The future is bright for those who embrace learning, innovation, and leadership in the dynamic industry of supply chains.
Vishal Sharma, Chief Technology Office, Ripplr
With a wealth of industry experience spanning more than 14 years, Vishal serves as a seasoned technology leader, driving innovation and scalability. His expertise encompasses the development and expansion of large-scale services in the domains of FinTech, Supply-Chain systems, and Data Analytics.