In my entrepreneurial journey I have co-founded a few businesses and each new venture has at its core a relationship model. Each business is locked into a complex network of relationships with customers, suppliers and business partners. As leaders, we need to assess the relationship models in each business entity.
A very famous study established a startling truth that any two people in the world can connect to each other by less than 6 hops. A letter written to an unconnected person across the globe took only six change of hands to be delivered. The term six degrees of separation signifies this phenomenon.
There was an age where we could naively make friends in school and college. Gradually as we matured into adults, we found it difficult to fit into other’s perspective and share an equation. When we deal with people, we also deal with their underlying emotions, prejudices and hard-core beliefs that have evolved depending on their cultural upbringing and experiences.
Can one person bring about a change that can impact the world? We often think not and yet we have countless examples of people that have changed the world.
“Change is the only constant in life”, said a wise Greek philosopher and I agree. You cannot be standing still while the world around you is changing rapidly. Change is intimidating when done suddenly, so the trick is to begin with a tiny change and persistently build on that habit.
Edward De Bono’s famous book Six Thinking Hats outlines a very neat trick on dealing with change in everyday life. The hat you put on allows you to change your perspective of the situation thus warranting an appropriate response. You can be the same person, but your hat can let you change your behaviour.
When a set of extraordinary people come together, even an ordinary event can transform to an extraordinary experience. The highest priority of CorporateConnections™ is attracting the selected few that add to the extraordinary calibre of the chapter.
During the journey of my life and business, I have been fortunate to have mentors who helped me when I came at a crossroad not knowing how to go ahead. I value my mentors, and I am doing all I can to ensure that the people I mentor derive the same value from me.
A recent McKinsey research segments CoVid consumers in five distinct segments that I found very interesting. Read my article on these segments that can help you look at your post-pandemic markets in a different way.
The quest to reach the goal of perfection is not without its perils. In this article, I share my thoughts on why having a passion for perfection has its pitfalls.
A big thank you to Professor Neharika Vohra, IIM Ahmedabad for her very illuminating talk on Succession in Family Business: A Non-Western Model. I present to you the second part of the article outlining my take-aways from this very informative webinar. You may access the first part here https://lnkd.in/dedh-2F
CorporateConnections™ strives to bring professionals of high calibre and expertise to conduct seminars, workshops and training sessions devoted to a set of curated subjects. The recently held talk by Professor Neharika Vohra is one such educational event that members of CC found immensely valuable. I present to you a 2-part article outlining my take-aways from this very interesting and informative webinar.
I share with you the 5 traits of employees that catch my attention and then make it to the list of rising stars that I must nurture and grow.
A very interesting article in the HBR highlights the importance of staying relevant in current times where you are expected to work remotely. Job losses are going to be a sad outcome of the situation but you need to ensure that you do not lose a job because you did not pay heed to the five things that can keep you relevant even while you are working remotely.
The ideal concept of friendship is bartered to a more economical and practical world of acquaintances and colleagues. You feel that coming of age also means saying goodbye to meaningful relationships. I shared the same belief until CorporateConnections™ (CC) came in my life.
Banking On Banks was a well-received webinar organized to help businesses prepare for making the best of the initiatives announced by the Central Bank of UAE to ease the liquidity crisis. It was useful to any business in the world that wants to solicit support from their bankers during and after the crisis.
Scaling your Business begins with an ambition. You need an appetite for growth, it has to be part of your DNA because the race is not a sprint, but a marathon and what will keep you going is your everlasting vision and grit.
A business must keep growing year after year because maintaining status-quo will actually shrink the business. Growing is adding revenue while you are adding costs and scaling is growing revenue faster than your costs.
World over hope has started to return and we are getting back to work. Good news about an early cure is floating around and I am feeling more energised. I realize that before I jump into work right away, I must reflect on the lessons learned during the crisis and how I can incorporate that in my tomorrows.
RChemie is run by Shirish Patwardhan who has a rare distinction of serving almost any and all industries in UAE that need chemical raw materials and or speciality oils.
Jaber Abdul Wahab's experience and achievement belie his young age and he has featured in the Young Indian Visionary book released in 2018. CorporateConnections has multiple benefits and members are attracted to the group, by some or all benefits. Listen to what he has about CorporateConnections.
Listen to Shresht Sharma, on why he thinks CorporateConnections is the networking forum to be in. An MBA by education, Shresht helps businesses to register in UAE.
Leaders are not new to crisis management and these are the exact opportunities that leaders seek to exhibit their mettle. The current crisis has a unique distinction in that it is a common crisis faced by almost all leaders in the world at the same time. Leaders may have access to the strategies and approaches of other leaders, but it will be a lesson in leadership to see how each of them react in a common crisis.
I am working from home and so is a large portion of people around the globe. The #StayHome strategy is the safest bet to flatten the curve and help the health authorities to cope with the pandemic but we do not know, at this point, how long we will have to stay home and when the business will come back to normalcy.
Dhiral Doshi is our newest and youngest member just turned thirty-one and has been gathering experience since he was eighteen. Dhiral manages several businesses in South Sudan and made his debut in Dubai recently. We share with you a video where he tells why he joined CorporateConnections
CorporateConnections proffers multiple benefits and members are attracted to the group, by some or all benefits. Mohammed Sutarwala, Director of emQube, shares why he was convinced to join CorporateConnections. Watch this video to learn more CorporateConnections.
CorporateConnections means different things to different people. Listen to Ahmed Odeh, lawyer heading the law firm Mio Law on why he joined CorporateConnections.
Kiran Daryanani, Managing Director of Ultra Care shares with us her thoughts on made her join CorporateConnections. Watch the video to learn more.
Monish Ramchandani, founder of QCON General Trading LLC shares his motivation and objectives for joining CorporateConnections. Watch the video to learn more.
CorporateConnections means different things to different people. Listen to Satvinder Singh Bhatia, founder of the Platinum Group of Companies on why he joined CorporateConnections.
CorporateConnections was conceived to achieve a distinct need that BNI could not fulfill. Bijay Shah, the National Director of BNI, UAE does a value comparison between CorporateConnections and BNI. Watch the video to learn more.
Hani Alqasem, founder of the Arki Group, is the Vice-President of CC1. He shares with us his thoughts on why he joined CorporateConnections. Watch the video to learn more.
Business networking is not about seeking referrals but about building relationships. It is evident that it takes time to build a relationship but to build a meaningful relationship you need to have a deeper rapport, which in turn requires frequent conversations.
The success rate of businesses may depend on numerous factors in varying degrees of importance, but one key factor could be the ownership structure. When I looked for research on the success rate of sole proprietorship versus a partnership, I did not find credible evidence to prove that one is better than the other.
CorporateConnections proffers multiple benefits and members are attracted to the group, by some or all benefits. Our CC1 President, Atheeqe Ansari, Chairman of Electric Way, shares why he chose to join CorporateConnections. Watch this video to learn more CorporateConnections.
Business networking opportunities abound and while the most seasoned network-er navigates the room easily, many a stalwart falter when it comes to approaching a powerful person in the room. A strange nervousness comes over them and they float around without making a contact.
Getting through a list of important tasks during a day has its own challenges. The major obstacle to getting work done is the constant distraction of messages, be it email, or mobile notifications in the form of SMS alerts, WA messages, etc. The distractions, not only break your flow but also divert you away from important tasks.
Mastering Time is the first of the Triple X Series, which is a workbook of Business Tools to multiply your productivity by 3. It is your Business Toolbox 1.0.
Networking is a physical activity, but it does require some off-field preparation. It is a constant practice guided by a plan and backed by a strategy. I share with you some books that can be bought off Amazon and can help you to prepare and be a better networker.
Often when I am faced with a decision paralysis caused by loads and loads of data or when I have no reliable information to take a call, I rely on my guts. The question, is your gut feeling good enough, can only be answered if we keep a tab on the outcome of decisions taken on gut feelings vis-a-vis decisions based on hard facts.
The habit of micromanaging is hard to forego if you have been passionately involved in building your business scratch-up. You know it so intimately and are so passionate, that you believe it can only be done with your attention and instruction.
Surround yourself with people smarter than you and surely you will get smarter. In this video, I explain the primary benefits of becoming a CorporateConnections™ member.
Our global chapters are conduits for broadening your horizons and achieving your international aspirations. In this video, I explain how CorporateConnections™ worldwide chapters help in forging international connections.
Personal and professional growth continues unabated if you continue learning. In this video, I explain how CorporateConnections™ Learning and Development programs help members to keep growing.
CorporateConnections™ members act as a sounding board to resolve bottlenecks and brainstorm solutions that an individual member cannot. In this video, I explain PACT, a key benefit enjoyed by CorporateConnections™ members.
CorporateConnections™ is a global community of successful business leaders.
Change is the only constant thing in life and in business. If you think change management is critical for you, please join CorporateConnections™.
A true leader surrounds himself with people who are smarter than him and who challenge his belief systems. One such forum where you can meet such people is CorporateConnections™.
Success can extinguish the fire in your belly! If you want the fire to continue burning to surround yourself with successful people and propel your personal and business growth.
I am deeply thankful to you for this farewell video marking my 13+ year association with BNI. BNI has been instrumental in my growth and I am privileged to have received your help. I also feel humbled by the gratitude I earned, for the help I was able to give to you.
We may be at the highest step of the ladder in our job or maybe the sole owner of a large business, but we will always have someone a level higher than us. It is jokingly said that even the biggest of MD has higher authority in his wife at home.
As business owners, we start in a very small orbit, and as we grow we want to change our orbit. We want our business to serve more customers and have a higher utility. Personally we want to move away from tactics to strategy. And each change of orbit requires an effort.
Growing your circle must be foremost in your list of things to do when you start a new business. And I highlight the few areas that you may want to consider to join and engage in.
The Peer Advisory Counsel Team, popularly known as PACT is a focused activity to channelize the power of the group for a single individual. If you are familiar with Master Mind Groups you will easily understand the benefits of PACT as it is closely modeled on it.
Pun intended. I mean hold on to the urge to call a meeting. There is a growing body of research that points to the futility of meetings as they waste time and serve little purpose.
I have read the book long back and while I was going through it I realized that my first company was truly an outcome of a blue ocean strategy. We had created a new market without competition and had enjoyed the monopoly for many years that strengthened our foundation.
Growing your circle must be foremost in your list of things to do when you start a new business. And I highlight the few areas that you may want to consider to join and engage in.
A good quote can instill a good habit that a long lecture cannot. We all agree that a good manager must learn how to delegate and yet most managers balk when it comes to effective delegation. I share here a few quotes that I hope will drive home the benefits of delegation.
I started speaking English much later in life. As late as when I joined University for my undergraduate studies where the medium of instruction was English. It is widely spoken language in Mumbai, the city that I grew up, and English is also an official language of the Indian government.
This is a share from a recent HBR article on the concept of Servant Leader which I found aligned to my thoughts and I take the liberty to share it with you. Perhaps you also share similar views or are diametrically opposite to it. Do read it.
We meet a lot of people and yet not many remember us. Wonder why? Probably because the first meeting does not leave a lasting impression. In this 5-Point Podcast hosted by Mohammed Sutarwala, I outline the things that you must do to create a lasting impression in your very first meeting.
I recently read an article in the Harvard Business Review that got me thinking a little more about the productivity in my organization. The article was authored by Robert C. Pozen and Kevin Downey and it appeared in the March 2019 issue under the title: What Makes Some People More Productive Than Others
Organization building requires attention to many aspects such as structure, authority, responsibilities, talent and resources. What is often overlooked is the need for collaboration and cooperation of the different functional units that together make the whole.
We, as leaders, hold ourselves to a very high standard of performance and expect likewise from our managers and sub-ordinates. We have high expectations which at times may do more harm than good.
Corporate Connections (CC), a global network of business owners and C-Level executives is set to launch its first chapter in the UAE.
Dubai is the land of opportunity and is perceived as a launching pad for many entrepreneurial ventures. I share 5 tips on how not to fail a business in Dubai.
A networking event is an opportunity for people to meet new faces and build their connects. Most events can be turned into a networking event if the attendees devote some time to meeting strangers and establishing contact.
Read this article to know about always flying business class on an economy ticket. I have been doing this for many many years.
They say that for an organization to move forward it needs to have, first, a direction, and then an alignment of the entire team to that direction. Companies consult management gurus to help them set a direction, and the directions setting comes in many forms such as Vision, Mission, Goals, Purpose, et al.
Yes, it does. It’s important here to understand what Is meant by networking. It is any opportunity where you get to build the relationships with other people, and building relationships take time and effort. As long as we are ready to put in both, networking works. If you are looking for a quick gain, then networking benefits may be short lived.
Net Promoter Score has gained prominence in the last couple of years and is now the most preferred mode of tracking customer satisfaction. It expects the customer to answer a very simple question — “On a scale of 0 to 10, How Likely Are You to Recommend Us to a Friend or Colleague?”
Most of us have experienced the power of cross-promotion when we buy something online. If you buy a new phone you will most likely get a recommendation to buy a screen-guard or a fancy protective cover. Browsing a book of a particular author or genre will most likely result in recommendations for similar books.
As a business owner, you want to work on the business and not in the business, this allows you to focus on the bigger picture and help you accelerate the growth of your organization.
The word Feedback is getting a makeover, and is now being reborn as Feed-forward. The word back in feedback is supposedly pointing to the past, while it should be used to move forward.
Asking for help is OK and many a times a faster way to get answers that otherwise would take a circuitous route.
A conservative estimate shows that an average of 20 hours per week are spent in meetings in the corporate world, which account for almost 50% of work hours in a week.
A business to thrive needs a good word of mouth publicity which is only possible through loyal clients who refer you because you fulfill their needs to their expectations and sometimes beyond.
Re-reading a book is a good habit to cultivate and specially books with wisdom that is timeless. A book that I often refer to is Eat That Frog by Brian Tracy.
Meetings are the lifeblood of corporate life but they can be time-suckers and erode efficiency if not managed wisely. In this podcast get 5 Tips on Effective Meetings.
Let’s face it, a crisis is inevitable in the history of a company even with the best of times and management. There is little solace in lamenting the market, competition or internal factors. The first step is to recognize a crisis and to acknowledge that you have a crisis. And this is the time to show your leadership.
Business Networking popularity in Dubai can be gauged by the huge success of BNI (Business Network International), a forum for people to meet on a regular basis and share referrals. Besides such organised forums, a myriad of Business Networking events are arranged by event companies, business associations, and social communities.
CorporateConnections™ is a forum consisting of diverse set of business owners and the peer knowledge in the group can help you see the future much earlier. It can also help you crystallize your radical ideas.
I am at the top, but I am lonely. When we were growing I was able to interact with my team and align their ambitions to my company, but as I have personally developed at a rate faster, and my business has grown exponentially, I am at many leagues ahead of my team’s competence, culture, and capacity. I am lonely at the top.
2018 is coming to a close and managers across small and medium enterprises are scrambling to put together the business plan for 2019. It’s the time of the year while the world is ready to celebrate Christmas and making plans for the New Year Eve party, lot many CEOs and GMs across the city are burning the midnight oil putting together a credible plan that will meet the aspirations of the team and the scrutiny of the board.
Wait, now before you jump to a conclusion, this piece is not about getting out of business or going bankrupt. This is about making yourself obsolete in your current business so that you may start a new business or if at all, retire from work.
Maintaining discipline and compliance at work is a challenge for business leaders. In this podcast, I share with you 5 tips on how to manage errant behaviour at work.
I am a firm believer of Checklists and what made me a devotee is a book by a surgeon named Atul Gawande. His book The Checklist Manifesto revealed the power of checklists and how it could help me to move from Working In the Business to Working on the Business.
Forbes Middle East Special Edition in September 2018 was devoted to Logistics. I had the privilege to feature in this edition discussing the growth of relocation business of E-Movers.
Trust plays an important role in interpersonal relationships but after reading Stephen Covey's book - The Speed of Trust, I understood the economics of trust for a business organization and share with you some thoughts gleaned from this book.
Have you heard about Mastermind Groups? Mastermind Groups are peer advisory groups that help group members to gain from each others experience and expertise to resolve business bottlenecks.
Corporate Connections™ is a global community where leaders connect. In this podcast listen more about my new venture under the aegis of The Leaders Organization and the plans to launch the first chapter in UAE.
Ready to start your own business? Listen to this 5-Point podcast in which I outline the 5 common mistakes made during the inception of a new business.
Metcalfe's Law states that effect of a telecom network expands at a rate equal to the square of connected nodes (users) of the system. Though you may not be a scientific geek to decipher this, but note that this law holds good when it comes to a network of connected people.
The moving business has proven to be a recession proof business according to founding partner of E-Movers Chirantan Joshi, explaining how he built the business surviving the recession and expanding further into the GCC.
Eight years ago, Chirantan Joshi was an employee, but today he runs three very different companies with a business partner. He speaks about setting up his first, E-Movers, a removal company. - November 25, 2012
Starting a new business can be a daunting task. Having start a few myself, I share a few tips on how to get it rolling.
It was an honour to receive a citation for being a Young Indian Visionary and get included in the coffee-table book released by Innovative Media Group.
Have you been running away from Business Networking? Listen to my podcast on the 5 Myths of Networking to learn how to capitalize the benefits of networking
In this episode of my 5-point podcast I discuss the 5 things to look for when hiring new talent. This insight may also help those who appear for interviews in any organization.
Six Degrees of Separation postulates that two strangers are connected to each other with no more than six intermediaries. In this blog I how to make this a little shorter.
I share with you a very brief corporate video of E-Movers. It has grown into one of the largest relocation company in the region with ISO Certification and accreditation by FIDI/IAM for our Dubai operations.
The moving business has proven to be a recession proof business according to founding partner of E-Movers Chirantan Joshi, explaining how he built the business surviving the recession and expanding further into the GCC. - Zawya
In conversation with Vit Kodousek, Executive Producer, kb4East, on creating a new business ground up. The interview covers a wide range of topics relating to entrepreneurship.
I am a great devotee of Jim Collins and attribute a good part of my success to his book 'Good to Great'. I share in this blog how I applied his teachings to grow my companies.
