The decision to go against the tide requires courage and can often be what separates good leaders from the greats. The leadership journey of Ashwini Bhole, Associate Principal and Head of Product Development for Financial Markets at eClerx, is a prime example of such exceptional leadership.
Before 2000 when most people considered Information Technology (IT) an unknown field with an uncertain future as compared to Computer Science, Ashwini had other ambitions. Fascinated by all things technology, she decided to pursue studies in Information Technology to leverage its transformative power, making her one of the most iconic tech leaders to watch in 2024.
Laying the Career Foundation
Early exposure to computers and programming further boosted Ashwini’s interest in technology. On the other hand, the thrill of writing her first lines of code laid the foundation for her career. Inspired by some of her professors, she took special interest in learning about encryption and application security. The learning that she carried helps her even today when designing the architecture for applications that handle the most sensitive PII data.
In the long haul, mentorship from experienced leaders in the tech industry, who offered their guidance, support, and insights proved valuable in tackling industry challenges and helped Ashwini capitalize on opportunities. Right in her early career, she developed an appreciation that all the power of technology is inconsequential, until it solves a problem, whether for business or broadly for humanity. These experiences collectively reinforced her commitment to the tech industry—driven by a passion for creating technology-driven solutions.
Fast-Paced Tech World
A degree in Information Technology provided Ashwini with a strong technical foundation and helped her understand the true potential of technology. Her first job in a tech startup made her familiar with the fast-paced, dynamic environment of the tech world.
Transitioning to a well-established tech company, she was soon promoted to a leadership position that tested her leadership acumen and strategic thinking. This experience gave her opportunities to work on large-scale projects and learn from experienced professionals.
Staying updated with the industry trends is especially important in the tech world. To stay ahead of the curve, Ashwini attended various industry conferences, enrolled in advanced courses, and completed a Post-graduate Executive Management Programme followed by a Post-graduation in Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence.
Core Leadership Values
Integrity and communication are at the core of Ashwini’s leadership philosophy. Ashwini encourages individuals to share different perspectives and have healthy debates, ensuring every voice is valued. This approach not only fosters a collaborative environment but also strengthens the team’s synergy.
Empowerment, innovation, and a growth mindset are equally vital to her leadership. Ashwini strives to create a culture where people feel empowered to take ownership, make decisions, and contribute their talents—investing in their growth through opportunities for learning and development.
Committed to fostering creativity and continuous improvement, Ashwini embraces experiments and new ideas to stay ahead in the AI and data science field. By supporting ongoing education, professional development, and personal growth, she helps individuals reach their full potential—driving both personal and organizational success.
Tackling Challenges through Determination
Managing change and maintaining team morale is challenging, particularly during organizational restructuring or the implementation of new technologies, says Ashwini. To tackle individual concerns, she promotes ownership and collaboration by actively involving team members during the transition period.
While natural, resistance to change across the organization can create anxiety and disrupt productivity. Prioritizing clear communication and explaining the reasons behind the changes and their long-term benefits is crucial in such situations.
Especially during such tough times, Ashwini acknowledges and celebrates successes—big and small. Regular one-on-one meetings and team-building activities keep everyone aligned and motivated. Moreover, showing genuine appreciation for hard work and offering professional development opportunities leads to a supportive environment.
According to Ashwini, balancing immediate results with long-term strategic goals is crucial to organizational success. To manage this, she establishes clear priorities and communicates them effectively to ensure team alignment. At eClerx, this balance is achieved through regular progress reviews and adjusting strategies as needed.
When conflicts arise within the team or with external stakeholders, Ashwini recommends approaching the situation with a mindset of understanding and resolution. According to her, actively listening to all parties involved and facilitating open, respectful discussions helps identify root causes and find mutually agreeable solutions.
A driving force behind Ashwini’s leadership is her constant pursuit of innovation. A passion for technology compels her to push boundaries and develop solutions that address real-world challenges. This, coupled with a clear vision and a commitment to positive societal impact, fuels my motivation during both triumphs and setbacks.
“I find fulfillment in knowing our work improves customer lives and fosters long-term success for the company and its stakeholders.”
She motivates her team to pursue ambitious goals with her leadership and as per HR partners 360-degree feedback, her team members admire her and her peers respect her knowledge. Her senior managers appreciate her role in creating innovative solutions that set the company apart in the industry. She is also a trusted advisor to her close family – they ask for her advice on important decisions in life, such as education for the children or tough choices for her siblings.
Ashwini values the trust that her company and colleagues have in her leadership, and is thankful for the environment that they have created to help her excel. Ashwini also cherishes the unwavering support that her family has provided all through her career – her parents, in-laws, siblings, husband and their teenage son.
Leadership Lessons and Accolades
Developing the first Robotics and AI-driven product from concept to market launch was a pivotal achievement for eClerx. It was a strong market fit and the timing was precise, earning positive feedback from early adopters and impressive traction in the market. This success led to a major revenue boost, including a 100% year-over-year revenue growth rate for the product within the first three years, underscoring the market demand for eClerx’s solutions.
To successfully execute such projects, assembling a high-performance team was essential for eClerx. Attracting top talent in Microsoft stack, AI, data science, and business development allowed the company to foster a collaborative yet innovative work culture that drove high performance and employee satisfaction.
For its innovative contributions to the tech world, eClerx was recognized with prestigious awards such as the “A-Team Innovation Awards 2023” and “NASSCOM AI Game Changer.”
Moreover, Ashwini was honored with the “Women to Watch Out for in AI & Analytics (2022)” award by 3AI.
Exciting Market Dynamics
The dynamic nature of the market is what excites Ashwini and keeps her engaged. Innovative product development allows her to create cutting-edge solutions using AI, machine learning, and big data analytics–transforming ideas into market-leading products. Furthermore, collaborating with engineering, design, marketing, and sales teams fosters creativity and innovation.
Beyond that, she enjoys analyzing trends, understanding customer needs, and crafting strategies that differentiate eClerx’s products. Understanding the vitality of customer-centricity, Ashwini finds engaging with customers to translate their pain points into impactful features rewarding.
Journey of Patience and Resilience
Ashwini highlights “Leaders Eat Last,” a book by Simon Sinek, where he encourages leaders to redefine leadership, highlighting how leadership is not about personal gain, but fostering a trusting environment where people excel. This resonates with Ashwini’s belief in servant leadership, prioritizing team growth and well-being.
Additionally, Ashwini highlights a Steve Jobs quote, “Innovation distinguishes between a leader and a follower“ as inspiring words that motivate her to constantly push boundaries.
“Embrace the journey with patience and resilience, and don’t be afraid to take calculated risks.”
Leaders Who Inspire Ashwini
- Steve Jobs: Visionary leader, who revolutionized products (iPhone, iPad). Inspired by his design & user-centric approach, innovation drive.
- Sheryl Sandberg: COO of Facebook, a champion for women leaders & diversity. Inspired by her advocacy for empowerment, resilience, and work-life balance.
- Andrew Ng: Co-founder of Coursera, AI leader. Inspired by his passion for education, AI knowledge sharing, and practical applications.
Advice to Aspiring Entrepreneurs:
● Growth mindset: Embrace learning, see challenges as growth opportunities, and failures as lessons. Adapt, overcome, and innovate!
● Customer focus: Understand their needs, gather feedback, and create solutions that exceed expectations. Put them first!
● Strong team: Surround yourself with talented, passionate people who share your vision. Invest in them, empower them!
● Focus & flexibility: Have a vision, and set goals, but be adaptable. Balance is key in a changing world.
● Continuous innovation: Encourage creativity, experiment, stay informed about trends, and take calculated risks to stay ahead.
● Strong relationships: Network with entrepreneurs, leaders, and partners. Build meaningful connections based on mutual respect and value.
Ashwini’s Tips to Achieve Work-Life Balance
- Boundaries: Set work hours, communicate them, and use tools to schedule focused work and personal time.
- Prioritize: Focus on high-impact tasks, delegate, and use the Eisenhower Matrix for efficient time management.
- Mindfulness: Practice meditation or deep breathing to manage stress and improve focus. Apps like Headspace can help.
- Hobbies: Schedule time for activities outside of work that bring you joy and reduce stress.
- Social Connections: Nurture relationships with loved ones and colleagues. Plan regular social activities.
- Goals: Set realistic goals for work and personal life. Break down big goals and celebrate progress.
