Mr Gagan Arora, Founder and President of Vertex Group is an intuitive, far-sighted, and ingenious leader with more than 20 years of industry experience and is renowned for his capacity to inspire creativity and his strategic thinking. Vertex Group was first established by him in 2016 in Florida, USA with its first business segment Vertex Global Services which is now a leading business solutions provider with operations in several countries. He is also the Chairman of the Foreign Investors Council, Director of the Global Education Committee Asian Arab Chamber of Commerce, Trade Commissioner of The Indian African Trade Council, Senator for India at the World Business Angels Investment Forum, and more.
In an exclusive interview with CXO Outlook Magazine, Gagan Arora shares his insights on the evolution of the IT services and IT consulting industry in the last five years, challenges faced by him as a technopreneur, the inspiration behind establishing his business, Vertex Group, and a lot more. Following are the excerpts from the interview.
According to you, how have the IT services and IT consulting industry evolved over the last 5 years? Where do you see the industry heading towards?
Over the last 5 years, the IT services and IT consulting industry has undergone significant evolution. The increasing adoption of digital technologies, such as cloud computing, artificial intelligence, and automation, has led to a shift in the way businesses operate. As a result, the demand for IT services and consulting has grown significantly, and companies are now looking for more specialized and advanced services.
One of the major changes that we have seen in the industry is the rise of managed services. With the increasing complexity of IT systems and the need for 24/7 support, businesses are outsourcing their IT operations to managed service providers. This trend has led to significant growth in the managed services market and is expected to progress in the future.
Another trend that we have observed is the growing importance of cybersecurity. With the increasing number of cyber-attacks and data breaches, businesses are investing heavily in cybersecurity solutions and services. This trend has led to significant growth in the cybersecurity market, and we expect it to continue in the future.
In terms of where the industry is heading, I believe that the future of IT services and consulting will be driven by technology such as artificial intelligence and automation. These technologies will enable companies to automate repetitive tasks, improve efficiency, and reduce costs. Additionally, we expect to see significant growth in the areas of cloud computing, the internet of things, and blockchain.
Overall, the IT services and consulting industry is constantly evolving, and I believe that companies that can adapt to these changes will be the ones that succeed in the future. As a company, we are committed to staying ahead of the curve and providing our clients with the latest and most advanced services to help them stay competitive in the market.
Mr Gagan, please tell us about your professional/personal background.
I am a Boston University graduate with over 20 years of experience in the industry and have held various leadership positions throughout my career. I commenced my professional journey as a Customer Service Representative and established Vertex Group in 2016 with its first business Segment named Vertex Global Services. Back then I only had two people by my side in a small garage in Florida who supported me to start Vertex Global Services and motivated me to lead a company that can bring revolution to the IT sector. From the get-go, I always wanted to build a company on my own that will have the potential to stand out and make its name in the IT sector. I was prepared for the challenges in the ever-changing business environment and had the enthusiasm, an eye for talent, and innovative ideas that led me to where I am today. With persistence and determination, I launched five different verticals of businesses that offer a wide range of services worldwide with offices in the USA, the UK, India, The Philippines, The UAE, Nepal, and Africa. I am also a regular speaker at industry events and am often sought out for my expertise in outsourcing and technology.
My company, Vertex Group offers a wide range of services such as BPO, Managed Services, Performance Marketing, Artificial Intelligence, Staff Augmentation, Events and conferences, Software as a service, Talent as a service, E-commerce Management, and Digital Marketing.
Overall, my journey has been one of hard work, dedication, and innovation. Through my leadership and passion for the industry, I have helped Vertex Global Services become a leading player in the outsourcing space.
What are some of the challenges that you faced initially when you started as a technopreneur? How did you overcome them?
When I first started as a technopreneur, one of the biggest challenges I faced was finding the right team to help me build and grow my business. As a startup, it can be difficult to attract and retain top talent, especially when you’re competing with larger and more established companies.
To overcome this challenge, I focused on building a strong company culture and creating a vision for the future that would attract people who were passionate about what Vertex was doing. I also made sure to be transparent and open with my team about the challenges we were facing and how we were working to overcome them.
Another challenge I faced was keeping up with the rapid pace of change in the technology industry. To overcome this, I made sure to stay on top of the latest trends and innovations and to be constantly looking for new opportunities to improve and grow my business. I focused on building a solid business plan and demonstrating a clear path to profitability. I also made sure to have a strong understanding of the market and be able to articulate how the business was going to be successful.
Overall, I believe that the key to overcoming these challenges was to stay focused on my vision and to be persistent in the face of adversity. By staying true to my goals and always looking for new opportunities, I was able to build a successful business and achieve my dreams as a technopreneur.
I had a fair share of highs and lows which gave me the strength and resolution to keep going ahead and explore new opportunities. Vertex Group now stands tall among India’s most innovative companies and has been awarded the best company to work consecutively in 2020 & 2021, and that makes me proud.
Please tell us more about Vertex Group and what inspired you to create the business.
Vertex Group is a global business solutions provider that specializes in providing comprehensive business services to companies of all sizes and industries. Our services include business process outsourcing, digital marketing, technical consulting, and more.
Vertex Group was formed soon after the inception of Vertex Global Services and extends services to a client base of more than 3000 companies across the globe with its physical establishments in 7 countries including the USA, India, The UK, Nepal, The Philippines, The UAE, and Nepal. The group expanded its business functions with 5 verticals named Vertex Global Services, Vertex Cosmos, Vertex Next, Vertex Tech, and Vertex Learning.
To begin with, Vertex Global Services was the first business segment that Vertex Group established. Next came Vertex Digital Academy, now known as Vertex Learning. In 2021, Vertex Group launched Vertex Cosmos and Vertex Next. The most recent expansion that Vertex Group experienced was in 2022 with its new vertical named Vertex Tech.
I founded Vertex Group to help businesses navigate the ever-changing landscape of the global economy. I spotted the need for a company that could provide a wide range of services to businesses, helping them to stay competitive and grow in today’s fast-paced business environment.
What inspired me to create Vertex Group was my own experience during my corporate journey, where I noticed the same challenges and obstacles that many businesses face today, and I understand the importance of having a reliable partner to help navigate those challenges.
I believe that businesses should be able to focus on what they do best – creating products and services – while we handle the rest. Vertex’s goal is to provide its clients with the resources and expertise they need to succeed in today’s business environment.
In summary, Vertex Group is a one-stop solution for businesses looking for a reliable partner to help them succeed in today’s global economy. The company offers a wide range of services to businesses of all sizes and industries, providing them with the resources and expertise they need to grow and compete in today’s fast-paced business environment.
The 5 Business Segments of Vertex Group can be described as:
- Vertex Global Services – The team at Vertex Global Services works closely with clients to offer IT-Managed Services, Performance Marketing, Artificial Intelligence, and Staff Augmentation.
- Vertex Next – Connecting Markets, Creating Opportunities, Accelerating Growth. The team makes it possible for the buyers to connect with the sellers in IT, agriculture, water, power, and related fields. The innovative platforms are created, to ensure the industries’ buying experience is fuelled with a learning experience and provides easy access to the latest solutions in the industry.
- Vertex Learning – Vertex Learning utilizes superior learning and training concepts to enhance an individual’s career growth. The learning arrangements include Intuitive E-Learning; Coaching and Mixed Evaluations; Progressive Person Commitment and Collective Business Performance. The courses are designed to encourage vocational learning and are taught by the best teachers and industry experts.
- Vertex Technologies – With an increasing demand for IT infrastructure and management, Vertex Group stepped in with its Cloud solutions, network management, IT automation, and infrastructure services. The Innovation Infused digital solutions, allow customers to simplify management, reduce TCO, and easily predict future costs.
- Vertex Cosmos – Vertex Cosmos is a leading service provider of excellent Customer Experience and E-commerce Management. VCosmos utilises Software as a Service (Saas) and Talent as a Service (Taas) along with technical support and revenue generation services to attract clients. Led by the pioneers of non-metro outsourcing solutions in India, VCosmos is founded on the core belief that superior customer experience delivery is an outcome of our highly engaged and inspired people, enabled and empowered to consistently excel.
Tell us an example of a specific memorable work you did that is very close to you.
Everything that I did so far has become one of my memorable works. Before I started Vertex Group, I had already experienced 2 start-up failures, but I had the passion and devotion to keep going and those failures gave me the courage. The moment I started Vertex was immensely special to me as the company has now paved its way in the IT and ITES industry and is growing at an exponential rate, making my dream come true. Starting from my first company Vertex Global Services to every vertical I started, that is Vertex Learning, Vertex Tech, Vertex Next, and Vertex Cosmos, every step I took was memorable and noteworthy for me.
I assured a lot of coordination and collaboration between my team and the client, as well as a thorough understanding of their specific needs and goals.
Throughout the journey, in all the past projects, Vertex worked closely with the client to identify areas for improvement, implement new processes and technology, and optimize their logistics and fulfilment operations. The result was a significant increase in efficiency and cost savings for the client, as well as improved customer satisfaction.
All my projects are particularly close to me as they required a lot of hard work and dedication from the team, and it is incredibly rewarding to see the positive impact it has on our client’s business. Additionally, it demonstrates the power of collaboration and expertise in providing effective solutions to businesses.
Who is the one person you look up to and why?
I strongly believe that inspiration can be found anywhere and everywhere. The one thing I took as an inspiration was the “struggle, fall, and rise again” attitude of the people around me. I gained inspiration from everyone, whether it was an achievement or a downfall.
As the CEO and President of a company, I look up to a variety of individuals who embody the qualities and values that I strive to incorporate into my leadership. These include individuals who have demonstrated a strong commitment to integrity, innovation, and excellence in their work, as well as those who have shown a deep understanding of the needs and perspectives of their stakeholders. Additionally, I look up to leaders who have been able to build strong, collaborative teams and foster a culture of growth and development within their organizations. Ultimately, I believe that the most effective leaders can inspire and motivate others to achieve their full potential, and I strive to emulate these qualities in my leadership style.
Mr Arora, you are a 7 times winner of the BEST CEO award, Asia One’s 40 UNDER 40, GMI and Forbes’ Top 100 Influencers in India, and the list goes on. What is the secret sauce to your success?
Having been awarded the best CEO award, GMI, Forbes’ top 100 influencers in India, and more, I believe there is not one secret ingredient to success. The ability to take risks, grab opportunities, offer creative solutions, and think out of the box makes a person suited for an entrepreneurial journey and it is essential that young entrepreneurs should not hesitate in taking risks.
I believe that my success can be attributed to several key factors.
Firstly, I have always been passionate about the business and industry that I am in, and that passion has translated into a deep understanding of the market and the needs of our clients. This has allowed me to make informed decisions and stay ahead of the curve in terms of innovation and growth.
Secondly, I have always placed a strong emphasis on building a strong and dedicated team. I believe that a good leader can empower their team to achieve great things, and I have always made sure to provide my team with the resources and support they need to succeed.
Thirdly, I have always been open to learning and adapting. I believe that to succeed in today’s fast-paced business environment, it is essential to be open to new ideas and to be willing to change course when necessary. This has helped me stay ahead of the curve and to make the right decisions at the right time.
Finally, I believe that a strong work ethic and a willingness to take risks are essential for success. I have always been willing to put in the hard work and make bold decisions when necessary, and this has helped me to achieve great things in my career.
Overall, I believe that his success is the result of a combination of these factors, and I am grateful for the opportunities and support that I have received throughout my career.
- Tell us about Gagan outside of work, your motivations, and what you would like to achieve in the future.
I am a driven and ambitious individual who is passionate about technology and innovation. I take immense pleasure in my work, but I also look after my physical fitness as I believe, a fit body and a fit mind should be the priority, I enjoy staying active and exploring new outdoor activities. I am also an avid reader and I enjoy keeping up to date with the latest advancements in technology, business and leadership. In addition to my professional accomplishments, I am also a dedicated philanthropist. I am actively involved in several charitable organizations and am committed to making a positive impact in the community.
My motivation is to impact the world positively, and I believe that being unstoppable is the key to achieving this. I am committed to leading Vertex Group to become a leading provider of innovative business solutions and to help clients achieve their goals in the digital age. I am always focused on contemplating ideas to expand my business.
I always aim at marking my name in the industry as a visionary leader and entrepreneur. I am a hustler and achiever who keeps on learning and evolving with the industry, people and the company’s clients. Everything around me motivates me to keep on progressing, I am always willing to take risks and have a farsighted vision. With the attitude to never up, I have crossed milestones and plan on expanding the company even more.
In the future, I would like to see Vertex Group become a global leader in business and technology solutions and be recognized as an industry leader in terms of innovation, quality, and customer service. I also hope to continue to grow as a leader and to inspire others to achieve their full potential. Additionally, I want to give back to the community by volunteering and mentoring young entrepreneurs and students.
What would be your special piece of advice for aspiring entrepreneurs?
As an aspiring entrepreneur, it is important to have a clear vision and mission for your business. Define your target market and understand their needs. Conduct thorough market research and have a solid business plan in place. Be willing to take calculated risks and continuously adapt to market changes. Network and seek mentorship from experienced entrepreneurs. Stay persistent and never give up on your dreams.
Young and aspiring entrepreneurs are full of enthusiasm, ideas, talent, and energy. Sometimes, what they lack is the ability to make the right decisions at the right time. They need to be open to new ideas and suggestions and make new connections in the industry which will help them learn and expand their business as there is a massive extent of opportunities lying ahead of them. I would recommend they build a strong network and relations with their clients, customers and most importantly make goodwill in society. To create a strong business, it is important to identify the gaps in the market and find solutions to fill those gaps. Entrepreneurs who have outstanding talent and innovative ideas are the ones who can make it through despite facing tough challenges. It is also essential to know who your audience and clients are, make use of all the resources available and undergo proper research to embrace the best out of your services. Having accessibility for feedback is one of the things that help growing businesses make corrections and improve, therefore it is crucial to make space for constructive feedback.