In this episode, we explore a unique entrepreneurial journey.

In 2003, Gautam Singh made the bold decision to leave his corporate career and found The Smart Cube. Over the next 20 years, he built it into a leader in the analytics space. In 2023, after two decades of growth and success, he chose to exit and transition into a new leadership role at WNS.

This conversation provides valuable insights on long-term growth, overcoming challenges, and making bold, strategic decisions.

Key Highlights:

The Leap from Corporate to Entrepreneurship:

Hear how a background in corporate work influenced the decision to start The Smart Cube and the challenges faced during the transition.

The Importance of Self-Belief:

Self-belief was crucial for success. Even when things didn’t go as planned, confidence in the ability to learn and adapt was key.

Building a Lasting Business:

Discover the strategies and long-term vision that allowed The Smart Cube to grow steadily over two decades.

Facing Major Challenges:

Stories of overcoming challenges, including a client attempting to poach the entire team and navigating a near-collapse of the business.

The Power of Relationships:

Building strong relationships, rather than focusing on sales, was key to long-term success.

Exit Strategy and Transition Back to Corporate:

After 20 years, the decision to exit opened up new opportunities for scaling within WNS while maintaining an entrepreneurial mindset.

NOTABLE QUOTES

🎤 “If you believe in yourself, taking the plunge isn’t a risk—it’s an investment.”

🎤 “I’ve always said, if I’m not having fun, I’ll do something else. And every day, I wake up excited for what’s ahead.”

🎤 “Perseverance is the most important trait you need as an entrepreneur.

🎤 “Building relationships, not pushing sales, is what truly drives long-term success.”

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If you enjoyed this chat, please Download this episode, and SUBSCRIBE to this Show, so you do not miss any new conversations with my amazing guests!

If you want to support the show, go to https://boldconsciousconnections.captivate.fm/support and you can either become a member, or leave a one off donation!

If you have a burning desire to be an entrepreneur, and you feel like you are at the end of your corporate career, reach out for a quick chat with me at:

https://calendly.com/rhp1955/discovery-call-with-raju-panjwani

DON'T FORGET YOUR FREE GIFT FROM ME TO YOU! LINK at bottom...

In this episode of Bold Conscious Connections, I spoke with Lina Bilkha, a global consultant and coach with over 30 years of experience in Diversity and Inclusion.

Lina has worked across India, the UK, Indonesia, and Europe, coaching over 5000 senior leaders from more than 20 nationalities. We delve into her journey from academia to global consulting, her expertise in navigating cross-cultural complexities, and her strategies for overcoming imposter syndrome.

Lina’s insights are a must-listen for entrepreneurs and leaders looking to navigate the challenges of today’s global business environment with boldness and conscious leadership.

Key Highlights:

Journey from Academia to Consulting:

Lina shares her transition from being a language professor in India to becoming a global consultant, highlighting the importance of continuous learning and adaptability.

Navigating Cross-Cultural Complexities:

Insights into how cultural differences impact leadership and the strategies Lina uses to help leaders understand and manage these challenges effectively.

Overcoming Imposter Syndrome:

Lina opens up about her experiences with imposter syndrome and discusses how she navigated these feelings throughout her career, providing valuable advice for others facing similar challenges.

Balancing Personal and Professional Life:

Lina discusses the fusion of personal and professional challenges, particularly during times when she was managing family health issues while maintaining her consulting career.

The Power of Cultural Awareness in Leadership:

Real-life examples of how cultural misunderstandings can derail business relationships and the critical role of cultural awareness in building trust and successful teams.

Notable Quotes:

🎤 "I'm a people's person and I'm a learner."

🎤 "You can't separate the personal and the professional. Somehow they get fused."

🎤 "I think we women very often suffer a little bit with this imposter syndrome. I did, and I still sometimes do, suffer from it."

🎤 "Life’s experiences are the book that has taught me the most. I think more than any other book."

🎤 "If corporate leaders focus on the people who work with them in every respect—personal, professional—they will be fine."

Resources and References:

Talking Talent – A global firm specializing in Parental Transition Coaching and Leadership Development Coaching. Talking Talent

Cross Culture Consulting – Consulting services focused on cultural agility and leadership development.

EdpowerU – Workplace behavior and leadership development offerings focused on enhancing productivity, performance, and retention.

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If you enjoyed this chat, please Download this episode, and SUBSCRIBE to this Show, so you do not miss any new conversations with my amazing guests!

If you want to support the show, go to https://boldconsciousconnections.captivate.fm/support and you can either become a member, or leave a one off donation!

If you have a burning desire to be an entrepreneur, and you feel like you are at the end of your corporate career, reach out for a quick chat with me at:

https://calendly.com/rhp1955/discovery-call-with-raju-panjwani

In this exclusive episode, I had yet another chance to host Henrik De Gyor, a renowned consultant, podcaster, author, and speaker. Known for his pioneering work in remote entrepreneurship, Henrik shares pivotal moments that defined his journey and the bold decisions that shaped his approach to remote work long before it became a global necessity.

{Note: If you are interested in my chat with Henrik about AI from 18 months ago, go to Episode # 51, here}

1. Early Adoption of Remote Work:

Henrik De Gyor started working remotely as early as 2000, well before the widespread adoption triggered by the COVID-19 pandemic. His early experiences in journalism required him to work on-site for stories, but he filed reports remotely, marking the beginning of his remote work journey.

2. The Impact of COVID-19:

The pandemic accelerated the shift to remote work, forcing businesses to adapt quickly. While some companies resisted initially, the necessity of remote work demonstrated its feasibility and benefits, despite ongoing resistance to return-to-office mandates.

3. Productivity and Collaboration:

Henrik emphasizes that remote work does not hinder productivity or collaboration. The real challenge lies in the justification for maintaining expensive commercial real estate and traditional office politics. Remote work reduces commuting times, travel expenses, and unnecessary in-person meetings, leading to more efficient operations.

4. Building a Remote Company Culture:

Fostering a strong remote company culture is possible with the right strategies. Effective communication, scheduling, and the use of proper tools are crucial. Henrik highlights the importance of respecting time zones and standardized tools to ensure smooth operations and team cohesion.

5. Adapting Leadership Styles:

Leadership in a remote environment requires adjustments and new skills. Henrik stresses the importance of communication, tool proficiency, and learning. Leaders must be willing to ask for help, learn new technologies, and set clear expectations and follow-ups to ensure accountability and trust.

6. Overcoming Challenges:

Henrik discusses common challenges such as tool standardization and inter-departmental communication. Overcoming these challenges involves selecting the right tools, consolidating systems, and ensuring clear communication across the organization.

7. Future of Work Models:

Henrik predicts that remote work will continue to grow, especially as the commercial real estate market faces potential downturns. While hybrid models will exist, the trend will lean more towards remote work, driven by the benefits of flexibility and efficiency.

8. Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs:

For entrepreneurs, Henrik advises leveraging remote work to optimize resources and talent. He suggests using cloud-based tools and avoiding unnecessary office expenses. Embracing remote work can lead to significant cost savings and access to a global talent pool.

🎤 "Remote work does not hamper productivity or collaboration at all. What it does hamper is the justification for commercial real estate spend."

🎤 "If most secure environments -- and let's talk government --military can do this remotely, we can too."

🎤 "The real challenge is not remote work itself, but the resistance to adapt and evolve office cultures and leadership styles."

• Henrik De Gyor’s Website: