Asit Jena

As the leader of sales strategy and business operations in the Africa region, I fostered relationships with telecom OEMs and operators. I developed operational strategies, negotiated pricing, and addressed client inquiries. I optimized sales cycles, identified target regions, and offered suggestions for business improvement. Additionally, I managed customer escalations, prepared presentations, and explored new markets. Furthermore, I successfully expanded and operated business in multiple African countries, including Kenya, Mozambique, Rwanda, Tanzania, Zambia, and Uganda.

Work Practices :

Proficient in both independent and collaborative work environments. Demonstrated strong leadership skills in managing end-to-end projects. Efficiently contributed to day-to-day operations and fostered teamwork. Collaborated effectively in team projects, emphasizing strong communication. Quick learner, adept at adapting to new situations. Provided professional services and support in dynamic work settings. Maintained positive working relationships and demonstrated helpfulness. Utilized analytical and problem-solving abilities to find effective solutions. Adaptable and quick to grasp new concepts. Attentive to detail in task completion. Excellent verbal and written communication skills. Creative problem solver with proven implementation abilities. Flexible schedule, including nights, weekends, and holidays. Motivated and inspired team members through effective leadership. Managed time efficiently to meet deadlines. Led team projects, delegating tasks and providing feedback. Valuable team player, offering support and guidance. Developed strong organizational and communication skills through coursework and volunteering.

I was responsible for the sales strategy within a specific region, focusing on strengthening existing customer relationships and acquiring new customers. I maintained and cultivated relationships with key telecom OEMs and operators such as Nokia Siemens Network, Ericsson, Vodacom, MTN, and Cell C. I formulated sales and operational strategies, harvested sales and business in new geographies, and negotiated pricing and scopes with clients. I handled client procurement, contract finalization, and responses to RFI, RFQ, and RFP. I monitored local and international trends in the telecommunications industry and optimized sales cycles for increased effectiveness and efficiency. I identified target regions and key decision makers, provided management with suggestions for business improvement, and developed plans for strategic accounts that exceeded revenue and customer satisfaction expectations. Additionally, I handled customer escalations, ensured high-quality service delivery, prepared presentations for annual reviews, and explored business opportunities in other potential African countries.

I maintained relationships with key stakeholders including OEMs, network providers, and clients such as Vodacom, MTN, and Cell C. I formulated sales, operational, and procurement strategies and successfully expanded business into new geographies. I negotiated pricing and contracts, responded to client inquiries, and provided management with suggestions for business improvement. I managed customer escalations, delivered projects, and authorized contracts for the Africa region. Additionally, I supported various departments including tools procurement, OHS, HR, administration, finance, and vendor management.

I maintained and fostered relationships with key stakeholders such as OEMs (Original Equipment Manufacturers) including Nokia Siemens Network, Huawei Technologies, Ericsson, and ZTE. I played a role in formulating sales strategies and took responsibility for project delivery. I provided management with suggestions for improving volume, market share, and pricing. Additionally, I oversaw logistical requirements, procured local logistics, and focused on team building. I was responsible for obtaining work completion certification and managing invoicing processes.

I coordinated and conducted drive tests for 2G/UMTS/HSDPA services using Nemo5. Identified and resolved field issues, proactively addressed customer complaints, and performed HSDPA and R99 tests. Analyzed pilot coverage, voice and data parameters, and actively contributed to network quality improvement. Worked with optimization tools like Actix and NetAct, maintaining throughput testing reports during UMTS launch. Troubleshot drive test tool problems.

I led and managed a team of 22+ drive testers, resolving equipment issues and providing remote support. I coordinated training programs and ensured successful daily drive tests. I monitored network statistics, optimized physical parameters, and maintained KPI reports. I addressed subscriber problems, assisted network planners, and made recommendations for coverage and interference improvements. I optimized handover performance to meet client requirements.

I performed analysis and fine-tuning of sites using MapInfo tools for drive test analysis and route planning. I conducted pre and post-drive tests for various projects and handled CW tests. I optimized RF parameters, generated coverage plots, and analyzed log files using TEMS Investigation and Huawei GENEX tools. I completed targets within SLA and ensured quality assurance. I provided day-to-day reporting to business users. Along with i have conducted RF surveys to determine the optimal location, height, tilt, and orientation of GSM antennas. This involved locating the nominal using GPS, assessing signal strength, and analyzing surrounding sites using Map Info. I prepared survey reports and conducted LOS surveys to determine the height of microwave link antennas, considering obstructions between sites. Additionally, I performed "In Building Solution" surveys to ensure indoor coverage in commercial buildings, factories, and hotels.

In this role, I gained extensive experience in GSM mobile communication systems, including GSM architecture, channel concepts, call flow processes, and NSS node architectures. I performed analysis, optimization, and physical auditing of cell sites to improve coverage and signal quality. I conducted drive tests, analyzed test logs, and worked on field RF optimization. Additionally, I provided support for technical/connectivity, roaming, VAS, and coverage complaints, and troubleshooted customer complaints related to various services. I handled customer care for international and platinum customers and actively participated in training and preparing reports. I also possessed in-depth knowledge of the IN (Intelligence Network) and familiarity with HLR and VLR parameters.

In this position, I supervised the Prepaid Trade Helpline, managed daily MIS reports, and provided back-end support for provisioning and complaint management. I handled tasks such as barring/unbarring numbers, addressing Lapu-related issues, and resolving complaints from multiple locations. I also had a good understanding of new products and their impact on complaint handling.