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Perennial Stack: Aligning Strategy, Accelerating Execution
As Perennial Systems grows in scale and capability, clarity of direction becomes non-negotiable. In fast-evolving technology environments - especially where AI, fintech and platform-led thinking define the market - organizations can only move as fast as they are aligned.
That’s why May 2025 marked the formal launch of Perennial Stack, a leadership initiative designed to align our strategy with execution and ensure every team is calibrated toward our long-term business goals.
The name “Stack” is intentional. In engineering, a stack refers to the layered structure of components that together make a system function. At Perennial, our stack represents the essential layers of our business: our vision, our teams, our roadmap and our accountability frameworks. This initiative was created to bring those layers into sync - top-down and across the board.
Stack is not a retreat. It’s a strategic reset. It brought together leadership in a structured, outcome-driven format to:
- Rearticulate Perennial’s long-term vision in the context of current market shifts
- Translate that vision into clear, cross-functional objectives
- Identify friction points in execution and drive alignment across teams
- Establish shared ownership for delivery outcomes going into FY26
“Alignment doesn’t happen in documents - it happens in rooms, in dialogue, in moments of decision. Stack was designed to ensure that as we grow, we stay pointed in one direction - with clarity, speed and trust in execution.”
- Nilesh Bafna, CTO
As a result of this initiative, Perennial Stack is now formalized as a strategic cadence that will be embedded into our operating rhythm - with all hands and business line reviews to ensure we are not just setting goals, but consistently reinforcing them.
The impact was already evident in the immediate weeks following the sessions: quicker decision-making, clearer team charters and stronger cross-functional momentum. Stack will continue to be the platform where vision turns into direction and direction turns into delivery.
At Perennial, our stack is made up of people, purpose and shared principles. This initiative reflects our belief that just like in engineering, a strong culture stack must be thoughtfully built, regularly aligned and continuously evolved. Led by the People & Culture team, Stack was introduced during an organization-wide huddle by Akanksha Sogani CHRO
Perennial Stack brought together teams across the company - People & Culture, Data & AI, DevOps and more - for a shared experience focused on realignment, connection and culture.
Stack is how we reflect as one team- on what we’ve built, where we’re heading and how we show up for each other in the journey.
– Akanksha Sogani, CHRO
Thanks to the focused efforts of our leadership team - Varsha Mane, Krishnendu Ghata, Mitali Srivastava, Amit Charkha, Sanjay Singh, Vineet Tapkire, Shubham Kankutlawar, Saurabh Kale, Sayan Mondal and Atul Gholap - the sessions successfully blended structured dialogue with elements of mindfulness and movement. Their collective contributions helped establish a momentum that will now evolve into a recurring quarterly townhall format - ensuring alignment remains an ongoing discipline, not a one-time event.
2. Reimagining Wellness at Work
Global Health & Fitness Month has always been a call to action - but at Perennial, it’s also a call to come together. In May 2025, our People & Culture team curated a month of intentional activities designed not just for movement, but for alignment, reflection and joy.
Whether through strategic leadership sessions or high-energy cricket matches, what stood out wasn’t just participation - it was purpose.
3. Leading Outdoors: Alignment in Nature
One of Stack’s highlights was the Leadership Outdoor Meet. Stepping away from screens and meeting rooms, our leadership team engaged in strategy and reflection amidst nature. These outdoor conversations encouraged deeper collaboration and cross-team insights.
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4. The Perennial Premier League: Wellness Through Play
The Perennial Premier League (PPL) is our annual intra-organization cricket tournament that brings together teams from across departments for a spirited celebration of teamwork, camaraderie and healthy competition. Cricket, often called a religion in India, serves as the perfect medium to unite people, spark energy and create shared moments of joy. With six enthusiastic teams battling it out on the pitch, PPL is more than a tournament - it’s a showcase of our collective passion, resilience and team spirit. It reminds us that just like in cricket, success at work is built on trust, coordination and a shared drive to win - together.
Six spirited teams brought their best to the pitch:
- Perennial Strikers
- Perennial Smashers (Winners)
- Perennial Panthers
- Perennial Warriors
- Perennial Thunderbolt (Runner up)
- Covoro Challengers
Perennial Premier League (PPL) in 2025
Match In-Progress
Perennial Strikers | Perennial Panthers |
|---|---|
Perennial Warriors | Covoro Challengers |
Perennial Smashers | Perennial Thunderbolt (Runner up) |
Perennial Smashers (Winners) |
From last-over thrillers to underdog wins, the PPL wasn’t just a sporting event - it was culture in motion A big thank you to Shubham Kankutlawar, Saurabh Kale, Devanshi Solanki, Roma Sharma, Pooja Patil, Sayan Mondal organising committee for flawless coordination and infectious enthusiasm.
5. Celebrating the Core: International HR Day
May 20 marked International HR Day and we turned the spotlight toward our People & Culture Team - the ones behind so much of Perennial’s vibrancy.
The team came together for an internal celebration that included reflections, energizers and a reminder that the caretakers of culture also deserve care.
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Special thanks to the People and Cultural team for anchoring this celebration with heart and intention.
6. Voices from the Frontline: Leadership Reflections with Purpose
This year marked a stronger presence of women leaders shaping wellness and alignment conversations across engineering, delivery, and people functions. Their contributions underscored that empowerment isn’t about titles - it’s about presence, voice, and the ability to influence how we build together.
“Initiatives like this foster a culture that goes beyond mere processes. They create a sense of belonging, and that’s where the true magic happens.” - Christina Gallano, Delivery Head – Philippines
“Stack helps us reflect on the 'how' behind our delivery - so we can course-correct, collaborate better, and code with more clarity.” - Varsha Mane, Senior Manager – Engineering
“Wellbeing and alignment aren’t competing priorities - they’re essential inputs to performance. And it’s great to see more women leading that conversation.” - Mitali Srivastava, Technical Project Manager
These weren’t just statements - they were principles in action, visible in the participation, openness, and shared ownership across functions.
7. More Than a Moment - A Movement
While the activities themselves were varied, the underlying message was consistent: wellbeing is foundational to how we lead, collaborate and grow.
May 2025 proved that wellness is not a separate track - it’s embedded in every meaningful interaction we design.
The People & Culture team deserves immense credit for bringing this vision to life. From coordinating multiple touchpoints to ensuring psychological safety and inclusivity, their work ensured that everyone - from new joiners to senior leaders - had space to show up fully.
8. Looking Ahead
Perennial Stack will return each year, anchored by quarterly townhalls and evolving formats. Meanwhile, the cricket spirit, leadership syncs and HR-led micro-moments of wellness will continue to shape our everyday rhythm.
As we grow across teams and geographies, one thing remains unchanged: our commitment to building a culture where people don’t just work well - they live well.
To every player, planner, volunteer and voice - you made this month more than an initiative.
You made it memorable!
Medha Sharma
About the Author
Hey, I’m Medha - Marketing & Content Lead at Perennial Systems where I turn complex tech into stories that actually make sense (and occasionally spark a 'wait, I get it now' moment). With 5+ years of writing for Fintech, AI, and DevOps, I’ve learned one thing: good content isn’t just about clarity - it’s about connection.
I write for the curious, the technical, the skeptical, and the C-suite - because great ideas deserve to be understood, not just documented.
Off the clock? I’m probably chasing a football, chasing sunlight underwater, or curled up with a Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie novel and a giant cup of coffee.
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