Sony George, the Managing Director of SkillUp Global, is a seasoned professional with a rich background in IT and a track record of over two decades in the industry. In addition to his extensive IT expertise, Sony brings three years of valuable startup experience to the table. His professional journey has encompassed a wide range of areas, including Business Development, Client Relationship Management, Profit and Loss Management (P&L), overseeing geographically dispersed teams, and maintaining a strong focus on Quality Adherence. Sony is highly regarded for his acute business acumen.
One of Sony’s true passions lies in training and mentorship. He is deeply committed to honing the skills and potential of individuals, helping them refine their personality, soft skills, communication abilities, interview readiness, and emotional intelligence. Through his current venture, SkillUp Global, Sony offers comprehensive Corporate Training programs designed to equip employees with the essential etiquettes and skills required for a thriving corporate career. His dedication to training and transforming individuals extends to both their professional and personal lives, with the ultimate goal of enabling their success.
Path to Founding SkillUp Global
Sony has a strong educational background with a Master of Science degree in Mathematics from Mangalore University (1989) and a Master of Computer Applications from NIT Calicut (1992). He began his IT career in India with Asian Paints and TCS before working in the UK and the US with companies like Ciber Inc, Analysts International, and eFunds International (now FIS). Upon returning to India in 2021, he joined Wipro as a Project Manager, later becoming a Delivery Manager. He then moved to IBM, where he eventually became a General Manager.
With over two decades of IT industry experience, Sony ventured into entrepreneurship in 2011 and 2012, co-founding two technology startups: Digital Future of India Pvt Ltd, which offered a tablet solution for educational institutions, and Trip2Success, a platform for competitive exam study materials and testing. Following these ventures, he worked as a freelance Business Consultant for various companies, mainly startups. In 2018, Sony founded SkillUp Global, a company providing individual and corporate training programs.
Cultivating Leadership Abilities
Sony recognized a critical issue within the Indian business landscape: the quality of resources provided by the academic system often lacks the necessary soft skills and leadership abilities. While individuals may possess technical knowledge, they frequently lack the essential skills required for business success. This deficiency impedes the growth potential of many companies, even when opportunities abound. Lateral recruitment, an option to address this, is not always feasible due to the associated higher salary costs. Furthermore, during the Covid-19 lockdown, many experienced professionals took advantage of the situation to secure higher-paying positions by switching jobs.
Fulfillment in Mentorship
Sony has accumulated vast experience in both national and international corporate settings, providing valuable insights to leaders seeking alignment with global standards. His career has been enriched by diverse training experiences with top companies, allowing him to integrate various methodologies and industry insights. This background equips him to deliver comprehensive, practical training sessions that empower participants with the skills and confidence to excel.
Sony’s professional satisfaction is deeply rooted in helping fellow professionals achieve success by sharing knowledge, offering mentorship, and coaching them to reach their goals. He consistently puts forth extraordinary effort, exceeding expectations in all endeavors. Additionally, he derives joy from assisting young individuals in selecting suitable careers, uncovering their hidden potential, and guiding them to leverage their unique skills for significant career growth.
Finest Training Solutions to Industry Challenges
Sony emphasizes that the foremost responsibility of any training provider is to thoroughly understand the current challenges faced by industries and tailor their offerings to address and overcome the existing obstacles to growth within client companies. This involves helping organizations assemble a capable team of propelling the business to the next level. Sony is unwavering in his commitment to improving training modules, incorporating role plays and case studies to meet the specific needs of his clients. Over the past six years, all his offerings have undergone continuous enhancements.
Sony’s greatest source of fulfillment arises from the messages and calls he receives from participants who share their accomplishments and successful task completions following his training sessions. These interactions bring him profound joy and satisfaction, motivating him to perpetually refine and improve his training methodologies to remain in sync with the ever-evolving corporate landscape.
Transitioning from People-driven to Process-driven
In Sony’s experience working with small and medium-sized companies, he has noticed a recurring pattern. Many of these companies initially rely heavily on the exceptional efforts of a few individuals. However, as they continue to grow, they eventually reach a point where they realize that their growth is becoming constrained due to their overreliance on these individuals and their limited bandwidth. Typically, once these companies surpass a size of around 200 employees, they begin to appreciate the importance of transitioning from being “people-driven” to becoming “process-driven” organizations.
When Sony is in the process of hiring a new team member, he places significant emphasis on three key attributes: Attitude, Aptitude, and Ethics. He assesses these attributes by delving into the candidate’s personal experiences in handling challenges, working with people, and resolving problems. These experiences provide valuable insights into the candidate’s capabilities and attitude. Unlike skills and knowledge, attitude is a characteristic that is not easily upgraded or changed.
Focus on the IT Industry
Sony intends to concentrate on the IT industry, given that the majority of my professional career has been within this field. The COVID-19 pandemic and the subsequent lockdowns prompted a rapid shift to a work-from-home model, particularly within the IT sector. As a consequence, many companies made significant investments in transitioning nearly all of their conventional training programs from in-person to online formats.
While this transition has proven to be cost-effective, the overall outcomes have not been as promising. While technical software training programs have been able to replicate the effectiveness of in-person training through the use of technological advancements, soft skills training programs, particularly leadership training, have faced challenges. Leadership programs typically require a facilitator rather than a traditional tutor, with participants learning extensively from each other’s experiences. Online training programs struggle to replicate this valuable collaborative learning opportunity.
Expanding SkillUp Global as a Strong Global Player
Leaving his corporate job to pursue his entrepreneurial journey was the greatest risk Sony has taken during his professional life. This journey was not very rewarding financially, but the knowledge and experience he gained was far greater than what he would have gained by continuing his career as a corporate employee. Therefore, he is fully satisfied with his decision to be an entrepreneur.
Sony’s future plan is to expand his training business outside of his home country. He hopes to see SkillUp Global as a strong global player in the next 5 years.
Passion for Health and Fitness
Sony is not only a dedicated professional but also a person with a zest for life. His interests encompass a love for travel and a deep appreciation for the value of good health. Sony considers his health to be his most precious asset and diligently maintains it through a regular fitness regimen and a wholesome, nutritious diet.
In his professional life, Sony is characterized by a relentless thirst for knowledge. He is constantly driven by a desire to learn and stays committed to staying informed about the latest developments and breakthroughs in various domains. This dedication to continuous learning and personal growth is a defining trait of his professional journey.
Leadership Advice
Sony advises individuals stepping into a leadership position for the first time to focus on three critical aspects for success:
- Master the Art of Delegation: Learning to delegate effectively not only helps you manage your workload but also nurtures a smarter and more committed team.
- Demonstrate Next-Level Responsibilities: In the corporate world, promotions often depend on your ability to handle responsibilities beyond your current role. Showcase your capability to excel in the next level of responsibilities.
- Take Care of Your Team: Recognize that achieving significant goals in a corporate setting requires collaboration and teamwork. Support and nurture your team members to maximize their potential and achieve collective success.
Written by Steve Sanchez.
