Software People Stories

PM Power Consulting
  • 5.0 (2)
  • TECHNOLOGY
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Stories of what worked and sometimes what did not, in the course of discovering, designing, developing and delivering software based solutions – as shared by practitioners who went through these situations.

  1. Knowledge Management Insights with Jordan Richards

    1D AGO

    Knowledge Management Insights with Jordan Richards

    In this episode of Software People Stories, Jordan Richards, a Digital Transformation and Knowledge Management technologist, and Founder of Tacitous (www.tacitous.com) a Knowledge Management blueprint and platform designed to help organisations capture, retain, and share critical knowledge at scale shares his extensive experience with technology and knowledge management. From his early days with the ZX 80 computer to his consulting work with oil companies, Jordan emphasizes the importance of solving real-world problems through technology. He advocates for a 'people first, process second, technology third' approach, and shares insights on how to ensure successful adoption of IT solutions by understanding user stories and daily workflows. Jordan discusses the critical importance of managing both knowledge and collaboration within organizations, especially with regard to retirees, and touches on the implications of AI and digital twins in modern business environments. He also shares personal practices that help him stay grounded and continuously updated with the latest trends in technology.   00:00 Introduction and Welcome 00:45 Guest's Origin Story in Technology 01:43 Solving Problems with Technology 02:15 User-Centric Approach to IT Solutions 05:02 Challenges in IT Deployment 05:41 Building Effective IT Strategies 06:40 Understanding Organizational Knowledge Flows 11:14 Importance of Personas in IT Solutions 18:56 Knowledge Management and AI 27:56 Engaging Retirees: Challenges and Solutions 29:38 Building a National Repository of Expertise 32:04 Encouraging Knowledge Sharing and Consumption 34:41 The Role of AI in Knowledge Management 39:21 The Importance of Human Oversight in Technology 43:07 Staying Updated and Lifelong Learning 49:00 Personal Principles for Staying Grounded The timestamps are approximate and do not include the time for the intro. Add about 90 seconds to locate the section Jordan Richards is a Digital Transformation and Knowledge Management technologist, and Founder of Tacitous (www.tacitous.com) a Knowledge Management blueprint and platform designed to help organisations capture, retain, and share critical knowledge at scale. With 20+ years of international experience across high-risk and complex environments (including Oil & Gas and large-scale operations), Jordan specialises in institutional memory, lessons learned, communities of practice, and AI-enabled knowledge retention. He works with government entities, NGOs, and industry leaders to build practical, technology-enabled KM ecosystems that strengthen workforce continuity and organisational resilience. Website: www.tacitous.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jordanrichards/ Email: collaboration@tacitous.com

    55 min
  2. Navigating Technological Changes with Sudipta Lahiri

    FEB 7

    Navigating Technological Changes with Sudipta Lahiri

    In this podcast episode, Sudipta Lahiri, Head Of Engineering and Products at Nimblework, Inc shares his compelling journey from growing up in a cosmopolitan township and studying metallurgical engineering to becoming a leader in the tech industry. He discusses his early career experiences, including a pivotal moment that led him to quit his job at SAIL and pursue further education at IIT Madras. Sudipta delves into his transition from engineering to account management and later into sales. He emphasizes the importance of attention to detail, the challenges and benefits of using AI in software development, and his personal practices that help him stay organized and effective in a fast-evolving industry. Key takeaways include the necessity of understanding the end goal, leveraging change agents for successful tool adoption, and the indispensable role of cognitive behavioral skills in leadership.   00:00 Introduction and Welcome 00:37 Early Life and Education 03:20 First Job and Career Pivot 05:12 Graduate Studies and Entry into IT 07:59 Joining Wipro and Early Projects 12:17 Transition to Sales and Account Management 14:39 Challenges and Success in Sales 15:42 Return to India and Joining i2 Technologies 17:18 Joining Digité and Embracing Agile 19:26 Reflections on Career and Mentorship 28:21 Challenges in Developing Platforms for Developers and Managers 29:24 Focusing on Efficiency for Developers 30:34 Evolving Processes to Minimize Data Entry 33:25 Addressing Tool Adoption Challenges 34:11 Identifying and Leveraging Change Agents 40:06 Balancing Process and Flexibility 46:25 Impact of AI on Software Development 54:19 Personal Practices for Staying Grounded   The timestamps are approximate and do not include the time for the intro. Add about 90 seconds to locate the section https://www.linkedin.com/in/sudiptalahiri/ Head Of Engineering and Products at Nimblework, Inc. (Distinguished Fellow, Kanban University, SPC4, AKT, KCP, DAD/CDA) ● Three decades of international leadership experience across diverse industry verticals ● Multi-cultural exposure ranging from a $4 billion company to running a technology start-up ● A Lean/Agile coach and practitioner passionate about helping multiple organizations and teams gain agility and enhanced productivity ● Demonstrated success in developing new products for Lean Software Development ● Entrepreneurial style with an exemplary record in strategic planning, business development, solid execution, and developing high performing teams

    1 hr
  3. Tech Entrepreneurial Insights with Bhargav Bhikkaji

    FEB 2

    Tech Entrepreneurial Insights with Bhargav Bhikkaji

    In this podcast episode, Shiv is in conversation with Bhargav Bhikkaji, a tech leader, entrepreneur, and founder-CTO of MajorDomo Inc with deep expertise in cloud and Gen-AI driven enterprise software.  In this episode of Software People Stories, Bhargav shares his inspiring journey from his early interest in physics and mathematics to becoming a DevOps pioneer. Initially focused on engineering and computer networking, Bhargav's career path led him through various roles at HCL Cisco and Dell before transitioning to an entrepreneurial venture. He describes the challenges of moving back to India, starting a consulting business, and eventually founding a company that focuses on DevOps and AI deployment solutions. Bhargav emphasizes the importance of understanding customer needs, continuous learning, and staying grounded through personal practices like long-distance running.   00:00 Introduction and Welcome 00:31 Early Interests and Education 03:13 First Steps in Networking 04:21 Career Growth and Innovations 05:13 Transition to DevOps and Kubernetes 07:23 Starting a Consulting Business 10:27 Challenges and Strategies in Networking 18:08 Patents and Open Source Debate 26:36 Navigating the Transition from Technical Expert to Entrepreneur 27:42 Understanding Customer Needs in Product Development 29:45 Balancing Immediate Customer Demands with Long-Term Solutions 32:10 Managing Multiple Roles in a Startup 33:49 The Importance of Customer Conversations and Product Market Fit 34:36 Challenges in Developing Developer Tools 37:42 Articulating the Value Proposition of Major Domo 40:41 Handling Rollbacks and Ensuring Transaction Integrity 46:52 Keeping Pace with Rapid Technological Changes 49:00 Staying Grounded Amidst the Chaos 50:57 Conclusion and Final Thoughts The timestamps are approximate and do not include the time for the intro. Add about 90 seconds to locate the section. Bhargav Bhikkaji is a tech leader, entrepreneur, and founder-CTO of MajorDomo Inc with deep expertise in cloud and Gen-AI driven enterprise software.  As the Founder, Bhargav leads the development of platform solutions that simplify and automate complex cloud-native and Gen-AI operations.  He is passionate about bridging the gap between cutting-edge technologies and real-world outcomes, sharing insights on GenAI, RAG, LLMOps, enterprise AI, and governance through talks, articles, and video series.  Bhargav’s work blends engineering excellence with strategic thinking, helping teams adopt scalable, secure, and cost-effective cloud and AI solutions. Outside work, Bhargav enjoys endurance running and often reflects on resilience and growth—bringing the same mindset to tech and leadership that he applies in life’s challenges One can reach out to Bhargav Bhikkaji at  https://www.linkedin.com/in/bhargav-bhikkaji and  http://x.com/bbhikkaji

    53 min
  4. Navigating Career Paths with Anees Haidary

    JAN 23

    Navigating Career Paths with Anees Haidary

    In this podcast episode, Shiv is in conversation with Anees Haidary, Global Head, Operational Excellence, Data Privacy, and Global Workforce Management at Sasken Technologies. In this engaging episode, Anees shares his remarkable journey in the IT industry, starting from his humble beginnings in a lower-middle-class family in India to becoming a prominent figure in various leadership roles. Anees discusses his educational background in engineering, his early struggles with job interviews, and the pivotal break that led him to a successful career. He emphasizes the importance of self-belief, continuous learning, and the role of mentors in professional growth. Anees also delves into his experiences with various organizations, including IBM, and his current role, where he oversees multiple portfolios including operational excellence and data privacy. Additionally, Anees highlights his involvement in Toastmasters and the BSPIN network, advocating for networking and professional development at any stage of one’s career. He also shares his personal methods for managing time and staying grounded. The episode is filled with practical tips and inspiring anecdotes, making it a valuable listen for anyone in the software industry. Anees is a Storyteller, Problem Solver, Inventor, Game changer, and Data Privacy and ESG expert.  Being an industry veteran for 25+ years in IT Industry, his role in Leadership at Sasken has helped define a strategy, roadmap & governance mechanism to address business critical problems, Established and sustained the Demand Supply Framework sustaining the core of business, Integrating various cultures post-acquisition, establishing data privacy and information security practice at Sasken among few large initiatives. Being a strong project management enthusiast, and successfully delivered large initiatives jointly with PMI in South Asia, he has been able to deeply influence and integrate world class project management initiatives at Sasken, and various product and services organization in his role as a PMISA champion.  Apart from MBA in HRM, Anees has completed Strategy Thinking Course from IIM Kolkata. Certified in PMP, ITILv3, CSM, ISO 9K, 14K, 27K, 27701 Lead Implementer, ISO 26262 Process Expert, ASPICE v3.1 SME, he has been able to contribute greatly to his organization’s vision and mission 60x4x3. He is also an active public speaker, and chartered Toastmasters Club in his organization, and completed a decade long relationship with Toastmasters International. He is a Certified Public Speaker from Dale Carnegie Institute USA. He heads Project Management Academy, Quality, Customer Experience Management, Data Privacy Office, Audits and Certifications, Special Strategic Initiatives, Delivery Excellence, and Global Workforce Management at Sasken Technologies Limited. Currently he is the Champion at PMI South Asia and Project Management Mentor at Sasken. He co-authored the PM Competency Development Framework (PMCDF) initiative of Project Management Institute (PMI) and integrated into HR competency management systems at Sasken, and mentored various organizations like CISCO, Cushman and Wakefield, Robert Bosch India, Nokia India on leveraging PMCDF for advancing the noble profession of Project management through continuous assessment of PM competency. Anees is the Core member of Risk Management Committee (RMC) at Sasken reporting into the Risk committee of Sasken Board. His white papers are published in International and National Journals and Magazines, websites & newsletters of different forums. He received many awards and honors from different organizations in advancing the field of Project Management. He may be reached at:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/haidary/

    56 min
  5. Loving Failure and Learning Daily with Kumaran Anandan

    JAN 16

    Loving Failure and Learning Daily with Kumaran Anandan

    In this podcast episode, Gayatri Kalyanaraman is in conversation with Kumaran Anandan, CTO of TinyMagiq and Enterprise Architect —shares a refreshingly honest journey across hardware, industrial automation, embedded systems, startups, consulting, and Microsoft. From writing programs on a programmable calculator (and storing them in audio cassettes!) to building deep learning habits through daily compounding, Kumaran explains why modern technologists must fall in love with failure, understand fundamentals, and stop building software without users who will pay. A thought-provoking conversation on architecture, human psychology, AI hallucinations, and what it really means to create value.  00:00 – 01:00 — Kumaran’s self-introduction: experimenting constantly and looking forward to failures.  01:00 – 02:25 — Earliest career memory: building a DBase 3+ application for a school and earning a watch as his first “payment.” 02:26 – 03:29 — Not getting campus placed, being an average student, and the early struggle of finding a job. 03:29 – 05:20 — First software experience in 10th holidays: programmable Casio calculator, BASIC programming, and saving programs using an audio cassette tape. 05:20 – 07:56 — Early career direction: interest in hardware, industrial automation, 8085 assembly programming, and learning through real-world constraints. 07:56 – 10:12 — Moving up the stack: C/C++, antivirus software, Wipro’s hardware + software work, and “mobile apps” before mobile became mainstream. 10:12 – 11:34 — Entrepreneurship journey: starting a company during the internet boom, shutting it down after the bubble burst, then transitioning to Microsoft. 11:36 – 12:29 — Kumaran’s definition of good technology: anything that protects evenings and weekends from work. 12:31 – 13:48 — A conscious career decision: taking a salary cut to work on hardware because learning mattered more than comfort. 13:48 – 15:39 — Microsoft Consulting Services: being called only for complex “fires,” shorter engagements, and high learning intensity. 15:39 – 17:23 — The daily learning habit: “Kumaran of yesterday won’t be Kumaran today,” and how small learning compounds over time. 17:24 – 19:28 — Curiosity beyond the surface: learning “under the hood,” connecting ideas across psychology, neuroscience, and technology. 19:42 – 23:16 — Microsoft culture: self-learning, asking better questions, getting pointers instead of hand-holding, and building independent thinking. 23:39 – 26:10 — Fundamentals matter: software is predictable (input–process–output), hardware is ambiguous, and AI changes predictability in software. 26:36 – 29:21 — TinyMagiq and mentoring: serendipity, a clear timeline to quit corporate life, and why enterprise software rarely creates joy. 30:39 – 33:35 — A common founder mistake: building for 14–18 months with no paying users and confusing “features built” with “value delivered.” 33:35 – 36:46 — Pricing reality check: if nobody pays even ₹100, the problem isn’t the market—it’s unclear value and weak conviction. 36:46 – 38:35 — “I don’t like code”: code as debt, and why architecture must fight unnecessary complexity. 38:35 – 41:19 — Loving failure: video games as a metaphor, why software needs failure-tolerance, and a warning to those who want “safe IT careers.” 41:56 – 44:01 — Entrepreneurship mindset: de-addiction to monthly salary, India’s services legacy, and why playing safe kills learning. 44:01 – 46:40 — “Unlearning” is reframing: the hardest failure is success because it reinforces old patterns and makes change difficult. 48:11 – 51:27 — AI hallucinations and “Maya”: why we’re already trained to handle uncertainty, and how that applies to building AI systems. 51:27 – 52:08 — Architecture simplified: an architect ensures user happiness through people, process, and technology. 52:44 – 53:06 — Closing advice: be curious about how you can enjoy failure.   Quotable Quotes “A person who keeps experimenting… and looks forward to failures.” “Kumaran of yesterday will not be the Kumaran who goes to sleep today.” “The power of compounding becomes very high.” “If you don’t have a user who wants to pay for it… what is the value of your product?” “Even if you can’t get somebody to pay you hundred rupees… you have not delivered that value.” “To me, a lot of code is nothing but debt.” “People should fall in love with failure.” “An architect is somebody who ensures happiness of the user.” “Be curious about how you can enjoy failure.” Kumaran Profile: Technology professional with 20+ years experience (Unix, Windows, Cloud AI) Conducts two podcast series: "Saturday Architecture" and "Mindset Matters" Experience spans from hands-on development to business architecture Known for: Connecting technical and philosophical concepts Key Philosophies: "If you don't have pain, you haven't done anything" Long-term thinking reveals patterns short-term goals miss Age brings pattern recognition advantage despite reduced raw capacity Common sense is the most uncommon thing Kumaran can be contacted at https://www.linkedin.com/in/akumaran/  @ctomentor is Kumaran’s  twitter handle

    1h 2m
  6. From Backend IT to Frontline Digital Transformation with Shubhangi

    JAN 12

    From Backend IT to Frontline Digital Transformation with Shubhangi

    In this podcast episode, Gayatri Kalyanaraman is in conversation with Shubhangi M Josiam, Digital Head APAC of Alstom about her 18+ year journey across GE and Alstom, moving from core IT and infrastructure roles to customer-facing digital transformation leadership across APAC. Shubangi shares candid stories about career pivots, leadership programs, Lean Six Sigma, building IT from scratch post-acquisition, and navigating cross-cultural teams—ending with powerful advice for women professionals to be bold and go for roles before feeling “fully ready”. 00:00 – 01:50 — Introduction to Shubangi’s APAC digital leadership role and IT’s shift from backend to customer-facing solutions. 01:52 – 04:41 — Early inspiration for engineering, switching from electronics to information science driven by a love for programming. 04:42 – 07:56 — Entering GE through walk-ins, starting in captive IT, and learning end-to-end infrastructure fundamentals. 08:20 – 11:49 — Discovering GE’s leadership culture and choosing Lean Six Sigma for outcome-driven career growth. 12:06 – 14:28 — Leading a consumer experience transformation project and early exposure to Agile and product thinking. 14:29 – 16:08 — Managing ERP operations and learning real-world supply chain complexity during system transitions. 16:08 – 18:09 — Navigating acquisitions, making tough career exits, and prioritising personal sustainability. 18:46 – 23:51 — Joining Alstom during post-acquisition chaos and helping build IT systems from the ground up. 23:51 – 25:50 — Building digital and analytics platforms, hiring data scientists, and scaling analytics maturity. 25:51 – 27:47 — Transitioning into regional IT leadership and driving large-scale digital change during COVID. 27:48 – 29:37 — Moving into customer-facing digital rail solutions across APAC and continuous learning from the market. 30:00 – 32:19 — Managing APAC time zones through clusters while maintaining work–life balance. 32:20 – 36:45 — Leading across cultures by balancing company values with local working styles. 46:46 – 48:36 — Building trust through direct feedback, transparency, and authentic leadership. 48:38 – 50:43 — Final advice: be bold, apply even if you’re not “ready,” and trust yourself to figure it out. Quotable Quotes “If you want to do something, go for it. Help will come—and you will figure it out.” “Men apply saying, ‘I’ll figure it out.’ Women apply saying, ‘I meet only five out of ten requirements.’ That’s what stops us.” “I didn’t tick all the boxes, but I figured it out.” “Worst case, you fail. Big deal. You learn. It’s not the end of the world.” “IT is no longer a backend engine—it’s delivering real digital solutions to customers.” Trusted Partner in Driving Impactful Digital Transformation & Empowering Businesses Through Technology. As the Digital Services Regional Head for APAC at Alstom, I drive transformative digital solutions tailored to the rail industry, with a strong focus on operational efficiency and customer engagement. My efforts include collaborating with diverse teams to deliver cutting-edge rail digital solutions while ensuring advanced cybersecurity measures for robust data protection. By aligning technological initiatives with business goals, our team enhances service quality and builds scalable, future-ready solutions for the region.  With over 20 years of experience in IT strategy and transformation, I have a proven track record of delivering impactful results acro… Shubangi can be reached at https://www.linkedin.com/in/shubhangi-mj/

    46 min
  7. New Year message from our Hosts

    JAN 3

    New Year message from our Hosts

    As we step into 2026, a heartfelt thank you to all our listeners for your time, trust, and continued support. Your engagement, feedback, and encouragement mean a lot to us and inspire us to keep creating meaningful conversations and content. Wishing you and your loved ones a Happy New Year 2026—may it bring good health, fresh opportunities, and continued learning. Looking forward to growing and learning together in the year ahead! Here is the link to the AI story mentioned in the podcast https://youtu.be/wjgbCiZmbEE Hope you enjoy!!

    6 min
  8. Embracing Change and Challenges with Hasan Siddiqui

    12/26/2025

    Embracing Change and Challenges with Hasan Siddiqui

    In this episode, Hasan Siddiqui, a veteran in the IT industry, recounts his extensive and diverse career in the software and technology industry, offering valuable insights and advice along the way.  He starts with his academic beginnings, influenced by the late Professor V Rajaraman, and traces his journey through various pivotal roles at companies like Burroughs, Unisys, and TCS. He discusses his work on significant international projects, his tenure at CBS, his experiences with matrix organizations, corporate politics, and his eventual transition into academic roles and consulting.  Hasan also emphasizes the importance of lifelong learning, maintaining professional relationships, and staying optimistic and adaptable in the ever-evolving tech landscape.   00:00 Technical Difficulties and Introductions 00:52 Early Career and Influential Mentors 02:43 First Major Projects and Overseas Assignments 05:32 Learning and Adapting in France 08:43 Transition to Account Management and Return to India 12:03 Building a Career in Bangalore and Pune 18:31 Navigating Corporate Politics and Final Career Moves 32:03 Introduction to Can Bay and HSBC 32:37 Challenges and Responsibilities at GDC 35:27 Transition to Academia 37:55 Return to Industry and Career Lessons 40:40 Retirement and New Ventures 41:55 Continuous Learning and Technology Trends 45:45 Managing Large Teams and Client Relations 51:51 Networking and Building Relationships 54:09 Retirement Philosophy and Personal Practices 01:00:40 Final Thoughts and Advice   The timestamps are approximate and do not include the time for the intro. Add about 90 seconds to locate the section. Hasan Siddiqui is an alumnus of IIT Kanpur and an accomplished technology and business education leader in the international IT industry spanning corporate strategy, business development, GDC/ODC set up and operations, talent management and academics. He has played senior management roles at Cap Gemini, Tata Consultancy Services, Tech Mahindra, Covansys and Symbiosis university. He may be reached at: it.career.lighthouse@gmail.com

    1h 1m
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About

Stories of what worked and sometimes what did not, in the course of discovering, designing, developing and delivering software based solutions – as shared by practitioners who went through these situations.

Information

  • Creator
    PM Power Consulting
  • Years Active
    2018 - 2026
  • Episodes
    380
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2020 PM Power Consulting
  • Show Website
    Software People Stories