CEO Insights Magazine

The Edtech industry, a dynamic and ever-evolving sector, plays a pivotal role in shaping the future of education. With the rapid advancement of technology, it has become a driving force in facilitating learning and skills development, offering innovative solutions to meet the demands of the modern workforce. Tarun Sukhani, Founder & CTO of Abundent, stands as a prominent figure in empowering this sector. With more than 25 years of extensive experience in both Business and IT, spanning multiple continents and encompassing roles in both development and executive positions, Tarun's expertise is multifaceted. He possesses a deep knowledge of all IT domains, including Agile Project Management, Lean Product Development, IT Service Management, DevOps, Full Stack Development, Cybersecurity, Big Data, Data Warehousing, RPA, Fintech/Blockchain, and Machine Learning. With academic credentials comprising a DBA in Finance, an MSc in Information Systems and an MBA in Finance and Operations Management from Loyola University Chicago, he is well-equipped to drive innovation in the implementation of technology in education.

Tarun extends his influence through training workshops in the Asia Pacific region, focusing on project management, IT, management consulting, leadership, and strategic management. His contributions go beyond training, as he has served as a keynote speaker at conferences and holds certifications in Agile/Scrum, Java, .NET Programming, and Machine Learning, among many others. Tarun Sukhani's comprehensive knowledge and dedication are instrumental in pushing the boundaries of the Edtech industry and shaping the future of learning and development. Let’s read more.

Can you please share your professional background and shed light on what motivated you to establish Abundent?

I began my professional career as a systems analyst/ programmer and progressed through various corporate roles, including senior IT executive positions like CTO, CIO, CISO, and CDO. I also served as a board member for fintech startups and founded my own edtech company, Abundent, during my 25- year journey. I also held various academic positions with institutions including APU and Monash. The inspiration behind Abundent was twofold. Firstly, we aimed to leverage Big Data Analytics to solve key business problems on large scale, abundant data. Secondly, we wanted to make a dent in the market, hence the name ‘Abundent'. Over time, we transitioned into the Edtech sector and honed our focus on the top 8 IT categories that were in high demand, emphasizing job-oriented training and consulting.

What are the factors you look into when developing strategies for long-term digital transformation?

In my role as the Founder & CTO of Abundent, when crafting strategies for long-term digital transformation,   several critical factors come into play. To facilitate this process, we employ a patent-pending framework known as DDAP (Digitization, Digitalization, Automation, Prediction). This framework allows us to perform comprehensive digital audits of companies, thereby gaining insights into their current digital maturity and what steps they would need to take to progress up the maturity curve.

Key factors we scrutinize encompass organizational silos, the embrace of Agile methodologies and effective productivity metrics, the vision and execution prowess of the leadership team, churn rate, recruitment and retention strategies, as well as the robustness and regularity of technology stack updates. By addressing these elements, we create strategies that are both forward-thinking and finely tailored to the specific needs of each organization, fostering a successful and sustainable digital transformation journey.

How do you nurture an environment of innovation within your team? How do you motivate them to unleash their full potential by harnessing cutting-edge technologies?

We believe that innovation flourishes through open communication and the cultivation of creativity within our teams. Consequently, our focus lies in fostering effective team dynamics that strike the right balance between visionary thinkers and those with analytical minds, enabling us to discover more effective approaches. Our leadership team implements a three-year technology stack review process, where we continually assess our existing technology infrastructure and make adjustments as needed to enhance productivity and embrace new and superior technologies. By staying consistently updated with the latest methodologies and technologies, our teams are empowered to optimize their own productivity potential.

Please share your leadership approach & guiding principles

I embrace various leadership styles to adapt to the dynamic tech landscape. Adaptive leadership, with its flexibility and responsiveness to change, allows me to address challenges and promote a culture of learning. As a Full Stack Developer and Software Architect, I employ technical leadership to leverage my expertise, guiding teams through complex projects and earning their respect through hands-on experience. My entrepreneurial ventures align with transformational leadership, motivating teams to exceed expectations and fostering a culture of innovation. In consultancy and collaborative fields like Data Science and AI, I prioritize servant leadership, emphasizing team needs for positive culture and collaboration. Familiarity with Agile and Lean methodologies ensures adaptability and efficient product delivery while promoting continuous learning and development is pivotal in our rapidly evolving industry. Effective communication is the linchpin of project success, and data-driven decision-making aligns with our consultancy in Data Science, AI, and ML. Fostering a collaborative environment promotes innovation and team engagement, and building strong networks is essential for entrepreneurial and consultancy roles, offering insights and support critical to success.

What lies ahead in your future plans?

We are dedicated to developing a unified job portal that is closely linked to our training programs and career categories, enabling learners to adequately prepare for their desired careers and enhance their skills in alignment with their career goals. Additionally, we aim to market our B2B platform to various training providers, corporate L&D departments, and universities.    

Tarun Sukhani, Founder & CTO, Abundent

Tarun Sukhani an IT industry leader and Founder & CTO of Abundent is a visionary in Educational Technology (Edtech) with extensive experience in various technologies.