Manan Shah – India’s Inspirational Young Leader 2021

​Manan Shah, CEO & Founder of Avalance has been chosen as India’s Inspirational Young Leaders for his ability to strengthen India’s cyber security systems. A Young and dynamic leader, shaping cyber security future.

1. Years of working in the industry, your contribution reflects versatility and volubility. What has influenced your decision making process at various stages?

The core idea has been to identify threats and find solutions by ensuring we constantly learn to improve ourselves; establish ourselves as an expert and diversify our client portfolios. If the sectors are varied so are the challenges which makes room for learning and innovation. It is by walking through discomfort or problems, you learn to move forward or find the strength to resolve. This has been the key philosophy behind our decision making process at Avalance.

2. An accomplishment that you consider to be the most significant in your career?

All my projects and services that I deliver are unique in their own right but I must admit that working through the cyber security challenges through this pandemic has been truly exhilarating. I believe every little experience has immensely shaped me, however Microsoft gave me the biggest opportunity in the form of a platform to showcase my skill sets and delivering the project has been by far the best learning experience of my life.

3.   How do you integrate corporate philanthropy or corporate social responsibility as a part of your business strategies?

For me, social responsibility or philanthropy is a part of my being. The inclination to give back to the society in any way possible, to the best of my contribution has been a value I really live by. It’s a part of living than a business strategy so it really comes naturally to us in the organisation. One of our major focus is on education, our aim is to educate maximum number of people about cyber security so that they are always ready for any kind of unforeseen situation. We are also invested in equipping talented minds with the right knowledge on technology and ways to make it work for us!

4.   What has been your driving force or philosophy in life? 

The quest to learn and excel, my driving force has been my absolute love for my profession and the burning desire to keep bringing better, more effective and comprehensive solutions in my domain. I believe there is a lot to learn, do and achieve in life.

5.   What are the other philanthropic works you are involved in?

For me, philanthropy is not something that comes with an occasion, specific reason or date, it is more like a philosophy to operate from on a daily basis. I actively involve myself with environmental safeguarding initiatives to do my bit in protecting the world we live in.

6.   How do you define success and how do you measure up to your own definition?

My definition of success is completely proportionate to the satisfaction of my customers, both internal and external. Only if these pillars of our organization are growing and succeeding, will our success skyrocket! 

7.   We are constantly making things better, faster, smarter or less expensive. In other words, we strive to do more with less. Tell me about a recent project or solution to a problem that you have made better, faster, smarter or less expensive?

We’re the first company in India to develop a product that identifies security gaps in real-time and takes necessary remedial action in minutes ensuring that thorough readiness against any kind of threats without any dependency on technology, security vendor or version.

8.   In your opinion, what is the most significant aspect of leadership?

I believe in a more democratic style of leadership as it gives room for more collective learning. Being a Leader means to know the craft of understanding people’s motivations and channelize people participation in a way that aligns individual needs to the group’s purpose.

9.   Your perception of an empowered society. How far your industry has / can contribute for the same?

I believe empowerment comes from knowledge and then drive to excel in a particular domain. Therefore, if everyone has access to the right education, the entire society will be empowered in a terrific manner. The cyber security industry only has more and more to give in terms of new knowledge, new ways of dealing with things and better ways of solving issues. 

PERSONAL GRID

1.One thing you wish to change and one thing you wish to retain about your industry?

The speed at which constant changes are being done to evolve in the industry is something that should be a perennial phenomenon. I’d like to bring about a change in the industry through my company that every digital device in the world must be absolutely protected and secure from any kind of threats.

2.One thing you have to let go off as an entrepreneur/leader?

As an entrepreneur one must let go the fear of taking risks in business, we often come across situations that demand us to take some extraordinary steps and we must be ready to take on any kind of challenge the world of business throws at us.

3.Whom do you owe your success to?

Myself and my self determination to follow my happiness with full faith.

4.Best thing about your job?

I am the boss and I am the student. 

5.A message from you to all the future entrepreneurs/leaders?

Be rooted to your core desires and make short actionable goals every day towards achieving it. Persistence and patience is key to anything that you chose to do in a growingly connected world there is enough opportunity to build products or solutions to improve the quality and experiences of our lives.