How Village Roadshow’s CIO is Doing More with Less

Arul Arogyanathan, Chief Information Officer at Village Roadshow
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Episode Summary

In this episode, Markus Zirn and Arul Arogyanathan explore the transformative power of strategic IT leadership. Arul shares how he navigated pandemic-driven disruptions since stepping into his role in 2021, driving key initiatives like modernizing systems, fostering business-IT collaboration, and implementing composable architecture and automation. They dive into the creative ways Village Roadshow embraced automation, composable architecture, and a "do more with less" mindset to not only survive but thrive. Arul also offers practical advice on staying agile, driving innovation, and building a tech foundation ready for the future.

  • Episode Key Takeaways

    Episode Key Takeaways

    • Prioritize integration, not just upgrades: Don’t just upgrade systems in silos. Focus on building a cohesive ecosystem where everything works seamlessly together. This reduces complexity, improves efficiency, and ensures your tech stack is aligned with business goals.

    • Build for agility with composable architecture: Create modular systems that are easy to scale, integrate, or swap out as needed. This flexible approach keeps your organization adaptable and minimizes disruptions during changes or upgrades.

    • Put your people first: Whether it’s your customers or employees, focusing on their experience is key. Map out the customer journey, identify what matters most, and implement solutions that go above and beyond. A people-first approach boosts loyalty, efficiency, and growth.

    • Work smarter with automation: Automation is a game-changer for getting more done with fewer resources. By rolling out low-code/no-code platforms and making automation accessible to everyone, teams can focus on meaningful, high-impact work while reducing the time spent on repetitive tasks.

  • About Arul

    About Arul

    Arul has been the CIO of Village Roadshow in Melbourne, Australia since 2021. He has over 25 years of experience in technology management and business transformation across companies like flybuys, Sigma Healthcare, Red Energy, and more. With a proven record, he has successfully delivered complex transformation programs, led change, fostered collaboration, and cultivated a culture of innovation and continuous improvement. 

  • Top Quotes

    Top Quotes

    “ As a leader, we need to think strategically and focus on the ecosystem rather than the system. That's the key element.”

    “We are not going to have a technology strategy in isolation. We will underpin and embed our technology strategy into our business strategy.”