Where is Service in Software-as-a-Service (SaaS)?
Like many entrepreneurs of my generation, I was always in awe of SaaS business model. And of course, wanted to build one. In fact I got an opportunity to see some of these companies being built from close quarters due to my part-time angel investing career, and in a couple of cases, a little more […]
The Art of Leadership: Balancing Strategy and Execution
“If I get into this granular level, how will I scale? Let me hire the best people and let them do their job.” “I understand this problem the best, hence I am the best one to do or guide it.” These are two extreme posture by Founders, and Senior Leaders. One is glass-office, death-by-excel management; […]
Why do the best laid plans fail?
I am not the most organised person. But there are some fundamental ideas about planning that I learned through reflection. 1) Short-Term vs. Long-Term Expectations: We often expect too much from ourselves in the short term and too little in the long term. This disbalance creates unrealistic timelines, which can trigger frustration and negative emotions […]
Strategy vs. Planning :: The Compass vs. The Map
In business, the terms “strategy” and “planning” are often thrown around interchangeably. But they are not the same. Think of your business plan as the road map. It lays out the steps, milestones, and resources you’ll need to reach your destination. It’s all about execution and ensuring you cover the necessary ground. But what happens […]
The Secret Sauce to Growth: Hiring Right Sales Talent
When it comes to driving growth, hiring exceptional sales and growth talent is non-negotiable. We all know the usual skills that we should look at. Yet, there are a few critical skills that one often overlooks during the hiring process. These can be the difference between a rainmaker and an average hire. 1) Positive Energy: […]
Capital vs. Talent: What Really Drives Growth in Scaling Businesses?
When scaling a growth-stage company, it’s easy to assume that capital is the kingpin. I always used to think this in the early days of Indus Net Technologies (INT.) But let’s rethink this for a moment. Yes, capital is crucial, but I argue that talent is the real game changer. Here’s why: Imagine you have […]
The Art of Decision-Making: Mental Models vs. First Principles
In today’s fast-paced world, making timely and effective decisions is crucial. Indecision can lead to missed opportunities, wasted resources, and stagnation. Two powerful approaches to problem-solving are Mental Models and First Principles Thinking. Each has its merits, but how do we choose which to use in a given situation? One fun way to decide is […]
Empowering the Frontline: The Key to Digital Transformation Success
Why are some of the most amazing products not delivering ROI? Keyword is adoption The question is WIIFM (What’s in it for me?) Most of the time software is bought by senior management, who want the frontline workers to key in information from ground zero, and get all insights in their glass office to make […]
Biology – Chemistry – Physics – Maths of Startup Investing
Everyone has their own investment philosophy. And someone as versatile and active as Rohit Chanana had to have a very interesting one. I met him at DLF Golf Resort Ltd in Gurgaon recently, and this is what I learned from him. Angel investing is all about investing in the founder. And this is how they […]
The Science of Sales Performance Management: Sales – Effort vs. Booking vs. Cashflow
If you are selling to an enterprise, managing sales performance needs you to understand two important concepts: – Leading and lagging indicators – Sales cycle and cash cycle It is very common that leaders create an aggressive sales plan with their team, only to realise towards the end of the financial year that they have […]
