Mobile Magazine - September 2023 | Page 109

VODAFONE FIJI
This approach has enabled steady yearon-year growth for Vodafone Fiji , which the company hopes will continue as it sets out on its 5G journey , becomes more established in FinTech and finds innovative ways to ensure its customers receive the connectivity needed to boost its tourism-heavy economy .
Moulding attitudes for the future of telco innovation Innovation is essential to the longevity of a business – as Prasad well knows . In the post- COVID age of rapid digital transformation and detailed data analysis , impacted by geopolitical and climate-related events , this is particularly true . But having a skilled team that thinks out of the box requires a change in management and strategy , which is often the product of company-wide cultural overhauls .
So , Vodafone Fiji has invested in its staff – via training , enabling work-from-home capabilities and providing leadership coaching – and employees have , in turn , ‘ invested ’ in the business , allowing innovation to flourish . “ Our staff believe in our vision ,” he says .
“ One of the things we are also doing as part of our transformation revolves around our workforce – we ’ re focusing on increasing the capabilities of our people and investing in our talent pool . That means putting our staff through specialised training , and providing for and equipping them so that they strive for greatness in the new digital world ,” Prasad states , going on to explain how his personal ethos is woven throughout this process to promote excellence .
“ A life lesson that I live by is that we have to do things right the first time , and that what is right to do is not always easy . We need to put in the hard yards now so that we can reap the benefits of it in the future .”
Now , this doesn ’ t mean that Prasad ’ s team has no room to make mistakes ; it means

EXECUTIVE BIO

VIKASH PRASAD
TITLE : CHIEF TECHNOLOGY OFFICER
Vikash Prasad is responsible for providing leadership direction and innovation ownership to drive overall technology strategy , operational excellence , and innovation for Vodafone Fiji . He is recognised for building strong technology platforms and delivering several network transformation initiatives for Vodafone .
Vikash leads a dynamic team responsible for continued network growth and adopting technology evolution , ensuring Vodafone delivers next generation network initiatives to create the most innovative and reliable networks in Fiji and across the Pacific . In his 19 years with Vodafone , Vikash has successfully driven a number of multi-million dollar mobile network projects . Vikash previously held the roles of Manager Access Networks , Engineer Network Services and Systems Support Analyst .
He holds a Masters in Business Administration ( Technology ) from the Australian Graduate School of Management at the University of New South Wales Business School , Australia as well as a Bachelor ' s Degree in Computing Science and Information Systems from the University of the South Pacific .