For some individuals, their greatest passion lies in the allure of business and the thrill of engaging with people. They are driven by an insatiable curiosity and a deep understanding of the transformative power of relationships. This was also the case for Smitha Raghunath’s professional journey. She initially embarked on a path in engineering but found her calling elsewhere after a year of working in the field. It was then that she realized her deep-seated affinity for business and the art of interpersonal interaction.

Smitha's life and professional journey exemplifies the power of curiosity, adaptability, and continuous growth. After a year in the engineering field, she discovered her true passion lay in business and connecting with people. This realization led her to pursue an MBA, setting the stage for a fulfilling 15-year journey. During this time, she made significant contributions to a transformative go-to-market initiative, equipping her with invaluable experience and exposure. Smitha is a distinguished alumna of XLRI Jamshedpur, who has risen to the position of Director at Autodesk, a software company.

Within Autodesk's extensive matrix organization, Smitha plays a crucial role in fostering collaboration among leaders. She recently had the opportunity to reconnect with her initial interest in psychology by becoming a professional coach. Smitha has attained remarkable milestones throughout her professional trajectory, including leadership positions in strategy,impactful mentorship roles, and her pursuit of coaching. Her frontline sales experience has endowed her with valuable insights into the ever-evolving needs of customers, further enhancing her abilities as a business leader.

What are some important facets of your life and professional journey?

I began with a curiosity for psychology and biology as a young girl, but eventually pursued engineering. However, after a year of working in engineering, I realized my passion for business and interacting with people. This led me to pursue an MBA and embark on a 15-year journey. My ultimate dream was to become a strategy leader, which I achieved a couple of years ago. It has been a rewarding and enriching experience. Throughout my career, every step has been complementary and interconnected. I am grateful for the diverse experiences that have shaped my journey thus far.

Take us through your educational background and the prior industry experience.

After completing my MBA, I returned to the first company I had joined as an engineer and found a sales role that aligned with my aspirations. For the next decade, I thrived as an account manager, serving large enterprises and global accounts. After the 10-year sales journey, I transitioned to Dell Technologies, where I spent four years focusing on strategy and sales execution. During this time, I had the opportunity to contribute to a significant go-to-market transformation, gaining invaluable experience and exposure. This experience led me to their current position as Chief of Staff, and I am now proud to be a part of Autodesk.

Tell us about the Key business lessons from your prior experience and their impact on your leadership style.

Two key lessons stand out from my journey so far. Firstly, gaining diverse experience within a field provides a comprehensive perspective and helps us understand the organization's goals. Additionally, sales exposure is a valuable learning opportunity that equips us with skills to navigate various situations in corporate and personal settings. Dealing with rejections teaches resilience and the ability to bounce back, while being in direct contact with customers enables us to listen, understand their needs, and become trusted advisors. Effective communication is vital in sales and translates to all aspects of life, and sales teach us the art of communication.

Tell us about the various responsibilities you shoulder as the Director, Chief of Staff, APAC for Autodesk.

As the Chief of Staff for APAC and Japan, my role has expanded significantly. I work closely with the APAC and Japan sales leader to address strategic initiatives and ensure sales execution and excellence across the region. The primary objective is to drive business growth and enhance the visibility of APAC and Japan throughout the company.

"One of the most important facets of my life & professional journey is the realization that true passion lies in business and connecting with people. This discovery has shaped my career path and has been instrumental in my success at autodesk"

In addition to sales responsibilities, I shoulder the crucial task of fostering collaboration among leaders within our large matrix organization. With diverse responsibilities spanning multiple industries and countries, it is vital to align our efforts towards a consistent goal and direction. By ensuring a unified APAC voice, we can effectively represent our region within the larger organization.

What are the most critical challenges you encounter and howdo you to overcome the roadblocks?

Autodesk is navigating internal changes and evolving its approach to customers and partners. Change management plays a crucial role in this process, and it presents both challenges and opportunities. This is a common theme across organizations, and at Autodesk, we encounter similar dynamics. To overcome roadblocks and facilitate successful transformations, they prioritize a data-driven approach, qualitative feedback from sales teams, and dedicated commitment and effective stakeholder management. These approaches help them identify gaps, recognize opportunities, and gain a deeper understanding of what outcomes customers are seeking.

Tell us about your professional milestones? How do you keep yourself well aligned with industry trends?

I have achieved several significant milestones throughout my professional journey, including becoming a leader in strategy, contributing to impact organizations as a mentor, and pursuing coaching. These milestones have enabled me to gain experience in frontline sales and understand the needs of customers and partners in a B2B setting. Additionally, I have also mentored impact organizations through a partnership with Impact Exchange Institute. Finally, I have pursued coaching to explore the field of psychology and make a difference in the corporate world.

I actively seek out relevant courses to regularly update my skills, such as blue ocean strategy with INSEAD and coaching. I also interact with industry analysts to stay informed about industry trends, future market insights, and areas requiring investment and research. Additionally, I learn from peers, including my XLRI batch mates and fellow parents, in diverse industries and job profiles. When travelling, I pick up books to read that can satiate my hunger for learning and growth.

Smitha Raghunath, Director, Chief Of Staff - Apac Sales, Autodesk

Smitha's Life And Professional Journey Exemplifies The Power Of Curiosity, Adaptability, And Continuous Growth.