e27 has been dedicated to nurturing a supportive ecosystem for entrepreneurs since its inception. Our Contributor Program offers a platform for sharing unique insights.
As part of our ‘Contributor Spotlight’, we shine a weekly spotlight on an outstanding contributor and dive into the vastness of their knowledge and expertise.
In this episode, we feature Sapna Chadha, Google’s Vice President overseeing business growth, strategy, and operations in the Southeast and South Asia Frontier. With over 25 years of global management and marketing experience, she is a founding member of Google APAC’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Council, advocating for increased representation across the company.
Chadha shares his personal and professional journey in this episode of Contributor Spotlight.
The driving force
In discussing Google’s commitment to supporting startups and the motivation behind her participation in the e27 Contributor Program, Chadha remarked:
“At Google, we have programs such as Google for Startups to connect them with the right people, products and resources while sharing best practices to help them scale. When we launched the e-Conomy SEA Report 2023 in November, there were insights that I found helpful for SEA startups, including the use of AI solutions to leapfrog competition and carve a new future in the region as it can potentially be a US$1 trillion digital economy by 2030. Moreover, I have witnessed many moments across Southeast Asia of the region’s relentless pursuit of progress, including seeing a small hospital in Thailand use AI to optimise health diagnostics. This motivated me to contribute an article about my optimism about the future of Southeast Asia.”
Thoughts, goals, and journey
Chadha credits her mother, a role model in the tech industry, for shaping her interest in data and technology. During the early days, her mother, navigating a male-dominated field, juggled coding sessions and classes while caring for Chadha. The mother’s strength, dedication, and passion became a profound source of inspiration, influencing Chadha’s aptitude for data, information and technology.
“My mother was incredibly supportive when I decided to join Google back in 2014. Looking back at my journey with the company (It’s my 10th year this year!) I’m immensely grateful for the opportunity to work alongside remarkable teams to introduce impactful products and services that have touched the lives of millions across Asia Pacific,” she expressed.
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As the Vice President for Southeast Asia and South Asia Frontier over the past year, Chadha oversees business outcomes and growth in a diverse, innovative, and growing region. Leading a region characterised by diversity, innovation, and significant growth potential, she finds it incredibly exciting to spearhead operations in Southeast Asia — a tech-forward region that has showcased remarkable resilience in navigating challenges posed by the pandemic and macroeconomic conditions.
In observing the region, Chadha notes a notable trend where digital businesses increasingly leverage technologies like AI to achieve profitability. A Google Cloud survey reveals that 8 in 10 organisations anticipate significant industry changes or transformations due to AI, reflecting the rapid adoption witnessed in 2023.
“I shared in my contributing article how we are already seeing companies using AI-powered solutions for their advertising campaigns and as part of their business strategy. I was intrigued by Fairprice Group, which is using AI to help them with forecasting workload and manpower needs at each of their retail stores. I believe more companies will start turning to similar solutions in this new year to support automation and increase productivity across industries, generating greater value and further augmenting the region’s digital growth,” she said.
Looking ahead, challenges are diverse, but Chadha remains committed to the timeless mission of universal information accessibility. With AI advancements, she focuses on developing products catering to advertisers, communities, and the broader ecosystem. Personally, she aims to strengthen Prompt Engineering, embrace more Gen AI tools, and actively contribute to the industry.
Advice for budding thought leaders
For aspiring thought leaders, her foremost advice is to stay curious, be open to alternative viewpoints, and fearlessly challenge assumptions. This approach fosters the development of unique perspectives, contributing to a healthy environment of curiosity and growth within the startup community, especially amid the constant evolution of technologies.
Also Read: Tristan Chiappini: A decade of excellence in fintech and digital payments
Juggling too many things?
From her perspective, Chadha emphasises the importance of finding equilibrium amid work and personal life demands. Balancing responsibilities doesn’t necessarily mean a strict 50-50 split, but rather adjusting and finding equilibrium over time, allowing no single aspect to dominate and overwhelm others.
Staying in the loop
In her exploration of the digital landscape, Chadha expressed:
“We’re incredibly fortunate to live in a digital world where we can get information at the tap of our fingertips, and I enjoy keeping myself updated by reading insightful articles by tech leaders, entrepreneurs and industry experts who offer different perspectives.”
Chadha turns to The Neuron, Harvard Business Review, and Benedict Evans (an independent tech analyst) as her go-to sources for insights into AI trends and tools.
In her role as a business leader, Chadha finds value in listening to podcasts like The Verge’s Decoder, participating as a judge in industry thought leadership and awards and serving on boards to broaden her perspectives beyond internal work.
“What I’ve learned in my career is that growth happens when we avoid getting comfortable. I see careers as a jungle gym instead of ladders. I’ve been in roles where I had wondered if it was the right fit. When I took on the role of Chief of Staff earlier in my career, I had assumed that being behind the scenes may not fit me. But looking back, it was one of the jobs that I excelled in, and the experience really helped me to grow. It challenged my thinking and gave me access to executives who played an influential role in grooming my leadership style to date. So, I would always advise others to actively influence how your journey is and not just wait to be asked for the next thing,” she concludes.
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The post Sapna Chadha: Navigating Southeast Asia’s tech landscape and AI trends appeared first on e27.