Born and brought up in Pune, Sharma has always been very attached to his family and motherland. After completing his graduation in computer technology in 1990 from Pune University, he joined Kalyani Sharp as a junior trainee engineer. This was just the beginning. He smiles and adds, "Very early in my career, I realised that 'this' was not my cup of tea." The much-needed change in the form of an opportunity came across him and he shifted to the information technology sector in HCL.

A shift from the automotive campaign for which he was working earlier to IT, completely changed his course of career. From that day onwards, he has been gaining a vast pool of knowledge and experience in various fields. Whether its sales, marketing, operations, consultancy or IT or BPO,he is a jack of all trades. Sharma also coaches many top management personnel on various topics.

Explaining about his career, he adds, "I have done almost everything from hard core sales and marketing to hardcore operations and consultancy but if I have to speak about my area of specialisation, I would say its operational excellence." He has been instrumental in setting up software development centres and also managing and bagging multi-million dollar deals for HCL, IBM and HP and now for KPIT.

The list of his designations and work responsibilities is never ending. He is at present president, global business solutions, KPIT Cummins, and heads the IT division for KPIT UK and Poland as well. He also leads the diversified financial services division of KPIT Infosystems. Pawan Sharma continues, "Designations at one point of time become interim; the important aspect is that the industry remembers you for your contribution to the economy and to the industry."

While talking about his contributions and achievements to the industry, he humbly replies, "I prefer to let my work speak for me and believe in achieving visibility through productivity." Actions should speak louder than words, advises Sharma.

Sharma is one of the very few who realised the importance of offshoring at quite an early stage. While working for IBM India Limited as country manager, software, he could foresee the growth and development in the country itself. At that point in time, he decided to return to his homeland and work in Pune. Earlier he had been instrumental in planning and making HCL's BPO division in 2002 a success wherein he worked as vice president, international sales, HCL Technologies BPO Services. Hence he became the most eligible 'candidate', so to say, for setting up and establishing the BPO/KPO arm for KPIT. KPIT Cummins convinced him to work for them and he joined in July 2004. Since then he has been involved in establishing the BPO segment, and he has been able to do so quite well.

Considering his professional life, Sharma has always been very result-oriented. His family has been always very supportive of him. With over 15 years of experience and a position in the industry worth-mentioning, Sharma still gets surprised by those who say that they can manage their work and personal life perfectly on their own. He believes that you need to have a strong social support system to strike a perfect balance between the two and even then it is very difficult.

"I seek to build complementary win-win relationships with family, friends and business associates. To keep these relationships healthy and maintain a high level of trust, I make daily deposits in the emotional bank accounts of others. You need to have a strong social backing to face the challenges in life. There has to be a good family support to rely on at the time of difficulties," continues Sharma. He proudly adds, "I have been lucky to have a family like this."

Talking about the various challenges he faced, he smiles and says, "In the early years of offshoring, there was a time when we had to even explain to people that India is not so backward. That it has developed and people don't travel on bullock carts and elephants anymore." On a serious note, he adds, "If it was challenging, it was exciting as well. I believe the biggest challenge has always been to sustain what we have promised to the client. It is important to deliver value to the customer without compromising on moral values and ethics. It should be a profit-oriented project but people management is the most important."

What would he advise to new entrants and freshers joining the industry? Pawan Sharma believes that it is the responsibility of those leaders and mentors in the industry who have succeeded and have experience to share. They need to train the just 'fresh out of college' and let them realise and understand their targets and future goals. He says, "It is the responsibility of the country and people like us to train and develop the qualities in them. You cannot expect them to be professionals straight from college?" He also showed concern on the fact that the Indian education system does not have any professional aspect. He further requests the industry people to "pull up their socks and base more stress on ethics and moral values, for one wrong step can mar the image of the company and the Indian industry, and of the country at large.

"I see each day as a clean slate, a fresh chance to write a new script and size new opportunities. I value life's experiences and seek to learn from each one." Explaining about his learning experience so far, he adds, "I keep learning all the time. And the best thing I have learnt in a BPO environment is the team work. I plan to take these best practices to IT segment as well. The HR is a True HR only in a BPO."

Moving on to his family, Pawan Sharma shares, "Besides a loving, caring and understanding wife, I have two lovely kids. One is 10 and other is just four-year old." Sharma makes it a point to spend quality time with his family. This part does not come as a duty to him but relaxes him as he loves to be with his family.

An avid reader with interest in a vast variety of genres, he can discuss any topic. A philanthropist and meditator, Sharma spends 15-20 mins in a day to relax and meditate. He is also very fond of travelling. Though travelling is always on his cards, he wishes to spend time in the 'lap of nature'. He loves listening to music varying from Sufi to Jazz. Sharma concludes, "When people ask me what do I do with all the money I earn, I tell them that the more I earn the more I can give to the needy."