My CV: His First Job Lasted For 2 Hours – Meet Techno Brain Group CEO

For most Kenyans seeking IT vacancies, Techno Brain Group is one of the coveted companies to work for. With regular recruitment, their jobs are widely circulated among leading job sites such as Career Point Kenya.

But who is the man behind this successful techno company? Better yet, what is his advice to young job seekers?

“If you want to build a career, you have to think about just that. A lot of young people take a job, then when offered more by another company they jump there,” Manoj Shanker, CEO, Techno Brain Group was recently quoted by How We Made it in Africa.

The Techno Brain honcho who was a finalist at 2013 Ernst and Young Entrepreneur of the Year Awards adds that, “When planning one (a career), choose what excites you and gives you satisfaction, and work very hard at it.”

He further adds that one needs to have patience while at it, “You need to prove yourself.”

But where did his journey begin?

In a candid interview with How We Made It in Africa, Manoj Shanker shares his rise to the top which started with an accounts job which lasted for an exceptionally short time.

“I did that for two hours and realized it was not what I wanted to do with my life. So I left and went on to graduate with a degree in science.”

After getting his degree he says the only thing on his mind was to get a job. He talks of how for 2 years he did software training which he wasn’t fond of.

“But what I liked was what software could do for businesses,” he shares

Did he finally find what he was looking for?

“In December 1989, I got a job in an IT company and it was one of my happiest moments,” he reveals.

While accepting The AABLA regional awards for East Africa, Manoj Shanker said, “When I moved to Africa 16 years ago, I was inspired by the amount of young talent Africa has. It has motivated and inspired me throughout all the years.”

He went on to add that, “I consider it an honour to have the opportunity to be able to work with an amazing team that is spread across 23 countries globally who continue to inspire me every day. I am one of those fortunate people who goes home knowing that I make a difference in my community and in Africa by empowering lives.”

That said, what kind of a CEO is he?

He reveals to How We Made it Africa of his strategic thinking way of life.

“I can sit and think six months, one year, five years down the line and make the plans and moves. He adds that, “That has really helped me. I always think long-term.”

For a CEO who enjoys reading and watching movies, he says his future plan is to take Techno Brain to the next level in the next five years.

“I am a very hands-on CEO because I built this company from scratch. I get involved in the day-to-day running of the company.

He however adds that he would like to slow down and be more strategic, “I also want to spend a lot of time building leadership in Africa,” he says.

“I did not make the journey here alone. Numerous people have supported me along the way,” he said in AABLA award acceptance speech.

And what’s his advice to aspiring entrepreneurs?

“Those who go into business should be ambitious and should look beyond just making money.”

Courtesy: How We Made It in Africa / Techno Brain Group

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