Author: CIO Times

Michael Seeley stands out as more than your typical “run-of-the-mill” designer; he is a dynamic consumer solutions strategist and disruptive visionary. With over 17 years of experience and numerous accolades, Michael has transformed multiple consumer product industries with his innovative and strategic approach. He has worked with some of the world’s most renowned companies, such as IKEA, Walmart, Whirlpool, Panasonic, Qualcomm, P&G, KitchenAid, and many more, to create and launch hundreds of successful products and experiences that delight and inspire consumers all across the globe.

Michael’s career is marked by a series of triumphs in leading and managing creative teams across many diverse environments and challenges. He has shaped the home appliance industry through various leadership roles at Whirlpool Corporation’s Global Consumer Design Studio, where he led the design and development strategies for multiple $6B+ consumer product categories spanning 15 brands across four continents. He has also since established his own Strategic Design and Innovation Consultancy, where he advises large corporate organizations and various startup teams.

With nearly 100 patents to his name, it’s clear Michael is a trailblazer in disruptive innovation. He is constantly charting new territories and exploring new possibilities for the future of design, innovation, and branding. He is a globally distinguished leader who thrives in upfront ambiguity, has left an indelible mark on multiple consumer product categories worldwide and does not intend to slow down anytime soon.

A Strategically Diversified Portfolio 

Michael is the visionary Founder and Managing Partner of Liminal Group, a private integrated business entity that houses a dynamic ecosystem of strategic and tactical product and brand development companies, committed to delivering innovative and sustainable growth for clients.

Michael and his partners are dedicated to maximizing strategic growth for clients while contributing to a more conscious and purposeful future for our planet. His unique business strategy and framework revolves around aiding clients in two key domains:

1. Growing Revenue by driving consumer preference and loyalty through Product & Brand Excellence
2. Saving Costs by optimizing internal innovation and development efficiencies with Innovation Excellence.

To achieve these goals, Liminal Group offers a wide yet focused range of consumer-centric and planet-conscious product and brand development services.

The Product and Brand Excellence services are aimed at externally facing objectives, such as achieving top-line growth through optimized product and brand experiences that attract and retain customers, partners, and top talent.

“Our Innovation Excellence services and programs focus on optimizing specific areas of innovation and product development processes, saving time, costs, and headaches by streamlining operations and alignment across teams and departments internally. This helps teams not only deliver higher quality output more efficiently but also increase employee engagement and team morale throughout the process,” says Michael.

One of Liminal’s strongest Innovation Excellence programs, NOVA™, is an innovation provisioning program that helps large and medium-sized organizations increase innovation success rates – not just post-launch – but first focusing on increasing innovation traction and increasing launch frequencies internally, ensuring a higher rate of launch success. 

They’ve developed a simple yet robust program that walks organizations and teams through the proper innovation preparation measures to ensure proper knowledge, people, and process foundations are in place prior to engaging in co-creation and innovation workshop events. This boasts a greater chance for success and de-risks each innovation event the client pursues. 

Specialized Support Services

In addition to the above-mentioned services programs, Liminal supports robust end-end product and Brand development support through a shared ecosystem of strategic and tacticalorganizations spread across three specialized entities within Liminal’s umbrella:

Seeley Designworks, Sustainnovation, and Zibra. These organizations and resources are utilized based on the client’s specific goals or operational needs.

Seeley Designworks is a Strategic Product and Brand Development Company helps organizations Clarify, Navigate, and Deliver world-class product and brand Solutions for growth at scale. Specializing in navigating complex product and brand portfolios with a consumer-centric approach, Seeley Designworks offers a full range of end-end Product Development services including Consumer and Market Research, Industrial Design, Strategic product planning, Graphic Design, UX/ UI design, Prototyping, packaging, literature and more.

In addition, Seeley Designworks has just released a new Sensorial Quality Focused Product Design & Development Program called NEXUS™. This unique program augments existing design and development processes and teams by converting intrinsic brand values into measurable multisensory product design & development criteria. A process that not only helps improve product and brand experience but also improves internal communication and development efficiencies throughout the development process. This unique program drastically improves product quality and consumer product experiences by translating intrinsic brand values into measurable product attributes and development metrics across all 5-senses. This helps organizations take their Visual Brand Languages to a more sensory immersive Experiential Brand Language. While differentiating brands far beyond visuals, this program also helps designers put actionable development targets to their designs and helps them track and maintain their winning design intent while allowing engineers to achieve and track measurable targets against the development process and even post-delivery. This is a breakthrough in streamlining design to production efficiencies and both designers and engineers love it. Who would’ve thought that was even possible!?

Sustainnovation is a sustainability-focused innovation consultancy that helps organizations turn sustainability needs into strategic growth opportunities beyond compliance. Sustainnovation has just launched a new program leveraging its deep competencies in product development to help organizations magnify their return on sustainability investments through strategic modularity programs in both products and cross-product portfolios, all while tracking sustainability investments against impacts on their Brand and customer experiences. Until now, many sustainability experts and organizations struggled to bridge the gap between sustainability compliance, product development, brand positioning, and consumer experience.

Zibra, (the newest addition to the Liminal family)is a strategic and tactical brand development company focusing on maximizing brand value found at the crossroads of Brand, Consumer, and Employee value streams. While Zibra’s Co-Founders both house decades of tactical brand experience independently, Together, they can offer a wider range of strategic brand development services and is now expanding its services to also offer what the team calls “Resonance™” a 360-degree Brand Synergy Program that helps organizations identify dissonance across brands, customers and employee value streams and use those findings to guide and translate intrinsic brand values into tangible multi-use brand assets that form deep emotional connections with both customers & employees simultaneously. 

“By strategically allocating distinct yet complementary competencies to each of these groups, Liminal Group provides comprehensive end-to-end Strategic and Tactical Growth services for a wide range of organizations specializing in Product and Brand Development. Our unwavering focus remains on delivering innovations that not only drive client growth and profitability but also prioritize consumers and the future of our planet at the core of our operations,” says Michael. 

Donning Multiple Hats

Michael has a unique role within his organization(s) as the business structure is fairly unique in general. Firstly, he personally leads all customer interactions and client relationships to ensure each organization understands that while Liminal’s teams provide world-class services rivaling the largest innovation consultancies – it is a boutique consultancy at its core and prides itself on building deeper, more personal relationships with its clients to ensure trust and improve loyalty long term.

Liminal Group has created an ecosystem of industry-leading experts across the entire spectrum of product and Brand development. They also ensure that each contributor and expert have hands-on experience and expertise in DELIVERING and DEVELOPING innovation and not just experience in facilitating it. Michael and his experts have climbed the proverbial mountain of delivering successful innovation in various contexts and organizations and know what it takes and help its client’s teams every step of the way – just the way a mountain Sherpa would guide climbers safely and efficiently throughout the expedition.

“We are not like other consulting firms who only talk the talk. and leave you high and dry with a shiny presentation of WHAT you need to do. WE ARE DOERS that walk the walk and have brought countless innovations and successful experiences to market. We have been in the trenches and can clearly and confidently guide our clients by showing them not only WHAT to do BUT HOW.. We are proud of our difference and experience and our clients can see it too,” says Michael.

As an impact-driven innovator and strategist, Michael has a passion for finding opportunities in some of the most established companies and processes. “The larger and more complex companies and systems get – the more legacy and baggage they have built up in their process and organizations. This is where substantial impact and improvements can be made.”

“I love fostering transformative, step-function change in organizations and industries that bring clients years of success. It’s often more efficient and less investment for organizations compared to reactionary, incremental improvements, one project at a time” he says.

The People’s Leader

For everything in life, business or not – Michael believes that relationships are everything. He has learned from his 17 years of corporate experience, team leadership and raising a family of five that the old-fashioned way of leading by hierarchy, fear, and arrogance is ineffective and counterproductive. He has seen the benefits of surrounding himself with experts that trust and respect him. He applies this principle every day in his companies, where he strives to achieve the impact he wants, his clients need with the help of his teams, partners, and supporters every day. 

Michael leads with genuine empathy, interest, and appreciation for others’ perspectives. He cares about people as individuals, not just as assets to the company, or line items on a budget sheet. He knows that if people are only motivated by money, they will eventually lose their quality, efficiency, and loyalty. He wants his teams to be inspired and passionate about what they do, and to work with him, not for him to improve lives everywhere.

Navigating Challenges

Michael recognizes that one of the biggest challenges many professionals face is staying passionate while balancing great work output with the politics and bureaucracy many face while working for larger organizations. This is actually what also pulled him further and further into more strategy-focused roles and drove him into entrepreneurship (beyond his core background in design and branding.) He was intrigued by how complex and “broken” some larger organizations can be and was as passionately interested in navigating the complexities of corporate politics and processes as he was in navigating the individual (project-based) discovery and development of new consumer solutions.  

It became clear very early on that discovering and developing successful innovation and consumer solutions was only half of the battle. Navigating, aligning, and optimizing internal structure, politics, and processes of very large, complex organizations to deliver innovation more effectively and achieve tangible market results and greater impact was the other.  

Seamless Technology Integration for Optimized Outcomes

For Michael, technology is always something that needs to be seamlessly integrated. 

“If you are celebrating the technology for technology’s sake – you are simply getting stuck on the new and novelty that it is and not yet seeing the value or true potential behind it,” he says. 

From Michael’s perspective, the biggest challenge with any technology is timing. Understanding the right time for implementation is crucial, per Michael. Timing technology integration to land in the market just as it is approaching consumer acceptability and a maturity that boasts positive emotional response and usefulness is key for long-term success in most cases. “All too often we see companies and organizations launching technology before truly understanding its value, and in some instances implementing it too soon before it is mature enough not to “get in the way”. 

Michael does recognize and acknowledge that there are appropriate times and needs for technology to push into society and ensure continued progress, but they value technology that is mature enough to seamlessly integrate with people’s lives, improve it, not frustrate users, and potentially damage brand equity in the process. 

So, when Michael’s team uses technology or adopts an emerging one, it has to be for something that (with nearly 100% certainty) cannot get in the way of two very important factors: 

1. Hindering output quality – if the tool or technology is driving the results because of an inability to master the tool or tech, then it is not yet ready for primetime. Learning curves do apply and they are willing to invest in these technologies if outputs maintain their quality and authenticity. 
2. Hindering output speed – This is a common issue many organizations face as technology continues to evolve. What Michael and his teams do is make sure to allow beta tech to be tested and proven before they migrate. There are far too many experimental platforms that can slow and distract you if you’re not careful. In their industry – efficiency is hugely competitive – and mastery of efficiency-based technology tools is key. Michael and his team want to constantly test and experiment – but intentionally keep an eye on the right timing to jump on something they are sure will stick long term – then invest the rigor to master and excel fast. 
3. Always augment never just replace – There’s huge value in maintaining experience and knowledge in any field. To assume any technology can replace one of the most important uniquely identifying features of any individual – personal experience and perspective is wrong and counterintuitive in most cases.

Always Guided by Innovation to Achieve New Milestones

Liminal and its Brands are innovation-focused in every aspect of the company. Innovation is the umbrella service it offers to clients that segment into the many vertices that it specializes in. 

The creation of value is the defining characteristic of innovation, Michael feels. Understanding innovation involves both recognizing it as an ongoing process and appreciating its tangible outcomes.

He explains that Innovation, (as an act) is the process of introducing new, improved, or significantly different ideas, methods, products, or services to create value or solve problems. It’s about taking a risk to investigate the unknown and seek value in uncertainty, to improve or progress our lives through change. 

Also, Innovation, (as an output) is the tangible result of creative thinking and problem-solving processes. It often includes the introduction of new or significantly improved products, services, processes, or solutions that bring about positive change, value creation, and advancements in various fields.

“Functioning both as an act and an outcome, Innovation plays a pivotal role in introducing novel ideas, methods, and solutions. These processes and outcomes contribute to positive change, driving value creation, and spearheading advancements across diverse fields.

We see that in most organizations today there is a growth gap between opportunity definition and tangible business results. We aim to bridge that gap and help teams take more ideas to market through a more streamlined innovation integration process,” explains Michael. 

Words of Encouragement

Michael concludes the interaction with the following message for young entrepreneurs:

“To all of the young entrepreneurs out there. Listen and learn as much as you can. In your earliest years take in all you can, and surround yourself with the best in trade and experts across as many professional specialties as you can. The more you understand everyone else’s perspective, the more you can integrate your specialtyand superpower to create even more impact and gain progress faster.”

The below pointers need to be designed in the PDF:

The Curious Kid on the Block

Ever since he was a child, Michael had a curiosity about how things work. He loved to dismantle and explore the hidden mechanisms behind everyday objects. This sparked a passion for inventing new things or enhancing existing products that he came across. Once he grasped the logic and purpose behind a design, he could easily spot opportunities for improvement.

Michael’s interests, however, did not always “fit” well with the conventional academic curriculum in his early years. It was not until high school that a certain teacher recognized a profession that could harness his unconventional thinking and problem-solving skills. In math, he would often arrive at the right answer, but by using a different method than the one taught. He would uniquely tackle each question or problem regardless of the techniques being taught. This highschool math teacher would frequently question him about his solutions, thinking that he might have cheated because of the lack of alternative work shown on the test. After explaining his reasoning to her, she contacted Michael’s family and told them that he had a talent for problem-solving and that this talent, along with his curiosity for how things work and his desire to improve product experiences, made him a perfect candidate for a career in Industrial Design and Product Development.

Michael took his first collegiate course in industrial design and was hooked almost instantly. 

Quote: “Driven by innovation and creativity, my team is here and equipped to take the client’s vision to the next level.”

Quote: “We expect to reach a tipping point in the market where largely dominated sections of the b2b services industry (traditionally owned and protected by the larger consulting agencies) will shift toward more specialized Doers.”

Quote: “We collaborate with enterprise leaders and partners to discover, identify, and deliver on the client’s long-range product and brand experience visions of the future.”

Guiding Thoughts:

A few quotes that inspire Michael day in and out.

“The essence of strategy is choosing what not to do.” – Michael Porter

“True innovation emerges when we uncover meaning within the chaos, embracing the beauty and inherent value of uncertainty.” – Michael Seeley

Both of these quotes speak to innovation – one very directly and tactically, the other more philosophical and nuanced.

“I believe that success is always dependent on a delicate balance of strategy and execution. There are far too many organizations and service providers helping with only half of the equation. We are here to help with both cohesively” says Michael. 

“Strategy without execution is useless, execution without strategy is aimless.” – John Kotter

Check Latest Interviews Now

Transformation is inevitable for a business if it is to survive and thrive in changing times. Most companies and leaders view digital transformation as turning to technology and machines instead of relying on human resources alone. However, true digital transformation isn’t about the technology and machines alone.

For Sanjib Sahoo, EVP and CDO, of Ingram Micro, embracing a spirit of digitization is foundational to a company’s digital journey. The mindset of the leaders and the organization must be aligned and recognize the ongoing effort is less about the TECH and more about the TEAM.

One of Sanjib’s guiding best practices for transformation done right is “Innovation first, adoption second doesn’t work. Transformation must be continuous as it is a journey in digitizing operations to create and capture value for everyone.”

According to Sanjib, digital transformation starts with transforming people and ends with transforming brands. He believes that the DNA of tomorrow’s most successful brands will be aggressively digital and amazingly human. And to succeed we must “start with the why and grow stronger with each wow.”

Walking the Talk

Sanjib is of the firm belief companies need to turn their short-term digital transformation projects into long-term digital fitness. As the CDO at Ingram Micro, he has ensured this belief is translated into action for the company’s growth. He has introduced Digital Fitness Consortiums, which involve having departmental leaders collaborate on improving the organization’s digital fitness by creating a framework to measure its ‘digital BMI index.’ The Digital Fitness Consortium has been adopted by companies that want to create a culture that is constantly innovating and improving how technology is leveraged and deployed in the organization.

Sanjib normally introduces Idea, Process, and Technology (IPT) Hackathons at organizations. IPT hackathons stand out from other hackathons in three ways: they are cross-functional, they happen frequently, and they create value. The leadership team identifies a list of business challenges and distributes these problems to cross-functional teams. For the next one to two days, these teams do problem-solving, co-creation activities and come up with tangible deliverables which are presented to a group of company leaders. The winning solutions are greenlighted.

Transforming An Industry

Sanjib is leading the global digitization of a $50 billion company that touches more than 90% of the world’s population and is the business behind today’s leading and emerging technology brands. Ingram Micro helps its partners and customers do more, sell more, and grow more. They are committed to their success and profitability and are changing the value of technology distribution at scale.

“The people within Ingram Micro – throughout the entire organization – are incredible and together we have brought to life Ingram Micro Xvantage, our digital twin, and are changing how Ingram Micro and the distribution technology industry creates and captures value,” shares Sanjib.

An Ingenious Leader

Sanjib’s professional career began in financial services, where he learned how to use technology to navigate the challenges of the industry at companies including Citibank, Deutsche Bank, and Charles Schwab. Then, he became CIO & CTO at TradeMONSTER, now E*TRADE, where he led execution for the first-of-its-kind online trading platform resulting in consistent revenue growth of more than 260% year-over-year on average. He went on to become CIO at a logistics company and once again used his methodologies to digitally transform the organization launching a digital marketplace consolidating its position as a top 10 global logistics provider.

Sanjib joined Ingram Micro in 2021, marking the start of his ground-breaking efforts to modernize yet another industry with the development and global adoption of the leader’s digital twin Ingram Micro Xvantage.

Sanjib’s working style is about enabling the people around him to be the best they can be, at work and personally. He believes that extraordinary things are built by ordinary people willing to expend extraordinary effort. The highlights of his career have involved inspiring positive change and greatness in people’s lives where they can keep on challenging their limits.

“It’s important to stay true to my core values of integrity in everything I represent, curiosity for everything I want to know, ingenuity in everything I create, and above all, humility in everything I do,” asserts Sanjib.

Handling Challenges

In life and business, Sanjib feels that our greatest challenges can be our best opportunities. “I do not limit my challenges. I challenge my limits. I didn’t set out to be a Chief Digital Officer. However, I wanted to be a leader of substance and leave an impact in everything I did,” he says.

Sanjib is a constant learner and after serving as CTO, CIO for many years he went back to school, to Harvard, to attain more knowledge – this time in business management. Now he creates and captures value from a technical and business perspective.

The other challenge starts with the dynamic nature of technology is something that Sanjib believes to be related to people’s mindset rather than the technology itself. Transformation starts with people, he asserts. The employee experience is the customer experience.

“You must start with your employees. Constant communication and collaboration are increasingly important. Remember, innovation first, adoption second doesn’t work,” he asserts.

He points out that most digital transformation fails because companies and leaders fail to address two things: 1) the cultural transformation needed and 2) the opportunity to capture and create true business value.

“The team must embrace design thinking. Listen to your employees and your customers. Have a bias for action and become an experience-driven organization – less transacting and more interacting with customers,” shares Sanjib. “They must continue to perform while transforming.”

A Celebrated Leader

An alumnus of Harvard Business School, Sanjib brings a unique combination of business acumen and technical prowess. He holds several patents for data and streaming technologies. He is an industry thought leader, a contributor to Harvard Business Review, Wired, Forbes, and also a TED and NASSCOM speaker.

A man with a perpetually positive outlook, Sanjib always sees the glass as half full. “Some people see the glass as half empty and feel sorry for themselves. See the positive in every situation and seize the opportunity. Be your own CEO. I learned this attitude from my mother, and it has always helped me face the hardest of times with optimism and faith,” he says.

Sanjib has also won several awards including:

• AsiaOne Global Person of the Year (2023)
• High Flyers 50 – Global Achievers Award High Flyers 50 – Issued by High Flyers 50 · Dec 2022
• Pride of India – Issued by Global Eye magazine · Dec 2022
• Top 10 Most Influential Business Leader of 2022 – Issued by India Alert- Times of India · Nov 2022
• Global Icon for Technology (Issued by Economic Times · Aug 2022)
• ET Leadership Awards by Times Group – Demonstrating as Global Icon for Technology

He also won the Indian Achievers Award 2022 – Issued by Indian Achievers Forum · Jul 2022. Hailed as one of India’s most coveted professional accolades, the Indian Achievers’ Award honors extraordinary accomplishments by groups and individuals who have a direct or indirect influence on India’s socioeconomic well-being.

He was also named to the Global Business Transformation Top 150 for 2020 – issued by Constellation Research June 2020. The BT150 recognizes the world’s most influential executives across a variety of industries, including entertainment, financial services, healthcare, higher education, pharmaceuticals, public sector, retail, and sports, to name a few.

Next on the Cards

The future of growth for Ingram Micro, shares Sanjib, lies with its people and the experience they deliver to the customers and partners. They are transforming into a platform business with the introduction and adoption of Ingram Micro Xvantage. They are bringing a B2C “Netflix-like” experience to the B2B tech industry and they are doing it on a global basis.

Sanjib signs off with the following advice for budding entrepreneurs:

“Work to be your own CEO. This means being accountable for everything you do. Don’t wait for others to make things happen – always be moving forward and get comfortable being imperfectly perfect because innovation is more about how you deal with imperfection rather than striving for perfection.

Think as if you are the ‘Chief Value Officer.’ Focus everything on value because shiny technology without value is useless.

Most importantly, focus on the people on your team. Transformation doesn’t happen TO your team but WITH your team. Connect with and care for your team. Create a culture that listens to understand, solicits feedback, and encourages a bias for action.”

Quote: Learn to be imperfectly perfect.

The startup culture today is buzzing with stories from all over the world about young talent choosing to be in the driver’s seat and starting their venture.  Not just young adults, but even teenagers today are proudly running their companies. Back in 1989, when startup culture was unheard of, most youngsters were happy to score a job that paid well and felt great if it guaranteed lifetime employment! But even in those times when most freshers played safe, a 19-year-old from Jaipur, Rajesh Sajnani had two choices – either complete his MBA and work for someone else or start something of his own and hire MBAs. He chose the latter and laid the foundation of the RVS group.

Rajesh started his first business in 1989 that dealt with Textile Wholesale and expanded into Haute Couture and fashion brands distribution from 2006 onwards and later expanded into Private Label .In the year 2016, he bought Cloud Host technology and forayed into the tech segment and in 2021 ventured into fashion ecommerce with Olyoly.com and theshowroom.com for B2B platform. Today, the RVS Group comprises of 5subsidiaries- Rajesh Trading Co. LLC, Si Fashion Galerie( the showroom), The Studio by Si fashion( private label production),Cloud Host Technology and Olyoly.com.

A Three-Decade Journey

Rajesh’s professional journey has spanned varied industries. However, the seamless transition between them was possible due to a singular focus on value creation for customers. “I am proud to say that we are one of the world’s only fully integrated fashion companies. Each business unit in our organization has its own dynamics and markets, from traditional textile wholesale to brand distribution, private label, and e-commerce,” says Rajesh.

Despite the differences, his team’s approach remains the same – to service the customers better, add value to the offerings, be innovative, and create market differentiation. Even the tech company, Cloudhost Technology, though entirely diverse from the fashion verticals, follows the same principles. Thus, irrespective of industry, product, or service, the focus has always been on value creation for customers and serving them better.

Innovation and creativity have driven all of Rajesh’s businesses from day one. The Group’s tagline is Creation, Innovation, and Emotion, and it has been there since 1995. Rajesh does not believe in any out-of-the-box solutions or products. Instead, he believes, the product or solution must be unique, carry their signature, or add value to it.

A Diverse Group

RVS Group has mainly two verticals – Fashion and Technology. Si Fashion is world’s first fully integrated fashion company wherein they have all major fashion verticals, from Textiles to Brand Distribution to their own D2C brands to E-commerce, Private labels, and the B2B distribution platform.

CloudHost, on the other hand, is an award-winning cloud services provider which has recently launched, Cloud Souq, the first Cloud Market place in the Middle East.

The Group’s services are all about being customer-centric. “We give our customers unique products or services, ensuring that they make a profit from them. We strive to solve their business issues in whatever way we can. We not only ensure that we make a profit but also that our customers make a profit or make their life easier with our products or services. Our unique approach is what upholds our uniqueness in the market,” emphasizes Rajesh.

An Empathetic Leader

For Rajesh, money has never been the motivating factor or the definition of success. He believes that one should be happy doing whatever they are doing and keep innovating and changing with time. When he started his business, he lacked a mentor or coach to guide him on his path to success. Everything he developed on the way was done on a trial & error basis as he kept learning and fixing mistakes en route to success. “I have made many mistakes along the way, and I continue to do so. For example, I was lenient with my receivables and inventories, which created huge issues, I take time  in booking my losses and moving on. I have learned that in business, trying till you succeed is not always the right thing to do. I continue to learn from my mistakes and focus on improving my decision-making skills,” he says.

The one thing Rajesh didn’t do was lose his focus and consistency and, that consistency was to do things better than yesterday. He felt responsible for his people and their families and that drove him and continues to do so, to work harder and to be consistent.

The one quote Rajesh lives by is “Be the servant while leading.” It reminds him that as a leader, he must serve others first. An empathetic leader, he stays connected with his employees and customers and understands their needs & challenges. He first finds people, encourages them to be masters in their verticals then lets them take ownership of their actions, support them, and lets them play their roles. “My job is to provide them with the infrastructure, facilities, and encouragement to keep on innovating and learning. I have invested in myself to learn how to delegate and empower his team to perform without my involvement. I have never stopped learnings, I have done courses from all major universities around the world and will continue to do so. I now give more importance to my physical and mental health to keep the focus on having a healthy mind to keep innovating and expanding my horizons,” shares Rajesh.

Embracing Technology and Moving Forward with Dedication

Technology has been integrated into The Group’s businesses from the beginning. They have always leveraged their power to the organization’s benefit. Even in the fashion business, the B2B e-commerce platform, B2C e-commerce, CRM, and other marketing tools are tech-led. Similarly, in the cloud business, most of the business processes are tech-enabled. Rajesh’s team is now working on a couple of D2C brands and expanding into Omni Channel retail.

“We have won Best SME cloud provider in the middle east couple of times. My best award is when my customers come and tell me We love your company and people and how they are so dedicated and take care of us. For me that is my best award,” says Rajesh.

Quote: “My advice to budding entrepreneurs is to always create a healthy ecosystem around their business for customers, employees, and suppliers. Each segment must grow together and create value for each other. Profit alone cannot be the sole focus.”

Ever met someone who turns business into a force for good?

That’s Tania Gomez – a true entrepreneur with a passion to do good.

Her story isn’t just about making money; it’s about making a real impact, showing us all what’s possible when passion meets innovation.

Tania isn’t your typical business owner. She’s not only a game-changer in the world of disability support, but she’s also a master at helping businesses find their purpose.

It’s not just about ticking boxes for regulations – it’s about turning challenges into opportunities for growth. Tania’s not just riding the disability wave; she’s shaping it, making sure everyone benefits.

Tania Gomez is showing us that entrepreneurship isn’t just about making profits; it’s about making a difference. With passion, innovation, and a whole lot of heart, she’s rewriting the rules of business and leaving a trail of inspiration behind her.

Finding her Call

Tania’s career path has been a tapestry woven with threads of her deep passion for working with children and creating a positive impact in their lives. Her journey began in Childcare, but her dedication led her to become an Early Childhood Teacher, driven by her love for nurturing young minds.

During her teenage years, Tania embraced a variety of roles, from fast food to marketing and sales, even dipping her toes into babysitting. At 21, she found herself working as a special needs teacher at a prestigious private school. What’s intriguing is that her exceptional babysitting skills caught the attention of the parents of her students. They began requesting her services, setting the stage for the birth of “Jelli Beanz,” her babysitting and nanny agency. This venture took off swiftly, with over 1000 babysitters joining the ranks across Australia.

However, a pivotal moment arrived when Tania’s godmother, her mentor, was diagnosed with cancer. The experience of accompanying her through chemotherapy sessions prompted Tania to reevaluate her priorities. Guided by her godmother’s wisdom, she realised that her talents could be used to make a difference where it truly mattered, rather than solely pursuing personal gain. This realisation led to the creation of “Jelli Beanz Caring for Kids during Cancer,” a program providing free childcare to families in need. Supported by national foods and the cancer council, the initiative touched the lives of over 200 families.

While her godmother’s passing was heartrending, it was also a turning point. Witnessing the struggles of mothers in the program propelled Tania to reconsider her trajectory. She made the courageous decision to sell Jelli Beanz and discontinue the charity arm, channelling her energy back into the realm of education.

From there, her journey brought her to the Diploma of Early Childhood teaching for various RTOs. Climbing the ladder, Tania eventually became a General Manager, leaving an imprint of her expertise. In the midst of it all, she lent her guidance to a prominent disability provider’s transition to the NDIS, demonstrating her commitment to creating change.

But the entrepreneurial fire within her continued to blaze. The birth of Strawberry Solutions marked a new chapter – a venture aimed at revolutionising education through technology. Collaborating with renowned brands like Johnson and Johnson and Breville, she showcased the power of digital innovation.

Running parallel was the rise of Provider+. With an impressive 53% market share, it became Australia’s largest NDIS registration business. As she realised new avenues for impact, Tania’s strategic mind led her to divest from Provider+, allowing her to explore fresh challenges.

Today, Tania is the driving force behind Tania Gomez Consulting (TGC). Armed with her problem-solving prowess and innovation-driven spirit, she continues to steer the course, adapting to the shifting tides of industry. Her journey has remained anchored in the desire to create positive change. In her words, “Throughout my journey, my core motivation has remained consistent—to use my skills and expertise to make a positive difference in the lives of others. The joy of working with children, the fulfilment of helping parents in need, and the satisfaction of providing transformative educational solutions have guided my professional choices, shaping my journey into what it is today.” Tania’s story isn’t just a tale of success; it’s a testament to the impact a single person can make when driven by purpose and passion.

Guided by a Higher Purpose

Tania’s compass always points towards making a meaningful impact on people’s lives. Whether it’s kids, parents, team members, or clients, she’s fueled by the desire to nurture their growth, well-being, and triumphs. Her approach is anchored in empathy and compassion – they’re not just buzzwords, but the very foundation of her work. By understanding the unique challenges and needs of individuals and organisations, she crafts tailor-made solutions infused with care and insight.

Entrepreneurship and consultancy are Tania’s playground for innovation and inventive problem-solving. She’s like a treasure hunter, always on the lookout for fresh ideas and solutions to conquer industry hurdles and elevate current practices. Tania’s commitment to excellence is unwavering; whether it’s crafting educational programs, offering consultancy services, or venturing into new horizons, she’s resolute in ensuring that the outcomes for her clients and beneficiaries are nothing short of the best.

Specialised Services

Tania Gomez Consulting (TGC) is your go-to partner for NDIS providers, disability support workers, SIL operators, and allied health professionals seeking to navigate the intricate terrain of the NDIS landscape. Their approach is as unique as a fingerprint, offering personalised and current guidance that not only saves time, money, and stress but also propels clients towards exceptional outcomes in the ever-evolving market.

TGC’s services come in three distinct flavours:

• On-Demand: Think of it as having an NDIS consultant on speed dial. Clients choose when and how often they tap into this service. Perfect for those who need help outside the usual audit cycle, it’s like having a support lifeline always ready.
• On a Project: For those specific compliance challenges or targeted outcomes, this service zeroes in on the task at hand. Whether it’s audit preparation, internal audits, audit coaching, or a documentation overhaul, TGC has you covered.
• On Your Team: This isn’t just a service; it’s a partnership. TGC becomes an integral part of your team, especially if you’re a Registered or Unregistered provider looking for long-term support.

On the flip side, enter Strawberry Solutions – the game-changer in the world of training and development. They’re all about transforming traditional training into engaging, interactive eLearning adventures. Here’s what’s on their menu:

● Customised eLearning Development: Imagine eLearning as a tailored suit. Strawberry’s team crafts bespoke eLearning solutions that perfectly fit your needs and goals. They’re the design wizards who collaborate with you to create engaging and interactive content that speaks your brand’s language.

● Content Authoring and Design: Ever thought of eLearning as an art form? Strawberry’s team of instructional designers and content creators certainly do. They sculpt high-quality eLearning content that’s both captivating and effective, using the latest authoring tools and multimedia elements.

● Learning Management System (LMS) Integration: They’re the LMS whisperers. If you’ve got eLearning content, they’ll make sure it seamlessly integrates with your Learning Management System. This means smooth learning journeys, progress tracking, and access to all the juicy analytics.

● Learning Experience Design (LXD): This is all about putting the learner front and center. Strawberry Solutions crafts experiences that cater to learners’ needs, preferences, and learning styles, making education a true adventure.

● Corporate Training Solutions: For the big leagues, Strawberry Solutions designs and develops corporate training programs. Renowned brands like Johnson and Johnson and Breville have partnered with them to boost employee skills, enhance productivity, and ignite professional growth.

Whether you’re navigating the complexities of the NDIS world with TGC or revolutionising your training game with Strawberry Solutions, you’re in the hands of experts who aren’t just about services – they’re about transforming your journey.

Staying Ahead of the Game

At Tania Gomez Consulting and Strawberry Solutions, being at the forefront of their industries and ensuring that growth never takes a back seat is woven into the very fabric of their approach. Both companies have a handful of strategies up their sleeves to keep up with the times and maintain their competitive edge:

• Always Learning Culture: Picture this: a culture where learning never stops. That’s what they nurture within their organisations. They’re all about encouraging their teams to dive into industry conferences, workshops, and training sessions. Why? So they can ride the wave of the latest trends, practices, and high-tech wizardry in the worlds of NDIS consulting and eLearning.
  
  
• Teamwork and Collaborative Vibes: Collaboration isn’t just a fancy word for them – it’s the heart of their game. They’re in the business of joining forces with experts, pros, and other players in the NDIS and eLearning realms. By nurturing strategic partnerships and rubbing shoulders with industry pals, they soak up insights and knowledge that spark mutual growth and innovation.
  
  
• Sleuthing Market Trends: Call them market detectives. They’re constantly on the lookout for emerging trends and those little pockets of opportunity in the NDIS and eLearning markets. They dive into research and analysis, uncovering what’s hot and what’s not. This detective work lets them tweak their strategies and services to meet the ever-evolving needs of their clients and the industry.
  
  
• Trailblazing Thought Leaders: They’re not just playing the game; they’re leading it. They’re all about flexing their thought leadership muscles. How? By writing up articles, crafting eBooks, and sharing nuggets of industry wisdom through blogs. They’re not just contributing to the knowledge pool; they’re making waves as experts and thought leaders in the NDIS and eLearning realms.
  
  
• Embracing Diverse Workspaces: Think of it as a hybrid workplace fusion. They’re not confined to just one spot. They’ve got a mix of talent from Australia and beyond. Why? Well, it’s all about tapping into a diverse talent pool, getting those different skill sets and fresh perspectives. This approach isn’t just about being adaptable; it’s about serving their clients like a pro.
  
  

So, whether it’s Tania Gomez Consulting or Strawberry Solutions, you’re in the company of trailblazers who aren’t just keeping up – they’re shaping the game.

Plans Ahead

In the chapters yet to be written, Tania Gomez Consulting is set to solidify its reputation as a trailblazer in the realm of NDIS consulting. Their collaborative approach and innovative strategies will be the driving forces behind serving a diverse range of clients, from individual service providers to substantial disability organisations. As the NDIS landscape evolves, this consultancy will stay firmly in the driver’s seat, crafting custom solutions to match the industry’s shifting needs.

Expect TGC’s thought leadership and expertise to shine on the world stage, as the company actively contributes to propelling the NDIS sector forward. With publications, conferences, and policy discussions as their megaphone, they’ll be making waves that resonate across the industry.

Now, let’s talk about Strawberry Solutions, the true Australian eLearning powerhouse. Their foothold in the eLearning industry won’t waver – if anything, it’ll grow stronger. As eLearning gains momentum across the globe, Strawberry’s innovative prowess will propel them into international markets. They’ll be the go-to partner for renowned brands and organisations, crafting eLearning solutions that set new standards.

But what’s really thrilling is how Strawberry Solutions will dance with technology’s latest beats. Imagine eLearning experiences that don’t just engage, but immerse. Virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), and artificial intelligence (AI) will be their new tools for creation. Strawberry will remain the avant-garde, leading the way in crafting content that’s not just educational, but truly transformative.

And let’s not forget their secret weapon – the dynamic and diverse workspace they’ve embraced. This blend of talents from around the world fosters a culture of creativity and adaptability. With a growing team of experts, Strawberry Solutions will extend its embrace, touching the lives of more clients, more learners, more hearts.

In Tania’s own words, “Both Tania Gomez Consulting and Strawberry Solutions will remain driven by their core values and dedication to making a positive impact in their respective fields. Through continuous growth, innovation, and a customer-centric approach, these organisations will play instrumental roles in shaping their industries and driving positive change in the years to come.” Get ready for a journey of impact, innovation, and inspiration.

“Both Tania Gomez Consulting and Strawberry Solutions will remain driven by their core values and dedication to making a positive impact in their respective fields. Through continuous growth, innovation, and a customer-centric approach, these organisations will play instrumental roles in shaping their industries and driving positive change in the years to come,” concludes Tania.

Quote 1: “My work is driven by a sense of social responsibility.”

Quote 2: “I aim to use my skills and resources to support those in need, making a positive difference in society and contributing to the greater good.”

Quote 3: “Staying curious, adaptable, and open to new knowledge helps me remain at the forefront of industry trends and best practices.”

Thailand has long been on the list of travelers and sea lovers. The pristine beaches and bounties of nature in the form of forests, caves and more are always inviting and tempting for people who want to take a break from city life and spend some time to heal in the lap of nature.

The Krabi province, on the west coast of southern Thailand, is one such attractive tourist spot. Overlooking the blue waters of the Andaman Sea and offering exclusive accommodation on this part of the island is the luxurious and elegant Pimalai Resort & Spa, Koh Lanta, Krabi. Offering personalized service, the spacious and sprawling property provides complimentary round-trip transfer from Krabi Airport to the resort.

The Foundation

The land that Pimalai is sitting on was intended to be just a retirement home. The founder of Pimalai and the owner of the land discovered this little paradise and fell in love with the land. The land was perfect for touring his dreamed sailboat, perfect sand quality and he thought that the land has the perfect Feng Shui: water in the front and mountain at the back. However, he wanted to preserve the land full of nature as much as possible so he decided to build a high-end environment-friendly resort instead so that he can still keep the land and preserve the environment. As a result, operating in a sustainable way is Pimalai’s guide in everything that it does even today.

Serene View

The setting of Pimalai and its friendly staff is what makes it unique. Out of 1.1 km Ba Kan Tiang Beach, which is one of the most beautiful beaches on Koh Lanta, Pimalai covers 900 meters already. So, the guests can always feel that they are on a private beach. Pimalai has 121 units of accommodation that are spread over 100 acres of land in the beautiful landscape that allows almost all of the suites and villas to have a clear ocean view. Nestled in a lush tropical forest, rooms at Pimalai offer a private balcony that overlooks the beautiful surroundings. Decorated with rich Thai fabrics and rattan curtains, rooms are air-conditioned and feature a polished teak wood floor.  And because they treat the staff like family members and because many of them have been with the resort for a long time, the services that they provide to the guests are genuine. The staff are happy, content, and proud to always go and deliver the extra mile.

The guest experience is always unique. Pimalai is large enough to cater to all markets (couples, honeymooners, celebrations, families, and groups). They have their own boats for transfer and for island excursions which allows them to offer tours in Lanta National Marine Park during the off-peak time and avoid other tourists. Koh Lanta National Park has one of the most beautiful snorkel and scuba diving spots in Thailand and this is the place that ocean lovers cannot miss. Easier tours such as sightseeing cruises and visiting Old Town Lanta can also be arranged. Adventure seekers can enjoy hiking and waterfall on Koh Lanta.

Embracing Technology

The Resort has worked on Pimalai mobile application where guests can always communicate with the administration in their own language and the app can automatically translate it to English or Thai for the staff. Guests can order their services through the app and receive all information on what’s going on at the resort. They can even pre-order their food (either room service or at Pimalai’s restaurant) and the food will be ready for them when they arrive. A lot of technology that they use is to automate many processes on the backend so that they can free the people from manual work to give better services to the guests.

A Holistic Destination

The Pimalai resort is organically a holistic destination by itself. The setting that one feels like living in a jungle with a white sandy beach in front of them is serene. The scents of the ocean and the mountain allow the guests to be connected with nature all the time. The award-winning spa can help the guests to fully relax and de-stress. As one travels to learn new experiences, so the resort offers Southern Thai cuisine at its Spice N’ Rice Restaurant and different classes to learn new skills including Thai cooking, massage class, exercise classes such as yoga, aerial yoga, TRX, and Muay Thai. The resort offers several leisure facilities. Guests are able to lounge by the infinity-edge pool while enjoying the sea breeze and a cool drink or play a game of tennis at the courts available. It also has a fully equipped fitness center and library, as well as activities that include cycling and sea sports. The resort features 3 restaurants to satisfy guests’ appetites. Signature Thai dishes are served at Rak Talay and Spice and Rice, while Western cuisines can be sampled at Seven Seas.

Since 2001, Pimalai Resort has received many awards and recognitions. The major ones are the recognition by Trip Advisor as the top 1% of the world’s best hotels every year since 2015 and these were based on real user reviews. They are part of the Considerate Collection by SLH with a quality score of 98%.

In the years to come, The Pimalai Resort and Spa see itself putting more focus on sustainability not just in term of the environment but also in term of its stakeholders (staff, business partners, shareholders) and also the community. Because of the distinct climate change, people are well aware that they need to do something to protect the environment and many attempts are trying to fix what was destroyed, which is extremely difficult. The administration wants to work on preserving and preventing problems from happening and support National Park and conservationist on various projects to preserve nature as well as educate locals and tourists to travel sustainably. And not only that they look after the well-being of the guests, but they also have to look at the well-being of the staff too. Their living conditions (most live in the resort’s dormitory), their food and drinks are well taken care of, and lastly, their training programs so that they can always improve themselves.