Zoho Corporation founder and CEO Sridhar Vembu has responded to his company's messaging application Arattai falling out of the top 100 apps list, describing the development as a normal part of business growth while dismissing critics who are focusing on the temporary setback.
Long-term Perspective Over Short-term Rankings
In an exclusive interview with ANI, Vembu addressed concerns about Arattai's recent performance and questions surrounding WhatsApp testing a feature that would enable users to message people on other platforms. The tech leader firmly stated that nothing has gone wrong with their strategy and challenged the very notion that the ranking drop indicates failure.
"There's nothing going wrong. I think, first of all, the idea that something went wrong is what is wrong. It is a normal course of events. Nothing goes straight to the moon. You have to go through these ups and downs," Vembu explained during the conversation.
Zoho's Decade-Long Messaging Strategy
Vembu emphasized that successful companies maintain a long-term vision rather than reacting to temporary market fluctuations. He revealed that Zoho has been working on messaging technology for an impressive ten years, making the recent one-month ranking drop insignificant in the broader timeline.
"The trick to companies that survive is they have a long-term view on this. In fact, I never thought the number one ranking is anything big. In fact, I literally told our employees, this is a particular moment, it won't last," the CEO added, demonstrating his realistic approach to business growth.
The Zoho founder pointed out that his team remains focused on development rather than distractions. "That's why I simply don't pay attention. And the people who pay attention and making fun of this, they are wasting their time. That's all I'll say. We are not wasting time. I am sitting and we are sitting and focused on code."
Arattai: A Five to Fifteen Year Project
Vembu clarified that Zoho views Arattai as a long-term project spanning five to fifteen years rather than a short-term venture chasing immediate popularity. This perspective aligns with the company's overall approach to product development and market positioning.
"Our strategy in all this, the messaging is very core. And we have been working on it for 10 years. So this one month is nothing for us. We will continue this and we have a really strong app. It's getting stronger," Vembu stated confidently.
The company plans to roll out frequent updates to enhance Arattai's features and user experience. Vembu also highlighted the importance of credible competition in the messaging app market to prevent monopolistic practices.
"If we don't have competition, you can't keep the monopolist honest. The only thing that keeps a monopolist honest is competition," he argued, underscoring the vital role that alternative platforms like Arattai play in maintaining a healthy digital ecosystem.
The response from Zoho's leadership demonstrates a mature approach to product development in the highly competitive messaging application space, focusing on sustainable growth rather than temporary market positions.
