We continue our Akili Employee Spotlight Series and introduce Sid Powar. This week we learned more about the newest addition to our growing supply chain practice!
Tell us more about your role and what you like most about it.
I am the Supply Chain Center of Excellence (CoE) Director at Akili. My role at Akili is one that I had dreamed of when I started my Supply Chain career almost 18 years back. I get to work with customers that are looking for solutions to transform their supply chain planning and analytics processes to position their organizations for better profitability and growth.
What drew you to Akili? Is Akili what was described to you and what you expected?
In my past supply chain role at DISH, I had worked with Akili to implement Anaplan for Supply Chain and Finance. We worked on a small pilot project for 8 weeks, but working with the Akili team was a great experience and set my DISH team up for success. I kept in touch with the Akili team over the years. Later, I was looking to transition to a new role but stay in the Anaplan ecosystem and reached out to Akili due to its market reputation as one of the top places to work and for being a great implementation partner of Anaplan. When I interviewed for the role at Akili, I was once again impressed with the leadership team and their forward thinking. It made my decision to join Akili easy.
What are you looking forward to most in working at Akili?
I’m looking forward to building the Akili Supply Chain practice and positioning ourselves as a leader in SC implementation for Anaplan.
What makes Akili standout from the rest?
The work ethic of the model builders, solution architects, project managers and leadership team – Akili does what’s truly best for the customer. Also, Akili is in it for the long-term relationships and not just a quick financial benefit.
What are 3 career lessons you’ve learned thus far?
- Learning should never stop
- Adapting to change is a much needed skill
- Chase careers that will challenge you and get you out of your comfort zone
What advice do you have for prospective candidates?
Same as above :) plus:
4. Use failure as a growth mindset
5. Measure your success by the skills and relationships you gather over your career, not by the monetary value alone
6. Find a mentor / role model in anyone you find inspiring
7. Always find time to relax and meditate each day
What has been the most important innovation you have witnessed in your lifetime?
The smartphone.
I was working for Motorola back in 2006 and the Moto RAZR was the must-have phone. Everyone had a flip phone unless you were a NOKIA or Blackberry fan. The internet redefined how we search and share information with each other, breaking down the communication barriers between countries in the process. In 2007, I witnessed Steve Jobs launch the Apple iPhone and forever transform the phone as a communication device to a personal assistant, entertainment device. The smartphone changed how people relate to technology and consume information at a personal level, transforming it from a luxury item into an essential everyday tool. Smartphones have helped create a world where technology feels ever present, and the next major advancement feels like it’s just around the corner. The last two decades have seen billion-dollar businesses like Uber, transform the taxi sharing service, or Netflix, transform the TV and cable industry, depend on smartphones for their success. Among the long list of things the smartphone has replaced are some interesting ones – cash, credit card, airline tickets and house / car keys.
What are you passionate about?
I’m passionate about my kids, exploring new cultures and traveling to new places. We live in beautiful Colorado and one of the primary reasons for us to move here was that my wife and I love the outdoors. We take our boys hiking, biking, and skiing almost every weekend.
Motto or personal mantra?
“Lokah Samastah Sukhino Bhavantu” – Sanskrit Mantra meaning “May all beings everywhere be happy and free. May our thoughts, our words, and our actions, contribute in some way to that happiness and freedom.”
