In the current age of Digitalization, businesses must be swift to adopt digital transformation to stay competitive. Chief Information Officers (CIOs) play a pivotal role in harnessing technology to drive value and innovation within organizations and ensure this transformation is executed systematically. Akbar Kamal is the CIO at ZIM Laboratories Limited, a publicly listed company on the National Stock Exchange (NSE) & the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) with a market cap of US$79Mn (on 2nd August 2023).
ZIM Laboratories Limited is research driven Pharmaceutical and Nutraceutical manufacturing company focused on providing innovative drug delivery solutions that improve patient convenience and treatment adherence. ZIM acts as a research centric end to end product development partner for its customers across Key Developed, Pharmerging and RoW markets by providing a constant pipeline of therapy agnostic finished and semi-finished pharmaceutical and nutraceutical products.
Having accumulated more than two decades of professional expertise, Akbar Kamal has positioned himself as a seasoned technology leader adept at driving digital transformation. By partnering with medium to large-scale organizations, he has successfully provided ground-breaking solutions that harmonize IT strategies with business objectives. His focal areas of proficiency encompass business data analytics and the execution of digital transformation initiatives encompassing ERP, CRM, QMS, DMS, HRMS, cloud adoption, IT security audit and validation, large-scale systems integration, and CXO BI reporting.
He embarked on his educational journey pursuing engineering studies at both BITS Pilani in India and Texas A&M University in the US. In the nascent stages of his career, he honed his skills by tackling intricate engineering challenges at prestigious companies like GE-BEL in India, Dell in the USA, and Flextronics in Taiwan. It was during this period that he fostered a profound fascination with the potential of IT to elevate transparency and efficiency within small and medium-sized enterprises, with a particular focus on India.
In his current role as the CIO, he takes charge of driving digital transformation endeavours in the pharmaceutical and process manufacturing sectors. He plays a key role in harnessing the power of cutting-edge Internet of Things (IoT) and Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) solutions, along with cloud-based AI-driven analytics, to optimize resource allocation and enhance operational efficiencies.
In an engaging conversation, Mr. Kamal shares his insights on leadership, the challenges he has encountered, and his recipe for success as a CIO. He emphasizes the importance of constant motivation and perseverance, even in the face of adversity. According to him, success is not linear it requires resilience and the ability to push forward when faced with obstacles.
“Successful implementation doesn’t always equate to successful utilization, so be wary of your approach” – He Quotes.
Regarding team leadership, he comprehends the significance of tailoring his approach to cater to various generations. In a diverse workforce encompassing both Gen-Y and Gen-Z members, he acknowledges that a uniform leadership style might not yield optimal results. Nevertheless, he remains steadfast in reinforcing the team’s overarching goals and objectives, promoting transparent communication, and cultivating a positive and productive work atmosphere.
Throughout his professional journey, he has faced diverse hurdles, with change management being a prominent challenge. The process of implementing organizational changes can be formidable, often leading to pitfalls due to inadequate implementation and utilization. To surmount these obstacles, he places great emphasis on maintaining clear communication and comprehensive documentation at every phase of digital transformation projects.
Mr. Kamal firmly believes that the foundation of success lies in prioritizing people. This involves recruiting and retaining top talent, fostering an environment that encourages growth and innovation, and creating ample opportunities for individuals to thrive and excel.
Outside the realm of technology, Mr. Kamal finds joy in gardening, cycling, and hiking. He is an avid reader, with favourite books including The Snowball Effect by Warren Buffett and works by Osho. His favourite cuisines range from the Bohra Biryani to diverse culinary experiences. When it comes to travel, Goa and Dubai hold a special place in his heart.
Akbar Kamal’s contributions and expertise have been recognized through various awards and accolades. He was honoured with the Trescon Big CIO Innovator Award in 2023, highlighting his innovative and transformative work as a CIO.
With his vast experience, passion for technology and commitment to digital transformation, Akbar Kamal continues to be a driving force in leading businesses towards a technologically-driven future.
