Meet The Team
It takes a happy crew to produce a happy show.
Adya Ranjan
Performance Marketing Manager
Super hero: Baymax
Sports team: My team, whenever we participate in any sport
Cuisine: Asian
Movie: Kaun, Your Name
Book: The White Tiger
Music: A little bit of everything
Holiday: The Valleys!
Adya is a Performance Marketing Manager at FocusU, who brings a wealth of experience in the dynamic realm of digital advertising.
Beyond her professional pursuits, Adya's passions extend far and wide. When she's not busy optimizing campaigns, you'll likely find her immersed in the pages of a captivating book or nurturing her green companions, reflecting her love for literature and nature. But her interests don't stop there; she firmly believes in creating the world she wants to live in, fostering a positive impact on those around her.
During her downtime, Adya delves into the art of baking, experimenting with creating delicious and healthy dessert recipes. She also adores animals and has a soft spot for them. To capture the moments that move her, Adya likes photography, seeking to encapsulate the essence of life through her lens.
Always open to new experiences, Adya loves exploring new destinations, enriching her life with the wonders of the world. And when the travel bug takes a backseat, she enjoys getting lost in the intriguing world of shows and documentaries, feeding her curiosity and broadening her horizons.
With an adventurous spirit and a deep passion for life, Adya embodies the essence of a growth marketer who continues to evolve and thrive in the ever-changing landscape of performance marketing.
I’m someone who strives to find good company, therefore I feel blessed to be surrounded by a diverse set of people here at FocusU. From what I’ve experienced, I’m more than happy to say that FocusU is employee friendly, has a sustainable work culture & the team here truly keeps all stakeholders in mind while making decisions.
What Is Your Most Memorable Engagement So Far?
The first time I was a co-faci at one of the workshops run by FocusU. No matter how simple it seems on the outside, there’s much more that happens behind the scenes.
What New Skills Have You Developed At Focusu?
Too soon to answer
What Difference Does It Make To Work At Focusu?
Too soon to answer
What Made You Decide To Choose Focusu?
Sectoral diversity is something I pursue. I took an interest in the L&D space & FocusU offered products across B2B and B2C. The culture and the environment that is boasted also compelled me to witness it for myself.
How Would You Describe The Focusu Culture?
In a nutshell, it's all about learning, sharing & improving.
What Has Surprised You The Most About Being Here?
The culture of appreciation and the gentle push & encouragement to get to know each other as people.
What Keeps You Here?
Right now, it's curiosity.
What Do You Like Best About Working Here?
I have access to learning that helps me grow professionally and holistically.
Have You Been Able To Follow Your Interests?
Absolutely! In fact I like the fact that one is actively encouraged to pursue and truly 'live' a balanced life.
How Have You Lived The Focusu Mission Of: We Before Me?
Henry Ford once said “If everyone is moving forward together, then success takes care of itself.”
The same line of thinking also applies to the mission of ‘We before Me’. It resonates with me in every way since I believe as a society we’ve only come this far due to this motto.
‘Rome wasn’t built in a day’ & certainly not by one person. Individually, we can only do so little. In order to achieve any progress in our journey as humankind, we should continue to move mountains with others and also make sure to give them due credit for it.
What Accomplishment Are You Most Proud Of At Focusu?
Too soon to answer
Is Life At Focusu What You Expected?
It's not what I expected but I'm glad & pleasantly surprised it turned out this way!
What Attracted You To Focusu?
I like that they have gone at lengths to define the culture they want to create through 'CHOPS'. It was this rare effort that intrigued me.
Antara Telore
Director - People Success
Describe Your Experience At Focusu
My experience at FocusU has been an enriching and enlightening journey. I say this because in these two years of being here, I have got to know myself better, and the kind of work I have done and been doing has kept me in ‘flow’. Besides, the environment FocusU provides is very conducive to growth and learning. Of course there are times when the travel gets too much or phases when work is very hectic. But overall, it is exciting.What Is Your Most Memorable Engagement So Far?
There have been a few that are very close to my heart, but if I had to pick I would choose two. One was a program we did for Prescient to imbibe the values and culture of the organisation in a new team. The full day program was not just fun but as the leader said, ‘very insightful’ for not just the team but for her too. Prescient has been coming back to us for more work. The second was a recent intervention for Deloitte where we ran a new activity, ‘Anybody can Paint’. 80% of the participants had not painted for decades but every single one of them walked out of the room proudly carrying their stunning masterpieces that day. They did themselves proud and we were very happy to be a catalyst for them.What Difference Does It Make To Work At Focusu?
FocusU is a place where a bunch of dissimilar people also thrive happily. It is like a unity of opposites. And that’s truly the beauty of this place. An open environment to discuss and debate, a strong foundation, thanks to the culture to have difficult conversations and other perks like the flexible work timings and leave policy – just adds to it. I personally believe the environment and the exposure you have, has a big role to play in your progress.How Would You Describe The Focusu Culture?
I would say FocusU has a start-up culture with a mix of homeliness. FocusU culture is synonymous with its values – that is the main thread that keeps everyone together. A culture where we care for each other, we go beyond, we are mindful, we challenge each other and ourselves, we push each other, we hold each other’s back, and we are also no nonsense when it is needed.
Arun Rao
Co-founder
Super hero: Phantom
Sports team: RCB
Cuisine: Italian
Movie: Invictus
Book: The Tao of Pooh
Music: Retro Blues
Holiday: Europe
Quote: People don’t care how much you know, till they know how much you care.
Arun brings in over 2 decades of experience in General Management, Sales and Marketing, with reputed MNC and Indian organisations like Hewlett Packard, Godrej and HCL. In his last stint before changing gears and becoming an entrepreneur, he was the Country Manager for the Business PC category for Hewlett Packard India.
Having been a part of multiple teams and having worked in different geographies, he is a firm believer about the “team” being the competitive advantage between companies. An extremely approachable leader & facilitator, his enthusiasm and passion is infectious. Arun is an Engineer & MBA, who is certified in MBTI, Emergenetics & LSP. He is also a TEDx speaker.
An avid reader and writer, he couples this with his field experience and passion for training – while delivering programs to clients. Arun has facilitated several workshops around Leadership, Innovation & Team work for the senior most teams at companies like Hindustan Unilever, CGI, Tata Group, Pepsico, Sears to name a few. He has also been a keynote speaker at companies like Asian Paints, Zavenir Daubert, Hewlett Packard on a variety of topics like, “What motivates people at work?” to “What brings value in a sale?”.
Arun contributes regularly to different leading journals. Some of his recent publications include:
- 10 ways to inspire your team – Human Capital
- 4 Common leadership mistakes to avoid – Thought Perfect
- Can a leopard change its spots? – People Matters
- The power of play – The Hindu, Business Line
- Leadership Lessons from the Giant Skip – Domain-b.com
- Experiential Team building needs adoption by Asian companies – Asiabiz Today
- 5 Mantras to create the right workplace experience – Business World
- Using Legos for problem solving – People Matters
- IT through the FMCG lens – Dataquest India
All good words coming soon here!
Ashwan Sewtohul
Content Developer
Super hero: Any person with a kind heart
Sports Team: LFC
Cuisine: No preference as long as the food is tasty
Book: Old Path, White Clouds by Thich Nhat Hanh
Music: A musical buffet with a sample of a bit of everything
Holiday: Any place with good vibes and good food
Quote: Be yourself; everyone else is taken. – Oscar Wilde
He holds a diploma in Hospitality Studies from the Association of Business Executives (London) and carries 20+ years’ experience navigating into an industry where personalized service and standards of quality are core elements.
Always eager to embrace new and exciting opportunities, he enthusiastically decided to share his wealth of expertise with the next generation. His journey led him to coach students at the prestigious Hotel School of Mauritius. Later, he seized the chance to contribute to a social integration program through a literacy project for adults, embarking on a profound human adventure. This experience offered him invaluable insights into people's innate capacity to learn and evolve into their best selves.
Ashwan recognizes that change is a natural cycle for every business, emphasizing the importance of adaptability to new environments and methods for long-term sustainability. He remains committed to continual learning and personal growth, rooted in the belief that humility should be the starting point of every individual's journey. Beyond his professional pursuits, Ashwan's life orbits around cherished moments with family, friends & loved ones, traveling and spiritual practice.
Describe Your Experience At Focusu
It feels safe to be among people who genuinely care about your well-being. Every day is an adventure with new trails to explore and fresh challenges to live up to. Even on a bad day, you come back home with a smile on your face knowing your team members had your back. The organization adapts to changes quickly and tries on new things standing firm in its belief that there is no such thing as failure but only learning instead.
What Made You Decide To Choose Focusu?
Home is where the heart belongs.
How Would You Describe The Focusu Culture?
It is like a laboratory of experiments where everyone comes up with a new idea after having read a book, seen a movie, undergone an experience or having had an epiphany. There are no barriers to sharing candidly one’s opinions and the diverse mindsets all align with the CHOPS values creating a culture of positive happenings. Focus on your strengths but don’t forget to work on your weaknesses.
What Do You Like Best About Working Here?
The space given to everyone to grow and bloom and the fact that people depict an inner talent in you that you yourself never really paid attention to. Developing capabilities is a key element which eventually serves a greater purpose. The onboarding process is unconventional and engaging. The co-founders set the example all the time, they are very inspiring and approachable despite their workload. Our director is very caring and always on the lookout to find creative ways of doing things.
Ayushi Verma
Client Advisory Manager
Super hero: Iron Man
Sports team: Mumbai Indians
Cuisine: Chinese
Movie: 90s Bollywood
Book: The Kite Runner
Music: Bollywood Music from the Black & White Era
Holiday: Totally a beach Person!
Quote: One day you’ll see how hard it was and how brave you were
Ayushi is a Client Advisory Manager at Focus U.
She hails from Bombay and is an MBA Graduate from The University of Mumbai.
Before being a part of the FocusU family, Ayushi had a brief stint with a private sector bank as an Assistant Manager (Branch Banking). Post which she took a career break to take on the duties of a mom!
She is an easy-going person and loves to hear stories and experiences of people around her. She believes that it is the best way to learn and the best way to grow! Motherhood has gifted her with some extra patience, empathy, and a lot of good listening skills.
In her free time, she loves to play her guitar, read some book, or just play board games with Reyansh. She enjoys singing and is exploring gardening as a hobby.
Describe Your Experience At Focusu
My experience with FocusU so far has been incredible. I was sceptical about working after a career break, but the amount of support that I received from every single person here has been great! I could totally resonate with CHOPS and fitting in was never a challenge. I feel lucky to be part of such a value and culture driven organization. It is truly like one big family!
What Is Your Most Memorable Experience So Far?
For me, it's always wonderful to see how people are recognized for the initiatives they take. It's amazing how every big and small achievement is celebrated not just within the respective teams but with the overall organization. I love all those heart-warming, recognition sessions at the AFC!
What Difference Does It Make To Work At Focusu?
It is a very people centric organization. The culture of giving Feed forwards is something that was unheard to me and it is something that is practiced across every level at FocusU. It makes me feel valued and encourages me to share my inputs with anyone within the company. Another wonderful thing about FocusU is how everyone practices “we before me,” it’s not just a phrase here, but everyone in the company understands what it truly means and it reflects in the daily work life.
How Would You Describe The Focusu Culture?
Everything is aligned to CHOPS that makes all the processes and communications very standard. Everyone at FocusU has made these values a part of their DNA, so be it work, be it fun, we never forget those common traits.
Christine D’Lima
Lead Content Design
Superhero: Commander J. A. Fernandes (Retd.) - grandfather 😊
Cuisine: Thai
Movie: Free Willy
Book: Comics (Tintin in particular)
Music: Hits from the 90’s
Holiday: Gadget-free time immersed in nature
Quote: “If you think you are too small to make a difference, try sleeping with a mosquito.” Dalai Lama
The desire to positively impact lives led Christine to graduate from TISS, with a Master’s degree in Social Work. Over the years, she is proud to have worked on projects that are experiential and impactful; be it developing training modules, facilitating programs, or working with those who are less fortunate.
With a varied and rich experience in Education, Training, and L&D, the wind beneath her wings has been her multi-dimensional approach to professional and personal growth and striving to give her best. Teammates say that work ethic, passion, and quality are woven into Christine’s personality. Being a hands-on mum has enhanced her efficiency, further developed her multitasking ability, and helped her embrace a growth mindset.
Christine enjoys working on futuristic solutions that provoke curiosity, enable discovery, and are a nudge toward skill development and desirable action. Her key achievements include creating engaging content for School Cinema by LXL Ideas and MobileKids (India), a Mercedes-Benz initiative. At FocusU, she has dived into creating a product library of storified and experiential learning journeys. She has a keen interest in creating a ‘WOW’ experience and lasting impact for all learners.
To sum it up, Christine thrives on ‘out of the box’ initiatives, travel, family time, and giving back to society. She loves to take on challenges and believes it’s fun to try on and wear many hats in life… As Benjamin Franklin rightly said, “You can do anything you set your mind to.”
What Made You Decide To Choose Focusu?
FocusU stands out with the culture it is built on. The work environment promotes learning and growth, allowing you to be your best and give your best. What fascinates me are the values of Arun and Rakesh, and the way these values have a ripple effect on the entire organization.
How Would You Describe The Focusu Culture?
A blend of professionalism and care. Everything fits like a beautiful puzzle from how we work with each other, to the policies, to the forward-thinking approach. At FocusU, the team is made up of people with diverse backgrounds, experiences, skills, and age groups. Yet, we come together so effortlessly to share ideas, listen, challenge, support, and create/deliver solutions for our clients.
What Do You Like Best About Working Here?
I treasure the guidance and, at the same time, the autonomy given. The work ethic and culture is a springboard to think big, take on challenging numbers, chase aspirations, and bring innovation to the work we do. Everyone, including the co-founders, is very approachable and supportive, which makes you feel like you’re a part of the FocusU family. “I’ve got your back” is something I’ve personally experienced working with my reporting manager.
Deepa Prusty
Facilitator
Super hero: Batman
Cuisine: Indian
Movie: Zindagi Na Milegi Doobara
Book: Daring Greatly
Music: Trance
Holiday: Road trips across India
Quote: “There is freedom waiting for you, on the breezes of the sky. And you ask, “What if I fall?” Oh, but my darling, “What if you fly?” – Erin Hanson, an Australian poet.
Deepa has done her Masters in Bio-Technology and holds a diploma in Cognitive Behavior Therapy and Neuro-Linguistic Programming.
With over 10 years of experience in Customer Service, Collections, US Healthcare, and Talent Development with organizations like Genpact, Agilent Technologies, and Aon – she has dawned on numerous hats over time. Prior to joining Focus U, she was an independent trainer and delivered sessions on Personal Effectiveness, Managerial Effectiveness, Customer Service, Campus to Corporate, Prevention of Sexual Harassment, among others. The desire to work in an organization free from office bureaucracy and work culture of warmth and friendliness lead her to Focus U.
Her strength lies in her ability to put people at ease during conversations. She strongly believes in the NLP principle that every behavior has a positive intention. What keeps her going is a simple motto to learn something new and to never stop investing in oneself. To quote one of her favorite fictional characters – “When the door you have been knocking at finally swings open, you don’t ask why. You run through.” She makes time for the little things in life such as spending time in nature, taking care of her dogs, and reading; Because, “A mind needs books like a sword needs a whetstone.”
What New Skills Have You Developed At Focusu?
The answer to this most definitely will be speaking in front of large audience. While, I know that I am just beginning and that I sometimes still get nervous and have butterflies in the stomach right before a workshop, I still feel that I have developed a lot of confidence to engage a large audience.
What Made You Decide To Choose Focusu?
Everyone is very warm and friendly here. Even while I was an associate, I felt like I was a part of the team. In fact, I remember one particular instance that touched me deeply. I was tagged for a workshop as an associate on the day of my anniversary and my sister called me to wish me. We were still prepping up for the workshop. I picked up the phone and in a hush hush voice I thanked my sister and ended the call. One of the FocusU members heard that I was thanking someone and guessed that it must be either my anniversary or my birthday. He pestered me to tell him why I was saying a thank you and I told him. The entire team wished me. Soon the workshop started, and we all got busy with our responsibilities of the workshop. After the workshop, as we were just about to leave, I see the surprize. There is a cake waiting for me that reads a message – happy anniversary Deepa! I was speechless for a while. I was extremely happy that in the middle of a workshop, someone arranged for a cake, especially for someone who isn’t a regular employee.
How Would You Describe The Focusu Culture?
Collaborative and not competitive. While, everyone is encouraged to take on additional responsibilities that enables them to advance their careers and grow as an individual, I have so far not seen anybody demonstrating toxic competitiveness. I see a culture where everyone helps everyone, and in the process everyone grows. People share feedback from a place of positive intent that only reinforces collaboration and growth.
What Do You Like Best About Working Here?
The work that I do. I have always had a love for training/ facilitation for as long as I can remember. This company only makes me get better at it, this being our core job. I have seen/ known very few companies that share feedback so often (almost every day in the form of check outs and more). The fact that feedback is not only tied to performance appraisals has changed my perspective to feedback to view it as an opportunity to improve and not as something that is most often superficial. The CHOPS culture which is not just something that is printed on the walls and the website but lived every day.
Dr. Rajshri Jobanputra
Director – FocusU Academy
Super hero: all those who stand by you when you are in crisis
Cuisine: Costal & Vegetarian
Movie: Whiplash and of course the web series – Aspirants & Kota Factory
Book: No Rules Rules + Blue Ocean Strategy
Music: Anything melodious works
Holiday: Waterfalls – Nature
Life Philosophy: No matter where you start or where you dream to reach, the universe will always conspire so that you end up not where you want to be but where you need to be!
Dr. Rajshri Jobanputra: Director – FocusU Academy
With academic and industry experience spanning over 15+ years, Dr. Rajshri Jobanputra is a Ph.D. in Philosophy from IIT Bombay. Beginning her career as an Assistant Resource Person at IIM Ahmedabad’s Students’ Personal and Career Development Centre, Dr. Rajshri moved on to IIT Roorkee as Lecturer and later to IIT Madras as Assistant Professor of Philosophy.
Realizing early on that her passion for teaching and learning could be extended to learners beyond undergrad engineering students, she took up several L & D roles at different organizations such as Wipro Technologies, Tata Management Training Centre, and KNOLSKAPE Solutions.
As Director- FocusU Academy, at FocusU Engage, Dr. Rajshri oversees the design and development of tech-enabled learning products deployable across different medium (ILT / VILT / online). With the primary motto and commitment to deliver a ‘WOW’ learning experience for all FocusU learners, she and her team ensure that they build learner centric learning products that are storified, gamified, and application oriented.
A certified Dale Carnegie trainer, who also holds the Cambridge International Certificate for Teachers and Trainers (CICTT) from the Cambridge University, UK, she takes keen interest in the areas of meta-skills, experiential learning, and LX Design. Behind her seemingly serious demeanour, Dr. R, as she is fondly called, never misses an opportunity to mention that she is from Goa (just as in this instance), is a plant lover, enjoys games like Scrabble, Uno, and Sequence, and ever ready to give recommendations on what to watch on the different OTT platforms – just that she may not remember which platform exactly!
Experience at FocusU:
My experience here:
It's been over 3 years since I joined FocusU – the journey so far has been enriching and full of discovery both personally as well as professionally. For instance, my own values of passion and ownership being aligned to that of the organization, the freedom to openly question and disagree with your team members, or for that matter, the joy of engaging in the creative process of product development with a diverse group of team members, and so much more… the learning and the growing never ends here 😊
What keeps me here: By and large it’s my interaction with a set of vibrant team members all across different functions and the abundance of deep perspectives they bring in each of these interactions. Lastly, it’s the culture of feedforward that I have experienced – its very rare that people challenge you openly with this purest intent of care for your own growth.
Is life at FocusU that you had expected? Definitely no – it is so much more than I had expected!! Despite being a 100% remote set up, it amazes me how each one of us work in tandem with one another. The adoption of org values of CHOPS across the organization and most importantly the rich and fun conversations every time we meet – there is never a dull moment at FocusU for sure 😊
Girija Teeluck
Director, Focus U Mauritius
Superhero: Black Panther
Sports team: Not specifically a Sports person, but thanks to my kids, I now watch more football and specially the France team during World Cup
Cuisine: I am a foodie – hence enjoy all types of cuisines – perhaps with a small preference for local Mauritian street food and Pani puri.
Movie: Dil Chahta hai, Dear Zindagi, 3 Idiots, The Best of Me amongst others..
Book: Hard to find just one – but some books have really touched my soul growing up: Little Women, Danielle Steele collection, anything Enid Blyton and currently books by Colleen Hoover and many more 😊
Music: Love all types of music, but with a strong penchant for romantic songs – any language!
Holiday: Anywhere with a rich cultural story, and good food!
Quote: Do what is right, not what is easy!
Girija joined as Learning partner and facilitator and is now a Director at Focus U Mauritius.
She has a degree in Human Resources Management from the University of London, and a Higher National Certificate in Public Relations from UNISA. She is currently finishing her MBA in Leadership and Management from York St John University, in association with Robert Kennedy College, Zurich. She is a certified NLP coach and is also in the process of completing her coach accreditation.
With over two decades of work experience, she has worked for over 17 years in HR in various sectors: Shipping, Retail, BPO, ICT etc. Her passion is people and more specifically leadership development, team engagement and coaching. She has had extensive experience working with professionals at different levels of the organization and has a good understanding of learning needs and requirements.
Before joining Focus U, Girija was the HR Director in a multinational IT company, and had the opportunity to work with senior leaders as well as HR professionals in various European countries and was given the chance to co-create HR solutions for the teams.
Girija is genuine, empathetic and compassionate by nature and her joy is derived by seeing people around her grow and succeed.
When she’s not working, she spends most of her free time with her family. With a husband and three children, life rarely gets boring. She also enjoys walking on the sandy beaches around the island, yoga and reading.
What Made You Decide To Choose Focusu?
I joined Focus U in September 2022, after over twenty years in the corporate world. With an expansive background and experience in HR, I had been very blessed to have worked in various industries and sectors and been given the opportunity to try many new things within the profession. I felt though that it was time for me to leave the corporate world behind and try to create an impact in a different way.
I came across Focus U as a client about 2 years back and was really impressed with the truly unconventional way learning was being instilled. So when I was asked if I was interested to join after I had resigned from my full time job, it was not a hard decision for me! Focus U presented a vey unique opportunity for me to create meaningful impact to people around me, and I did not want to miss out on this.
How Would You Describe The Focusu Culture?
As an outsider, it can sometimes be very hard to understand the Focus U culture, simply because it is very different from any other corporate I had seen before. At Focus U, the backbone force driving everyone’s behavior is the values: CHOPS (Care, Humility, Ownership, Passion and Safety). But underlying these behaviors is genuine care and compassion for one another. It is very rare to find such authenticity amongst people.
Another unique factor is the emphasis placed on learning – every Focus U colleague is strongly encouraged to enhance their own knowledge and learning by reading books, or researching new trends, watching videos etc and sharing with others. This is a clear example of ‘Walk the Talk’. We help organisations in their learning journeys, but that can only happen when this is a strong sense of ‘Learning’ in our own organisation.
What Do You Like Best About Working Here?
Besides what I have already shared, we have what we call ‘Hygge’. The word Hygge (pronounced as ‘hue-guh’) comes from a Danish word meaning “to give courage, comfort, joy”. Hygge is really about the small steps we take towards our family at work. It’s about doing small acts of kindness, celebrating special moments, celebrating success and so on.
Focus U is a company where your colleagues remember your anniversary or your children’s birthdays and sending small gifts over, amongst others. Work life balance is a real action that is enforced by everyone, not just a statement. A lot of emphasis is also placed on the mental wellbeing of colleagues! All these and more are what makes this company so special!
Haripriya Dalmia
Learning Category Lead
Super hero: My sister
Cuisine: Any Asian cuisine!
Movie: Parent Trap
Book: The Choice by Dr. Edith Eger | Music: Indie rock, old school rock, sometimes metal nostalgically😅 Plus anything on coke studio!
Holiday: Hills or history!
Quote:
Haripriya, or Hal, is the Learning Category Lead at FocusU.
While born and raised in Delhi, she has also gotten a chance to call California and Edinburgh home during her undergraduate and postgraduate studies, respectively.
Her academic background is largely in psychology, specializing in clinical work. Meanwhile, her professional experience has focused on behavioral skill learning. Her passions lie squarely in the realm of people development and everything surrounding it.
As a part of the FocusU family, Hal works to design learning solutions for different clients tailored to their specific needs, in a manner that allows for learning transfer and therefore, maximum impact.
She is an empathetic and curious individual, always hoping to have in depth conversations with clients and learners about the root causes of their challenges, which allow her to create the most suitable designs.
Through her work, she hopes to help people grow into the best versions of themselves and be excited about what they can achieve.
In her free time, she likes to listen to music and sing along, play around with some photography, read murder mystery novels, watch crash course YouTube videos, and spend time with her loved ones.
What Do You Like Best About Working Here?
Everyone here is truly passionate about delivering a great learning experience. That’s the atmosphere. If anyone resonates with that, they’d love it here! The people in this organization are special - genuine, funny, and they have your back. Everyone is always lending a helping hand and is completely approachable - you can reach out to anyone at any point and they’ll be there. The collection of people here embody a ‘we before me’ attitude.
How Would You Describe The Focusu Culture?
Kindness, trust, humor, authenticity, passion for the work. In an organization where people can feel completely comfortable being vulnerable and honest about their opinions as well as their mistakes is special! People are trusted with their work and there’s no sign of micromanagement. Instead, you’ll find encouragement and support to try new things with your work, public recognition and celebration of each other, and a whole lot of laughs.
What’s Your Most Memorable Engagement So Far?
My first experience of an in-person full day workshop! The topic was Growth Mindset. The entire day was packed with activities that enabled people to learn through direct experience, and discussions that enhanced the learnings. Boring trainings generally constitute a ton of information and the trainer just talking and talking while the learners just sit in passive reception. Here, it was reversed; the facilitator acted as a sounding board – steering the conversations but not hogging it. The participants were active agents in their learning, bringing in their workplace experiences to enrich the discussions. It was a great time - not just for the learners, but also for us!
Kanika Batra
Associate Director- Client Advisory
Super hero: My Kid. Always there in my Highs and Lows with a smile on his face.
Cuisine: Non spicy food and then cuisine does not matter.
Movie: Pay it Forward
Book: A Lie & a Truth and Beyond the Last Blue Mountain
Music: Old 80s Hindi Bollywood songs & Country Music
Holiday: By the beach!!
Life Philosophy: Karma Matters. What goes around comes around. Keep your Circle Positive. Say Good word. Think Good Thoughts. Do Good Deeds. Keep Learning. Keep Inspiring.
Drawing from my two-decade journey, the initial ten years were dedicated to immersing myself in the realm of IT|ITES services. I honed my skills through collaborations with esteemed organizations such as Mphasis (a HP Company), Fiserv, and Infosys. The progression from a novice to a Team Leader overseeing a team of 200+ individuals brought immense fulfillment and served as a robust groundwork for the second phase of my career. It proved to be a strong foundation for the 2nd phase of the career.
Entering the L&D Consultant realm in my second decade of career was a serendipitous choice, turning out to be a blessing that continues to flourish. Evolving from a background in product sales at Dale Carnegie & Ken Blanchard Companies to consulting at FocusU, I've honed my skills as a "people consultant." For me, learning is a passion, and the growth of individuals propels my drive. This role brings my Ikigai to life in many ways.
As an Associate Director at FocusU, I collaborate closely with the market and customers, crafting learning journeys that align with business outcomes and people engagement objectives. Certified as a DiSC facilitator, ID Instructor, and Competency Mapping expert, I'm recognized for my empathetic problem-solving and people-centric learning designs.
Outside the professional arena, I proudly wear the hat of VP-PR at my Toastmasters Club during my leisure hours, where I enjoy delivering speeches inspired by the books I devour. It's a holistic journey that fuels my enthusiasm and commitment to making a meaningful impact. At the end of the day, she looks forward to a fun and innocent hour with her young boy which reminds her that curiosity is the key to humility.
My Experience Here:
FocusU feels like a second home to me, where I experience exceptional care, and every interaction with anyone in the organization is truly inspiring. This is because we are a team of incredibly passionate individuals who not only enjoy what we do but also aspire to elevate it to new heights. In our relentless pursuit to #BeMore, we are constantly learning and eagerly sharing our insights. We believe that by sharing, our learnings become ingrained, ready to be put to use in creating delightful experiences for our customers.
What Keeps Me Here:
Our vibrant, transparent culture is the glue that binds us as a family. Our organizational values aren't just words on paper; they're the heartbeat of our daily interactions, celebrated with both our incredible teams and cherished clients. The genuine openness and candor we share at the individual level are not only refreshing but also incredibly inspiring. It's what fuels my confidence and passion for being a part of this amazing journey!
Is Life At Focusu That You Had Expected?
Many of my industry peers and family members find it hard to believe that we go beyond celebrating team members' birthdays and extend our joy to include their family members, even the furry ones. It's almost unbelievable that we not only have mandatory wellness days but prioritize mental well-being above all else. Every day in our virtual office is a revelation, offering unparalleled autonomy, trust, and experiences that far surpass what I initially expected.
Nadia Shimreen
People Success Specialist
Super hero: Meh
Sports team: don't really watch sports much anymore - but the Indian cricket team and RCB
Cuisine: this one's difficult but in no particular order - South Asian and East Asian, Italian, Arabic
Movies: too many to list, but I often re-watch Quentin Tarantino movies, American Beauty, Interstellar, Vanilla Sky, 3 Idiots, PK, Hera Pheri and many, many more
Music: pop (2006-2014 mainly coz of the nostalgia), rock - I like almost all genres except for EDM
Holiday: anywhere that has pleasant weather (would prefer it to be slightly chilly and rainy - but no extreme sunny weather), natural and peaceful environment, rich in culture & history AND good food
Nadia was born in Mangalore and moved to Dubai when she was 3 months old. She and her family later moved to Sharjah, lived there for a major chunk of her life and now live in Bangalore. She did her BSc (Hons) in Psychology with HRM, and MA in People Management and Development (CIPD accredited). As soon as she was done with her education and was ready to join the workforce, the pandemic struck. For the time being, she worked and interned remotely at start-ups and NPOs. Although she is in HR and is passionate about it, she's not quite sure if working in HR is her end goal in terms of her career.
Nadia finds it difficult to spontaneously talk about her values and philosophy (especially while speaking in 3rd person about herself), but it is pretty much aligned with FocusU's values as it's something that's been inculcated in her while growing up. But if she absolutely has to come up with something - it's live and let live.
Nadia is who she is because of her upbringing by her family (parents and one elder brother), values, beliefs, having grown up in a diverse country, and a gazillion mistakes she has made which she has reflected upon (sometimes obsessed over) and learned from.
What New Skills Have You Developed At Focusu?
There are many - on my reporting manager’s suggestion, I enrolled in Eduflow's Instructional Designing Training course. I definitely learned new things through it and will get to implement it when working on projects related to L&D. But apart from technical skills and honing my interviewing skills, I also get to work on my areas of improvement such as public speaking. I’m grateful for the interest and initiative FocusU takes in wanting to develop its employees on a holistic level.
What Has Surprised You The Most About Being Here?
The culture and values. It is pretty much exactly what it says on the website and there’s an active approach to really preserve the culture and values.
What Keeps You Here?
This is my first job, and there’s SO much I still have to learn! Apart from that, the amazing culture and its people.
Have You Been Able To Follow Your Interests?
Definitely. In fact it’s something that’s highly encouraged here at FocusU. I’ve had opportunities to meet-up with my reporting manager, Antara, to discuss my interests and goals. She gave me some solid advice which I can act upon in the near future.
Is Life At Focusu What You Expected? And What Attracted You To Focusu?
No, as it has exceeded my expectations (I’m not even exaggerating). Back in uni, an ideal organization in my eyes was a place that was 100% remote, offered flexible working hours, genuinely encouraged and focused on their employees’ development, had a great culture and values that everyone lived up to, and amazing people to work with. When I started job hunting again after moving, I was solely looking for remote opportunities. What caught my eye about FocusU was that it was the designation itself - People Success Specialist. The thought and effort in naming the HR department as People Success speaks volumes. Other things that gravitated me towards FocusU was that it’s in the L&D industry (L&D was always an area of interest to me), the unique solutions and methodologies it offers, and of course the culture and values. This was spoken about during my interview, but for me seeing is believing (or experiencing it first hand).
The friendliness and humility amongst the employees across all walks of life (both conventional and unconventional) further impressed me. During my onboarding, I learned about many policies and benefits FocusU offered that I wasn’t aware of earlier - which was a cherry on top.
Neeraj Baj
Learning Curator
Neeraj is giving thought on his profile, meanwhile you can read his experience at FocusU
What Made You Decide To Choose Focusu?
One of the deciding factors was my interactions with the leaders. i felt a genuineness about them and noted that they have also gone of out of the conventional path to follow their interests and passion which is what i was also doing. Hence i felt a pull to choose FocusU.
How Would You Describe The Focusu Culture?
Caring, honest, hugs, openness to call a spade a spade, passion, psychologically safe, growing, flexible, crazyiness!
What Has Surprised You The Most About Being Here?
Culture – FOCUSU Culture is different from anything I have experienced so far. Different because i see the leaders as well as most employees walking the talk. everybody knows the values (CHOPS) that the organisation stands for in a happy way and demonstrate that naturally as a way of work and life. I have felt (psychologically) safe and connected to everyone I interacted with here from day 1.
What Do You Like Best About Working Here?
The people! Genuinely warm, fun, smart, approachable and sensitive about the bar of quality.
Nirupama Chakraborty
Manager - Client Experience & Operations
Super hero: Iron Man
Sports team: Liverpool
Cuisine: Fusion
Fav. Series: Heal
Book: A New earth by Eckhart Tolle
Music: Bollywood Retro
Holiday: Darjeeling
Quote: Faith is the bird that feels the light when the dawn is still dark – Rabindranath Tagore
Passion for inner growth and transformation has been Nirupama’s driving force. Having the inherent faith that every human being has beauty, capabilities and great potential within their core, she strives to create and promote a nurturing culture that gives every person the opportunity to blossom to their fullest potential
She believes in living life in the present moment with commitment and enthusiasm. Having an artistic orientation, she loves to create Art and collectibles!!
Being a social service enthusiast, she has conducted several Health and Happiness workshops through the voluntary activities of the Art of Living. Early morning yoga and meditation sessions are her non-negotiable activities for the day!!
Describe Your Experience At Focusu
I have recently joined FocusU as Operations and Client Experience Manager. Right from Day1, the team has exuded such warmth and care that I already feel I belong here for years. The values of CHOPS are embedded within every aspect of work and life at FocusU and that resonates with me at so many levels. The team truly believes in “We before Me” and it is uplifting to see each one pitching in and supporting the other in all aspects of work and life.
What Made You Decide To Choose Focusu?
The most important factor was the human approach and the way the whole hiring process was conducted. It went much beyond just interviews but rather felt like conversations with friends and well wishers. Also, the culture and CHOPS played an important role as well.
How Would You Describe The Focusu Culture?
It is a beautiful symphony of diverse mindsets, opinions, approaches and ideas that blend seamlessly into creating something wonderful. We focus on strengths and believe in empowering each other. It is a space for creativity to blossom and ideas to flourish.
What Do You Like Best About Working Here?
I love the flexibility and the autonomy given to everyone. There is a solid onboarding process in place that helps to integrate new joinees seamlessly into the organization. A lot of guidance and mentorship is given which goes a long way into developing capabilities. In a way, all teams reflect each other in terms of responsibility, ownership and care. Everyone is extremely approachable, including the cofounders; which is so inspiring.
Pragya Talukdar
People Success Associate
Super hero: Batman
Sports team: Indian Cricket Team
Cuisine: Italian
Movie: Shawshank Redemption, Pather Panchali, Pulp Fiction, The wind will carry us. (I am a cinema bug and it's very difficult to pick a few. I have an exhaustive list and these are at the top)
Book: Kafka By the Shore, Kakababu and Feluda Volumes, Short stories by Satyajit Ray etc.
Music: Rabindra Sangeet, Bengali Adhunik and Jibonmukhi, Jazz, Pop, Sufi, classical and anything that is soothing to my ears.
Holiday: Anywhere close to nature, especially mountains or the fairy chimneys of Cappadocia.
Quote: “Every problem is a gift - without problems we would not grow “
Pragya works as a People Success Associate at FocusU.
She was born and brought up in Kolkata- the city of joy, a true bengali at heart she loves art, music and dance. She has completed her MBA in HR from St. Xavier’s University, Kolkata. Before joining FocusU as her first full-time job, she has done many internships in varied fields including one with FocusU’s “FocusU Academy Team”. Others include HR Operations Intern at V5 Global Services, Young Metro Force Member at Telegraph, Content Writer at Holidify, Content Manager at Webfeed and so on.
At FocusU her role not only encompasses being the go-to people’s person but also covers areas of People Development, Employee engagement, Process and Result Orientation, being the Culture and values champion, People Operations and so on.
She believes that empathy is one of her biggest strengths. As a person she is polite, kind and cordial which makes her easily approachable. She always strives to make a positive impact on other people’s lives by being receptive and congenial.
During weekends you may often find her in museums, art galleries or just watching a feel good movie at her home. She also loves an occasional photo walk across the city capturing the hustle and bustle of the streets on her camera. The creative bug inside drives her to often make a painting or two during her free time. She is also a very enthusiastic traveler and has a lot of interesting travel stories to share.
My experience has been like a constantly rising learning curve. As this is my first job, I joined with an open mindset of getting to learn new and interesting things. Honestly, I have never felt my learning curve dropping at any moment so far. FocusU is rising towards building an agile culture and I as a member of this beautiful team has always felt that rigor. I have experienced autonomy, flexibility and agility with every task that I took up. Starting from implementation of OKRs to having a flat hierarchy, FocusU has always inculcated its values and culture into simplifying the lives of all the team members.
What Made You Decide To Choose Focusu?
During my MBA, I was interning with the FocusU Academy Team. I had done many internships before that, but my experience working with FocusU was strikingly different. I felt like I was actually adding so much value to the team and I am not just another intern. I got to enjoy a little glimpse of the amazing culture and values that FocusU offers to their team members through this short stint. That’s when I thought I would love to work with this company as a full-time employee one day. Luckily, at that time, there was an opening in the People Success Team and the rest is history.
What Difference Does It Make To Work At Focusu?
At FocusU we all have this constant urge to do better, to be passionate about what we do and delivering impeccable results. Coming across such a close-knit bunch of highly motivated individuals who aim to bring an impact and make a difference in the lives of all their stakeholders is truly rare to find in today’s fast paced world. This is because the spotlight is always at learning, growth and to #BeMore.
Prakash Maheshwari
Facilitator
Super hero: Swami Vivekanada & Buddha
Sports team: 2011 World Cup Winning Indian Cricket Team & 2010 Spanish Footbal World cup winning team
Cuisine: Anything nutritious & Chinese prepared in Park Street Calcutta restaurants
Movie: Peaceful Warrior , Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara, Anand & Shawshank Redemption
Book: Born to Run
Music: All kinds( More preference for Rock , Fusion & Spiritual )
Holiday: Beach, Mountains & cities which facilitate long runs
Quote: Imagination was given to man to compensate him for what he is not , a sense of humor to console him for what he is- Francis bacon.
Prakash brings over 15 + years of corporate experience with premier organizations like American Express & Aon Hewitt in multiple leadership roles encompassing client servicing, business delivery, consulting & coaching linked to businesses in multiple geographies. He is a Post Graduate in International Business from IIFT Delhi. He offers unique, practical, and real time corporate perspectives on an array of business topics through the varied positions held. Prakash is a Coach, Performance Accelerator and a senior Training Consultant committed to partnering with People, Organizations & Communities to tap their dormant capabilities, take intensive action for solid outcomes leading to Personal, Professional & Spiritual Excellence.
Prakash has successfully conducted numerous Leadership programs, Manager Development & Group interventions across large organizations in key industries. He also conducts leadership workshops in educational institutions and non profits. Prakash is an Advanced Neuro Linguistic Programming practitioner through the American Board of NLP. The participants experience accelerated learning structures in his training programs.
Prakash channelizes his tried, tested and trusted business acumen and deep understanding of the client needs to execute result oriented training workshops. Prakash is committed to provide practical leverage leading to intensive action for solid outcomes through a process of experiential learning. Prakash is also a passionate marathon runner and brings in distinctive tone of sporting themes in his workshops. He conducts holistic wellness and stress management workshops as well.
Prakash’s strengths have been assessed by the Gallup Consulting Group.
His personal strength findings are as follows: Execution: Responsibility, Influencing Skills: Activator, Win over Others, Strategic Thinking: Learner &Relationship Building: Connectedness
What Is Your Most Memorable Engagement So Far?
We live every workshop as our first one. Every workshop holds a very dear place. It is very difficult to choose a single workshop. However, there have been multiple workshops which have helped us serve kids from humble backgrounds. They are undoubtedly the most special ones. We also have had opportunities of facilitating interventions for senior leadership groups. Some of those engagements come to my mind as we could contribute in ironing out their differences and make a small difference in those leadership groups. Of course, there are so many workshops where they are our repeat clients. Those workshops are very memorable as well as it gives us an indication that we are headed in the right direction and so many organizations believe in us and trust us to deliver the brief in the most impactful way.
How Would You Describe The Focusu Culture?
Our values of CHOPS (Care, Humility, Openness, Passion and Safety) are the bedrock of our culture. We have a culture where the audio and video matches. Well, what that means is what we say is what we do. A culture where everyone feels respected. You feel you belong here and we say we were all destined to get together to create the FocusU magic. Overall FocusU culture is represented in our tagline “All about YOU”. We play the game as a good sports team with lot of spirit.
How Have You Lived The Focusu Mission Of: We Before Me?
WE before ME. We had together created this mission of “WE before me”. It resonated with all of us and came as a natural binding thread for the entire team. This is what we live by. The biggest example is that our roles are fluid and we expect that all of us can play any role on a given day to make the necessary impact for our client teams. That sense of camaraderie is evident in all our workshops. There have been many instances when our partners have highlighted our team as a benchmark to showcase what does teamwork means. Those moments have been very humbling and it has reaffirmed our belief in our mission.
What Attracted You To Focusu?
Firstly , my personal values and mission matched with the FocusU values and mission. The overall body of work certainly attracted me as well. Experiential learning, Unique brand of workshop facilitation, exposure to variable kinds of workshops and opportunity to partner with marquee organizations provided me an extended canvas in the world of facilitation. Overall a Happy place for happy people.
Preksha Mittal
Learning Assistant
Super hero: My Mom
Sports team: I don’t enjoy watching sports 🙈
Cuisine: Italian
Movie: DDLJ
Book: The Power of Your Subconscious Mind
Music: Bollywood
Holiday: Europe
Quote: “We all make mistakes. Keep making them, but never repeat the same mistake again.” - Anonymous
Wondering what my name means? Well, it means ‘intelligence’. I am a hoarder for aesthetics, cute items and 5-minute crafts videos. One can describe me as innovative and creative as I like to make beautiful things out of waste. I love making handmade things for my loved ones. I can live on nothing but Italian food for the rest of my life, especially Alfredo being my super favorite 😛
Describe Your Experience At Focusu
At FocusU, I've had the privilege of experiencing a workplace that truly embodies a culture of inclusivity and support. One of the standout aspects of this organization is the unwavering commitment to its core values, encapsulated in the acronym CHOPS: Care, Humility, Ownership, Passion, and Safety. These values are not just words on a page; they are lived and breathed by the people here, creating an environment where everyone is welcomed with open arms.
The presence of CHOPS values within FocusU fosters a workplace that is refreshingly apolitical. It encourages employees to rally behind one another, knowing that they have each other's backs. This sense of unity and mutual support makes navigating the professional landscape here a remarkably positive experience.
Furthermore, my journey at FocusU has been a tremendous opportunity for personal and professional growth. I completed an Instructional Designer Course, which provided me with invaluable insights and hands-on experience with various authoring tools. Additionally, I've had the chance to explore the exciting world of gamified learning, a skill set that adds a dynamic and engaging dimension to the learning experiences we create.
What Made You Decide To Choose Focusu?
After my first call for the interview it was clear to me that I would want to join FocusU because of the people and the culture here. They give immense importance to mental wellbeing, which is still not considered a necessity in society. I could feel the energy and warmth demonstrated by the people working here. And I’m glad I made the right choice.
Have You Been Able To Follow Your Interests?
Yes, of course. A work life balance gives you support and the push in the right direction to follow your interests. I am grateful for the same. FocusU also gave me a chance to explore my interests like reading. I used to run away from reading but now it gives me a sense of peace and wisdom. I love traveling and unlike most people, my job didn’t come in the way of that.
Rakesh Balachandran
Co-founder
Super hero: Loki
Sports team: FC Barcelona
Cuisine: Italian
Movie: The Shawshank Redemption
Book: Military fiction – Tom Clancy
Music: Country
Holiday: Europe
Quote: You will miss 100% of the shots you never take – Wayne Gretzky
Rakesh brings in close to 2 decades of rich experience across Corporate sales and marketing, Product management, Business development and Facilitation. His last stint before changing gears as an entrepreneur was as the Country Product Manager for Hewlett Packard India.
Rakesh holds a graduate degree in Electronics and Communication engineering and a Post Graduate Degree in Management from Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad. He is accredited in administering profiling tools like the MBTI, FIRO-B and is also certified in the LSP methodology. His passion and high energy are some of the things anyone who has interacted with him will vouch for. Rakesh is also a TEDx speaker – you can see his engaging talk out here.
An avid sports follower, amateur snooker and cricket player – he is the biggest fan of Roger Federer we know of. A most voracious reader, if you ever need a book recommendation, look no farther. From fiction, non-fiction, military strategy, adventure, business classics – he consumes it all with equal glee.
Rakesh has facilitated a wide variety of experiential workshops over the last decade spanning team building, leadership and innovation. Some leading organizations that have benefited from his expertise include Hindustan Unilever Ltd, Tata Communications, PepsiCo, DHL, Alstom, Audi, Barclays amongst others.
He is also a good writer and has also contributed to many external publications that include:
⦁ Three tips to foster a culture of innovation in SHRM ⦁ Five ways for effective team visioning in SHRM ⦁ Smartphone Leadership
All good words coming soon here!
Sanchit Verma
Co-Facilitator
Super hero: HULK
Sports team: RCBs
Cuisine: North Indian
Movie: kungFu Panda
Book: The Reckoning by John Gresham
Music: Any song by Lucky Ali
Holiday: Rajasthan
Quote: Babumushoi, zindagi badi honi chahiye … lambi nahin
A person with a perennial smile on his face, he is the stand-up comedian in the team. With him around, there is never a dull moment – whether at office or during any of the FOCUS programs. The positivity that he brings in rubs off on everyone around – FOCUS Facilitators and workshop participants!
When he is not busy cracking jokes and making people laugh, he can be seen deeply immersed playing around with new gadgets. Technology and gadgets are his second love. His first love being the full moon (we cannot reveal more).
Post his graduation from Delhi University, Sanchit worked as a retail representative in Hewlett Packard for 3 years. In his own words, “I never thought of becoming an Instructor in FocusU, but the moment I heard about the concept of Adventure, Play and Learning coming together, I could not stop myself from joining FOCUS”.
Sanchit is an active sportsman, who loves playing cricket and volleyball.
His motto in life has always been”To make his own presence and work count”. He does much more than that in his work here at FOCUS.
What Is Your Most Memorable Engagement So Far?
Now this is still fresh in my mind. I joined FocusU as a bachelor. I got married while being here. Considering all the complications – it could not have been possible without this crazy family. There were days when I was down, away from home and my fiancee. The FocusU family supported me big time at all those times. The company has always stood by me.
What New Skills Have You Developed At Focusu?
Well I have learnt a lot being at FocusU. Few skills that got polished here are: • Public speaking • Editing the movies & photos at pro level • Getting to do stand-up comedy acts in programs • Effective communication with different people involved in the program • Coaching other team mates • Being a better team player
What Made You Decide To Choose Focusu?
There is no pre-defined pathway. We figure out things as we go. Growth Mindset is for real.
What Has Surprised You The Most About Being Here?
The way everyone treats themselves as the brand ambassador of the CHOPS values that we have as an organisation, surprises me. There is nothing unique or different nor any rocket science to them. Yet, these values have helped me not only in my professional life but have also shaped me into a better human being. I feel we are adding something to the society, by being such individuals.
What Keeps You Here?
As said by Jorge Paulo Lemann “the greatest asset of a company is its people”. Yes, this is why I am here. Being a part of this mad, crazy, happy, passionate family is the one sole reason of me being here. I will stay with FocusU till my last breath.
Have You Been Able To Follow Your Interests?
Yes, travelling, videos, photography, stand-up acts, cricket, bad jokes nothing has been left behind. I still carry each of these in my travel bag. This bag is a reflection of my life at FocusU. The guidance and mentoring from mentors here have really pushed me to get closer to my goal and interests.
Sanjay Lohani
Client Advisor
Super hero: Spiderman
Sports team: Mumbai Indians
Cuisine: Malabar
Movie: Notting Hill
Book: Fountainhead
Music: Sufi
Holiday: Amsterdam
Quote: The best way to predict your future is to create it.
He has more than 25 years of experience in General Management, Marketing and Sales in blue-chip MNCs (Baxter, Zimmer Biomet, Teleflex) and Indian healthcare Companies like Sun Pharma and Micro Labs. Also, another significant experience has been working with cross-cultural, regional and global teams with reporting into matrix structures.
This deep engagement has greatly helped him understand and work with the aspirations, challenges, and opportunities of a diverse group of corporate professionals.
With an Ikigai defined for himself as “Rise and help others excel,” he finds his calling in working with people and helping them shine in their endeavors. The same spirit inspired him to work with young minds at Narsee Monjee and prepare them well for entering and influencing the fast-growing Healthcare Industry.
He is also a certified trainer for Professional Selling Skills and believes that we all keep influencing various people around us and thus, sales is but a natural process.
In the Healthcare space, he has piloted a Mobile Learning Center to take the OT experience to Tier 2/ Tier 3 towns for Orthopedic Healthcare professionals to sharpen their craft. The initiative won him the Frost & Sullivan Award for Competitive Strategy Leadership.
“I have been fortunate to have my learning shaped through interesting long term and short term courses by some of the very reputed Institutes like Chicago Business School, XLRI, ASCI and IIM(B)” says Sanjay.
An avid reader, he also writes poems and blogs. Travel and music make him happy. He also enjoys traveling to many parts of the world, understanding people and cultures across borders.
Describe Your Experience At Focusu
I joined FocusU a year back and if I were to give a word to the past one year in my professional life, I would call it a “metamorphosis” year. I understood myself better, tried things which I have never done before. started awkward, got great guidanceand feedforward to expand skills and to improve.
What New Skills Have You Developed At Focusu?
I experienced the joy of learning at focus you. as I learnt various leadership frameworks, I realized how well they all are interconnected! This interconnectedness suddenly hits you as a revelation and creates a map in your mind, of leadership as it ought to be. Every new thing you learn thereafter effortlessly sits on the map and makes it richer.
What Difference Does It Make To Work At Focusu?
It doesn’t even seem like work anymore. You get to do things you are passionate about you contribute and feel a joy in doing so.
What Has Surprised You The Most About Being Here?
Unwavering trust which team members have on each other
What Do You Like Best About Working Here?
The work which we get to do here, the influence we bring to the lives of so many professionals helping them to be a better version of themselves.
What Attracted You To Focusu?
The class of Facilitators and their humility.
Prashanth Sankaran
Facilitator
Super hero: Batman
Sports team: Newcastle United
Cuisine: Wherever I go, i find comfort in South Indian 🙂
Movie: Shutter Island
Book: Behave (Robert Sapolsky)
Music: As long as it grooves, I’m all for it!
Holiday: Ooty
Quote: The art of communication lies is listening.
Prashant works as a Facilitator with us. His rich beard makes him stand out quite distinctly amongst the FOCUS family. Amongst our Facilitators, he is the closest who comes to the Ranbir Kapoor look in Rockstar J. Beneath that rugged beard though lies a genial, relaxed personality who has a ready smile at hand and can give you a patient ear at all times.
A graduate in Business Management, Prashanth has worked in the domains of investment banking and business development for a family-owned business venture.
A person with very versatile interests – he is one of the co-founders of the band “Fringe Medusa”, which is based out of Bangalore. An extremely passionate musician himself, he is the guitarist, songwriter and vocalist for the band. As a self-taught drummer, Prashant firmly believes in the power of challenging oneself and in continuous learning. Being able to write lyrics which tell stories, personal and fictional, Prashanth is a firm believer of the quote – “The art of conversation lies in listening.”
Prashanth is a biking enthusiast – with his trusted Thunderbird Enfield bike, he has journeyed through several road trips in and around South India. He avidly follows sport events across the globe and has played basketball competitively all through school and college.
What has surprised you the most about being here?
Its been an extremely positive journey regardless of the ups and downs. Everyone is comfortable with each other and at the same time, push each other to be a better version of themselves. I have personally observed myself to have become a much more open, honest and grounded person.
Have you been able to follow your interests?
I joined FocusU as a music facilitator. Wanting to do something in the field of music has been my goal ever since I started learning to play an instrument. And so now, there is an overlap between my work and my passion.
What do you like best about working here?
The people of FocusU and the people we get to interact with during workshops. I have made amazing friends, have mentors without whom I wouldn’t think it would be possible for me to now assume a role of a coach for another dear friend.
What keeps you here?
The opportunity to push myself out of my comfort zone while fully knowing the people here have my back in case I miss a step.
Shubham Munjal
Category Head- Masterclass
Super hero: Hanu-Man | Sports team: Indian Cricket Team
Cuisine: Mughlai | Movie: Any classic Romcom
Book: War of Lanka | Music: Bollywood
Holiday: Stamford Bridge, London
Quote: It’s not difficult, it’s just practiced less.
About Me:
How It all Began:
I always had an unconventional view of the world. Being successful in life for me was to choose something that made me happy. I was always academically brilliant but had more inclination towards dance. Despite being a graduate in Economic Honors, I chose a career that went beyond academics…I chose to Dance and that is where it all began!
Picture abhi baaki hai:
I truly put on my dancing shoes in college. This is where I got a chance to prove my potential as a dancer and be appointed as the president of my dance team. This is that once chance that gave me the taste of what it is like to be a leader and what is the importance of team work. For a spectacular show the most important element is to make a team of excellent dancers work together as one unit.
And that is when I joined Shiamak Davar’s Institute to upgrade my dance skills.
And 5...6...7...8...
I successfully completed my one-year training program with Shiamak and became a part of its team. Shiamak gave me wings in the truest sense, I performed in the best of the shows domestic as well as internationally and it was learning on its own. From learning how to engage the audience, to entertainment, to planning and execution and also from selling the company’s batches to parents and maintaining relationships with them...I got an exposure in all. I wasn’t just an instructor; I was the face of Shiamak for my clients.
And dreams do come true… I got a chance to perform with my favourite... Shahrukh Khan!
But I wasn’t done...
The Universe Conspires:
My urge to learn and expand my horizons got me into getting certifications as a yoga and fitness instructor. To make it wholesome I also got a certification in health and nutrition. That is when I decided that I wanted to use my knowledge and help people. I wanted to spread happiness and the importance of being fit and active to the world. I made this a purpose and dived into starting my own venture. The Pandemic hit hard but when you have the intent to make this world a better place, nothing can stop you! I survived the worst of times, continued teaching online and today I am successfully managing a staff of 5 and making several people fit and happy.
The only things that’s constant is change:
With times and situations changing so dynamically and waves rising up and down, I realized the importance of networking and communication. Running my own studio taught me some powerful management lessons… what truly is sales, what is negotiation, what is it to understand a client’s need, what is customization as per needs and above all what is it to build and maintain long term relationship. I value client satisfaction, I value encouraging my team to follow my vision, I value quality and I worship hard work.
Describe Your Experience At Focusu
My experience at FocusU has been great so far, each day I get to learn a lot and everyone has been so kind and supportive.
What Difference Does It Make To Work At Focusu?
Working at FocusU has been one of the best things that could have happened to me.
They give huge importance to learning and development of the employees and unlike other companies the freedom they give and the trust that they show in us is unimaginable.
How Would You Describe The Focusu Culture?
Honestly, I never imagined that an organization can actually live to its culture not just on papers but in real life too. It’s amazing to see every team member at all levels to demonstrate CHOPS every now and then.
Sourabh S
Graphics & Video Developer
Superhero: IRON MAN
Sports Team: While I occasionally engage in sports, it's not a primary interest 😊!
Cuisine: I appreciate Tea, Salads, and North Indian cuisine
Movie: I enjoy the Marvel series, Kantara, and more
Book: Some of my favored reads include Isha Foundation books, "Life Amazing Secrets" by Gaur Gopal Das, and "The Design of Everyday Things" by Don Norman
Music: I have an affinity for Sufi music and a selection of tracks by Enrique Iglesias
Holiday: My ideal getaways encompass the beach, mountains, and rural India.
Quote: "The relentless pursuit of excellence fueled by boundless passion can lead to the achievement of extraordinary feats accompanied by unparalleled joy." — Aberjhani
Sourabh hails from the sacred town of Deoghar in Jharkhand, where his innate creativity began to flourish at a young age. Throughout his formative years, he actively participated in numerous art competitions, laying the foundation for a lifelong passion for design and graphics. Following the completion of his formal education and graduation, Sourabh made the pivotal decision to embrace his hobby-turned-calling: design.
Sourabh's journey into the world of design commenced in Chandigarh, where he pursued an advanced degree in VFX and graphics at the esteemed Maya Academy of Cinematics—an institution renowned for its excellence in multimedia animation within India.
As a seasoned design specialist, Sourabh possesses an unwavering dedication to crafting captivating and impactful designs. His skill set encompasses graphics, animation, branding, and communication design, enabling him to produce creations that captivate and resonate with audiences. Sourabh is known for his collaborative approach to design, wherein he closely collaborates with clients to comprehend their objectives and breathe life into their visions.
With over four years of professional experience, Sourabh has had the privilege of collaborating with prestigious brands such as Byju's, WhiteHat Jr, WASP3D, and engaging in groundbreaking work in the realms of augmented and virtual reality during the early stages of his career. His commitment to design excellence is paralleled by his fervor for innovation. Sourabh holds certifications in design, technology, and innovation from the prestigious Indian Institute of Technology Bombay (IITB) and is also recognized by the Indian Institute of Management Bangalore (IIMB) for his proficiency in product design.
Sourabh is more than just a design specialist; he is a visionary who seamlessly merges artistry with technology, delivering design solutions that leave a lasting impact. His dedication to pushing the boundaries of creativity and innovation is emblematic of his passion for design, making him a formidable force in the world of graphic and multimedia design.
Tarika Vaswani
Director - Marketing
Describe Your Experience At Focusu
Like most journeys, my experience with FocusU has its ups and downs. I find the work very interesting and challenging. However, there are days when it gets overwhelming too. Nevertheless, I am learning a lot and I appreciate that most about my experience so far.What Is Your Most Memorable Engagement So Far?
Given I am part of the marketing team, it is difficult for me to pinpoint one particular engagement. The overall experience of helping FocusU grow is very memorable – as it is challenging, one gets to learn a lot and have fun at the same time.What Difference Does It Make To Work At Focusu?
At FocusU, we help deliver better results at the workplace through experiential learning. Through our work, we help organisations, employees and individuals learn and grow and hence #bemore. Interestingly, you get to learn, grow and #bemore as you help others do the same.How Would You Describe The Focusu Culture?
It’s said that “With great freedom comes great responsibility” and that holds true for the culture at FocusU. Our unlimited leave policy, flexible working hours, work from home, personal and professional growth policies respect individual needs, enable work-life balance and encourage growth. However, at the heart of it lies “ownership,” which is one of our core values. If you can work on your own, don’t expect to be spoon-fed and take full responsibility for your deliverables as well as growth, you are sure to thrive at FocusU.
Tejal Karpe
Client Advisory Associate
Super hero: My dad
Sports team: Indian Cricket Team
Cuisine: Indian, Italian, Thai
Movie: Uh-ho too many to add in this list 😛 But the top favs would be Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara & Yeh Jawani Hai Deewani
TV Series: F.R.I.E.N.D.S
Book: 1. Think Like A Monk 2. The Boy, The Mole, The Fox and The Horse
Music/Band: One direction, Bollywood songs, Soft Rock
Holiday: Anything with a beach and pleasant weather 🙂
Quote: “Shoot for the moon! Even if you miss it, You will land among the Stars!”
Tejal is a Client Advisory Associate at FocusU.
Tejal hails from Pune and is a Computer Engineering graduate from MITCOE, Pune. She is also a certified Digital Marketer and a Project Management Professional.
She is a person with a dynamic personality with an inquisitive mind who has a diverse background in terms of academics and her professional journey.
Before being a part of FocusU family, Tejal had worked in an entry level startup as a Chief Operations Officer where she handled multiple roles from content, digital marketing and operations management. She was also a project coordinator for few projects in another firm.
Her passion for mental health and social service contribution also encouraged her to work for a psychological firm and a few NGO’s as a Social media manager to help them increase awareness about mental health and other initiatives, as a freelancer.
She loves to explore and do new things that would help create a positive impact through her work. And that’s the motto of her life - ‘To create a positive impact, Be kind and Share a smile’ 🙂
Thorough ownership of work and honesty are her biggest assets and she firmly believes in uplifting everyone. That’s where the FocusU tag line “WE BEFORE ME” caught her eye and motivated her to join the FocusU family.
Whilst away from work, she loves talking about self-improvement, reading self-help books, watching movies and hitting the gym! She also loves to explore her creative side along with her mom and enjoys making rangoli and doing some festive decors during festivals.
Describe Your Experience At Focusu
My experience at FocusU has been AMAZING! Everyday is different and filled with lots of learning!! Everyone here is very helpful and supportive. To work with such great colleagues is truly a blessing and that’s what makes this work place a happier place for me 🙂
What Difference Does It Make To Work At Focusu?
One of the most beautiful things about work at FocusU for me is - Work is Fun here! Mondays are no longer boring! I can’t wait for our weekly team catch up calls. The way in which we live our values ie. The CHOPS here is what makes all the difference!
FocusU not only helps you in leveling up professionally but also helps you to grow personally!
How Would You Describe The Focusu Culture?
FocusU Culture is ‘professionalism with a lot of care’. We value each other’s every little step and grow together as a team. The culture is exactly what it says on the website and the organisation actively works towards maintaining it.
What Keeps You Here?
The people, the culture and the values! And, of course the impact we try to create together as a FocusU family <3
Also, having a balanced work-life is something I looked forward to and FocusU provided that environment with great pleasure.
Have You Been Able To Follow Your Interests?
A big YESSS! A few of my colleagues here have encouraged me to work on my fitness goals and stay consistent with it. Apart from this, many folks share their interests and hobbies which further encourages me to take time out for myself and follow my hobbies in my free time 🙂
Vibha Cothundaramen
Client Experience Specialist
Super hero: Wonder Woman
Cuisine: Grandma’s cooking, Italian
Movie: Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara / 3 idiots / Twilight
Book: Fault in our stars / Harry potter
Music: All types of music
Holiday: Greece, Maldives, New York
Quote: Life is tricky, stay in your magic.
A bubbly person who enjoys life to the max and enjoys the company of her loved ones and friends, Vibha also holds a Diploma in Tourism Management Diploma since 2020. She just completed her degree in Management and has had the opportunity of rubbing shoulders with professionals in the fields of Sales & Marketing, Tour Guiding and Reservation during her apprenticeship in reputed resorts, namely Tamassa, La Vanille Nature Reserve and Domaine des Aubineaux.
A travel aficionado – “Traveling is an invitation to step outside of our comfort zones and inspires people to see, taste and try new things” is her conviction. That constant challenge, not only to adapt to and explore new surroundings, but also to engage with different people, to embrace adventures as they come and to share new and meaningful experiences is what makes life so exciting for her. As she says, “Whether we seek adrenaline and non-stop activity, or unapologetic siestas and ultimate relaxation, travel is a constant opportunity to explore with an open heart and an open mind.”
In addition to being a music lover, baking and trying on new dessert recipes are her soft spots. A team player who is all about growth mindset, she is adaptable and always ready to roll.
My experience with FocusU has been very enriching. The journey so far has had its share of Highs and Low but overall it has provided me with the chance to learn new things. I appreciate that FocusU has established an environment that supports my personal and professional development
What Is Your Most Memorable Engagement So Far?
Every day is unique and full of learning opportunities! Everyone in this place is really supportive and helpful. To work with such great colleagues is truly a blessing and that’s what makes this workplace more pleasant for me.
What Difference Does It Make To Work At Focusu?
Working at FocusU is one of my favorite things since work is pleasant here. FocusU not only helps in professional advancement but also in personal development! What really makes a difference is how we live out CHOPS!
How Would You Describe The Focusu Culture?
Sincerely, I never thought that a company could genuinely adhere to its culture both in writing and in daily operations. Amazingly, every team member at every level consistently demonstrates CHOPS.
Vidhisha Dalmia
Client Advisory Manager
Super hero: Wonder Woman
Sports team: Indian Cricket Team
Cuisine: Asian, Italian
Movie: The Intern, Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind
Book: The Palace of Illusions
Music: Soft Rock, Sufi
Holiday: Europe
Quote: Shoot for the Moon. Even if you miss it, you will land among the stars!
Vidisha brings with her hands-on detailing in business development and account management professionalism. An MBA from ICFAI Business School, Hyderabad, Vidisha carries close to 7 years of work experience. She has had diverse opportunities with startups ranging from Gaming to Hospitality, proving her mettle one step at a time.
Having a balanced work-life, both personally and professionally is something she holds in the highest regard. This is also one of the key factors that motivated her to join the FocusU family.
Thorough ownership of work and honesty are her biggest assets and she firmly believes in uplifting everyone. Regarding herself as a strong naysayer of social inequality, she believes the world can become a kinder place, only when equal respect is entrusted to every individual – humans or otherwise.
Whilst away from work, she loves to explore her creative side through art and painting. Her idea of tranquility is sipping a hot cuppa by the mountains while she paints the beautiful nature surrounding it. Her ultimate goal? Well, that’ll be retiring to the hills 🙂
Describe Your Experience At Focusu
My experience with FocusU has been very enriching. The journey so far has had its share of peaks and valleys, but overall, it has given me the opportunity to discover myself through a lens unknown to me. Professionally, this space has allowed me to challenge my inhibitions and come out stronger as an individual. I love the fact that FocusU has created an atmosphere that is conducive to my personal and professional growth.
What Is Your Most Memorable Engagement So Far?
Being a client advisory manager, we are entrusted with several opportunities to flaunt the work that we do. Every time I have a client come over and tell me how successful FocusU has been in impacting their lives through the learning/engagement workshops, I feel a sense of pride in what we do (and most importantly, how we do it). All these feed-forwards make every engagement memorable for me.
What Difference Does It Make To Work At Focusu?
FocusU is a place that constantly promotes a healthy culture of learning. A work environment that is transparent enough to appreciate differences in opinion stemming from a common agenda, providing people a safe space to be vocal about their issues, is a true testament to the strong foundation which beholds this organization. I often believe that it's the people that make the place what it is and to all of us working at FocusU, we wouldn’t have it any other way 🙂
How Would You Describe The Focusu Culture?
The culture at FocusU is very similar to the values that we preach as an organization. The unlimited leave policy, flexible working hours, and exploring key areas of interest outside of work are a few of the policies that directly contribute to one's personal and professional growth. Our values here constantly remind us to become better people.
Vidya Thimmiah
CX
Super hero: Anyone who inspires Comics teaches us that too!
Cuisine: Indian and Italian
Movie: Forrest Gump
Book: Little Match Girl
Music: Classic rock | Downtempo artists
Holiday: Anywhere with a beach or the mountains or both
Quote: “The purpose of our lives is to be happy” – Dalai Lama.
Vidya joins us with over 5 years of experience in Client Servicing and Account Management. With her work experience, she is convinced that good customer service is about building personal relationships with clients, rather than just displaying plain professional courtesy.
She has completed her MBA in Marketing from Christ University, Bangalore but feels that life experiences have been her biggest teacher.
Something she holds in the highest regard is balancing work-life to reach her maximum potential, both personally and professionally. This is also one of the key factors that motivated her to join the FocusU family.
She feels that her right-side brain is the dominant one and loves to spend time exploring her creative side through art, music, books, and food. She would rather be put behind bars than give up an opportunity to travel.
With a hunger for self-improvement, her biggest lesson has been that change and progress are always slow and challenging, but the results from that journey are etched forever.
Describe Your Experience At Focusu
My experience at FocusU has been a pleasant surprise at every turn. From how warm and welcoming my colleagues were/and are, to the environment my manager created to allow me to make mistakes and learn and grow from them.
Any pressure concerning work was self-imposed and never by the organization. I feel the team personally invested their time and effort to bring out the best version of me and I am pleased to see the person I am evolving into.
What Is Your Most Memorable Engagement So Far?
Having started my journey as a Client Advisor, the first deal that I closed will always be close to my heart. It was a virtual company offsite, which gave me a taste of the work we do at FocusU and I remember being so excited about working with an organization that so passionately curates and creates these memorable experiences for our clients.
We’ve evolved as an organization since, but the core of what makes us who we are has not changed. The focus has always been and will remain on exceeding client expectations and being a true partner in their L&D journey.
What Difference Does It Make To Work At Focusu?
For me, FocusU seems to be a refuge for corporate misfits who have finally found a place to do meaningful work, true to who they are as individuals. As someone who has succumbed to the pressure of a typical corporate job, FocusU has allowed me to find my working style, putting me in control of the steering wheel of my performance and preference. This in turn has allowed me to bring my best foot forward for the organization and its amazing people.
How Would You Describe The Focusu Culture?
As with any other organization, FocusU has continued to evolve, but one thing that we have not changed or compromised on is our Culture. We are a bunch of folks from different backgrounds, geographies, and cultures, but remain connected because of it. We have so many initiatives that help celebrate our people and the culture, ensuring we all live it to the fullest.
Explore the true essence of
working at FocusU
At FocusU, we're rewriting the rules!
With a culture built on camaraderie, we're a close-knit team where everyone's on a first-name basis.
Together, we're a passionate group of fanatics dedicated to crafting mind-blowing learning experiences that redefine the norm.
Welcome to a workplace that stands for values, puts people first, and breaks free from the ordinary.
