We are well prepared to swiftly adjust by being hyper-agile: Axis Communications

Axis is the market leader in network video. They invented the world’s first network camera back in 1996, and have been innovators in video surveillance ever since. Sudhindra Holla, Sales Director – India and SAARC at Axis Communications,tells us more about the future of work. Excerpts from an interview:

DQ: How are you dealing with the Covid-19 situation? What plans have you put in place?

Sudhindra Holla: While all of us are working from home due to lockdown, challenges of high-speed broadband and lack of proper infrastructure is playing a big role in slower turnarounds. Hence, most deadline is getting postponed to early May. Even the long-drawn Government RFPs and tenders are at a standstill due to these challenges. Thus, the challenge for us is not in demand reduction, but rather, in delivering the components and materials to our partners, customers, and distributors as international and domestic flight movements are affected by the lockdown.

DQ: How is the employee management being handled by companies

Sudhindra Holla: While we are in a work from home situation, our employees have been clearly communicated on the guidelines which need to be followed. Our IT team has worked swiftly to manage and deliver business continuity through adequate support and infrastructure. At Axis Communications, we have ensured the health and safety of our employees with continuous sharing of best practices to maintain balance while remaining productive. Collaborative tools have helped in staying connected with the larger teams. Therefore, we have optimized all internal meetings for remote participation.

DQ: What are the new learnings from this pandemic?

Sudhindra Holla: We are actively collaborating with our logistics partners and component suppliers to reduce impacts and disruptions from restrictions imposed by state or country. We are continuously providing updates whenever new information becomes available. We are continuously monitoring the current situation to understand and reduce the impact on sales, global supply chain, and support and services as much as possible. 

DQ: How are you laying the detailed guidelines for a digital workforce?

Sudhindra Holla: Our aim is to minimize the risks faced by employees during these trying times. We are following guidance from the World Health Organization (WHO), and international and local health authorities in countries where we operate. Since each market has its own nuances, we are modifying our guidelines so that it can be relevant to them. In addition, we have urged all our teams to follow the instructions and restrictions imposed by the Government authorities

DQ: How are you now facilitating digital work?

Sudhindra Holla: To enable digital empowerment and provide a seamless experience, we are using collaboration tools like WebEx and Microsoft Teams to be always connected. This has helped us in executing virtual meetings and bond across locations.

At Axis Communications, we are well prepared to swiftly adjust to market conditions and customer sentiments by being hyper-agile and implementing new customer and channel strategies as and when required. Through a model of training, education, and enablement, we are taking active steps towards supporting our channel partners. Cost-effective solutions are being implemented by driving automation, transparency, and speed across all our business processes. By doing so, we continue to maintain constant communication with our distributors, channel and ecosystem partners to help our customers with all kinds of support.

Experience and education have always been the core of our organizational philosophy. Another significant step is to move our Academy trainings completely online, host virtual events and Live webinars, product demonstrations virtually to educate the potential customers with our differentiated experience. We have also conducted our Solutions Day for our channel partners online this time.

DQ: How are the latest technologies going to redefine workplace?

Sudhindra Holla: The COVID-19 pandemic has truly brought about a digital transformation in the way we work and communicate with others.  Zoom calls, Microsoft teams, and WebEx employees can aide employees to work from the comfort of their homes during this period. This also helps them be productive and flexible at the same time. It has created a perfect environment where both the home and office needs can be taken care of. During the current situation of social distancing, moving applications online, conducting virtual coffee sessions, meditations, and wellness workshops have kept the employees motivated to handle the pressures of the new normal.

DQ: How do organizations plan for a future of " digiwork’?

Sudhindra Holla: We have urged our employees to be constantly available on calls, emails, and other digital modes of communication. According to our global organizational guidelines, we are required to be responsive while keeping the continuity in terms of technical support with our chatbot 24*7. Thus, if a technical problem arises, then the customers will not be affected in any way. Our tech team is rigorously working from home to solve any such problems that might be faced by our customers. To keep the business continuity, we are in touch with at least 20% of our partners and the distributors. Additionally, we are keeping our channel partners with updates and information whenever possible.

Sudhindra Holla, Sales Director – India and SAARC at Axis Communications