Winning Stroke: Interview with Paddy Viswanathan - Founder and CEO at C3M
If not in the current Profession, You would be?
I am a big time foodie, love cooking and entertaining and would probably have ended up starting a restaurant chain. Still a pet idea
One tune you always hum?
Lots, but the current one is ‘Country roads take me home’ – got influenced by my 2 daughters who constantly keep singing that song.
One Book to read when you want to motivate yourselves?
The Hard Thing About Hard Things by Ben Horowitz. As a startup founder, I must say, I have got some profound insights from this books that has helped me introduce change in the organization. Highly recommended.
One Dialogue of a movie that motivates you or you like the most?
Pursuit of Happiness – The scene where Will Smith tells his son - Don’t ever let somebody tell you that you cannot do something
The Place you never been to and always want to go?
I have never been to Goa in India. Would love to visit.
An animal that signifies you & why?
I would pick the elephant; strong, has an intelligent mind and a very kind animal.
A Movie Character you most resemble or resonate with?
Tony Stark for the innovator that he is. Innovation is key to stay ahead of competition
Choose one from each below :
a) Marvel or DC
DC
b) Batman or Superman
Batman
c) Tom or Jerry
Tom
d) Chacha Chaudhary or Super Commando Dhruv
I have not read either of the two
If your life was to be turned into a movie who would you like to play your part?
Kevin Spacey
Luck or Hard Work, What do you think weighs more in defining a successful Person?
Hard Work any day. Luck follows.
One best decision you ever made?
To move to India after spending a decade in the US. Life in the US was great, but I wanted to move to India to concentrate on my startup, a decision I was able to make only because of the support from my wife.
It also led me to spending some quality time with my dad before he passed, some moments that will always stay with me.
A strategy that you always use to take your decisions in Personal or Professional life?
To not take on the spur or rash decisions.
Whose advice do you seek when in a dilemma?
My wife. She always help me stay grounded and helps bring clarity to situations.
What has been your biggest achievement?
The fact that I was able to convince myself to do away with the golden locks(my blue collar job) and start C3M - a cloud security company. Being a startup founder is a humbling experience and I am really lucky to have some smart, committed and great people working with me on this product. The fact that we can now proudly say that we monitor one of the largest cloud infrastructures in the world is a highpoint.
One thing that you want to change in yourself?
To be able to segment my time and work schedules so that I get more time with my kids and family.
A line said by your closed one that you never forget?
My dad always used to tell me – be systematic in life my son, you will reap benefits.
