On this episode of The Bridge, I’m joined by Umesh Lakshman, Vice President of Solutions Architecture, National Mid-Markets and Channels at Lumen. We’re talking about how we’re moving head-first into a future that is decidedly up the stack and how that drives the expectation of better business outcomes.
Lumen connects the world. They digitally connect people, data, and applications – quickly, securely, and effortlessly. Everything they do at Lumen takes advantage of their network strength. From metro connectivity to long-haul data transport to their edge cloud, security, and managed service capabilities, they meet their customers’ needs today and as they build for tomorrow.
During our conversation, we discussed Umesh’s background and career trajectory, his role in leading a cultural reboot at Lumen to foster a culture of innovation and an opportunity-focused mindset, the evolution of managed services providers in showcasing value during the pandemic, and so much more.
Topics covered in this episode:
● An overview of Umesh's podcast, "Breaking Boundaries," which focuses on diversity, inclusion, and equity, particularly from the perspective of male allies.
● Lumen's evolving identity and purpose and transitioning from traditional telecom-focused assets to higher-order application-centric solutions.
● The challenges and opportunities faced by mid-market and larger companies in terms of technology adoption, integration with security, consumption mechanics, and achieving faster ROI.
● The impact of the pandemic on IT leadership and the need for rapid change
● Lumen's vision for network transformation and simplifying service consumption through a digital front-end
● The integration of network and security services and organizational challenges in adopting this approach.
● The evolving role of IT leaders in response to the pandemic.
● How proof of value, demonstrated through demos and proof of concepts (POCs), has become crucial in moving opportunities from discovery to closure.
● The organizational challenge of bridging the gap between network and security teams.
● Predictions about AI advancements in the next 12 to 18 months.
Links for this episode:
Breaking Boundaries Podcast: https://breakingboundariesbyumesh.buzzsprout.com/
The Bridge Podcast with Scott Kinka – Terry Barbounis Lumen: https://bridgepointetechnologies.com/edge-computing/
ABOUT UMESH LAKSHMAN
Umesh Lakshman, as the National Vice President of Solutions Architecture for Mid-Markets and Channels, shapes technical strategy and business outcomes through innovative technology and talented teams. He transitioned to this role after leading sales engineering for Lumen Technologies' West Area and media / entertainment verticals.
Previously at Cisco, he spent over two decades in a plethora of roles bookending his time there in senior sales engineering, supporting the world's leading cloud providers. Umesh couples his professional acumen with a commitment to fostering diversity and inclusion, inspired by his upbringing and the lack of diversity he observed in the tech world.
With a Master's degree in hand, his personal goal is to harmonize the tech industry's diversity with societal representation.
At Cisco, he was integral to 'Men for Inclusion', striving for a future where such initiatives are obsolete. A prolific voice on diversity, Umesh also created "Breaking Boundaries", a platform celebrating DEI champions. The podcast is available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube, spotlighting those who challenge norms and forge an inclusive future.
Umesh loves the arts, namely being on stage in some format, be it dancing salsa ( retired ) , be in a band, or talking shop about technology and diversity, inclusion and belonging.
CONTACT UMESH
Podcast. https://breakingboundariesbyumesh.buzzsprout.com/
LinkedIn. http://www.linkedin.com/in/umeshlakshman
LinkedIn. https://www.linkedin.com/company/lumentechnologies/
Insta. https://www.instagram.com/umeshonig/
Insta. https://www.instagram.com/lumentechnologies/
Twitter. http://www.twitter.com/umeshlakshman
Twitter. http://www.twitter.com/lumentechco