On the lighter side of things we ask Mihir Shah, CEO, StorCentric, what makes him tick.
What would you describe as your most memorable achievement?
The founding of StorCentric in 2018 is my most memorable career achievement. The market was lacking a company with a holistic approach to data management with battle tested, high-quality solutions with a focus on customer experience. We have acquired five companies in the past couple of years and developed a set of solutions for the explosive data growth we are seeing today.
What first made you think of a career in technology?
Curiosity has always been a large part of my personality. When considering careers, I sought out a path which stimulated this trait, and technology was a great fit. My early career was spent in M&A in technology markets and this background has helped shape our company strategy as we address data management requirements for our customers.
What style of management philosophy do you employ with your current position?
I value transparency, accountability and the importance of focusing on emotional intelligence. I like to give regular updates to our company on our progress and strategy. This makes it easier to face tough situations and make the right decisions. Also, when I build teams I focus on emotional intelligence. Emotional intelligence is an important skill for navigating high-pace work environments typically found in technology companies. The best managers and leaders are those who can cultivate and sustain long-term relationships with peers, partners and customers. I encourage my team members to be aware of the behaviors and motivations of others, to develop positive working relationships and to hold their teams accountable.
What do you think is the current hot technology talking point?
The pandemic has led to increasingly aggressive ransomware breaches across all industries. Cybercriminals have attacked not only on-site production data, but every possible copy to ensure a ransom payment. Consequently, it has become critical for companies to enhance their security solutions to ensure Business Continuity. We are focusing on Unbreakable Backup solutions which provide peace of mind to ensure that data is protected from any security breach.
How do you deal with stress and unwind outside the office?
I live in the Bay Area in California, and luckily, I am able to spend quite a bit of time outdoors. You can see me taking walks outdoors and playing a round of golf outside of the office. I also enjoy reading business books, biographies and spy novels. Furthermore, practicing mindfulness through meditation is a daily routine.
If you could go back and change one career decision what would it be?
I truly believe that one’s career is a journey that helps develop specific skill sets that will be of benefit in the future. Every career decision I have made, good or bad has taught me valuable lessons.
What do you currently identify as the major areas of investment in your industry?
With remote and hybrid work forces becoming the norm, endpoint data protection has become increasingly critical. While businesses run on servers, employees transact on endpoints such as laptops, desktops and tablets, which need protection against loss of downtime and lost personalized work environments.
What are the region-specific challenges when implementing new technologies in North America?
We don’t have any specific challenges in North America, our data management and security solutions are implemented internationally. We have a strong focus on regulatory compliance which is important in both North America and Europe.
What changes to your job role have you seen in the last year and how do you see these developing in the next 12 months?
The most significant change has been managing our growing workforce and particularly executing a company acquisition remotely. The pandemic has forced a distributed workforce and the biggest challenge that leaders face today is trying to maintain a cohesive and engaged workforce. Companies will need to implement new technologies and communication strategies to alleviate these issues.
What advice would you offer somebody aspiring to obtain a C-level position in your industry?
Learn quickly, make decisions even faster. Learn from your network, books, customers, industry events and take these data points and increase the velocity of your decision making. Spend most of your time listening to customers so you are addressing their data management concerns.
