In the fast-paced world of technology, Sharmila Wijeyakumar, the Chief Executive Officer of iSales Dynamics, emerges as a beacon of resilience, cultural diversity, and impactful leadership. With a career spanning over 20 years, Sharmila’s journey is a testament to her unwavering commitment to excellence, her profound impact on combating human trafficking, and her unique approach to leadership inspired by the canine world.
The Tapestry of Sharmila’s Leadership
Resilience and Global Experience
Sharmila Wijeyakumar is more than just a leader; she is a powerhouse in sales and management. Her identity is intricately woven from her resilience and diverse cultural background. A quote from Sharmila encapsulates her professional journey: “My journey into the tech world wasn’t a straight line – it was more like a dog following a zigzag trail.” Her ability to adapt and excel in diverse environments, leading multiple companies to lucrative exits, is mirrored in her global experiences, from CRN Magazine accolades to combating human trafficking with organizations like Pro Nino and Rahab’s Daughters.
Triumph Over Adversity
Sharmila’s life narrative reflects triumph over adversity, a celebration of diversity, and a profound contribution to the technology sector. Her commitment to social advocacy and combating human trafficking intertwines seamlessly with her role at iSales Dynamics. An inspiring quote from Sharmila highlights her philosophy: “In essence, my daily routine is a delightful mix of challenges and joys, and I love spending a day with a pack of intelligent, playful, loving dogs, each bringing their own unique energy and happiness to the iSales pack.”
Sharmila’s Pre-iSales Dynamics Journey
Executive Prowess and Social Impact
Before joining iSales Dynamics, Sharmila’s career showcased executive prowess and dedication to impactful causes. As COO at Rahab’s Daughters and Senior Account Executive at Liferay, she navigated complex operations, drove expansion, and used AI/ML to combat human trafficking. Her global leadership roles at Entando and Pentaho exhibited strategic vision and resulted in highly profitable exits. Sharmila’s impact extended beyond corporate success, earning her accolades like Top Female Leader and Everyday Hero.
The Academic Journey
Sharmila’s technical prowess is complemented by her academic achievements, pursuing a Doctorate in Business Administration with a specialization in Data Analytics. Her commitment to continuous learning and innovation is underlined by her academic pursuits. As she mentions, “Developing Emotional Intelligence is key. It’s about understanding and managing emotions – kind of like knowing the difference between a playful growl and an angry snarl.”
iSales Dynamics: A Canine-Inspired Approach to Business
A Passion for Dogs, a Passion for Success
At iSales Dynamics, founded by Sharmila and her daughter Indira Ramos, the team’s love for dogs transcends personal traits and becomes a cornerstone of company culture. The team, described as a “pack of high-pedigree leaders,” integrates their shared faith and commitment to building relationships into the business. Puggles, the canine chief wellness officer, and other dogs within the team play a significant role in shaping the company’s unique approach to business.
Unique Sales Strategies Inspired by Canines
Sharmila narrates a humorous incident highlighting the company’s dog-inspired approach to sales. During a virtual meeting, Puggles, the canine chief wellness officer, decided to join the conversation with an enthusiastic howling session. Turning embarrassment into an opportunity, Sharmila drew a parallel between a dog’s instinct to communicate and the necessity for sales teams to effectively communicate their value proposition. A quote from this incident illustrates the lesson learned: “This light-hearted moment not only broke the ice but also allowed us to draw a parallel between a dog’s instinct to communicate and the necessity for sales teams to effectively and confidently communicate their value proposition.”
Tailored Services for Business Growth
iSales Dynamics offers a spectrum of services meticulously tailored to support various stages of business growth. From fractional leadership to consulting, advisory, coaching, funding support, and comprehensive sales training, the company’s approach is characterized by each team member’s 20+ years of business experience. Sharmila emphasizes the values at the core of iSales Dynamics, including mentoring, building relationships, and women’s empowerment.
Sharmila’s Perspective on Digital Transformation
Turning Sales into a 3D Holographic Experience
In Sharmila’s analogy, digital transformation turns the traditional game of sales into a high-tech, 3D holographic experience. Customer insights, automation of routine tasks, social selling, digital marketing, AI, and VR redefine the sales domain. Sharmila emphasizes the profound impact of advanced analytics tools, likening them to a detective scrutinizing every detail.
The Future of Sales: Data-Driven, Efficient, and Customer-Focused
In summary, digital transformation steers the sales world into an era that is more data-driven, efficient, and customer-focused. Sharmila sees it as a journey propelling salespeople to new heights and possibilities. A quote from Sharmila encapsulates this vision: “As technology continues to evolve, its impact on sales strategies and customer interactions is set to soar even higher, making the future of sales an exciting adventure to look forward to.”
The Impact of Women in Leadership
Adding Flavor to Success
Sharmila advocates for more women in top leadership roles, drawing parallels with adding spices to a dish. The inclusion of women isn’t merely a nice-to-have; it’s a secret sauce that leads to innovation, better decision-making, and more interesting boardroom discussions. Research supports the correlation between gender diversity in executive roles and improved financial performance.
Women Leaders: Consumer Whisperers and Role Models
Women leaders, according to Sharmila, are like consumer whisperers, offering invaluable insights into consumer behavior. They contribute to risk management and governance, leading to sustainable growth and drive innovations and differentiation in a saturated marketplace. Sharmila highlights the importance of having women in leadership for corporate reputation and inspiring future generations: “Being committed to gender diversity also means companies are more likely to be in the good books of regulations and social responsibility – sort of like having a VIP pass to the club of market reputation.”
Sharmila’s Responsibilities as CEO
Steering the Sled: A CEO’s Responsibilities
As the CEO of iSales Dynamics, Sharmila takes on multifaceted responsibilities, likened to guiding a pack of highly intelligence and well trained dogs. From setting the strategic vision to operational oversight, she ensures the team works cohesively toward common goals. A quote from Sharmila vividly portrays her role: “Being the CEO of iSales Dynamics is like being the lead sled dog – I set the pace, navigate obstacles, and ensure the team is pulling together in the right direction.”
The Joy of Making a Positive Impact
Sharmila finds her happiest moments in making a positive impact, mentoring, strategic planning, and balancing her professional life with quality family time. She emphasizes the importance of joy in professional pursuits: “For me, joy is found in those moments where I can make a positive impact, whether it’s mentoring someone, crafting a strategic plan, or spending quality time with my family.”
Leadership Lessons from a Canine World
Traits of a Seasoned Dog Trainer: Essential Attributes for Leaders
Drawing parallels between leadership and dog training, Sharmila identifies essential attributes for successful leaders. Vision, integrity, empathy, effective communication, and adaptability are traits she likens to a seasoned dog trainer. In her words, leaders should be open to learning from every experience: “Leadership is about continuous learning, and sometimes, the best lessons come from the unlikeliest of places – like a sunny day at the dog park.”
Advice for the Next Generation of Female Leaders
Sharmila’s insights extend to aspiring female leaders in the Sales Consultant/Coaching domain. Her advice is a roadmap for success: belief in oneself, continuous learning, network building, emotional intelligence, assertiveness with empathy, personal branding, embracing challenges, prioritizing work-life balance, and mentoring others.
Sharmila Wijeyakumar’s journey through the realms of technology, sales, and leadership is a tale of triumph, resilience, and a commitment to excellence. Her unique approach, inspired by the canine world, has not only shaped iSales Dynamics into a unique business but has also left an indelible mark on the tech industry. As Sharmila aptly puts it, “The dog park of sales and coaching is a place where every female leader can run free and succeed.” Her narrative stands as a testament to the positive change that leaders can bring to an ever-evolving industry.