Three technical professionals reflect upon the impact that judging technical award shows has on their local communities and their careers.
Balvinder Banjadar, Narendra Lakshmana Gowda, and Vihar Manchala share their thoughts on award show judging, which they believe to be a critical avenue for technical professionals and leaders—like themselves—to shape the future of innovation in the tech sector by sharing their expertise and offering constructive feedback.
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Judging is a critical avenue for technical professionals and leaders to shape the future of innovation by sharing their expertise and offering constructive feedback. As judges, these experts can guide participants in refining their ideas, ensuring that emerging technologies are aligned with practical, real-world applications. This feedback is invaluable to the participants as it helps them identify potential challenges, refine their solutions, and better understand the complexities of building scalable and reliable systems. By leveraging their deep industry knowledge, judges can provide insights that encourage creativity, pushing participants to think outside the box and explore new avenues in technology. This cycle of feedback not only enhances the quality of projects presented but also fosters a culture of continuous learning and improvement, essential for driving innovation forward.
Moreover, the mentorship that judges provide is pivotal for nurturing the next generation of engineers and technologists. By acting as mentors, judges impart both technical and strategic insights that help participants develop the skills needed to thrive in an increasingly complex technological landscape. They inspire young talent to push boundaries, tackle difficult problems, and develop innovative solutions that address real-world needs. This mentorship not only accelerates the personal and professional growth of participants but also ensures that the industry has a steady pipeline of skilled innovators capable of driving future advancements. For tech professionals and leaders, judging serves as a way to give back to the community while ensuring that the future of technology remains dynamic and forward-thinking.
In addition to fostering innovation and mentorship, participating as a judge in technology award shows offers an invaluable opportunity for professional growth and networking. Judges often interact with a diverse group of industry experts, thought leaders, and innovative minds, building connections that can lead to future collaborations or business opportunities. This role also enhances a judge’s reputation within the industry, showcasing their ability to critically assess cutting-edge technologies and contribute to shaping the next wave of advancements. For many, this visibility and recognition within the tech community is a powerful way to stay at the forefront of emerging trends and influence the future direction of the industry. The experience of judging, therefore, serves not only as a way to give back but also as a pathway for judges to grow their expertise, broaden their perspectives, and cement their status as influential leaders in their fields.
Judging at technology events has become an avenue for these experienced professionals to help drive innovation within the community and beyond. “As a judge for prestigious tech events such as the Globee Awards and the Stevie Awards, I have had the unique opportunity to witness firsthand groundbreaking innovations and creative solutions being developed across the technology landscape. These awards highlight the remarkable achievements of individuals and teams driving progress in our industry. Each year, I am inspired by the talent, dedication, and passion that go into these projects. It’s an honor to be part of this process, helping to recognize excellence and foster a culture of innovation that continues to shape our future,” says Balvinder Banjardar. He notes that judging goes beyond evaluating submissions—it’s about mentoring and guiding young professionals to navigate an increasingly complex field. Balvinder is no stranger to innovation, having led high-performance software platform initiatives for major companies across retail, finance, HR, and federal sectors. His two decades of experience as an engineering & technology leader in building resilient digital solutions has made him an invaluable mentor and judge, capable of offering actionable insights that help exhibitors align their projects with the dynamic demands of the industry.
Vihar Manchala, a renowned technology architect, believes in the transformative power of guiding engineers as they tackle real-world problems through continuous expert reviews. With over a decade of experience across the data, retail, and travel industries, Vihar specializes in AI-driven software platform development, consistently delivering scalable software systems that enhance user experiences. “As judges, we are not merely assessing projects or awarding distinctions; we are offering crucial real-time feedback from an industry perspective, which can profoundly accelerate participants’ learning and growth,” Vihar explains. He views judging as a reciprocal process: it provides participants with invaluable insights while allowing judges to stay connected with fresh, innovative ideas from emerging talent. Expert judges, equipped with deep industry knowledge, bring both technical precision and practical insight to their evaluations. This blend of expertise ensures that feedback is not only balanced and constructive but also pivotal in shaping participants’ development, equipping them to address complex, real-world challenges.
Narendra Lakshmana Gowda, an expert technologist and engineering leader with 15 years of experience in leading and designing large-scale distributed software systems, including AI and machine learning models and pipelines, is equally dedicated to community building and shaping the future. Utilizing his technical expertise in building software solutions and leadership skills as a judge, Narendra notes, “Judges’ feedback often helps contestants grasp the technical and operational nuances of large-scale projects and discover innovative problem-solving methods, setting them on a path toward greater innovation and efficiency.” Judges not only identify truly exceptional work, setting a quality benchmark, but also validate contestants’ efforts, motivating them to push the boundaries of their knowledge and creativity. Additionally, this role can help contestants connect with industry experts, potentially leading to mentorship, collaboration, or job opportunities.
Participation in technical judging is not just about contributing to the community—it can also be instrumental in elevating the professional profile of the judges themselves. For technical professionals, judging has reinforced their personal brands as thought leaders in the industry. Their involvement in these high-profile events showcases their expertise and highlights their dedication to fostering innovation. The impact of giving back cannot be understated. Judging allows these professionals to mentor upcoming innovators while also positioning themselves as thought leaders capable of shaping the future of technology. As the experts continue to lead teams, build software platforms, and guide the next generation, their participation in award judging will remain a cornerstone of their professional journeys—a reminder that true success lies not just in personal achievements, but in helping others rise.
In conclusion, judging offers a powerful platform for tech professionals and leaders to contribute meaningfully to the advancement of innovation. By providing expert feedback and guidance, they help shape the trajectory of emerging technologies, ensuring that ideas are refined and aligned with real-world applications. This exchange of knowledge fosters creativity, encourages outside-the-box thinking, and promotes the development of scalable, reliable systems. As a result, the projects presented are not only enhanced in quality but also contribute to a culture of continuous improvement that is critical for driving future innovation.
Furthermore, the mentorship provided by judges plays a vital role in cultivating the next generation of engineers and technologists. By offering both technical and strategic insights, judges help participants develop the skills needed to succeed in today’s complex tech landscape. Their influence inspires young talent to push boundaries, solve challenging problems, and create impactful solutions for real-world needs. Ultimately, judging allows seasoned experts to give back to the community, ensuring that the future of technology remains innovative, dynamic, and equipped with a steady pipeline of skilled professionals.
---> If you'd like to learn more about Balvinder, Narendra, and Vihar, be sure to visit their profile pages at https://banjardar.com/, https://narengowda.com/ and https://viharmanchala.com/
