At Juniper Networks, he is responsible for strengthening the company’s relationship with key channel partners and leveraging its existing distribution setup. The aim is to expand Juniper’s customer base by establishing new partnerships across the region.

In its endeavour to promote alliances, the company has launched the Partner Advantage Program. The company recognises high performing partners and helps partners grow, communicate with greater impact, and scale their businesses more effectively.

Despite the telecom market facing multiple challenges last year, owing to regulatory uncertainty, Gupta remains optimistic about the company’s prospects. “The Indian telecom industry has been on a growth trajectory over the past decade. To cater to the increasing subscriber base, telecom operators have invested significantly in expanding and upgrading their networks, which has opened up avenues for international telecom equipment manufacturers,” he explains.

The roll-out of 3G and 4G services is expected to contribute to the increasing demand for products and solutions, such as switches and routers, he adds. “This will help networking equipment companies like us grow their business.”

Gupta says that each of the assignments he has undertaken through the length of his career has been challenging in its own way. To meet these head-on, he has tackled each project with an entrepreneurial spirit and a never-say-die attitude. “This approach gives one a sense of ownership and encourages one to give the job one’s best shot,” he says.

Of course, a proactive and responsive approach works well. Commenting on his management style, he says, “I expect my team to be ambitious and have an entrepreneurial spirit like me. It is necessary to empower the team so that it takes ownership and executes the job well.”

At the end of the day, Gupta unwinds by spending time with his family, comprising his wife Roopam, a teacher, and their daughters aged 12 and 8. He also enjoys watching movies and reading books, especially autobiographies.