Ruma Balasubramanian ─ global executive leading high performance in one of the most dynamic regions in the world!
January 26, 2021 • 3 Minute Read
Ruma Balasubramanian
Managing Director
Google Cloud, Southeast Asia
Google
Are you looking for a leader who knows how to navigate one of the most fast moving regions in the world, work across multiple (vertical) industries and technologies, and drive sustainable growth while delivering high customer and partner satisfaction? We know the person─Ruma Balasubramanian!
Ruma is the new Managing Director for Southeast Asia at Google Cloud. She is responsible for driving go-to-market strategy, key customer and partner relationships, and operational excellence in this dynamic region. Her mission includes accelerating customers’ digital transformation initiatives through data-powered innovation with Google Cloud and Google Workspace.
She resides in Singapore with her husband and daughter, and she is passionate about helping women achieve their full potential in the STEM fields.
Please meet this IT Wondrous Woman™—Ruma Balasubramanian!
Our 10 Questions for this IT Wondrous Woman.
Fun Facts
1. What’s the one thing about you that your business colleagues don’t know about you?
I am a forensics state champion in the Original Oratory category from the State of Minnesota.
2. Before the pandemic, how many air miles/KMs did you flying annually?
150-200k miles annually before the pandemic. I can’t wait to get back on the road for business and meet my family and friends in the US and India.
3. What is the most adventurous food you have eaten and what city/location did you eat it?
Southern Cooking from the deep south in the United States. Everything is fried: fried okra, fried chicken, fried green tomatoes. Fried everything.
Your Career
4. What are the top two experiences, achievements or failures that shaped your journey as a successful leader?
The top two experiences that shaped my journey as a successful leader are:
I came to Singapore for EDS, a global IT services company, to lead Asia Pacific Sales in 2008 just prior to the HP-EDS acquisition. I was given the opportunity to lead sales for the combined entity, which meant I had to build the APJ Sales team knowing only the EDS team. It was one of the most harrowing experiences of my career making decisions about my future team without full knowledge of their capabilities and aspirations. It was also one of the most exciting times of my career because I was at the forefront of building a growth organization.
The other experience was taking on the leadership of Cisco’s APJ Partner Organisation. Not knowing what that fully meant, I said, “Sure!” Until then, my sales career was limited to direct enterprise sales so taking on responsibility for the channel was a significant leap of capability and thought process. This experience exposed me to many new relationships with partners which I continue to cherish.
5. Did you have a mentor in the early part of your career and, if so, what is the biggest lesson you learned from your mentor or influencer?
I have had the opportunity to observe many great leaders, including Ross Perot who taught me about servant leadership before that became a “thing” in management literature. His style shaped my own leadership perspective I have used.
Walking In Your Shoes
6. What is one piece of business or career advice you would give to your younger self?
Say "Yes" to everything ─ even to roles that seem way outside your comfort zone. Instead of thinking you're unqualified for a role, reflect on what you can contribute, and how to leverage your skills into a completely new area.
7. As a leader, how do you remain a resource for people early in their careers?
Career mentoring begins before a person even starts their career. I'm an alumni interviewer for my undergraduate university and speak with high school students through the interview process. Those 30 minute interviews often lead to longer term connections with young people shaping their careers.
Today’s Business Environment
8. What is the most interesting project you have worked on in the last few years?
My most exciting project is one that I’m working on currently - growing Google Cloud’s business in the Southeast Asia region. We are a challenger in the space and leading a team that disrupts and transforms in one of the most exciting regions of the world is the best role I’ve had in the industry.
9. What skills are you currently developing or refining (in yourself) that will make you a more successful leader in the digital economy?
Balancing the analytical with the empathetic. As we emerge from the pandemic, my teams need a clear strategy that’s based on data, but the execution has to be very human and can get a little messy.
10. What is your greatest business challenge today?
I’m building a disruptive company from the ground up, hiring talent, putting processes in place, and learning a completely different part of the industry. It’s a very exciting challenge!
