CA Visalakshi Ayalasomayajula Interview
In this insightful interview with CA Visalakshi Ayalasomayajula, seasoned business leader shares practical strategies for aligning multi-SBU operations with organizational goals, managing complex ERP implementations, building impactful financial models, and ensuring regulatory compliance across global markets. From optimizing cash flow and cost structures to mentoring high-performing teams, the discussion highlights a results-driven approach to sustainable growth and operational excellence.
Aligning Multi-SBU Leadership
We started the interview by asking, “Can you share an example of leading multiple SBUs to achieve financial goals, and how you ensured their alignment with the organization’s overall strategy?”
Visalakshi Ayalasomayajula replied, “Leading multiple SBUs to achieve financial goals while ensuring alignment with the organization’s overall strategy can be challenging. Without proper guidance, SBUs might diverge based on market conditions or the personal preferences of their General Managers. As senior leaders, it’s essential to establish regular interactions to align people, business, and strategy at multiple levels. This approach minimizes gaps and ensures that organizational goals remain on track. These interactions also foster synergies between different SBUs and encourage the exchange of innovative ideas. Effective communication is key to driving success and maintaining alignment across the organization.”
Streamlining ERP Success
The Worlds Times: You’ve managed ERP implementations, including SAP. What key challenges did you face, and how did you ensure the project met the company’s operational needs?
Visalakshi Ayalasomayajula replied, “I was fortunate to be involved in an SAP implementation early in my career. One of the key challenges was managing expectations and avoiding excessive customization, which can lead to delays and disappointment. As a leader, it’s crucial to thoroughly understand what the software can deliver, its limitations, and the company’s specific requirements. Selecting software that matches the company’s needs and partnering with a reliable and experienced implementation team with clear deadlines is essential. Ensuring that the company’s core requirements are addressed through configurations rather than custom coding streamlines the process. Large ERP projects often benefit from a phased implementation to minimize disruptions to ongoing operations. Making practical and executable decisions is critical to the success of such projects.”
Leveraging Financial Models
The Worlds Times: How do you approach building financial models to assess organizational success, and can you share an example of their impact?
Visalakshi Ayalasomayajula replied, “Building financial models requires a deep understanding of the company’s current situation and future outlook. Most companies develop detailed annual plans and long-range plans, typically covering five years. These models are vital for guiding management and aligning strategic decisions across the value chain. I once developed a financial model for a large firm preparing for an IPO. This involved analyzing 10 years of historical data, incorporating future market indicators, and projecting revenue and profitability for the next 10 years. The model successfully passed the scrutiny of stakeholders, including shareholders, bankers, prospective investors, and financial institutions, and became a crucial tool for strategic decision-making.”
Variance Analysis
The Worlds Times: How have you used variance analysis to identify and address cost overruns, and what was the outcome of one such initiative?
Visalakshi Ayalasomayajula replied, “Variance analysis is an invaluable tool for understanding cost structures and operational efficiency. It helps assess the alignment of an organization’s capacity and market expectations. In the contracting industry, variance is more of a norm than an exception. Monthly variance reviews allow us to identify major deviations and address underlying issues promptly. For instance, I once identified a significant variance in project overhead costs. A detailed analysis revealed inefficiencies in resource utilization, which we corrected by optimizing the workforce and renegotiating supplier contracts. This resulted in a substantial reduction in overhead costs and improved profitability.”
Balancing Control and Efficiency
The Worlds Times: With your experience in internal audits, how do you establish effective controls while ensuring they support operational efficiency?
Visalakshi Ayalasomayajula replied, “Internal audits play a critical role in maintaining operational integrity and efficiency. Most of our processes are now managed through IT systems, which incorporate built-in checks and balances. While audits can sometimes be perceived as time-consuming, striking the right balance between control and operational flexibility is essential. Training employees on audit requirements and compliance standards enhances efficiency. Moreover, a well-designed IT framework ensures that transactions are automatically tracked and audited, reducing the need for manual intervention. In case of emergencies, exceptions to standard procedures are managed through predefined escalation protocols.”
Strategic Treasury Management
The Worlds Times: Managing treasury for multiple SBUs, how do you prioritize funding needs and maintain effective cash flow management?
Visalakshi Ayalasomayajula replied, “Effective treasury management involves disciplined allocation and utilization of funds. When managing multiple SBUs, it’s crucial to ensure that each project’s cash flow is aligned with its specific cost structure. Any surplus funds should be directed to reserve accounts to generate returns. Short-term inter-project or inter-SBU borrowing should be closely monitored and regulated to maintain financial discipline. I have established clear guidelines for fund allocation and ensured that surplus funds are reinvested to optimize overall cash flow while maintaining liquidity for strategic investments.”
Organizational Impact
The Worlds Times: Can you describe a time when you mentored your team to enhance their performance, and how it contributed to the organization’s success?
Visalakshi Ayalasomayajula replied, “Mentoring is a continuous process that fosters professional growth and strengthens team performance. I regularly conduct workshops and one-on-one sessions to understand my team’s strengths and areas for improvement. We organize regular training sessions focused on both technical and soft skills. Additionally, team-building activities enhance collaboration and morale. In today’s multigenerational work environment, offering emotional support and maintaining an open-door policy helps build trust and motivation. This approach has led to improved team performance, greater employee satisfaction, and enhanced business outcomes.”
Adapting Financial Controls
Lastly we asked, “Working across multiple geographies, how have you adapted financial controls to different regulations while maintaining consistent reporting standards?”
“Financial principles are consistent across the globe, but local regulations and reporting standards vary. My role involves ensuring that financial reporting reflects the organization’s strategic objectives while complying with local laws. Partnering with experienced local professionals ensures that regulatory requirements are met. Despite differences in software, accounting periods, and reporting formats, the core financial goals—growth, profitability, and operational efficiency—remain unchanged. Establishing standardized reporting templates and aligning financial reviews with corporate objectives ensures consistency and accuracy across geographies.” Visalakshi Ayalasomayajula Concluded
Connect with Visalakshi Ayalasomayajula on LinkedIn
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