Ad land’s young guns: Parth Shah, Co-Founder & CRO, SmartNode Automations

Parth Shah serves as the Co-Founder and Chief Revenue Officer at SmartNode Automations, where his invaluable leadership and persuasive expertise have established him as a key figure in the company’s success. With an extroverted personality and a unique fusion of friendliness and technical sales acumen, Shah has strategically positioned himself as the driving force behind the loyalty of all channel partners associated with the organisation.

In conversation with Adgully, Parth Shah, Co-Founder and Chief Revenue Officer, SmartNode Automations, speaks about his current role, some common challenges that young professionals face when starting their careers, and more.

As a young entrepreneur and Chief Revenue Officer, how do you foster innovation within the SmartNode team?

In my role as Chief Revenue Officer, I promote innovation at SmartNode by cultivating an environment where creativity, teamwork, and calculated risks are encouraged. Specific ways I do this are by holding regular brainstorming sessions for new ideas, facilitating collaboration between our cross-functional teams, providing time for research and piloting of new concepts, and offering resources for professional development. Additionally, keeping open communication channels where employees feel comfortable sharing input and feedback is key. My goal is to empower the team to bring forward their most innovative solutions by supporting an environment for creative thinking and collaboration.

What challenges have you faced in your journey, and how have they shaped your leadership style?

In my journey, I have faced challenges like changing market conditions, competition, and operational obstacles. Overcoming these has shaped my leadership approach to be resilient, adaptable, and empathetic. I have learned to lead by example by tackling issues head-on and remaining solution-focused. Being transparent with my team and communicating through ups and downs has been crucial. Most importantly, I have become an agile leader to rapidly respond to changing circumstances. These experiences have taught me the value of listening and bringing people together to drive success, even in challenging times. By learning from challenges, I have developed a leadership style focused on openness, pragmatism and collaboration.

In your opinion, what role does adaptability play in the success of a technology-oriented company like SmartNode?

I believe adaptability is essential for the success of a tech-focused company like SmartNode to thrive in the modern tech industry. In this fast-changing industry, being able to quickly pivot in response to market demands, new technologies, and customer input is essential. Adaptability allows us to stay ahead of the curve, innovate effectively, and remain competitive. By continually adapting, we can leverage new opportunities and challenges in the dynamic tech landscape. Moreover, staying nimble and flexible gives us an edge in bringing the best innovations to our clients in this dynamic space.

Could you share a significant milestone or achievement in your career that has had a lasting impact on you and SmartNode?

A major career milestone that impacted my career was leading the development and launch of a revolutionary new product. This product transformed our industry and cemented SmartNode as an innovation leader. On a personal level, spearheading such an impactful project early in my career gave me valuable experience and confidence. Professionally, it opened doors to new opportunities and partnerships for SmartNode. The product’s success demonstrated our ability to identify unmet needs and deliver cutting-edge solutions.

How do you balance the creative aspects of innovation with the practical considerations of running a successful business?

I align our creative efforts with practical market needs and business goals to balance innovation with running a successful business. We prioritize innovative projects that can scale, generate profits, and deliver value to customers. But I also foster a culture that encourages experimentation, fresh thinking, and creativity. By combining strategic business considerations with an environment where new ideas can thrive, we drive meaningful innovations that differentiate us in the marketplace. The key is focusing our creative energy on innovations that have commercial viability while supporting our team’s ability to think outside the box. With this balanced approach, we can turn imagination into real-world solutions that propel the business forward.

As a co-founder and leader, how do you build and maintain a strong company culture that aligns with SmartNode’s vision?

As a co-founder and leader of SmartNode, I build a strong company culture by clearly defining and communicating our core values. I lead by example, incorporating these values of transparency, collaboration, and learning in my daily work. To maintain this culture, I prioritize team-building, mentorship, and recognizing achievements to reinforce our values. I engage employees by soliciting feedback, fostering open dialogue, and encouraging professional growth. Through these consistent actions, I cultivate a culture aligned with SmartNode’s vision of innovation, excellence and customer-centricity. An inclusive environment where all team members live our values allows us to achieve our mission as a company. Maintaining this culture is central to my role as a leader.

What advice would you give to aspiring young professionals looking to enter the technology and automation industry?

My advice to young professionals entering the technology and automation industry is to cultivate curiosity and a growth mindset. Never stop learning and actively seek out opportunities to expand your skills and knowledge. View challenges as opportunities to develop yourself. Don’t be afraid to take calculated risks and pursue your interests. Look for ways to gain hands-on experience through projects, internships, or volunteering. Build strong technical expertise besides developing communication and collaboration abilities. Bring fresh perspectives but also be open to learning from experienced mentors. With the right mindset and drive, you can thrive in this innovative, rapidly evolving industry.

In a rapidly changing tech landscape, how do you stay informed about emerging trends and technologies?

To stay current in the fast-changing tech landscape, I make learning about emerging trends and technologies an ongoing priority. I read industry publications, attend conferences, network with peers and experts, and leverage online resources. Encouraging my team to embrace a culture of continuous learning also keeps SmartNode on top of the latest advancements. We can identify and capitalize on innovations by dedicating time to research, discussion, training and skill-building. Furthermore, staying proactive, collaborative and focused on growth allows me to steer SmartNode with an informed perspective on tech’s evolving future. Knowledge-sharing and an openness to new ideas help us maintain our competitive edge. Through diverse learning channels and team engagement, I ensure we understand today's landscape and tomorrow’s possibilities.