10X Growth Strategies

In this episode our host Saradha Sriram discusses the book “The Moonballer” with the author Nirupama Vaidyanathan. Nirupama is a former professional tennis player, a respected media commentator, an accomplished author, and an influential coach. They explore the multifaceted world of tennis through the experiences and insights of a true veteran of the game and talk about Nirupama’s maiden book ‘The Moonballer’. Her story of perseverance and excellence Passion for the sport of tennis Her comeback trail Dive deep into the heart of the story with our podcast, where you'll hear directly from the author. It's your chance to experience the narrative in its most authentic form, unfiltered and raw, as intended by its creator.

In this episode, our host Arthi Vijayaraghavan discusses the book “The Art of Strategic Execution” with the author Ms.Priyanka Shinde. The Art of Strategic Execution dives into the intricate world of Technical Program Management (TPM) and shares the insights and wisdom she has gained through her personal journey from an introverted individual to a successful Silicon Valley TPM leader. From actionable strategies to inspiring stories, she explores the intangible aspects— mindset, communication, influence, and leadership— that set exceptional TPMs apart. Tune in to learn more about strategic program management, the art and science behind it through this engaging discussion.

In this episode, our host Saradha Sriram discusses the book ‘The Untethered Soul’ by Michael A. Singer with Donna Yates Ferris. Donna is an MBA and CFA by designation with a yoga teaching and therapy certification. The Untethered Soul is a thought-provoking book that delves into the nature of consciousness and the pursuit of inner freedom. Donna talks about her journey and how the practical wisdom and guidance from the book helped her during difficult times, helped with her personal growth, and built a deeper connection with her true self.  Letting Go Living in the present moment Cultivating inner peace By applying its teachings in daily life, readers can experience a profound shift in perspective and cultivate greater inner peace and happiness.

In this episode our host Arthi Vijayaraghavan, VP of Products at OJO and Lakshmi Bhaskaran, VP of Engineering at Metadata, discuss the book Think Faster, Talk Smarter by Matt Abrahams. The book is a testament to the critical skill of decoding the after intimidating world of spontaneous communication and coaching us to approach it with less fear and more empathy. Check out this engaging discussion sharing nuggets from the book, real life experiences and how we use or intend to use the frameworks. Tune in for a thoughtful discussion on spontaneous communication with Ms.Lakshmi Bhaskaran.

In this episode our host Saradha Sriram has an insightful discussion with Akila Agrawal, a leading M&A lawyer from New Delhi, about the book “The Subtle art of not giving a f*ck” by Mark Manson. Akila shared her journey of how she chose the speciality of M&A in private practice. Akila talks about how she  has acquired the  art of embracing life's challenges and, believe it or not, learning to let go of the things that just don't matter. The book offers a pragmatic and individualistic approach to embrace and approach life’s challenges in the pursuit of a meaningful life. Taking control Solving problems Changing your identity as needed The book challenges the notion of always seeking more and encourages contentment with what you have.

In this episode our host Preethy Padmanabhan had a thought provoking discussion with Divya Raghavan, an early stage VC at NGP Capital. Divya shared insights on passion and perseverance among startup entrepreneurs she meets, how to cultivate grit in the workplace and learning lessons that helped her to become a successful VC. So, grab your headphones, get comfortable, and join us on this audio adventure! Your thoughts and feedback are always welcome "Grit" by Angela Duckworth explores the concept of grit and its significance in achieving success. Duckworth argues that passion and perseverance, rather than talent alone, are the key factors in reaching long-term goals. Drawing on extensive research, she presents compelling anecdotes and case studies to support her claim that individuals who exhibit grit are more likely to overcome challenges and excel in their pursuits. Duckworth also emphasizes the importance of cultivating grit in children and fostering a growth mindset. Ultimately, "Grit" provides readers with valuable insights into the qualities that contribute to exceptional achievement and offers practical advice on how to develop and apply grit in various aspects of life.

When we iterate without a clear vision or strategy, our products become bloated, fragmented and driven by irrelevant metrics. They catch “product diseases” that often kill innovation. The book “Radical Product Thinking : The new mindset for innovating smarter” offers refreshing solutions that go against conventional wisdom. It offers a framework for building vision driven products that create impact to society at large. In today’s episode, Arthi Vijayaraghavan, VP of Products at OJO had the pleasure of discussing the book with the author Ms.Radhika Dutt. Radhika is an entrepreneur and product leader who has participated in five acquisitions, two of which were companies that she founded. She advises organizations from high-tech startups to government agencies on building radical products that create a fundamental change. Tune in to listen to learn how to build vision driven products using the radical product thinking framework.

In this episode I had a thought provoking and humorous conversation with Roshan Cariappa, VP of Marketing for Vymo. We discussed the book “Skin in the Game” and the Incerto series of books by Nassim Nicholas Taleb. Roshan is a host for “The Startup Operator” podcast. Check out our conversation to hear valuable insights from Roshan on:  How to deal with uncertainty Take risks to amplify rewards Make your message grandmother proof Have soul in the game  Look for the genius within and more.. "Skin in the Game" by Nassim Nicholas Taleb explores the importance of personal accountability and risk-taking in decision-making. Taleb argues that individuals, especially leaders, should have a tangible stake in the outcomes of their choices to ensure responsible and informed decision-making. He critiques systems where decision-makers do not bear the consequences of their actions, emphasizing the need for a connection between decision-makers and the risks involved. Taleb's book delves into the concept of "skin in the game" as a fundamental principle for a robust and resilient society, urging for a more accountable and ethical approach to decision-making in various fields.

The 21 Laws of Leadership by John Maxwell insights learned from Maxwell’s 30-plus years of leadership successes and mistakes with observations from the worlds of business, politics, sports, religion, and military conflict. In the book the author explains the different laws with real world examples, takeaways. One of the advise in the book for leaders to learn about leadership is to practice by leading a voluntary organization.  In today’s episode Arthi Vijayaraghavan, VP of Products at OJO had the pleasure of discussing it with Ms.Saraswathi Padmanaban the founder and head of DiyaGhar. Diyaghar is a non-profit organization whose mission is to provide early childhood education to the children of migrant laborers. The organization currently runs in Bangalore, India and supports over 1000 children. Tune in to listen to great leadership takeaways from the humble and passionate leader of DiyaGhar, Ms.Saraswathi Padmanaban.

In the episode our host Preethy Padmanabhan had an insightful discussion on the book Play Bigger with Maryanne Morrow, Chairman, Founder and CEO of 9th Gear. Maryanne shared how she is creating a new category within the Fintech space.  "Play Bigger" is a business book by Al Ramadan, Dave Peterson, Christopher Lochhead, and Kevin Maney that explores the concept of category design as a strategic approach for companies to achieve long-term success. The book argues that companies should aim to create and dominate their own product category rather than competing within existing ones. It emphasizes the importance of defining a unique and compelling category narrative that sets a company apart in the market. The authors provide numerous case studies and real-world examples of companies that successfully implemented category design, such as Uber and Salesforce, to illustrate their principles. Ultimately, "Play Bigger" offers a strategic framework for businesses to become category kings and disrupt their industries.