Meet Shivashankara GS: Business Operations Expert, Cricketer, Kickboxer, and Taekwondo Champion

Areas of Expertise

Shivashankara, as an executive on our Business Operations team, handles onboarding processes and formalities, including background verification for exit employees, ensuring a smooth transition for team members leaving the organization. He provides guidance and support throughout the onboarding journey, helping newcomers adjust to the company culture and resources. He also manages exit processes for employees to facilitate a seamless transition for everyone involved.

For Shivashankara, balancing a career and athletic pursuits is all about discipline and time management. Actalent’s supportive culture has played a key role, allowing him to thrive both at work and in sports. "Having the freedom to pursue my passions outside of work has been vital," he says. "It keeps me motivated and brings a fresh perspective to my role in business operations."

Achievement and Keys to Success

Shivashankara's journey at Actalent began in 2023, when he assumed the role of business operations executive following a colleague's referral. "Initially lacking confidence in my new role, I quickly grew with the support and guidance of my team. Today, I confidently take on new responsibilities."

In his business operations role, Shivashankara applies a strategic mindset, focusing on efficiency and effective processes. His cricket career has reached the Indian Differently-Abled Cricket Team, and he is also a skilled kickboxer and Taekwondo competitor.

"Training and competing at this level require mental toughness and resilience," Shivashankar shares. "Taekwondo, in particular, has taught me focus and discipline — qualities that benefit me in all areas of my life."

Balance: Life Beyond Work

Outside of his professional responsibilities, Shivashankara exemplifies the importance of maintaining a healthy work-life balance. He started his cricket journey playing with tennis balls, eventually progressing to the level of Ranji players, who compete at the first-class level regionally, and then to the Indian Differently-Abled Cricket Team. His leadership skills shone when he captained the rest of the Indian team in the National Physical Disability T-20 Cricket Championship, showcasing his dedication and sportsmanship. He has earned numerous accolades for his outstanding cricket performance, including best batsman of the series in the 4th National Physical Disability T20 Cricket Championship 2024, series winner in the recent Mukul Mahadev PD T20i Series 2024, and the best batsman in the Karnataka vs. Maharashtra Bilateral Series, among others.

"Actalent has supported my sports achievements by offering the flexibility to focus on my training. The company's supportive culture allows me to maintain a flexible work schedule, enabling me to pursue my passion without compromising my work."

Three Questions for Shivashankara...

Q: How do you maintain a healthy work-life balance while working at Actalent?

A: Actalent fosters a supportive environment that truly values work-life balance, making it easy for me to manage both my professional and personal life. With flexibility and a team culture that respects personal time, I can stay productive at work while also pursuing my interests, like playing cricket or other sports. This balance helps me stay energized and focused, benefiting both my work and my well-being.

Q: How has Actalent helped you develop new skills or advance your career?

A: Actalent has provided valuable training in areas like human resources operations, exit formalities, onboarding processes, and documentation management. This hands-on training from my team and leaders has strengthened my expertise and confidence in these areas while also supporting my passions outside of work, like my travels and love for sports.

Q: Can you share a moment when Actalent’s culture positively impacted your work or team?

A: For me, this role has really helped build my confidence — especially when it comes to speaking during inductions for new hires. To lead an induction session, you need confidence, and this job has provided me with just that. The supportive culture here has positively impacted my growth and empowered our team to work more effectively together.

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