Name: L.N. Venkataraman
Company & Job Title: Founder and CEO of “Adaptive Instruction”
Little about your professional journey
Over the last 24 years, I have been driven by a passion for continuous learning, exploring innovative solutions, and nurturing human values. My career began in technical IT roles, where I spent the first ten years. Following that, I transitioned to IT project management, working with clients across Southeast Asia, Australia, the USA, and Europe. My work also took me to Singapore, France, Germany, and Switzerland on official assignments.
In recent years, I’ve embraced my creative and humanistic sides in the professional realm. I’ve served as a fun magazine editor, trained employees in project management, coached in English communication, and volunteered in local school education programs. My career has been consistently dynamic, filled with continuous learning, initiating new projects, and actively engaging in talent development. Looking ahead, I aim to leverage my experiences to drive further innovation in education and inspire the next generation of leaders.
How did you come to your current role/position?
My career began at the Computer Science department in IISc, working on an innovative project for palmtop devices. Over the following years, I transitioned to core software development roles at various IT companies, including a significant period at IBM as a project manager. After more than a decade in project management, culminating in roles focused on IT process automation, I sought a new direction. In 2020, I founded Adaptive Instruction, marking a pivotal shift towards education and creativity development.
My journey into teaching started in 2016 with classes on creativity development, which soon expanded to include tutoring for school subjects. This experience sparked a deep passion for teaching and working with children, which I found more fulfilling than my IT roles. As a result, even my last years in IT were more enjoyable as a coach and trainer than in regular management roles.
Since 2021, I have enriched my career with roles as a faculty member in Vedic astrology at SIVA, a Vedic heritage teacher in a spiritual organization, and an author of school textbooks with S. Chand. Most recently, I joined Mangalayatan University, Aligarh, as a Professor for BA and BCA courses. These roles have allowed me to align my professional life with my passions for education, teaching, and consultation, impacting both my students and the broader educational field.
Who has influenced you the most in life and why?
Few things are as inspiring as witnessing living examples of inspiration firsthand. The impact of direct experience often surpasses that gleaned from books or scriptures. I have been fortunate to have three such profound influences in my life.
The first was my father, Shri L.R. Narayanaswamy, whose disciplined daily habits were so remarkable that they could motivate anyone to strive for excellence. He taught me the value of routine and perseverance.
My mother, Smt. Lakshmi, was the second. Her placid demeanour, coupled with her compassionate and kind nature, illustrated the profound impact of empathy and care in human interactions. She embodied the very essence of humanity, showing me the importance of nurturing relationships.
The third was my uncle, Mr. C. I. Sivasubramanian. His life was a testament to lifelong learning. Even into his 90s, he pursued new academic degrees and learned modern skills like blogging. His dedication to yoga, maintained even on his last day, taught me about commitment and the value of maintaining one’s health at any age.
These individuals didn’t just shape my views; they modelled ways of living that I strive to emulate both personally and professionally.
The biggest challenges you have faced in your life and how did you overcome them
One of the most formidable challenges I encountered was during my postgraduate studies, when I faced significant mental health struggles. Overcoming this was not swift or easy; it required a multifaceted approach.
Family support provided a foundation of stability and reassurance, crucial during times of uncertainty. I also committed to maintaining healthy habits, which included regular exercise and a balanced diet, essential for mental well-being. Patience and faith played a vital role, helping me stay the course even when progress seemed slow.
I delved into philosophical readings that offered new perspectives and coping mechanisms. Additionally, engaging in creative hobbies like drawing, writing poetry, and learning music provided not only an outlet for expression but also a means of restoring my mental balance.
This journey taught me the importance of holistic self-care and has profoundly shaped my approach to personal and professional challenges. It highlighted the value of resilience and adaptability, lessons I carry forward in my leadership and mentorship roles.
What lessons you have learned from your professional career?
Throughout my professional career, I’ve learned several pivotal lessons that have shaped my approach to work and leadership:
- Effective communication and assertiveness are crucial, often more so than operational efficiency. It’s essential to master the art of standing firm on your needs and ensuring you do not settle for less than what’s necessary. This skill is vital for achieving your goals and maintaining standards.
- Understanding the personal challenges faced by colleagues and team members is crucial for building strong, influential relationships. This understanding can also facilitate smoother communication about work priorities, fostering a more supportive and productive work environment.
- Regularly assess whether your current role and organization allow you to fully utilize and expand upon your natural strengths. If you find that your abilities are not being fully harnessed, it may be time to seek a role or environment that better suits your growth potential.
These lessons emphasize the importance of communication, empathy, and self-awareness in fostering a successful career and encourage continual personal and professional development.
What do you see as the biggest challenge for children in the school academic space?
One of the greatest challenges I’ve observed in today’s academic environment is that students often struggle to connect the subjects they study with real-life applications. This disconnect makes it difficult for them to appreciate the value of their education.
Furthermore, students today face significantly reduced time for focused study compared to a decade ago. Their schedules are overloaded not only with schoolwork but also with additional classes and the distractions of digital devices with internet access. This is particularly problematic for those who fall behind, especially in subjects like Math, where consistent practice is crucial to understanding and improvement.
The combination of increased academic demands and limited time for deep engagement presents a significant hurdle. This challenge requires innovative educational strategies that integrate learning with practical, real-world scenarios and provide students with the opportunity to practice extensively despite their busy schedules.
How can your services help to resolve the pain points of your clients who are largely the students you teach?
At Adaptive Instruction, we tailor our instruction to meet the critical needs of each student. Our primary focus is on skill development, which we enhance by connecting lessons to real-life situations. This approach not only makes learning more relevant but also helps to engrain knowledge deeply, ensuring it remains in long-term memory.
We prioritize generating genuine interest and joy in the learning process over merely completing set curricula. By doing so, we aim to inspire a lifelong love for learning among students. Our methods include interactive lessons, practical applications, and repeated practice in a supportive environment, all designed to build confidence and mastery.
This student-centred approach has proven effective, as evidenced by our students’ improved engagement and academic performance. By addressing both educational
needs and emotional well-being, we help students overcome their academic challenges and achieve their full potential.
What do you do in your free time?
In my free time, I engage in a variety of enriching activities. I offer astrology consultations and run an Ayurveda guidance program, which allows me to share wellness practices with others. Additionally, I facilitate creative skills development through two WhatsApp groups, fostering a community of learning and creativity.
I also cherish the moments spent with my son, where I assign him tasks based on the books he reads to encourage his intellectual growth. Although my personal hobbies like drawing, singing, and playing guitar have taken a backseat due to a busier schedule, I still find joy in these arts whenever possible.
To maintain connections, I utilize online platforms to keep in touch with a wide circle of friends. During special occasions, such as festivals, I participate in Vedic chanting sessions with a local group in my apartment complex. These activities not only fulfil me personally but also help me stay connected to my cultural roots and community.
Do you have any advice for those who want to be an entrepreneur/chief officer?
I have several pieces of advice for those aspiring to become entrepreneurs or chief officers. Let me outline them:
- Understand Your Market: Gaining clarity on your target audience and your unique selling proposition is crucial. This process takes time and may involve challenges, so patience and perseverance are essential. Stay the course until your path becomes clear.
- Build Your Network: Actively engage in clubs or large group associations. These platforms offer opportunities to serve, learn, demonstrate your skills, and build a reputable character. Being known as a person of integrity is fundamental to attracting clients.
- Plan for Scaling: If you plan to expand your business, be aware that scaling up can be slow, especially if funds for marketing are limited. Strategic investment in marketing is critical to accelerate growth.
Each of these points is vital for anyone looking to take on a leadership role in business. Remember, the journey of an entrepreneur is filled with learning and adapting. Stay flexible, maintain your integrity, and keep your goals in sight.
How do you remain calm in the face of financial risk and uncertainty in business outcomes?
Facing financial risk and uncertainty in business is undoubtedly challenging. To remain calm, I focus on contributing positively to others’ welfare, even when these actions do not directly generate revenue. This approach not only fosters positivity but also deepens my understanding of others’ needs. I’ve found that this investment in goodwill often yields reciprocal benefits over time, supporting my business in unexpected ways.
Additionally, integrating spiritual principles into my business practices has been pivotal. By acknowledging the connections between myself, the environment, and humanity, I’ve found deeper meaning and resilience in my entrepreneurial journey. This holistic perspective not only helps me navigate through uncertainties but also makes the process more fulfilling.
These strategies have proven effective repeatedly, grounding me during turbulent times and contributing to a sustainable business model that prioritizes long-term relationships and ethical practices.
How do you compare your long experience in the corporate world of over two decades to the three years as an entrepreneur now?
My career in the corporate world and my journey as an entrepreneur are not two distinct phases but rather a continuous path of growth and fulfilment. Over two decades in the corporate sector provided me with a robust foundation in essential skills, which have been invaluable on my entrepreneurial journey.
In the corporate world, roles such as project manager, process reviewer, coach, trainer, mentor, counsellor, and editor not only honed my abilities but also taught me the importance of versatility and adaptability. These skills have seamlessly translated into my entrepreneurial endeavours, where they directly influence my decision-making and strategy development.
For instance, my experience as a project manager has equipped me with the skills to efficiently oversee my business projects, while my background in training and mentoring has allowed me to build a strong, capable team. The transition has been enriching, with each role complementing and enriching the other, providing lessons that continually propel my business forward.
This holistic perspective allows me to not just navigate the challenges of entrepreneurship but to thrive, turning potential obstacles into opportunities for growth and innovation.
