TheCconnects: Welcome, Dr. Manoj Sharma! It’s an absolute pleasure to have you here today. As the CEO of News360 & BORT Technology OPC Pvt Ltd and a renowned author, you’ve carved out an impressive path in entrepreneurship, technology, and ethical business practices. For our readers who might be new to your story, could you walk us through your professional journey, from your early days in banking to founding BORT Technology & News360, and what sparked your transition into tech,media and consultancy?
Dr. Manoj Sharma: Thank you for having me; it’s great to connect with TheCconnects audience. My journey started in the bustling financial hubs of the UAE, where I spent over a decade in banking roles at institutions like Citi, Standard Chartered, and RAKBANK. Back in 2005, as an Account Manager at Citi, I was deeply involved in sales and relationship management for consumer banking, focusing on investments and insurance. Those years taught me the intricacies of client needs, from high-net-worth individuals to everyday consumers. I climbed the ladder to Relationship Manager at Standard Chartered, handling premium banking with an emphasis on service quality, risk compliance, and business retention. Then at RAKBANK, I managed priority banking, ensuring seamless experiences for wealthy clients while navigating KYC and AML protocols.
The shift happened around 2011 when I joined Genius Facility Management Services in Dubai as CEO. There, I expanded into broader consultancy, business setup, HR, project management, and even online education. It was eye-opening; I saw how fragmented services were for startups and international firms, especially in freezones and offshore formations. By 2019, I returned to India, founding BORT Technology in Rishikesh, Uttarakhand. The inspiration? A blend of my PhD in Corporate Social Responsibility from Charisma University and a desire to merge technology with ethical empowerment. I wanted to create a company that not only offers IT consultancy, digital marketing, and corporate branding but also fosters inclusive growth. Rooted in Rishikesh’s serene environment, BORT became a beacon for innovation, helping businesses navigate the digital era responsibly.
TheCconnects: That’s fascinating, your banking background seems like the perfect foundation for ethical practices. Speaking of influences, who has shaped your worldview the most, personally or professionally, and how has that impacted your leadership at BORT?
Dr. Manoj Sharma: Without a doubt, my biggest influence is Swami Vivekananda. His teachings on self-reliance, ethical leadership, and using knowledge for societal upliftment resonate deeply with me. In fact, I was honored with the Swami Vivekanand Award in 2024, which felt like a full-circle moment. Professionally, mentors from my banking days, like senior executives at Standard Chartered, taught me the value of stakeholder-centric approaches, putting people first over profits. This has shaped BORT’s ethos: we prioritize transparency and collaboration, ensuring our services in offshore company formation or digital branding align with clients’ long-term goals. It’s about building trust, much like Vivekananda’s emphasis on integrity.
TheCconnects: Integrity is key in today’s volatile business landscape. What would you say have been the toughest hurdles in your career, especially bridging banking, facility management, and now tech entrepreneurship? How did you turn those into stepping stones?
Dr. Manoj Sharma: Challenges abound in any cross-industry leap. Early on, in the UAE’s competitive banking scene, the 2008 financial crisis hit hard, we had to deepen client relationships amid economic uncertainty. I overcame it by focusing on proactive financial insights, like analyzing investment needs and ensuring compliance to rebuild trust. Transitioning to facility management at Genius, cultural and regulatory differences across Dubai, Fujairah, and Ras Al Khaimah were daunting. We dealt with everything from HR consultancy to e-marketing, and I learned to mitigate risks through meticulous planning.
Founding BORT in 2019 was my biggest test, navigating India’s startup ecosystem post-pandemic, with supply chain disruptions and digital adoption spikes. We addressed this by pivoting to holistic IT solutions, like web design and attestation services, while emphasizing AML expertise. My PhD research on Corporate Social Responsibility helped; I integrated ethical practices to overcome skepticism. The key? Resilience and adaptability, viewing obstacles as opportunities for innovation, which has led to our 100% stakeholder-centric rating.
TheCconnects: Your PhD in CSR is intriguing. How has that academic pursuit influenced the key lessons you’ve drawn from your 20+ years in business?
Dr. Manoj Sharma: Absolutely transformative. One core lesson is that sustainable success stems from ethical foundations, 99% of my expertise lies there. From banking, I learned that risk mitigation isn’t just compliance; it’s about foreseeing client pain points. In consultancy, change management taught me to embrace community development; at BORT & News360, we apply this through online education consultancy, empowering remote learners.
Another lesson: Holistic approaches win. My Master’s in Anti-Terrorism Law honed my KYC skills, crucial for offshore formations. Overall, I’ve realized that true leadership blends strategic financial insights with empathy, fostering teams that innovate responsibly. My recent research paper on AI in Middle East Banking underscores this: AI isn’t just tech; it’s a tool for ethical decision-making in finance.
TheCconnects: On that note, with your expertise in AI and digital tech, what do you view as the primary challenges brands face in the digital space today, particularly in emerging markets like India and the Middle East?
Dr. Manoj Sharma: Brands struggle with digital fragmentation, overwhelmed by platforms, data privacy regs like GDPR or India’s DPDP Act, and cyber threats. In the Middle East, where AI adoption in banking is booming as per my paper, the challenge is balancing innovation with compliance. In India, it’s accessibility; many SMEs lack digital branding know-how.
At BORT & News360, we see this as an opportunity. The biggest hurdle? Building authentic connections amid algorithm-driven noise. Brands must prioritize stakeholder-centric digital strategies, using AI for personalized marketing without invading privacy.
TheCconnects: How exactly does BORT Technology & News360 address these pain points for clients, say in freezone setups or digital transformations?
Dr. Manoj Sharma: We tackle them head-on with tailored solutions. For offshore and freezone formations, our expertise ensures seamless compliance, from KYC to attestation services, reducing setup time by 40%. In IT consultancy, we offer web design and digital marketing that integrate AI for targeted campaigns, addressing visibility issues. Under News360 we do branding for startup ,startup journey ,Podcast & Entrepreneur story.
For pain points like cost inefficiency, our corporate identity services provide affordable branding packages. In online education, we consult on distance learning platforms, solving accessibility for underserved areas. Ultimately, our holistic approach, 99% rated, combines tech with ethical advisory, empowering clients to thrive sustainably.
TheCconnects: Shifting gears, your awards list is impressive, from the Best Indian Visionary Leadership Icon in 2023 to the Innovative Businessman of the Year 2024. How do these recognitions fuel your drive, and what’s next on your horizon?
Dr. Manoj Sharma: These awards, like the India Star Republic Award or Vishwa Ratna Samman, validate our impact and motivate me to push further. They remind me of my roots in Rishikesh, where innovation meets inspiration. Next? Expanding BORT’s AI-driven services globally, perhaps launching a book on ethical AI in business. We’re also eyeing partnerships in the Middle East for banking tech integrations.
TheCconnects: As an author, how do your writings intersect with your entrepreneurial life? Any upcoming projects readers should watch for?
Dr. Manoj Sharma: Writing is my outlet for sharing insights. My books on leadership and personal growth draw from real experiences, like navigating cultural shifts in UAE banking. The recent paper on AI in Middle East Banking explores how tech enhances CSR. Upcoming? A book on digital empowerment for startups, blending my expertise in branding and risk management. It’s about inspiring resilience.
TheCconnects: Beyond the boardroom, what keeps you grounded? Hobbies, family time, tell us about life outside work.
Dr. Manoj Sharma: Balance is crucial. In my free time, I hike in Rishikesh’s hills, it’s meditative and sparks creativity. I love reading philosophy, writing, and spending time with family. As a member of the World Business Council in Dubai, I network, but downtime includes yoga and exploring local culture. It recharges me for the next innovation.
TheCconnects: For aspiring entrepreneurs in tech consultancy or banking, what’s your golden advice, especially on incorporating CSR from the start?
Dr. Manoj Sharma: Start with purpose, integrate CSR early; it’s not an add-on but the core. Build networks, like I did in UAE freezones. Learn continuously; my multiple degrees prove that. Embrace failures as lessons, focus on ethical practices, and leverage tech for impact. For startups, master digital branding, it’s your gateway to global reach. Stay resilient; the journey is rewarding.
TheCconnects: One more: With your background, how do you see AI evolving in corporate social responsibility?
Dr. Manoj Sharma: AI will revolutionize CSR by enabling data-driven philanthropy, predicting community needs or optimizing sustainable practices. But ethics first: avoid biases, ensure transparency. In banking, as my research shows, AI streamlines AML while promoting inclusivity. The future? AI as a force for equitable growth.
TheCconnects: Any closing thoughts?
Dr. Manoj Sharma: Change is constant. Embrace it with ethics and purpose. Technology amplifies reach, but integrity sustains growth. If you keep clients’ interests at the center, success becomes a byproduct.
TheCconnects: Dr. Sharma, this has been incredibly insightful. Your blend of experience, vision, and ethics is truly inspiring. Thank you for sharing your journey with our readers.
Dr. Manoj Sharma: Thank you. It was a pleasure sharing this space with TheCconnects.
You can connect with Dr. Manoj Sharma on LinkedIn here
