In this special episode, recorded during a visit to India, we sit down with Manikantan NS, Senior Vice President and Global Head of the Manufacturing Vertical at Tech Mahindra. The conversation opens with a look into Manikantan’s early life, growing up in a middle-class Indian family, and the academic setbacks that shaped his resilience and character. These formative experiences laid the groundwork for a remarkable career defined by adaptability, curiosity, and a deep commitment to progress.
As the discussion unfolds, Manikantan introduces Tech Mahindra and reflects on the partnership with Jendamark, outlining how both companies are working together to shape the future of manufacturing. He shares insights on how the industry has evolved in recent years, particularly with the integration of software and digital technologies that now sit at the core of modern manufacturing ecosystems.
The conversation then explores how Tech Mahindra is addressing key challenges in the manufacturing sector, and how Jendamark’s role fits into this broader strategy. Manikantan also offers a glimpse into Jendamark’s presence in India and the positive impact it’s having on the local industry. This leads naturally into a discussion on Odin, Jendamark’s digital production management platform, and how it could be integrated into Tech Mahindra’s systems to support smarter, more efficient production lines.
Using a vivid analogy—“a golden roof on a shack”—Manikantan explains the risks of digital transformation efforts that lack strong foundational systems. He poses a powerful question about whether real digital transformation is driven from the top down or the bottom up, ultimately arguing that lasting change must be rooted in the people and processes on the ground.
From there, the conversation turns to technology enablement, the importance of designing solutions that are truly user-centric, and the lessons Manikantan has learned throughout his leadership journey. He closes with a candid reflection on the hard-earned insights that have shaped his view on transformation—not just as a business objective, but as a cultural shift that requires vision, patience, and partnership.
This episode is packed with real-world insights on digital innovation, leadership, and the future of manufacturing—told through the lens of someone who has lived it, from the factory floor to the boardroom.
