“Next-Move” is a wonderfully apt name for what businesses and professionals need to undertake to flourish, to grow and to contribute. Next-Move is a platform that enables people to come together in a happy congruence of desired objectives.
So, what does that really mean?
Let me begin from the individual perspective, my perspective.
How do I describe myself for this journey – a corporate professional who has experience of 30+ years in running functions and managing business P&L, both domestically and internationally, and in multiple industries like FMCG, Telecom, Retail Banking, etc. Having worked in both MNCs and FMBs (small and big), I bring a whole range of experience and learnings to any table!
And, while I was having fun, I decided to get off the corporate treadmill to enjoy the multitude of other vistas that life has to offer. So, I decided to run my first half marathon at the age of 56, and I trekked up to Gomukh a few months prior to that. I also enjoy travelling, something one did not get much of a chance to do earlier while working. I spent a week, participating in the recently concluded Lok Sabha election campaign for a friend, visiting distant villages in summer heat and trying to learn how India operates at different levels and layers. But, that’s not all. I have signed up to teach a course in International Marketing to students at one of the IIMs, and I have been doing some part time consulting as a Change Agent – Business Transformation, HR interventions, Marketing strategies, as well as Recruitment.
Live life king-size, as they used to say during our college days!
What does that quick peep into my life tell you, if anything?
That there are chapters in my story yet to be written. Given the wealth of experience, and the continued high energy levels, I am not seeking to completely retire yet. There is a desire to continue to contribute, albeit in causes that can excite and challenge me, and, not necessarily, for money. The interesting or funny part is that I am not alone – there are so many more people like me doing the exact thing of getting off the corporate treadmill to explore other passions in life. For many of us, helping businesses, helping people continues to be a lodestar and a passion that burns bright.
there are so many more people like me getting off the corporate treadmill to explore other passions in life
On one hand, there is a vast number of seasoned professionals like me who have the time and energy, as well as an aptitude and desire to help Businesses in their journey and evolution. On the other hand, exists the problem of finding opportunities to deploy this pool of talent. In my own case, I had decided to be on a complete sabbatical for 2 years upon my return from Nigeria where I ran an alco-bev company, and those 2 years passed in a blur with so much of catching up to do for lost time spent not travelling, not attending reunions or not attending weddings in the family and of friends’ families. However, despite a lineage of degrees from IIT and IIM, and a work history extending from Hindustan Lever, Citibank, Standard Chartered Bank, Airtel etc to running a company in Nigeria, I really didn’t know how to find a business that could or would utilize my skills for helping them solve their problems or grow faster than what they were doing now. I wasn’t desperate to hustle for business as I would no longer subject myself to the tyranny of a monthly cheque for my living ( it did help that my children are grown up and have their own jobs and don’t need me to support them, plus the wife is happily employed and has her own salary cheque ???? )!
On the other hand, exist hundreds or thousands of businesses that are looking to grow, to reinvent themselves, to tackle problems that are being faced by them, and they are unsure of how to move ahead, and what next steps to take. Sometimes, it is because they do not wish to move out of their comfort zone, sometimes it is because they don’t really know what options to evaluate and how to set objective criteria for that evaluation, and oftentimes simply because they do not have the managerial bandwidth to strategize and execute. While some of these companies could afford to hire a Big 4 consulting Firm, more often than not most will not. Not just because the costs of hiring a Big 4 Firm can become prohibitively expensive for them, but they also get intimidated by a large group of Suits descending upon them ????. Just like I was finding it difficult to find firms that could profit from my experience, these firms don’t know where to go to find experienced professionals who could come in and help them, either on a full time or part time basis.
I really didn’t know how to find a business that could or would utilize my skills for helping them solve their problems ………. these firms don’t know where to go to find experienced professionals who could come in and help them
Next-move is here to solve that problem for you. And you should be delighted. It is a platform that curates partnerships; with successful businesses, and successful professionals.
The key here is ‘partnership’, a coming together with shared objectives of more success, more contribution. The partner professionals have achieved many successes in their corporate careers, and hence are used to doing things well; “chalta hai” does not work for them. They are also financially well off and secure, so they are not looking at this for making some quick money. What drives them and me is the sweet scent of success by overcoming a business challenge. Irrespective of the business challenge that your firm might be facing, you will find a partner professional who will be just right for you. If the problem or task is a bit more complex, and you need a team, you can get a bunch of partner professionals who can come together to help you. With the wealth and history of experience, it is quite possible that these partner professionals would have come across a problem like yours in their career, and known what to do then. And would have honed that experience to do it even better for you, NOW!
Today’s India is changing
And, while there is a huge scope for all businesses, with the country poised to grow at 7%+ for the next few years, we have all experienced headwinds that stop us from flying off into the next orbit. Disruptions in technology, financial systems, supply chain, tax systems, one on one marketing, mobile marketing, UGC are all forcing us to constantly learn new paradigms, new models, a new nimbleness and fleet footedness for ensuring that our businesses continue to prosper in the right way. Learning does not always come easy, and those who are not ready often end up paying a heavy price for those life lessons.
Which is why you must plan your next move well, together with proven partner professionals, to ensure that your business gets the best strategic inputs as well as guidance on execution. Next-move is committed to your success, for the long haul, and will help curate the availability of best and most appropriate business minds for you – so, don’t wait. Sign up today, and see the impact this move of yours can have on your business.
Onward ahead to a more prosperous future with a bigger and more profitable business under your wings! That’s YOUR next-move.
Akshay Kumar
Change Agent. Love helping people & teams do more than before! Ex-Managing Director @ FMCG, Telecom, Retail Banking.An alumnus of IIM Ahmedabad and IIT Kharagpur, with 35 years’ functional expertise in Marketing, Sales and Customer Service, Akshay has run both large and small Businesses. In India and abroad.His career has taken him through companies like Hindustan Lever, Citibank, Standard Chartered, Airtel, Reliance Communications, Grand Oak Ltd, Nigeria.
His detailed profile as a Change Agent can be found at https://www.linkedin.com/in/kumarakshay1/
Comments
Anil Jain
Great initiative and I am sure there are many organizations that need the guiding hand of experienced and pedigreed professionals for their journey ahead. Best wishes to all who become a part of the ‘Next-Move’ initiative.
Srinivasan
Very nice thoughts. Wish you all the very best.
Kesavan S
Nice initiative Akshay, thoughts well captured and articulated. All the very best!!!!
Bhuvanesh Pratap Singh
Nice to see you share your personal journey and help pave the way for others to learn from you. Best Wishes Akshay??
Ashok Malhotra
Well-Articulated! A pressing need for skilled senior professionals and companies alike!