Ravi Venkatesan was appointed CEO of Cantaloupe in September 2022, previously holding roles as COO and CTO. With 20+ years in the tech world, he also led innovations at Bakkt and Bridge2 Solutions and held leadership positions at Accenture and Cbeyond. He received his B.S. in electronics from Bangalore University and has a postgraduate degree from the Management Development Institute.
Did you know that a staggering 80% of the world’s payments are run through an Atlanta-based company? This statistic highlights the profound impact of technology on our lives and underscores the need for businesses to stay ahead of the curve. In fact, the move toward selfservice retail with cashless and contactless payments has been at the forefront of innovation. Companies need to step up and embrace this trend or get left behind.
In my experience, I have found that “culture eats strategy for breakfast.” It is not enough to have a well-crafted plan; organizations must also cultivate a culture that embraces change and innovation. Building a culture of adaptability and resilience is crucial, especially as we witness a shift from globalization to de-globalization and a shift from a cash society to a cashless one. To thrive in this evolving landscape, I believe in fostering teams that are nimble, collaborative, diverse and comfortable with uncertainty. I have learned that mistakes teach us more than success does, and I encourage leaders to create an environment where learning from failures or ‘failing forward,’ is celebrated.
One unique approach I have taken to goal-setting is to set achievable short-term goals and ambitious long-term goals. An example of this is implementing telemetry and AI features in our products. Short-term, machines need to speak to each other. Long-term (and not so long-term anymore as AI is here today), AI needs to be part of everything we do. This strategy has proven effective in driving the right behavior for longterm success. By focusing on attainable milestones in the short term, teams gain confidence and momentum, while ambitious long-term goals inspire innovation and drive growth.
In today’s world, every organization is becoming a “technology business.” Automation and efficiency are key drivers of productivity and are essential for businesses to embrace technology to stay competitive. I recognize the pivotal role played by organizations like TAG (Technology Association of Georgia) in connecting businesses with technology an fostering innovation.
This journey has taught me the importance of adaptability, resilience, and embracing technology. By building a culture that thrives on change, learning from mistakes, and setting achievable short-term goals alongside ambitious long-term objectives, businesses can navigate uncertainty and achieve long-term success. Together, we can embrace the opportunities presented by technology and shape a brighter future for all.
