Jade Global | Karan Yaramada, Founder and CEO
The IT services industry is a competitive sector characterized by rapid technological advancements and evolving client needs. Companies must constantly innovate and adapt to stay ahead. The demand for efficient, scalable, and cost-effective IT solutions has never been higher.
Meet Jade Global, a company that has emerged as a prominent player in the industry and is carving a niche for itself through a steadfast commitment to client satisfaction and technological excellence.
Founded in 2003 by visionary entrepreneur Karan Yaramada, Jade Global has grown into a $100 million company with a global presence. Yaramada’s entrepreneurial spirit, coupled with a keen understanding of the industry, has been instrumental in shaping Jade Global into the successful organization it is today.
Jade Global offers a comprehensive suite of IT services, including business application implementations, integrations, software product engineering, cloud services, technology advisory, testing, and managed services. The company has a strong track record of delivering value to its clients across various industries. With a focus on building long-term partnerships, Jade Global has cultivated a loyal customer base and earned a reputation for trust and reliability.
In an exclusive interview for our prestigious “Most Trusted Brand of the Year 2024” edition, Karan Yaramada, Founder and CEO of Jade Global, shares his insights into the evolution of Jade Global, his entrepreneurial journey, the challenges faced, his vision for the future, and the strategies that have propelled the company to success. Discover how Jade Global has become a trusted partner for businesses worldwide, and learn from the wisdom of a seasoned industry leader.
Prime Insights: Brief us about the inception of the company.
Jade Global turned 21 this July. I founded Jade Global in 2003, right in the aftermath of the dot-com bubble burst, and I was working for KPMG Consulting at the time. It was a time when businesses were prioritizing value over cost. Companies were highly frugal, looking for value. And that’s at the beginning of where a lot of cost arbitrage and optimization was going on. And for me, that was a perfect time to start because the idea behind starting was to bring that value for the money. I saw a gap in the market for a company that could deliver high-quality services at competitive rates. With that vision, Jade Global was born.
Today, we’re a 100 million-dollar company with nearly 2,000 employees. We’ve achieved this without raising any external funding, and the company remains 100% owned by employees. Our journey has been about delivering exceptional value to our clients while fostering a robust and employee-centric culture.
Prime Insights: What inspired you to start the company?
The desire for autonomy, being my own boss, and the belief that I could do things differently were the primary drivers behind starting Jade Global. That was the initial motivation. After a decade in the industry, I was brimming with ideas for improvement. Being in the heart of Silicon Valley, surrounded by a culture of innovation, further ignited my entrepreneurial spirit. Witnessing the rise of tech startups and the energy around them solidified my decision to take the leap and build my own company.
Prime Insights: You’ve always been a natural leader. How has that shaped your approach to running Jade Global?
I’ve always been proactive. I used to do things differently, be the first one to jump in the water at any time, and take the lead whenever I got an opportunity. I never waited for others to tell me what to do. This leadership instinct has been instrumental in building Jade Global. I believe in leading from the front, taking initiative, and calculating risks to achieve great things.
Prime Insights: What were the initial challenges faced by your business?
Jade Global is a bootstrapped company. And bootstrapping Jade Global presented significant challenges. With limited financial resources, every dollar earned had to be wisely invested back into the business. Scaling without external funding was a constant tightrope walk and one of the biggest challenges.
Building a loyal customer base was crucial as it reduced high customer acquisition costs. The more extended customers stay with us, the more profitable they become. This way, we saved a lot and invested every penny earned back into the growth engine.
The critical challenge was assembling the right team. Identifying individuals who aligned with our vision and were willing to leap with us was essential for our growth.
Prime Insights: What are your company’s key offerings and services?
Jade Global is a strategic technology partner that helps businesses navigate their digital transformation journey. Our core strength lies in staying ahead of the technology curve. For over two decades, as we have gone through three generations of technology, from client-server to cloud and now AI, we’ve seamlessly adapted to evolving landscapes, ensuring our solutions remain relevant and practical.
Today, we are more in an AI era. We continuously invest in new technology to avoid resistance or loss of value. We always stay relevant to what customers will need, not just today.
We focus on mid-to-large companies, building long-term partnerships rooted in mutual success, making it a win-win situation for both. Our approach is collaborative, prioritizing our clients’ growth over our own. We want to see our customers grow, flourish, and use the technology that we implement and build.
Prime Insights: How does Jade Global build trust with its clients in a competitive IT services market?
Trust is foundational at Jade Global. We’ve invested in trust-building initiatives, like partnering with the Franklin Covey Institute and then bringing Speed of Trust to train our people. Our longest-standing client relationship spans over two decades, a testament to our commitment to building trust with our customers. For instance, our first client remains a valued partner after 21 years.
Prime Insights: What does a customer mean to you?
We consider a customer a long-term partner. We focus on building enduring relationships rather than short-term projects, and trust is the cornerstone of these partnerships. We prioritize doing the right thing, even when it’s not the most popular choice, as it ensures long-term benefits for our clients. We’re not trying to please the customer in the short term; we’re trying to make them happy today and tomorrow.
Our journey began with building trust on a personal level, but as we’ve grown, we’ve institutionalized this value and taught that kind of culture in the company. We invest heavily in understanding our clients through metrics like NPS and CSAT. This data-driven approach complements our people-centric philosophy.
Treating our employees with trust and respect is essential to cultivating a customer-centric culture. We train our people to deal with all kinds of situations. You treat others how you want to be treated; hence, we trust our people, are very open, and have an honest culture in the company.
By creating an environment of openness, learning, and growth, we empower our team to deliver exceptional value to our clients. As we grow and scale, when we have 160 customers, we need to gain a slightly more scientific understanding of them.
Karan Yaramada, Jade’s Founder & CEO, with Jade’s Executive Leadership at the San Jose, California Office Headquarters.
Prime Insights: How do you measure the trust consumers have in your brand?
Customer success is a top priority at Jade Global. Our sole focus is on examining customers and setting benchmarks. We employ a data-driven approach to understanding and meeting our clients’ evolving needs, utilizing tools like Forsta, similar to Qualtrics, for comprehensive feedback.
Beyond surveys, we analyze customer attrition rates as a critical indicator of satisfaction. By combining quantitative and qualitative data, we gain valuable insights to refine our strategies and ensure ongoing customer success.
We focus on building enduring relationships rather than short-term projects. Trust is the cornerstone of these partnerships. We invest heavily in understanding our clients through metrics like NPS and CSAT. This data-driven approach complements our people-centric philosophy.
Prime Insights: How do Jade Global’s values guide its decision-making and client interaction?
Our company culture is built on core values that guide our interactions with clients. We believe in open and honest communication, even when delivering difficult news. We prioritize long-term partnerships and view challenges as opportunities for growth.
Our commitment to perseverance ensures we see projects through to completion, even when faced with obstacles. We never give up; I don’t remember giving up on any project or any customer in the last 21 years. We continue to engage, we have endurance, we have patience, and “when the going gets tough, the tough get going” for us. This undying dedication to our clients and projects sets us apart in the industry.
Prime Insights: What is the first thing that enters consumers’ minds when they think of Jade Global?
I want our customers to see Jade Global as a trusted partner. That’s the core perception we aim to build.
Prime Insights: How has JadeGlobal’s approach to talent acquisition with a focus on global talent impacted success?
Our talent acquisition strategy has evolved significantly, particularly in response to the pandemic. We shifted our focus from attracting talent to specific locations to building a global workforce. In the last few years, we have actually significantly expanded both in the United States and worldwide. This has allowed us to tap into diverse skill sets and expand our reach.
We’ve invested heavily in learning and development programs, including partnerships with institutions like BITS Pilani and IIM Ahmedabad, to ensure our employees have the tools to succeed. This holistic approach to talent management has been instrumental in our growth.
It’s about really identifying people, understanding their ambitions, and training them on technology. We act and sponsor higher education, such as MBAs, MSs, and M.Tech. We bring in IIM professors to train our people; we have this program called the Sensei Leadership Development Program. These programs are not for them to just learn new technology but to provide opportunities for them to learn and grow.
Prime Insights: What are some of the most significant milestones Jade Global has achieved in recent years?
Jade Global has achieved several significant milestones in recent years. Crossing the $100 million annual revenue mark was an important accomplishment. Establishing an independent board has enhanced our governance and accountability. Building a strong leadership team has been instrumental in our growth.
We’ve differentiated ourselves by becoming a broad-based technology partner, offering solutions across a wide range of platforms, including Salesforce, SAP, Oracle, and more. This breadth allows us to provide comprehensive services to our clients and positions us as a long-term strategic partner.
Our people-centric approach is fundamental to our success. We prioritize employee well-being and invest in their development, fostering a strong company culture. This commitment to our employees translates into exceptional service for our clients.
Karan Yaramada, Founder and CEO of Jade Global
Prime Insights: How has your journey been as an entrepreneur?
My entrepreneurial journey has been incredibly fulfilling. Building a company from the ground up and creating opportunities for others has been incredibly rewarding. While challenging, the support of my team and the chance to make a positive impact have kept me motivated. I’m very fortunate to have made a significant impact on so many people’s careers and lives; it keeps me content and happy.
I’m passionate about giving back, and our foundation allows me to contribute to the causes I care about. Additionally, staying engaged in the latest technology trends and exploring new ventures like our Kanverse.ai software keeps me excited about the future.
I stay motivated through philanthropy, strategic partnerships, and a passion for innovation. Our foundation allows me to give back, while collaborations like our work with the PGA Tour offer fresh perspectives. Additionally, exploring new technologies keeps my enthusiasm alive.
Prime Insights: What do you hope to accomplish within the next year from a personal as well as professional point of view?
I aim to improve my golf game and dedicate more time to philanthropic endeavors. Professionally, I want to solidify Jade Global’s market position and explore inorganic growth opportunities. Doubling the company’s size within the next three years is a crucial objective.
Prime Insights: How does Jade Global plan to adapt and grow in the ever-changing IT landscape?
AI is a big elephant in the room. I do believe that AI is more significant than anything that has happened in the last 2–3 decades. It is really going to change the way that we run businesses and operate on a daily basis. AI is a total game-changer.
We’re investing heavily in AI and data strategies to capitalize on this transformative technology. Our focus is on helping businesses harness the power of AI through data-driven solutions. We see immense potential in this area and are committed to being a leader in AI adoption.
Prime Insights: What are the most effective marketing initiatives or programs that you have used to promote your offering or services?
Marketing is a two-way approach for us: brand building and lead generation. Brand building is a gradual process, focusing on internal culture and external perception. We build our brand through consistent actions, not just marketing campaigns. Our focus is on delivering exceptional value to clients and fostering a strong internal culture. This approach has organically built trust and loyalty.
Prime Insights: What advice would you give to young entrepreneurs looking to enter the IT service sector?
I recommend young entrepreneurs gain some industry experience before starting their own IT service company. There are two kinds: one is that you jump in, fail, and then learn. Another is to have some experience, understand what’s going on, and then do it the right way. Passion is essential, but understanding the market is crucial.
Always keep your eyes and ears open. Look for opportunities that align with your passion, and be prepared for challenges. Perseverance is critical to overcoming obstacles and achieving success. Because “when the going gets tough, the tough get going.”