Team Taylor: Vijay Kumaran
- Leanne Taylor
- Jul 26
- 4 min read
Updated: Jul 28
Behind every smart solution is someone who made it happen.
Team Taylor is our way of celebrating the people who power Taylor Made Sales. The curious minds. The strategic thinkers. The ones who bring energy, ideas and a whole lot of heart to everything they do.
Each month, we put the spotlight on one team member and share a little of what makes them great. From career journeys to quirks and coffee orders, we’re here to show the people behind the results.
Because real impact starts with real people. ✨
Meet Vijay Kumaran
Your Career Journey
Let's start with your professional story!
Can you tell us a bit about your career journey?
I spent over 20 years at Telstra in Sales and Account Management, working with some of the country’s largest enterprise clients. My focus was always on building long-term relationships, driving growth, and delivering value. Along the way, I was fortunate to be recognised through programs like the High Performers and received a CEO Award for Customer Advocacy.
What mattered most, though, were the people. I got to work alongside some incredible team members and built strong friendships with senior executives. That’s what really shaped my passion for bringing people together and building trust through action.
After Telstra, I moved into Customer Success leadership at KnowBe4, a global cybersecurity leader. I started as a Customer Success Manager and stepped into the role of Regional Director for Oceania. I led teams managing over $8 million in revenue, improved churn, hit growth targets, and built new teams from scratch. I also restructured teams to work smarter and more effectively.
My career has always been about listening to the customer, understanding their challenges, and working together to find solutions that make a difference.
What led you to Taylor Made Sales?
I already had a strong working relationship with Leanne, so when the opportunity came up to join Taylor Made Sales, it felt like a natural next step.
What drew me in was the team’s clear purpose. TMS are true super connectors, focused on matching the right people, tech, and opportunities. That really resonated with me. It’s a space where I can bring my experience in strategic client relationships and complex tech landscapes to the table, and continue doing what I do best: creating value, building trust, and driving outcomes.
What’s the most rewarding part of your work?
Turning difficult customer relationships into trusted partnerships. There’s nothing better than knowing the work you’ve done has not only improved a client’s operations but actually helped save or create jobs within their organisation. 🫶
If you could give career advice to your younger self, what would it be?
Get into tech sales earlier. It’s a space that challenges you, grows you, and opens up opportunities you might never have imagined.😉
Beyond the Job—Let’s Get Personal!
A little fun to get to know you better!
If my life were a movie or TV show, it would be…
A business drama like Suits, but with less legal talk and more real-world client transformation. 👔
My go-to pump-up song before a big meeting is…
Hall of Fame by The Script.
It’s the perfect mix of energy and inspiration. It reminds me that when you’re prepared and believe in what you do, great things happen. 💪
If my life had a tagline, it would be…
Bringing people together. 🤝
Coffee, tea, or something stronger? (Bonus: How do you take it?)
Espresso Martini.
If we had a Taylor Made Sales talent show, my hidden talent would be…
Hopefully you’ll find out one day. 😏
Reflections on Your Career
Your take on work, growth, and the future!
What’s a memorable moment in your career that stands out?
Receiving a CEO Award for Customer Advocacy. That recognition meant a lot because it reflected the values I try to bring to every interaction.
What’s one thing you’ve learned in your career that you wish more people knew?
The foundation of great selling is honesty and empathy. Prioritise being a person of genuine value rather than self-importance. That’s how you build unshakeable trust, the kind that turns challenges into opportunities.
I often think of life, and especially a career, like a pack of cards. It’s a philosophy I try to live by:
Hearts (♡) represent building lasting relationships. These are the connections you nurture, the empathy you show, and the trust you earn with colleagues, clients, and partners. It’s about showing up for people and investing in them.
Spades (♠) symbolise hard work. There’s no substitute for rolling up your sleeves, planning carefully, and pushing through when it matters.
Clubs (♣) are for celebration. It’s recognising achievements, keeping morale high, and enjoying the journey. You work hard, and you take the time to celebrate the wins.
When you consistently play those three suits well: the Hearts of relationships, the Spades of hard work, and the Clubs of celebration, the Diamonds (♢) will follow.
To me, Diamonds represent the ultimate rewards: financial success, career progression, recognition, and real personal satisfaction. They’re not the goal, they’re the outcome of living and working with balance, intention, and integrity.
If Taylor Made Sales had an official playlist, which song must be on it?
Girl on Fire by Alicia Keys. That one speaks for itself. ❤️🔥
Imagine it’s 2035—what does a day in the life of a tech professional look like?We’ll be blending AI-driven strategy with holographic collaboration and human-first problem-solving. The tools will evolve, but the heart of it will still be about connection, innovation, and making things better. ✨
Did You Know?
Vijay’s alter ego is “The Oracle of Impact.” It reflects his commitment to making a meaningful, lasting impression in every interaction, whether at work or in life. He leads with purpose, earns trust through action, and always aims to leave things better than he found them, one thoughtful connection at a time.
From enterprise boardrooms to building high-performing teams across cybersecurity and tech, Vijay’s journey is all about trust, impact and connection. In his Team Taylor feature, he shares career lessons, card-game philosophies and the mindset behind his alter ego, The Oracle of Impact.
Keep an eye out for the next Team Taylor feature as we continue to celebrate the incredible people who bring Taylor Made Sales to life. 💖
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