The Path Of Excellence: Vivek Shitole’s Professional Journey

Vivek Shitole is a name that resonates with excellence in the realms of Information Security and Privacy, Risk and Management consulting, and project management. With nearly two decades of extensive professional experience, his journey from a humble village in India to the bustling hub of Silicon Valley is a testament to his relentless dedication and vision.

Vivek’s innovative approach and methodology of using Six Sigma methodology to reduce InfoSec incidents has been widely recognized and deployed in the InfoSec industry. At his previous employer, Capgemini Consulting, his methodology was deployed in around 20+ Technology Infrastructure projects across the Americas and Europe.

These deployments resulted in significant cost savings and increased the stability of the tech environment for those clients. His work has been a valuable contribution to the industry, with around 500 team members involved in deploying the methodology developed by Vivek.

His remarkable career highlights his professional achievements, leadership roles, and contributions to some of the world’s leading organizations.

Throughout his illustrious career, Vivek has held key positions at Oracle, KPMG, and Capgemini, where he has led numerous critical initiatives. As a seasoned manager, he has successfully spearheaded various significant projects, demonstrating a data-driven approach and an unwavering commitment to excellence.

His accolades, such as the “Encore Awards” at KPMG and the “Gem of the Project” award at Capgemini, further underscore his exceptional contributions. Vivek’s professional milestones, leadership style, and personal growth paint a comprehensive portrait of a man who has consistently strived for and achieved greatness in his field.

IMAGE: VIVEK SHITOLE

Gem Of The Project award

One of the most rewarding and challenging experiences in Vivek’s career was leading a diverse portfolio of projects that earned him the prestigious “Gem of the Project” award. This portfolio consisted of 10 projects across the globe, including six Application Management projects and four IT Infrastructure Management projects.

Vivek was responsible for analyzing various information security-related defects reported by the project team and end clients, creating his team, identifying root causes, and implementing effective solutions.

Vivek recalls, “We converted the ambiguous problem at hand into an easy-to-understand and clear AS-IS problem with structured challenges and constraints.” He and his team designed a practical TO-BE state through detailed discussions with key stakeholders.

By applying industry-leading Six Sigma techniques such as Failure Mode & Effects Analysis (FMEA), Cost Benefit, Pareto analysis, and Risk Priority Number, they prioritized different elements of the problem statement and found solutions to the most critical issues.

The results were impressive: a 74% reduction in Information Security defects within 8–10 months and an escalated client contract that was not only saved but also extended by another two years.

The Encore Award

At KPMG, the Encore platform was instrumental in acknowledging and rewarding Vivek’s exceptional job performance. “KPMG has an integrated online platform called Encore, through which managers can recognize employees and determine appropriate awards,” he explains.

Vivek received the Encore award multiple times, reflecting his exceptional contributions. His success was driven by a highly customer-centric approach to delivering Information Security and Data Privacy-related services. He emphasized the use of innovative industry tools and frameworks while balancing reliance on technology with the importance of the human or soft side of business models.

Collaboration was another critical factor in his success. Vivek notes, “Collaboration with various service lines within KPMG to get expert advice on different phases of projects” was crucial.

Additionally, maintaining transparency with both internal and customer teams, even during complicated and tough discussions, ensured better end results for challenging projects. These awards served as a testament to his hard work, continuous learning, and ability to excel in complex environments.

Reflecting on the impact of these awards, Vivek shares, “These awards obviously encouraged me a lot early in my career, as these are testimonies of the hard work, continuous learning, trust shown by leaders, customer reliance, and ability to excel in complicated business and technical environments.”

They motivated him to understand the importance of excelling at his strengths while identifying areas for improvement. This recognition not only boosted his confidence but also shaped his approach to subsequent projects, reinforcing the importance of continuous improvement and customer-centric service delivery.

Leadership Roles At Oracle

Starting as a technical contractor in Oracle’s Business Assessment group, Vivek focused on Information Security and Data Privacy programs. His impressive deliverables quickly caught the attention of Oracle leadership, leading to an offer for a full-time position.

Vivek recalls, “It was a golden opportunity for me to work in the dynamic environment of the world’s biggest database software company.” Within a year, he was promoted to a Lead position, and a couple of years later, he advanced to Lead Manager, establishing himself as an expert in InfoSec and Data Privacy domain projects.

In his leadership roles, Vivek has been instrumental in driving critical programs within Oracle. He has served as the single point of contact for many key groups, ensuring seamless coordination and execution of major initiatives. His ability to deliver exceptional results and his expertise in Information Security and Data Privacy have made him a vital asset to the company.

“I have been working as a single point of contact from my group towards many critical groups within Oracle, and currently playing a leader’s role for many important programs,” he notes, highlighting his significant contributions to Oracle’s success.

Key Achievements At KPMG

During his tenure at KPMG, Vivek achieved remarkable success in his role as Risk Advisory Manager. One of his standout accomplishments was leading projects on both sides of advisory—Risk Advisory and Management Advisory—demonstrating his versatility and expertise.

He recalls, “I successfully conducted various C-level workshops on key cross-industry topics such as Information Security, Critical Project Management, and CIO advisory outlook, as well as industry-specific workshops such as the Oil and Gas CIO workshop at Chevron Headquarters and IT Service Management workshop at eBay headquarters.”

These workshops not only showcased his dynamic leadership but also led to multi-million and multi-year projects for KPMG, many of which he led in subsequent years.

Vivek’s leadership extended to some of the most challenging projects, including the merger and acquisition of small to medium-sized healthcare companies by healthcare giants. He led the entire work stream focused on Information Security and Privacy Transactions Service Agreements with various vendors.

His ability to work directly with C-level executives from the customer side in pilot projects, which were converted into multi-year projects due to excellent results, further highlights his strategic impact.

Additionally, Vivek built offshore project teams across the globe, primarily in India, Brazil, and Singapore, using the “follow the sun” model. This approach resulted in cost-effective but high-quality customer services, reinforcing his reputation for delivering exceptional value and efficiency.

Leadership Development At Capgemini

His time at Capgemini was pivotal in shaping Vivek’s development as a leader. It was his first true exposure to the professional world, working with customers from Europe and the United States.

Reflecting on his journey, Vivek notes, “From not being able to speak properly in English to achieving a scholarship to one of the best MBA graduate colleges in the USA, it testifies to the transformation I achieved while at Capgemini.” This period was transformative, as he not only learned the technical aspects of Information Technology projects but also mastered Project, Program, and Portfolio management.

Capgemini provided a robust platform for Vivek to excel in Quality Assurance and Process Improvement, which were critical areas for his career advancement.

The various awards and rewards he received during his time there further motivated him to work harder and explore new career horizons. “Capgemini laid a strong foundation for my various career highlights to follow,” he says. These experiences and milestones were instrumental in preparing him for the subsequent leadership roles he would take on in his career, enabling him to reach new heights professionally.

Strategies For Team And Project Success

Leading teams from diverse backgrounds has always been both an amazing and sometimes challenging experience. Drawing from his extensive experience across different organizations and teams, Vivek emphasizes several strategies critical for team success and project excellence.

“Flexibility is key,” he says, noting that a single approach does not work for all projects. For instance, while some projects benefit from a top-down approach, others thrive under a bottom-up method.

Vivek also highlights the importance of embracing team diversity. “In today’s global and dynamic world, team diversity is a celebration and not a challenge.”

He advocates for enablement and empathy over mere sympathy, stating, “Mere sympathy may help temporarily but is not useful as a genuine and long-term help to anyone.” Instead, he believes that enablement and empathy are strong tools that help build stronger and more successful teams.

Furthermore, Vivek underscores the necessity of adapting leadership styles to fit different situations. “Not one style of leadership fits all situations. Sometimes, leaders need to set the teams free to make their own decisions, while other times, a concrete alignment from leaders is absolutely needed for overall team success.”

These strategies have been instrumental in driving team success and project excellence throughout his career.

Career Reflections And Lessons

Reflecting on his career journey, Vivek feels immense pride in his path from a small countryside village in India to the heart of Silicon Valley in the USA. “It has been an amazing journey and I would not want it any other way,” he shares. This journey has been filled with extensive learning and numerous challenges, all navigated with a strong and positive mindset.

Among his accomplishments, Vivek cherishes the lifelong network of technology professionals he has built. “We have grown in our career together, learned various things together, had heated discussions on various technologies, helped each other to grow, and continue to do so,” he fondly recalls.

Vivek also takes pride in his contributions to the industry in Information Security and Data Privacy. He has written various articles that have been published, served as a judge on numerous competitions and committees, and been part of expert committees at institutes, all while giving back to the industry and his alma maters.

His commitment to continuous learning remains strong, as he constantly seeks to explore new technologies and implement them in his day-to-day life. “Preparing for various certifications, taking many courses, and on a path of lifelong continuous learning,” he notes.

Additionally, completing a full-distance Ironman race in Houston, Texas, in April 2023 stands out as a significant personal achievement outside his professional life.

“Though I am saying outside professional achievements, a lot I learned in my profession was useful while preparing for this race,” Vivek adds, highlighting the interplay between his professional and personal growth.

From building a lifelong network of technology professionals to his continuous contributions to the IT security and privacy sectors, Vivek’s story exemplifies resilience, innovation, and unwavering dedication. His story is a testament to the heights that can be achieved through hard work, continuous learning, and an unyielding willingness to embrace challenges.

Author Bio: Mike Malone is a multifaceted professional who seamlessly bridges the gap between IT and project management through his compelling writing. His ability to convey complex technical concepts in an accessible manner has made him a respected voice in the industry. Whether leading projects or crafting insightful content, Mike continues to make significant contributions to the field of IT.