Sachin Kumar

Crafting a Legacy of Innovation and Integrity at Valuedesign India

Sachin Kumar

Country Manager

Valuedesign India

Driven by the adage ‘smooth seas do not make skilful sailors,’ Sachin Kumar has been navigating the rough waters of the payment industry for two decades now. As the country head of Valuedesign India, he identifies data security as the foremost challenge in the current technology landscape. How does Sachin confront them? Through a combination of continuously updated knowledge and seasoned experience cultivated since his career inception in 2004, he believes that implementing defined SOPs and streamlined processes is the best way to ensure a quality management system.
A perpetual learner, Sachin actively fosters daily operation proficiency within the team. “This provides me time to focus on overarching strategic tasks and promoting a culture of inclusivity and teamwork,” said Sachin in an exclusive interview with TradeFlock. Sachin, a subject matter expert in the gift card industry who has managed platform architecture, design, and functioning, uses communication as a powerful tool to share knowledge, solve problems, encourage, and advise. Delve deeper into his leadership approach and the wealth of experience propelling Valuedesign India as a frontrunner in the payments industry.

Can you share key milestones and experiences that shaped your journey?

I started my professional journey with Pinelabs as a computer engineer in 2004. This was me venturing into the world of IT in the payment industry. Since then, I have gained extensive experience in both onshore and offshore environments, mastering various facets of the industry.
For the past 12 years, I have been part of the Valuedesign team. Erstwhile ValueAccess, the company was acquired by the Japanese firm Valuedesign in 2020. I have been leading the technology division and have handled the overall international data centre setup and migration. I have successfully migrated our data centre twice, first from Hong Kong to Tokyo and more recently from Tokyo to India. This was because, after Valuedesign’s acquisition, our Tokyo platform was not compatible with the one in Hong Kong. As the technical architect, I implemented solutions to ensure a seamless migration, ensuring that none of our clients were impacted by the transition.
Even today, my focus remains on creating innovative technology products for the company and bringing new business ideas.

How do you maintain balance and fulfilment in your professional and personal lives?

A combination of strategic time management, self-care practices, setting clear boundaries, effective delegation and well-being help me maintain balance and fulfilment in both my personal and professional lives.
I make it a point to spend quality time with my family and friends, nurturing those relationships. I plan activities, vacations and regular checkins that provide emotional support and a sense of fulfilment. Further, to find comfort in difficult times, I ensure to take some time out to relax and calm my mind through activities like meditation and other calming exercises. Engaging in hobbies and interests outside of work helps me unwind and stay balanced.
In difficult times, it is essential to seek support when needed, whether it’s professional guidance, mentorship, or personal advice. Building a strong support network helps me navigate challenges more effectively.
Further, our motto is the Bhagavad Gita verse:

कर्मण्येवाधिकारस्ते मा फलेषु कदाचन।
मा कर्मफलहेतुर्भूर्मा ते संगोऽस्त्वकर्मणि॥

(Focus on work, not the results.) This helps in reducing tension. I always face difficulties with courage and a never-give-up attitude.

Please share some innovative strategies you've implemented to drive business growth and expansion?

Under my leadership at Valuedesign India, we have implemented various innovative strategies to drive business growth and expansion. We have optimised servers by implementing advanced cloud technologies and adopting efficient data management practices. This helped enhance our operational efficiency and scalability.
We also prioritised cybersecurity, making it vital. We implemented advanced security protocols, conducted regular vulnerability assessments, and ensured compliance with international security standards to strengthen our cybersecurity measures. In fact, this helped us establish Valuedesign India as a trusted and secure partner in the gift card industry, fostering client trust and attracting new business opportunities.
Further, we forged strategic partnerships and alliances with key industry players, expanding our market reach and capabilities. Collaborations with fintech startups, technology providers, and industry consortiums have empowered us to leverage cutting-edge technologies, access new markets, and enrich our service offerings. We also ventured into a new business vertical focused on gift card digital distribution via a secure API, marking a significant milestone by granting our digital distributors access to a wide array of brands’ gift cards in India through an automated API. Our real-time dashboard provides comprehensive details on each gift card brand, including online and offline store addresses, terms and conditions, values, images, redemption instructions, and wallet balances.
I have coupled these strategies with proactive leadership to fuel substantial business growth and solidify Valuedesign India’s position as a leader in the payment industry.

What are your future plans and aspirations as a corporate leader?

My future plans and aspirations are centred around driving technological innovation, expanding global reach, and fostering sustainable growth. I aim to invest in talent development, enhance operational efficiency, pursue strategic growth through mergers and acquisitions (M&A), leverage data and analytics, and cultivate a positive and inclusive workplace culture.
I further aspire to uphold the highest standards of integrity and ethical behaviour, which are non-negotiable. I will lead by example, ensuring transparency, accountability, and ethical decision-making at all levels of the organization. Building a reputation for trustworthiness and ethical conduct will be fundamental to our long-term success.