Summary

In this conversation, Charu Purohit, an experienced HR professional, discusses various aspects of working in HR and the challenges faced in different work environments. She shares insights on choosing a career in HR, maintaining work-life balance, and the differences between working from home and working in an office. Charu also highlights the importance of mentoring and the challenges of remote working. She emphasizes the need for startups to focus on building a strong culture from the beginning and offers advice on compensation and benchmarking in startups. Overall, the conversation provides valuable insights for HR professionals and startup founders. The conversation explores various strategies for startups to attract and retain talent in a competitive market. It emphasizes the importance of personalized experiences and customizations, taking inspiration from companies like Netflix and Amazon. The discussion also delves into compensation strategies for startups, highlighting the flexibility they have in offering equity and variable pay. The concept of a high risk, high gain model is introduced, suggesting that startups can design compensation plans that align with their risk profile. Tying compensation to performance is discussed as a win-win approach, providing confidence to candidates and incentivizing performance. The conversation concludes with the idea of rewarding loyalty over time to address the flux of people in startups.

Takeaways

• Choosing a career in HR requires considering the potential for growth and the opportunity to make a difference.
• Maintaining work-life balance is crucial, and starting the day with a clear plan can help increase productivity.
• Remote working has its challenges, including blurred boundaries and the need for self-discipline.
• Building a strong culture is essential for startups, and it should be a priority from the beginning.
• Startups can compete with established companies by hiring for potential and empowering their employees.

In this episode (part 1), Priyom converses with Rahul Agarwal, Ideal Insurance's founder and CEO. Rahul traces his path from CFA to launching an insurance brokerage. He delves into challenges, his success strategy, and highlights bootstrapping. Rahul emphasizes trust-building, underscores the role of belief and sales expertise, and reveals how Ideal Insurance identified its target audience and focus.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction

01:17 Rahul's Journey into Insurance

03:11 Starting Ideal Insurance

03:48 Secret to Rahul's Success

04:30 Bootstrapping and Funding

05:44 Building Trust with Customers

08:00 Belief and Expertise in Sales

09:38 Target Audience and Focus

In our latest podcast episode, we delved into the world of empowering leadership and explored the profound connection between people and technology. Our guest, Doron, is no ordinary technical leader. With a rich history of product building and team leadership, his journey is an inspiring tale of empowerment and passion for technology.

Doron's approach to leadership is a breath of fresh air. For him, it's not about authority; it's about empowering individuals to thrive. He believes in leading by example, actively listening, and fostering an environment where everyone's talents can shine.

His extensive career path includes serving in the Israeli Army's technology combat unit, co-founding CityOwls, and holding leadership roles at renowned companies like Apple, OpenTable, and more. Each experience has contributed to his unique perspective on team-building and technology scaling.

But there's an exciting twist in this episode. Doron unveiled a remarkable hiring hack that's bound to transform your approach to building strong, dynamic teams. In a world where talent is everything, this insight is gold.

Join us as we unravel the secrets of empowering leadership and discover a game-changing hiring strategy. Stay tuned for the full episode where Doron shares his expertise, insights, and a powerful vision for the future of leadership and technology. 🚀

In today's episode we speak to Manuel Schoenfeld, founder and CEO of PowerX. PowerX is a hardware-enabled AI company with the mission to combat climate change.

Power X (https://powerx.co/) was voted one of the top 10 Y Combinator companies in 2023 and is backed by a team of world-class VC funds, including Antler, Phoenix, Pioneer, Liquid2, Sequoia Scouts, Springtide, Y Combinator, and others.

PowerX has installed thousands of hardware units to save energy, water, and reduce carbon emissions. The company serves some of the world’s leading brands.

Before establishing PowerX, Manuel spent several years working for McKinsey and Company. He advised governments and the private sector on innovative energy solutions such as Power-to-X, hydrogen-to-chemicals, and solar-to-cooling. He worked with clients from all continents. Prior to joining McKinsey, Manuel held positions at the World Bank and Morgan Stanley Hong Kong, focusing on renewable energy and intelligence testing. He authored various books and articles that have been cited in reputable publications, including the World Development Report 2018 (World Bank, United Nations). He was a McCloy Scholar at Harvard University, receiving Germany’s most highly endowed scholarship. He also earned the Van Beek Scholarship at the Wharton Business School and was a Haniel and Studienstiftung scholar. Manuel pursued additional studies in Chinese, data science, and international development at the University of Heidelberg and the Rotterdam School of Management, where he achieved the highest grade average in the institution's history. Before attending Harvard, Manuel worked in Somalia, Saudi Arabia, China, and India. He served as the Chief Information Officer of a global humanitarian aid organization and was an advisor at the World Bank and the Ministry of Labor of Saudi Arabia.

In this episode we uncover what it takes to build a remote first company spread across the world especially in the hardware domain.

Listen to this episode to lean about how PowerX built a mission driven culture fit for a remote workforce.

We also uncover some amazing secrets on how to acquire your initial customers and attract your first few employees as a startup.

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Asanify makes is super simple to manage and pay your employees and international contractors.

Learn more about Asanify here: https://asanify.com/get-started/

Podcast Episode Summary

Step into the captivating world of venture capital in another insightful episode of "Simplify Work With Asanify." Join Priyom Sarkar, the visionary founder of Asanify, as he engages in an enthralling conversation with Dhritiman, a renowned Venture Capitalist, to unravel the inner workings of this dynamic industry.

Episode Highlights:

• Embark on a journey of discovery as they explore the pathway to enter the esteemed VC industry. Dhritiman unveils the secrets to success, emphasizing the power of networking, the pursuit of domain expertise, and the art of adaptability.
• Venture capital has witnessed an extraordinary evolution over the years, and our guests delve deep into its transformative journey. Discover how the VC landscape has expanded beyond tech startups, embracing diverse sectors such as healthcare and fintech.
• Unveiling the veil of mystery, Priyom and Dhritiman shed light on the discerning lens of a Venture Capitalist. Venture capitalists meticulously analyze various facets before making investment decisions.
• Journey deeper into the discussion as Priyom and Dhritiman draw compelling parallels between the roles of VCs and entrepreneurs. Uncover the shared DNA of calculated risks, strategic decision-making, and an unwavering passion for growth.
• As the episode unfolds, the curtain is lifted on the captivating daily life of a senior VC professional. Explore a world where evaluating pitches, conducting meticulous due diligence, and staying ahead of market trends are the norm.

Unlock the wisdom hidden within this episode of "Simplify Work With Asanify" and gain a deeper understanding of the intricate workings of venture capital. Prepare to be inspired by Dhritiman's vast experience and discover the remarkable parallels between VCs and entrepreneurs. Join us on this enlightening journey and embrace the power of venture capital to shape the future.

Asanify makes is super simple to manage and pay your employees and international contractors.

Get started with Asanify here: https://asanify.com/get-started/

Follow Dhritiman on LinkedIn here: linkedin.com/in/dhritimanhui/

Welcome to another wonderful episode of our Podcast: Simplify Work With Asanify!

Today, our Founder, Priyom Sarkar is in conversation with Ramashis Biswas on how to become a CHRO.

Ramashis heads HR, Legal and Finance departments at StaderLabs - one of the most prominent startups in the Blockchain industry. Ramashis is an MBA from the Indian School of Business and is also a SHRM Senior Certified Professional.

In this podcast, they talk about various fascinating topics that define the path to becoming a Chief Human Resources Officer (CHRO).

We explore Ramashis' journey from where he started from a business role, launched his own startup imemdiately after MBA, worked in the glamorous world of M&A and then took the big leap of leading the HR function. Ramashis previously also worked with Shuttl which was one of India's largest startups in the transportation space.

In this episode, Ramashis and Priyom discuss:

• How does a stint in a business role help any HR professional appreciate business
• How can an aspiring HR professional hope to make the leap to becoming and HR in their career
• What are the KPIs for an HR head/ CHRO
• What is a typical day in the life of a CHRO
• What are the top tools used by HR leaders
• and many more things...

Asanify makes is super simple to manage and pay your employees and international contractors.

Get started with Asanify here: https://asanify.com/get-started/

Follow Ramashis on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ramashisb

Podcast Episode: Unlocking Success in the Digital Age - A conversation with Sarthak Ahuja.

Join host Priyom Sarkar, Co-Founder and CEO of Asanify, as he engages in a dynamic conversation with Sarthak Ahuja.

• Sarthak Ahuja: Investment Banking M&A expert, Virtual CFO, Author, and ISB Gold Medalist
• Priyom Sarkar: Seasoned entrepreneur and host of the show

In this captivating episode, they explore key topics such as:

• Finance and Consulting
• Start-up Tips
• Deal Advisory
• Start-up Funding

Discover how CA and other professional services firms can leverage technology to transform their operations and boost their market presence. Learn valuable insights on:

• Adopting technology to enhance client servicing
• Market positioning and effective branding
• Automating processes with Asanify's HR and Payroll software
• Opening new revenue streams through streamlined operations

Be inspired as Sarthak shares his expertise and actionable strategies to succeed in the digital age. Gain insights from his book, "Daily Coffee & Startup Fundraising", a comprehensive guide to starting up and raising funds in India.

Don't miss this enlightening conversation that combines the insights of Sarthak Ahuja and the expertise of Priyom Sarkar, as they navigate the intersection of technology, finance, and business growth.

Asanify makes is super simple to manage and pay your employees and international contractors.

Get started with Asanify here: https://asanify.com/get-started/

Check out Sarthak's book here: Daily Coffee and Startup Fundraising

Welcome to Episode 1 of our Podcast: Simplify Work With Asanify!

Today, our Founder, Priyom Sarkar is in conversation with Deepanshu Malviya. Deepanshu is an alumnus of IIT Kanpur and ISB. He is also the former Co-founder of Shuttl and has recently started his new venture, Misfits. From starting his career as an engineer who is extremely passionate about coding to realising his dream as an entrepreneur, his journey has been nothing short of a rollercoaster. 

In this podcast, we dive deep into the fascinating journey of an engineer-turned-founder who dared to disrupt the traditional transportation industry with his revolutionary ideas. We take you through his journey which started out way back when he graduated from ISB in 2006, then moved to Jabong, started Shuttl and now is finally working on his most recent and newest idea which is Misfits!

We will explore Deepanshu’s journey from ideation to launch as he shares his valuable insights on how he turned his vision into a reality, how he came up with the idea of Shuttl, the challenges he faced and how he overcame these obstacles and reached where he is today!

A journey of an entrepreneur and his or her startup is never an easy one. The path is filled with ups and downs. But what sets successful entrepreneurs apart is their ability to take calculated risks, persevere through challenges, and continuously adapt to changing circumstances. And that is exactly what Deppanshu did during Shuttl. Over multiple iterations after their initial idea of a startup around content, they finalized a business idea that helped many people in their daily commute, through Shuttl’s intra-city transportation system.

“Early on we wanted to make sure that anyone who is joining us, knows what we are trying to do and is aligned with what we are trying to do. Because early on, honestly, all a startup has, are its co-founders. You know, largely, so for an employee joining any person at least early on, is not only joining Shuttl right, he or she is joining Deepanshu or joining Amit”

~ Deepanshu Malviya, Former co-founder of Shuttle and Founder of Misfits

Deepanshu also talks to us about how, as startups, especially early-stage ones, hiring new talent can be challenging. Employees do not join a company’s brand name, because the brand isn’t well established yet. They essentially join the founder or co-founder. It’s a matter of trust between the new employee and the core team of the start-up. Deepanshu talks about how he and his co-founder Amit, created a hiring process for Shuttl in such a way that over the first 3 years, they themselves interviewed (at some point during the hiring process) every single employee who was onboarded. And, if interviewing every single new joinee was logistically challenging, they made sure to at least have a conversation, maybe over lunch with them, to ensure that there was a culture fit between Shuttl and the new employee.

Overall, Deepanshu’s journey as a startup founder is proof of the power of persistence, innovation, and hard work. He is an inspiration to anyone who is looking to make a difference in the world through entrepreneurship, and we are excited to see where his vision and passion will take him in the future.

In today’s episode, Deepanshu talks about the things that lead him to become an Entrepreneur, what his journey with Shuttl was like, and how he ended up starting his latest company Misfits. So, whether you're an engineer looking to take the leap into entrepreneurship, a startup founder navigating the challenges of growth or simply curious about what it takes to make it in the world of entrepreneurship, we hope you find this episode to be informative and thought-provoking!

Asanify makes is super simple to manage and pay your employees and international contractors.

Get started with Asanify here: https://asanify.com/get-started/

Check out Misfits journey here: https://www.misfits.zone/

Follow Deepanshu here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/deepanshu-malviya/