Wipro
is considering creating a new role of operations head — a
second-in-command to the CEO — to free up TK Kurien to focus on
technology vision and strategy. Although a decision to have a chief
operating officer is not imminent, such a move, when it happens, will be
in line with the direction in which other large software services
companies have travelled as they try to negotiate rapid changes in
technology and business models.
"That's a question that has been asked to me by several people, including my board," Kurien said. "But I think the point here is simple: it's important for us to create efficiency in the business and if that requires a COO structure, so be it."
Kurien, 54, took over as CEO of India's third-largest software company four years ago after a failed experiment with having joint CEOs run the company. Kurien has been attempting to revive revenue growth momentum while simultaneously preparing the company to deal with the challenges brought on technologies such as cloud computing and data analytics.
Rivals such as Cognizant Technology Solutions and even Bengaluru-based Infosys have structures that separate day-to-day running of operations from formulating a larger technology vision and ambassadorial roles. At Infosys, for instance, CEO Vishal Sikka is assisted by veteran UB Pravin Rao as the COO. Cognizant too has Francisco D'Souza focusing on the future while operations are headed by president Gordon Coburn.
Moreover, while Kurien has around twenty executives reporting directly to him, D'Souza and Sikka have less than 10 direct reportees.
"The answer is it's not that it won;t happen; the answer is if it's so required, it will happen. But a decision has not been made yet," Kurien added.
Another person familiar with the strategy said while "there's nothing on the table in terms of potential COO candidates, there have been internal discussions on creating such a role."
"TK has spent most of past few years in trying to get the basics right -- he cannot be doing that forever, he needs to spend more time on overall vision," the person added.
Source: Times Of India
"That's a question that has been asked to me by several people, including my board," Kurien said. "But I think the point here is simple: it's important for us to create efficiency in the business and if that requires a COO structure, so be it."
Kurien, 54, took over as CEO of India's third-largest software company four years ago after a failed experiment with having joint CEOs run the company. Kurien has been attempting to revive revenue growth momentum while simultaneously preparing the company to deal with the challenges brought on technologies such as cloud computing and data analytics.
Rivals such as Cognizant Technology Solutions and even Bengaluru-based Infosys have structures that separate day-to-day running of operations from formulating a larger technology vision and ambassadorial roles. At Infosys, for instance, CEO Vishal Sikka is assisted by veteran UB Pravin Rao as the COO. Cognizant too has Francisco D'Souza focusing on the future while operations are headed by president Gordon Coburn.
Moreover, while Kurien has around twenty executives reporting directly to him, D'Souza and Sikka have less than 10 direct reportees.
"The answer is it's not that it won;t happen; the answer is if it's so required, it will happen. But a decision has not been made yet," Kurien added.
Another person familiar with the strategy said while "there's nothing on the table in terms of potential COO candidates, there have been internal discussions on creating such a role."
"TK has spent most of past few years in trying to get the basics right -- he cannot be doing that forever, he needs to spend more time on overall vision," the person added.
Source: Times Of India
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