Zuora’s Post

Embracing Change and Celebrating Progress! A few weeks ago, I decided to have lunch at one of my favourite spots in Delhi, Ama Cafe. I booked an Uber auto and noticed the auto wasn’t moving on the map. Curious, I checked the driver’s profile and saw a female driver something I hadn’t experienced before in all my travels around Delhi. I felt so good and excited to see this change. I called her, and she told me she’d arrive in 10 minutes. When she arrived, I was genuinely happy and a bit perplexed since it was completely a new experience for me. After a smooth 15-20 minute ride, we reached the destination. Lost in thought, I absentmindedly asked, “Bhaiya, QR code hai?” Realising my mistake, I quickly apologised, explaining, “Didi, aadat nhi hai actually.” She graciously replied, “Koi baat nahi bhaiya, hojata hai galti se,” taking my mistake so lightly, but I felt bad for the slipup. This experience made me realise how deeply ingrained our habits and assumptions can be. Despite the progress we see around us, it’s easy to fall back on familiar patterns without even thinking. This incident reminded me of the importance of being more mindful and acknowledging the positive changes happening in our society. It’s a small but powerful example of how we can support and embrace inclusivity and empowerment in our daily lives. Let’s celebrate these moments of change and continue to push for a more inclusive and equitable world. #Empowerment #Inclusivity #Change #DelhiDiaries

“Dada that car is full of mosquitos!” As we go about our daily lives, we often have different perspectives on the same thing. A recent experience with my family reminded me of the importance of encouraging others to share their perspectives. Was on a long drive, and pondering over that statement led me to a chain of thoughts that led to standing up for one another, being an Ally! A few weeks ago, my family and I were driving back home, and my four-year-old daughter exclaimed “Dada that car is full of mosquitos!”. That car had all its windows rolled down. Based on her experience, the only time we rolled down our windows were to let out the mosquitos. As I thought to myself “Maybe they are trying to save fuel.” Thulasi S. replied, “They might have rolled it down for some fresh air." Three different perspectives, within a few seconds amongst people who live under one roof! Made me ponder, how often do we encourage others to share their perspectives and learn from them? How often do we during or after team meetings intentionally look for opportunities, we could have been inclusive? Every person in the meeting could have had their perspective. Some express them, some fear repercussions, while some are late to the discussion. Over the last few months, I had the opportunity to facilitate a couple of exploratory sessions on what diversity means, how can we be inclusive and what does it mean to be an ally. We spent most of the time sharing each other's experiences being an ally or recognizing an ally. One of my prior roles, out of a team of 10, I used to be the only team member from Bangalore, while most of the others were from New England. During our weekly staff meetings, our leader never missed an opportunity to ask, "Vijeesh did you understand that" or "have you heard of it?" and took time to explain the context whenever they discussed something specific to the region. When was the last time you stood up for someone or someone stood up for you? Share your stories! #perspectives #allyship

In our company, we focus on a people-first culture. Embracing JRD Tata's wisdom, 'The community is not just another stakeholder in business, But is, in fact, the very purpose of its existence, Has reshaped my approach to creating a positive work culture.' It's not about the fancy office perks, It's about truly valuing each team member. Here's what that looks like for us: - Unexpected Leave : Sometimes, life happens. We understand and support sudden leave requests. - Family Commitments : Family is important. If you've got something going on, we make sure you can catch up on work later. - Feeling Unwell? : Your well-being is our priority. Rest up, and don’t worry about work. In India's often intense corporate world, we're carving out a different path. For me, leadership isn't about overseeing hours worked, it's about creating a space where everyone feels valued and respected. By fostering an environment, Where people feel cared for and trusted, We've seen our team thrive, Not just in their work but in their personal lives too. I believe changing the work culture narrative in India Starts with Respecting and Valuing our people first. What are your thoughts on making workplaces more human-centric? +++ If you liked reading this far, follow me at Vikas Chadda for more #VikiQuotes #workculture #leadership #employees #startupgrowth #procurement

Ever felt stuck in a workplace rut, yearning for inspiration? This morning, while sipping chai and browsing through leadership insights, I stumbled upon Ratan Tata's wisdom. His words hit home, reminding me why he's been a personal hero of mine for years. Tata's approach to fostering workplace happiness is both simple and profound. Here are 5 key takeaways that inspired me: 1️⃣ Lead with Empathy: "If you want to walk far, walk together." 2️⃣ Embrace Innovation: The Tata Nano showed us breakthrough ideas can happen at any price point. 3️⃣ Prioritize Ethics: Build your reputation on unwavering integrity. 4️⃣ Invest in People: Pioneering employee welfare isn't just nice, it's smart business. 5️⃣ Think Long-term: Focus on sustainable growth and positive societal impact. Tata's words reignited my passion for creating a vibrant workplace culture. I'm now inspired to implement a weekly "Tata Tea Break" for my team to share innovative ideas over chai. As Tata wisely said, "Ups and downs in life are very important to keep us going, because a straight line even in an ECG means we are not alive." How do you plan to breathe new life into your workplace? Share your thoughts! #WorkplaceCulture #Leadership #Innovation #TataWisdom #inclusive

Last year, when I decided to move to Bangalore, my mother asked me, 'How will you manage in an unknown place? Her concern was valid, but I was determined to step out of my comfort zone and embrace the new challenge. It did take some courage, as I had spent the last few years in a tier-3 city. I had to make a tough decision to move to an unknown place. It was daunting and created an emotional barrier I had to overcome. I’ve learned a lot during this journey and wanted to share some of the experiences for anyone dreaming of moving to a new city. 👉🏻Navigating the Big City Landing in Bangalore was like entering a new world. The city's fast pace contrasted sharply with my quiet hometown. Amidst the chaos, I found my rhythm, embraced the energy, and learned to thrive, valuing change and stepping out of my comfort zone. 👉🏻Feeling Lonely I was fortunate to find amazing friends quickly, friends who'll always be there to back me❤️ However, for many, the journey can be lonelier and more challenging. 👉🏻Missing Home Being away made me appreciate the little things I’d taken for granted: Nothing can replace "Maa ke haath ka khaana", the tea-time laughs with her, and the familiarity of home. This journey taught me to cherish home deeply. 👉🏻Moving Out of the Comfort Zone Moving to Bangalore was my way of pushing boundaries. Stepping into a new place with new people was scary but exciting. I soon realized I could easily thrive outside my comfort zone. 👉🏻Pressure to Succeed In a city full of ambition, the pressure to succeed was immense. The fear of not measuring up was always there. But this pressure helped me find strengths I didn't know I had. 👉🏻The Never-Ending Traffic Battle & Oh Yes! The Recent Water Woes ;) I have spent more time in jams than actually working some days! We all end up crawling on Bangalore’s roads, wondering if we'll make it home before next year😂 And then there's the water crisis. Showers have become a luxury, and I've mastered the 2-minute rinse-off. It's like a reality show where the challenge is staying clean with almost no water. Who needs TV with real-life drama like this😆? But Bangalore has been amazing!!!! Moving here was life-changing. Every step away from home brought me closer to my dreams🚀 To everyone navigating a new city, remember – the struggles are real, but so are the victories. Keep pushing forward💪🏻

It’s a funny feeling when life sometimes comes full circle🔴… As I sit here in Mumbai, I feel #fortunate to be experiencing this ‘full circle’ feeling when it comes to RatePing Hotel Pricing Intelligence and its growth. Let’s go back to the beginning, when the circle was first created: Fresh out of college, I landed my dream job in Charlottesville. It was at an organization that provided hotel #technology and #revenuemanagement services to hotels in the US and Caribbean. I loved what I was doing. The #learning was incredible, the team even better and the #travel to exotic places like Barbados and Argentina was a cherry on top. I clearly remember being the first one in and the last one out of the office. Work didn’t feel like ‘work’, it was truly amazing. Some aspects weren’t always easy. I had packed up my life in New York where I had my then fiancée (now wife), brother and closest friends. The long distance relationship meant several loooong train rides every couple of weeks! But as the saying goes, happy wife - #happylife 😊 Yet, looking back, I wouldn't change a thing. As I returned to Mumbai, my hometown, I carried with me not just memories, but a vision. I saw a gap - hotels in our part of the world lacked access to the sophisticated software I'd worked with in the US. This realization became the cornerstone of Rateping. Now, years later, as fate would have it we have just onboarded two stunning properties in Charlottesville for Revenue Management and technology. The symmetry of it all is beautiful. The place where I cut my teeth in revenue management is now benefiting from the company I built based on those learnings. Life's journey is rarely linear, but sometimes it brings you back to where you started - with new #perspective and growth. As Rateping continues to grow, I'm grateful for every step of this circular path, especially that job in Charlottesville that set it all in motion. 🥂 🙏 Super excited to get my Charlottesville clients going and growing with Pankaj Patil and Fazal Amdani! #growth #journey #reflections #fullcircle #rateping

While most of us are conditioned to focus on personal goals, career advancements, and individual achievements, I recently came across the concept of Tlawmngaihna—a defining trait of the Mizo people from the northeast of India. It’s not just a cultural value; it’s a way of life. Tlawmngaihna stands for selflessness, humility, and putting the community’s well-being ahead of one’s own interests. It made me reflect on the broader work culture across different regions of India. In most workplaces, we see a strong emphasis on personal growth, competition, and individual recognition. The corporate world is often driven by Key Performance Indicators and achieving personal milestones. Yet, in Mizoram, the idea of working together, showing kindness, and helping others, even when it’s inconvenient, is celebrated at the core of their culture. When one puts "we" before "I", when you genuinely care about others' well-being, you embody what it means to be a Tlawmngaihna person. It’s about understanding that your success is intertwined with the success of those around you, and that humility and service define true leadership. Imagine a workplace built on Tlawmngaihna, where collaboration outshines competition, where success isn’t defined by how much you rise but by how much you uplift others. Where humility is the norm, not just a leadership trait. While the rest of the country offers incredible talent, innovation, and drive, Mizoram reminds us that true success lies in collective progress, in being selfless, courageous, and humble in every action. Maybe there's something we can all learn from the people of Mizoram and bring a little more of Tlawmngaihna into our everyday work culture. 🤝 #WorkCulture #Tlawmngaihna #Leadership #Community #Humility #IndiaDiversity

𝑺𝒕𝒆𝒑𝒑𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝑨𝒘𝒂𝒚 𝒕𝒐 𝑺𝒆𝒆 𝑴𝒐𝒓𝒆 𝑪𝒍𝒆𝒂𝒓𝒍𝒚: 𝑨 𝑴𝒂𝒓𝒊𝒏𝒂 𝑩𝒆𝒂𝒄𝒉 𝑴𝒐𝒎𝒆𝒏𝒕 🏖 Taking a break isn't just about catching your breath; it's about giving yourself a chance to see things from a different perspective. Today, I found myself on the shores of Marina Beach, Chennai. The vastness of the ocean, the rhythm of the waves, and the energy of the people all combined to create a truly rejuvenating experience. Stepping away from the daily grind allowed me to: 🙂 𝑪𝒍𝒆𝒂𝒓 𝒎𝒚 𝒉𝒆𝒂𝒅.  Sometimes, the best way to solve a problem is to simply step away from it and come back with fresh eyes. 😇 𝑮𝒂𝒊𝒏 𝒏𝒆𝒘 𝒊𝒏𝒔𝒑𝒊𝒓𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏.  Being in a new environment can spark creativity and ignite new ideas. 🤗 𝑨𝒑𝒑𝒓𝒆𝒄𝒊𝒂𝒕𝒆 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒍𝒊𝒕𝒕𝒍𝒆 𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒏𝒈𝒔. The sound of the waves, the warmth of the sun, the simple act of breathing - all these things can be easily overlooked in the daily rush. What are your tips for taking breaks and gaining a fresh perspective? 🤔 Share your thoughts in the comments below! #mentalhealth #wellbeing #productivity #perspective #marinabeach #chennai

I believe in the saying, "Teamwork makes the dream work." (Here's why) In my 16+ years of experience, I've worked on many projects across various companies like Havells India Ltd, LG Electronics, Intex Technologies (India) Ltd., Huawei and Sony. From all of them, one thing is clear: teamwork is the most important thing. Every successful project I have worked on, whether launching a new product or implementing a new process, was made possible by the collaboration and support of a dedicated team. Working together to achieve a common goal, in my opinion, brings out the best in everyone on the team and promotes creative thinking and innovation. I have seen how combining different perspectives, skills, and experiences from everyone can produce incredible results. Each team member brings something unique to the table, and when we come together and combine our strengths, we can achieve things that we never could have on our own. Teamwork isn't just about getting things done. It is also about establishing relationships, trusting others and gaining support among ourselves. As they say, to make a real impact, you need a team that works well together and shares the same goals. Do you also believe in teamwork? Let me know in the comments. PS: Here's a throwback picture of my team. #teamwork #corporate #mindset

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