Yoshihito Yamashita
Life at Zoho
Describe your current role in the organization.
I am the Vice President of USA Data Center Operations, which is Zoho’s largest data center. We have two locations in the US with a primary and secondary structure. I periodically visit each site to ensure smooth integration and operation. Most of the work we do can’t be disclosed. In a nutshell, we add multiple servers and features every day to provide seamless service to all Zoho users.
How does the work culture impact your job and identity?
The major aspect of our work is 'quality.' Other factors, such as speed, are also important, but our role is to ensure the safety of our customers’ data. Any mistake on our end impacts the tasks of many customers. Our system has the resilience to handle any flaws; the team of site engineers quickly fixes issues ensuring the best quality always.
At Work
What were the highest and lowest points of your journey with Zoho?
It has been filled with highs and lows, but I see it as a complete journey. After spending a few years in AdventNet (later Zoho), I returned to Japan in 2001, established Zoho there (current Zoho Japan), and played the role of President for ten years. Later, I recommended my Chinese friend, Hou, to establish Zoho China in 2003 and assisted him as an officer there. Finally, I moved to the US in 2010 and have been handling data center operations since then.
Is there a project or an accomplishment at Zoho you're proud of?
Looking back, establishing Zoho in Japan and China is a significant accomplishment. Also, improving our US operations, developing all the related systems (from my engineering experience), and adding many other features is also something I'm proud of; we’ve come a long way.
Anything else you would like to share?
Nothing special, but I would like to thank Zoho, for allowing me to still work here; I did not expect this. Often, people my age are already retired. However, I do not have any specific concerns about retired life. If I’m able to contribute, that’s great!
Getting Personal
Tell us about the people you admire outside Zoho.
One of the best answers is my mother who raised me. While I wanted to be a physician, I also admired Albert Einstein.
What are your hobbies or favorite activities outside of work?
I love to work hard, it is a hobby, but that’s not the correct answer. I love to play sports, but they’ve changed over time because my body can’t handle heavy and dangerous sports. While I was young, I loved skiing in winter and sailing a yacht in summer. These days, my outside activities are playing tennis and golf, and I play a lot if I can.
What are the top three books, podcasts, or YouTube channels that you recommend?
I don’t use YouTube for podcasts much. Instead, I use it if I need to learn something. For example, if I want to replace a battery for my cell phone, I will do so after some research. Online media does not matter much to me.
Majority of my knowledge still come from books, TV, and the like, but nothing special. I read technology-related articles, or magazines such as The Ecoonomist and News Week. I also watch economic news—one of my favorites is WBS (World Business Satellite).
Words of Wisdom
To become a leader, one should continuously develop the required skills and gain knowledge. This will give the person a vision and the capability to lead a team in the desired direction.
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