Venkat Raghavan G

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A very relevant article by Anurag Behar, CEO of Azim Premji Foundation & well summarised by Viswanaathan R. Sir. The journey of an NGO is extremely tough, taking many arrows in a day, managing various stakeholders right from the funder, government officials, permits and so many compliances. Funders should be sensitive of this & offer the best support make the projects efficient. As rightly mentioned in the article, funders should not realize that the association is a T20 cricket game- A) You cannot get immediate results. Social issues are far more complex than a cricket game, responses are unpredictable, uncontrollable factors & the interactions between factors are infinitely complex. B) Funders should not push for numbers. This is because of ignorance or underestimation of the fact that social-human interventions do not scale in industrial mode. They must worked upon person by person, context by context C) Funders should support projects for a long term impact by associating their support otherwise many initiatives are shut down due to short frame association. Even the surface of social issues cannot be scratched within such time frames D) Do not micromanage small deliverables. Be flexible in your approach, this keeps the association strong E) Each NGO runs with some employees just like any other organisation. If this is not sustained, the funders cannot be assured of the impact of the project. They need to have an open mindset of supporting onground resources. Hope we are able to sensitize many funders through these learning’s & make NGOs more impactful. They need to value the immense hardwork and the challenges which every NGO faces on a daily basis trying to address social issues & make the society more equitable. #NGOs #Changemakers #makefundinginclusive #sustainable #longtermimpact

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🎙️ Podcast #10: Alchemy of Transformation of India with R Balasubramaniam Dr R Balasubramanian is a member of #Indian Prime Minister’s HR Capacity Building Commission; author of “Power Within: The Leadership Legacy of #NarendraModi” and eight other books. A former Rhodes Professor at Cornell University, he is founder of Swami #Vivekananda Youth Movement (SVYM). Dr R Balasubramaniam is author of the definitive #leadership analysis of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, through the Indic wisdom and legendary characters. He became a doctor but chose to live among tribes in the jungles of Mysore because he was driven by the belief of “seeing god in everyone”. His quest to find solutions to problems of indigenous tribes took him to #Harvard, #Cornell and write books. But he found that the treasures he sought in IVY League Universities were to be discovered within the same tribal communities of Mysore. I sat down with him to understand how PM Modi is changing modern India: 💡 The West standardizes knowledge in order to replicate it. However, the solutions in the East are bespoke, creative and so applying western models kills creativity of locally discovered solutions 💡 India & Pakistan should not ape western #management #philosophy and look inwards to the models of our own #leadership. In case of India, it is the likes of Arjuna, Krishna, Chanakya 💡 PM Modi’s agenda is 4Ps: Profit – People – Planet – Peace, based on a “crucible moment” in his early life when he was moved by empathy of a cow that refused to eat and died because of death in family of its owners 💡 #Article370 annulment was driven by a national need for #inclusivity, and having one constitution not two, having one PM not two because there cannot be two systems within one country. We will need to review PM Modi’s actions and legacy in 5 years, if his stated claim of inclusion holds true. #SwamiViveananda #NarendraModi #India #SouthAsia #SocialEntrepreneurship #Leadership #Transformation #Bureacracy #Demonetization #Article370 #Gujrat #PublicService #Development #SocialProgress #Inclusivity #Culture #Impact #HarvardKennedySchool #Adaptability #sustainability Listen and Subscribe 👍 #Podcast #AlchemyofTransformation in 1st Comments Below.

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As we get set for the third Nexus of Good Annual Awards, I recall how it was the interaction with organizations like Akshay Patra, Humana India , Akshara, Lend-A-Hand India and the wonderful work done by these organizations that gave me the idea of Nexus of Good . This article in Indica News is all about the evolution of Nexus of Good movement that has come a long way. https://lnkd.in/gxSDqyKV

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🌟 Exciting News! 🌟 I had the privilege of being interviewed by the JSW One MSME platform to discuss "Elevating MSMEs through Systems and Processes." In this conversation, I dive into the importance of structured processes for improving team performance, boosting profitability and laying a strong foundation for growth. Whether you're looking to streamline operations or unlock new growth opportunities, this interview is packed with insights and actionable advice for SME business owners. 📽️ Watch the full interview here: https://lnkd.in/dj7v6xkH Your thoughts and feedback are always welcome, and I hope you find value in the discussion. #MSME #BusinessProcessConsulting #SystemsAndProcesses #SMEGrowth #SOPs #BusinessSuccess

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Sonata Software recently invited me to contribute at their "Building a #Resilient Workforce: Strategies for Success" event. This was a panel discussion anchored by the effervescent and impactful Shubhra Singh and my co-panelists were their CDO Suresh HP and their Head of Corporate Development Sharmila Sherikar, both exceptionally well-read and articulate leaders. With Co-travellers so named, challenge number one was not even the topic, it was getting my tongue to navigate the "S" and "Sh" sound when my geographical ethnicity does not allow for it :-) On to the topic at hand. Shubhra moderated the session extremely well with her forceful and well-directed questions making us better panelists in the process. The first question that defined the boundaries of our conversation was "Why do we need a resilient workforce?" To me, resilience is fundamentally our ability to #navigate through and bounce back from adversity. Organizations that don't anticipate adversity can perhaps do without a resilient workforce. In a world in the middle of a #climatecrisis, chasing some 17 sustainable development goals, facing an existential #AI opportunity, and growing to 10 billion people, addressing adversity is how we will progress into a very challenging future. The next question allowed us to define resilience for the 300 strong audience. How does collaborative and cross-functional teamwork contribute to resilience of individual employees. How do leaders contribute to a culture of resilience? Resilience has two core ingredients: #Strength and #Elasticity. Strength comes from the individual and the community. The strength of the community is what prevents a culture from turning toxic. Hence, I would say cross functional / collaborative teamwork is the absolute essence of resilience. Elasticity is the ability to stretch which comes from both the individual and the organisation as well as from a strong sense of purpose they carry. The difference between #toxicworkplaces and purpose driven workplaces is that the latter stretch people to their elastic limits but no more. Leaders fashion #purpose on the fertile soil of #culture. I believe that there are two extremes of #culture that leaders navigate - a sharp elbowed culture and a warm chested culture. They also navigate two extremes of purpose - the ambiguous and the ambitious. The intersection of warm chested as well as ambitious culture is where breakthrough #innovation thrives. Similarly, warm chested and ambiguous tends to give us a Don Quixotic organisation...quite well meaning but essentially useless. [Covering the entire discussion is best left for another day.] However, this forced me to dig deep and seriously introspect as a Founder to find answers and I am grateful to team Sonata for listening-in and to Rashmi Prabha, Balaji Kumar and Samir Dhir for having me over.

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Such a delight addressing @ NATCON, 2024 a two day fantastic event themed as "India @2047: Human Capital for a developed India" . An absolute honor to share stage space with some mighty luminaries in the craft @SreekanthKArimanithaya TVRao T, @SampadaPachaury, Debashis (Deb Ashis) Chatterjee, @ShettySobinsKuriakose, Maj Pallavi Shivanna ACC ICF, @Dr.RamanRamachandran, @VinayRanjan, Prakrithi Shetty, @AnilKaushik, @SushirKumar @RohithBhat @AreffSalauroo, @KenVijayakumar -Chartered FCIPM Ahmed Ibrahim, Chartered MCIPD, CPHR, @Dr.PMeganathan @KamalBali, @RavindranathGumaste, @Richard Lobo @SantoshBhave, @NanjappaKG @aditya joshi @ShrinivasHn, Kena Shree @Nandita Gurjar Spoke on "Impact of technology and AI in shaping HR" My favorite part of my talk was playing the devil's advocate with the topic. "In all the hype created around technology and AI, that those two will be the game changers in the future, let us not forsake the human touch that is all so important for human progress." "We have not inherited the planet from our ancestors, but we just borrowed it from our children. And the generation next is already digitalized, and automated. In the name of tech progress. Are we going to automate them more, digitalize them more or do we understand our responsibility to humanize them more?" "Let's not just train them on Artificial Intelligence, but on Social Intelligence as well" "Let's not just empower them with Machine Language but with the Missing Language of love and care as well" "Let's not shape the future with technology but with empathy and community as well." "The future is safe if we teach our minds to innovate, but our hearts to elevate." Thank you so much Robert Cutinha for the invite, @Steevan Pinto, Chairman and Convenor of the conference for your hospitality, Asha A Pai for the co-ordination, Stelson for being my man Friday, and the entire team for your seamless professional touch #praisethelord #motivationalspeaker #corporatetrainer #HRM #Conferencespeaker #DJ #India #Speaker

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"Lessons from Political and Business Failures in India" The current state of affairs in India offers valuable lessons from both political and business perspectives. By examining the failures of the Indian National Congress and common business challenges, we can draw parallels and identify strategies for improvement. Here are some key insights: 1. Innovative Leadership Political Insight : The Indian National Congress has struggled with leadership, particularly in its reliance on Rahul Gandhi, whose leadership has not met expectations. Business Parallel : Similarly, businesses must be willing to replace underperforming leaders and products with more innovative and effective alternatives to stay competitive and relevant. 2. Vision and Mission Alignment Political Insight : The party's vision and mission should take precedence over individual leaders. Rahul Gandhi's leadership needs reevaluation to better align with the party’s broader goals. Business Parallel : Companies should prioritize their overarching vision and mission over individual agendas, ensuring that leadership decisions support long-term objectives. 3. Strategic Positioning Political Insight : The Congress party has often mispositioned its election campaigns and failed to connect with key issues that resonate with the electorate. Business Parallel : Businesses must avoid strategic missteps by accurately positioning their products and services to meet market demands and consumer needs effectively. 4. External Expertise and Innovation Political Insight : The Congress party could benefit from external training and hiring expert consultants to revamp its strategies and improve performance. Business Parallel : Companies should not hesitate to seek external expertise and foster a culture of innovation to drive growth and overcome challenges. 5. Connecting with the Masses Political Insight : Winning elections requires a deep understanding of and connection with the masses, proactively addressing their concerns rather than waiting for opponents to fail. Business Parallel : Businesses must actively engage with their customer base, understanding their needs and preferences to build loyalty and drive success. 6. United and Consistent Efforts Political Insight : The opposition's last-minute unity efforts often fail to translate into meaningful connections with voters. Business Parallel : Companies should maintain consistent and united efforts in their strategic initiatives, ensuring alignment and synergy across all levels of the organization. By learning from these political and business scenarios, we can better navigate challenges and seize opportunities. Let's work towards a future where both political stability and business success drive a stronger, more resilient India. #Leadership #BusinessChallenges #India #PoliticalReform #EconomicGrowth #Innovation #ADGGroup #ADGTech

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I figured India has its own JAM. Jan Dhan Yojana, Aadhaar, Mobile are not just tools but #lifelines, quietly powering everything from health to education in India. There’s something powerful happening in India—this sense of leveling the playing field, providing access to millions who were once left out. It all started with Aadhaar in 2009, but it’s so much more now. The JAM trinity (Jan Dhan Yojana, Aadhaar, Mobile) acted as a turning point for millions who were once outside the formal #financialsystem. Being an NRI, what fascinates me is how these #digitalservices are woven into the very fabric of daily life. They’re more than just apps—they’re tools for empowerment. In just six years, India achieved 80% financial inclusion, something the U.S. still struggles with despite all its advancements. India has come quite far in such a short time, driven by the incredible success of its Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI). We’ve definitely made strides in the US, for sure, but it feels like the systems here in India tackle problems at a scale and efficiency that we’re still working towards. #Digitalidentity is still more of an idea in the U.S. than a reality, and efforts like Co-WIN would face far more hurdles in implementation. The U.S. has its own strengths in innovation and technology. But it’s just that the approach here in #bharat feels much more people-centric, designed to address the immediate needs of a massive population. There's something powerful happening in India - a movement toward equity, access, and #empowerment. #dotSolved

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At a talk I gave yesterday in Goa on a directors certification organised by Indian Institute of Corporate Affairs one of the thoughts I shared "why do good boards make bad decisions". This was in the context of my earlier post on myths of corporate governance where I had pointed out that one common myth is that credentialed directors make superior fiduciary decisions #india #corporategovernance #decisionmaking #boardofdirectors

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The Mantra to Personal Mastery Recently at an IIM Udaipur conducted Management Development Program for Indus Towers managers, I anchored four sessions. We started with the overarching perspective of Leadership and personal mastery before drilling down to specifics of Power & influence in teams, Managing high performance teams and the Feedback & Delegation aspects in Team Dynamics. We ensured a surfeit of activities, Role Plays and Case Studies to deepen the learning through practice and Ideation. In one of the sessions, we were discussion the aspects of ‘Honouring one’s word’ and ‘Being Authentic’ as performance accelerators of a team. Several participants mentioned their reservations about this, as under: “If we become authentic and honour our word and others in the team do not do it, we would be taken advantage of and would be forced to do the work of others” “All this is good theory but just does not work in real life. The fact is the Management has perceptions of who are good versus who are bad and irrespective of whether we honour our word or not, the favoured ones would get rewarded in terms of promotions and bonus” In life, we are conditioned to judge others on moral and ethical yardsticks but remain quick to rationalize our own failings against the same yardsticks. We look around to try and determine who all are ‘honouring their word’ and tell ourselves that we would wait for others to honour and keep their word before we keep our own. As Chris Argyris had said about self-deception, ‘Put simply, people consistently act inconsistently, unaware of the contradiction between the way they think they are acting and the way they really act.’  To gain the ability to honour our own word. We should be prepared to deeply deliberate and answer the question, ‘Where is my word when it comes time for me to keep my own word?’  In the ultimate analysis, there is a simple equation of workability which is YOU are equal to YOUR WORD. As I explained to the participants, team performance has very little to do with peering over shoulders to ascertain who is doing what. It has almost everything to do with how we can create trust of others in us. And creating trust has everything to do about Integrity viz. honouring our word and being authentic about how we show up for others. While some may try and take advantage of your trust in the short term, the aura of trust leads to team members gravitating towards you, working with you as you shift into being a natural leader. Further Reading: ‘Integrity is a matter of a person’s word- nothing more, nothing less’- Michael Jensen, Professor Emeritus, Harvard Business School. Revised March 28, 2014.

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Some thought provoking insights here on the strategic role of Board members. "Directors should also be evaluated annually on their overall contribution to the board by their peer directors. One technique is to have each director write down the names of five other directors whom she or he believes adds considerable value and should remain on the board. If a director does not appear on anyone’s list, they should be removed." Also...."a key consideration for many C-suite leaders is how to engage with their boards on strategy. Are you engaging the board of directors in unscripted conversations fueled by provocative questions that are generating insights based on their experience and expertise? Or are you and your team spending hundreds of hours a year preparing scripted presentations that are robotically rubber-stamped by the board for approval?" The latter in my experience.

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In our transformational journey, the leadership team at #TPIndia came together for a day for the "Hackathon", designed to ignite #innovation and tackle the most pressing challenges facing our organization and customers. This was beyond generating ideas or just an exercise in creativity; we rolled up our sleeves and engaged in deep, creative problem-solving to uncover breakthrough #solutions. Our goal was threefold: 1. To reshape how we deliver exceptional service and value to our clients, 2. Empower our teams, and 3. Elevate the Teleperformance experience across the board.  The energy and commitment in the room were palpable, and the outcomes were nothing short of extraordinary. This exercise was a powerful reminder of what we can achieve when we leverage our collective strengths, challenge the status quo and push beyond conventional thinking. I am immensely proud of what we’ve accomplished together and even more excited about the journey ahead, a special thank you to our partners at Korn Ferry. To our clients, partners, and stakeholders—know that we are more committed than ever to innovating, collaborating, and delivering unparalleled value. The future is bright, and we continue with the momentum💡

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Dr. Anil Kumar a name synonymous with transformation and fitness in Bengaluru, is not just a fitness entrepreneur; he is a symbol of resilience, passion, and purpose. His story is one of overcoming challenges, pursuing relentless self-improvement, and inspiring others to push beyond their limits. Today, Anil is the proud founder of several cutting-edge fitness centers across Bengaluru and Andhra Pradesh, where his holistic approach to fitness is transforming lives every day. More.... https://lnkd.in/g-aiEcTU

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Here’s the full recording of the wonderful and deeply reflective conversation I recently had with Bhavana Issar of Caregiver Saathi I would request anyone who works in the #DEI space, anyone who is a #caregiver to someone, and every #leader who reads the post, to please take out the time to watch this and think about how you can do your bit to change the situation and #readytheworld for the caregiving responsibilities coming our way. The statistics are staggering and we really need to prepare ourselves differently, as organisations, leaders and employees to not just survive but #thrive in this context. It is my professional experience and deep personal belief, that the only way forward is by discovering the #powerofimpact through #InclusiveLeadership. And solving for and supporting caregiving is a crucial part of this.

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Imagine you're a People Leader and you'd like to design a highly custom GenAI (or Data Science or ESG) learning journey for your tech and business teams. Would you be excited if the learning sessions are delivered by an IIT Professor or a CTO of a company? If yes, please meet us at the GUVI booth at the ET Future Skills Conference to discuss more. #GUVI #HCL #ETHRFutureSkills #ETHRWorld

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