June 23 marks International Women in Engineering Day, a celebration launched by Women in Engineering in the UK in 2014 to highlight the achievements and accomplishments of women engineers. Since gaining UNESCO support in 2017, this day has grown into an international annual event, recognizing and encouraging women engineers to realize their full potential. 

At Fresh Gravity, we understand the incredible contributions women engineers make to the business world by the virtue of which they inspire more women and young girls to pursue careers in engineering. This week, we organized a special event to celebrate some outstanding women engineers in our company. 

Our event featured a dynamic panel discussion moderated by Aditi Acharya, an engineer herself who facilitated an engaging and free-flowing conversation. Our inspiring panelists Lakshmi Vivek, Monalisa Thakur, and Naini Raju shared valuable insights and experiences. Here are some key takeaways from the session: 

• Evolution of Engineering: The panelists discussed how the field of engineering has evolved significantly over the years, creating more opportunities and a more inclusive environment for women. Technological advancements and progressive workplace policies have played key roles in this transformation. Today, engineering careers offer greater flexibility, diverse specializations, and supportive networks, making the field more accessible to women. In today’s world women are setting an example as leading the engineering domains.  

• Balancing Work and Family: The panelists emphasized the growing recognition of the need to balance professional and personal responsibilities. They highlighted how modern companies are increasingly promoting policies and practices that support a healthy work-life balance, such as flexible working hours, and remote work options. This approach not only enhances employee well–being but also boosts productivity and job satisfaction. 

• #EnhancedbyEngineering: In line with this year’s theme. Our panelists discussed how their engineering backgrounds have equipped them with some valuable skills, enabling them to tackle challenges both in their professional and personal lives. They also emphasized the importance of creating solutions that improve the lives of others, demonstrating how engineering contributes to a better, more efficient world. 

• Advice to Younger Self: Reflecting on their journeys, they encouraged young women to believe in themselves, pursue their passions, seek help when needed, and never doubt their capabilities. 

 At Fresh Gravity, we are proud of our diverse leadership team, which includes a balanced mix of women and male candidates. A beautiful narrative that came from the discussion was women that while balancing biological and career clocks can be challenging, Fresh Gravity fosters a collaborative and supportive environment that provides equal opportunities for everyone, regardless of gender. 

International Women in Engineering Day is a reminder of the progress we’ve made and the work still to be done. We remain committed to supporting and empowering women in engineering, ensuring they continue to make significant impacts in their fields. 

If you’re looking to work in an inclusive work environment, please send your resume to careers@freshgravity.com. 

The post International Women in Engineering Day at Fresh Gravity appeared first on Fresh Gravity.

As someone with nearly a decade of professional experience spanning diverse industries such as sustainability, events, entertainment, media, and IT, I have given many interviews and conducted quite a few as well. During this, I have gained valuable insights that set the ideal candidate apart from other candidates.

Here are ten tips that can help you stand out in your job interviews: 

• Be Prepared 
  • Prepare answers to common interview questions and draft succinct responses. 
  • Find a friend, family member, stranger, or even a mirror to rehearse your answers. The more you rehearse, the less nervous you will be. 

• Be like a student 
  • Study the job description, thoroughly read the company’s website, review its social media presence, and read up about the company as much as possible. 
  • In-depth research will help you understand whether you genuinely want the job, will boost your confidence, and will demonstrate to the interviewer your genuine interest in the position. 

• Be Confident 
  • Invest in refining your communication skills, by this I do not just mean your spoken communication but also your body language. 
  • Cultivate confidence to convey a strong, assured presence during the interview. Whether you do this by giving yourself a pep-talk, watching a motivational video, or talking to someone who boosts you up, is up to you. 

• Be Well-Dressed 
  • Even in virtual settings, dressing professionally not only conveys sincerity, effort, and respect for the interview process but can also boost confidence and productivity. 
  • According to this Forbes article, “Dressing like a professional can help you make major strides toward landing partnerships that matter, getting new jobs or unlocking new opportunities.” 

• Be Tech-Ready 
  • In the era of virtual interviews, ensure you have downloaded the videoconferencing software to your computer in advance (if it is not one you have used before), and conduct pre-interview checks for video and audio quality. 
  • Ensure you have your resume and portfolio (needed for roles such as graphic designer, writer, etc.) handy in your computer to share during the interview if need be 
  • Make sure you place the screen in a way that you are visible from your head to your shoulders and that there is a two-finger headspace; if you do not have a clean background, you always have the option to choose a virtual background or blur your background. 
  • Find a quiet place for the interview where you can hear the interviewer and vice versa.
  • Preferably do the interview on your laptop rather than your phone, it will save you from distractions owing to notifications from multiple apps.
  • Have electricity and Wi-Fi backup, if your work will be remote this is non-negotiable. 

• Be On Time 
  • Whether it is an in-person or a virtual interview, being punctual gives a positive first impression. 
  • Being on time reflects that you respect both your time and that of the interviewer. 

• Be authentic 
  • Just because you want to impress the interviewer does not mean you should promise the stars and the moon when you cannot deliver them, either. 
  • Strive for ambition but not at the expense of coming across as phony. 

• Be curious 
  • Ask insightful questions about the role, the team, and the company. Before the interview, write down several questions you want to ask, and have them ready during the interview. 
  • Expressing genuine curiosity shows eagerness to contribute and be part of the company. 

• Be a good listener 
  • Make sure you allow the interviewer time to speak/finish asking their question before responding. 
  • It is good practice to answer questions thoughtfully rather than overwhelming the interviewer with excessive information that may have nothing to do with the question they posed. 

• Be positive 
  • According to this article, “Employers like employees with a positive attitude because they tend to be reliable, good problem solvers, strong self-managers, and pleasant to work with for managers and coworkers alike.” 
  • Your attitude is how you think, feel, and approach things. A positive attitude and outlook can take you a long way. 

These may feel like trivial things to do, but in the words of Vincent Van Gogh, “Great things are done by a series of small things brought together.” So, if you are in the process of interviewing for jobs, try to incorporate these strategies into your process. These strategies may not ensure that you get a call back from every job you interview for – that depends on many things that are beyond your control – but they will set you apart from others and could open doors for you through referrals or other future opportunities. Most importantly, make sure you incorporate these strategies in your everyday work life if you wish to continue to stand out as a professional.  

And, if you think you are the right fit for Fresh Gravity, please share your resumes at careers@freshgravity.com.  

The post 10 Tips to Stand Out in Your Job Interview  appeared first on Fresh Gravity.

We would also like to thank all our clients and partners for trusting us. Thank you for your spirit of collaboration and continued support.
To many more years of success and growth!

Here are some photos from the celebrations in our Pune office.

To stay up-to-date with our company updates, partner news, industry insights, event highlights, thought leadership perspectives, and more, follow us at Fresh Gravity’s LinkedIn Page.

The post Fresh Gravity Celebrates Nine Years of Success and Growth appeared first on Fresh Gravity.

On Friday, March 8, 2024, I had the good fortune of attending a session on Breast Cancer Awareness organized by Fresh Gravity to commemorate International Women’s Day (IWD). The reason I use the words “good fortune” is because after listening to the impactful session by Dr. Vaidehi Marathe – an Obstetrician, Gynecologist, and Infertility Specialist – I realized that the majority of women in India still live with minimum-to-no knowledge about how to take care of their health, and even when they know something is wrong, the fear of judgment/shame makes them postpone getting themselves checked till it’s too late.  

The fact that many women put their needs and health last is something I have seen and experienced firsthand with friends and family but listening to Dr. Vaidehi recount multiple incidents cemented my belief in the fact that adversities can be avoided if the right preventative measures are taken at the right time. With this in mind, I wanted to share some valuable insights that Dr. Vaidehi bestowed upon the Fresh Gravity women – 

FACTS

1. The most common cancers among women
   • Breast Cancer 
   • Cervical Cancer 
   • Colorectal Cancer 
   • Uterine Cancer 
   • Lung Cancer
2. Factors that increase the risk of breast cancer
   • Family history i.e., if more than one woman in your family – your mother, sister, maternal grandmother – had cancer, it might increase your chances of getting it too 
   • Personal History – if you have had breast cancer or a breast disease (such as fibrocystic breast disease) you might be at a higher risk of getting breast cancer 
   • Lifestyle – a sedentary lifestyle causes many illnesses, not just cancer. If you do not do it already, make sure you incorporate some form of exercise in your daily routine. Whether it is a 30-minute walk, a yoga class, Pilates, swimming, or working out at the gym, is up to you.  
   • Pro tip: make sure you choose a form of exercise that you enjoy; it will help you sustain it

PREVENTATIVE MEASURES 

1. Monthly Self Breast Examination
   • Self-Breast Examination or SBE is a way for women to examine their breasts and check for lumps. A monthly practice of this will make the examiner more susceptible to changes or growing lumps. This is important because early detection of any kind of abnormality is easier to treat. Another important thing to note here is that most lumps detected during the SBE are not cancer. 
     • WHO should do it: All women above the age of 20  
     • WHEN to do it: Women in their reproductive years should do the SBE a week after their menstrual cycle is over and women who have irregular periods or are menopausal can fix one date every month to do the Self Breast Examination. 
     • HOW to do it: There are two ways to do the exam – look and feel. Here is a short video by Dr. Vaidehi demonstrating the perfect way to do an SBE  
2. Get HPV vaccine to prevent cervical cancer
   • According to this report, cervical cancer ranks as the second most frequent cancer among women in India and the second most frequent cancer among women between 15 and 44 years of age. More than 99% of cervical cancer is caused by Human Papillomavirus or HPV. BUT did you know that there is an HPV vaccine that can prevent this disease? There are three types of HPV vaccines that women can take, however, please check with your gynecologist which vaccine is right for you and when you should take it –  
     • Cervavac covers four virus strains (Type 6, 11, 16, 18) and is for females between the ages of 9-26 
     • Gardasil 4 prevents four virus strains (Type 6, 11, 16, 18) and is for women between the ages of 9-45 
     • Gardasil 9 covers nine virus strains (Type 6, 11, 16, 18, 31, 33, 45, 52, and 58) and is for females between the ages of 9-26 
3. Yearly check-ups 
   • As they say, prevention is better than cure. Schedule yearly check-ups for yourself so that it becomes part of your yearly routine, which can help you avoid unexpected/unwelcome surprises. It is said there is power in numbers, so one way to stick to this practice is to team up with friends and/or family and get the checkups done together. According to Dr. Vaidehi, here are some tests that you should do every year –  
     • Complete blood count test, blood sugar, Lipid Profile, kidney and liver function test, Serum Iron test, Vitamin D3 and Vitamin B12, and Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH) test 
     • Pap smear 
     • Sonography for women under the age of 40 
     • Mammography for women above the age of 40 

Please remember that everybody is unique and so their needs will be unique too. Therefore, consult your gynecologist about what your individual needs might be, and let this blog serve as a reminder for you to take your health seriously.  

Drawing from this year’s IWD theme, ‘Invest in Women: Accelerate Progress,’ invest in your self-care, which includes physical, mental, and emotional health to accelerate progress at an individual level and beyond. Lastly, remember that there may be a gazillion things that are high on your priority list, but your health should always be #1!

P.S. If you want to learn more about women’s health, please follow Dr. Vaidehi on Instagram @ gynaesakhi. 

Please share this with other women who would benefit from this information!

The post Investing in Women’s Health – IWD Special appeared first on Fresh Gravity.

Over the past year, I have had the privilege of interacting with various Fresh Gravity employees across all geographies. It has been heartwarming to hear positive feedback about our culture across the board. So, on Employee Appreciation Day, I wanted to write down a few words from my interactions with my colleagues on what they said about our leadership team, our culture, and each other.

Here are some truly remarkable things they said –

• Aditya Agarwal from the Client Success Capability team said, “[I] love the open culture and helping attitude of fellow team members. Take ownership, and [the] sky is the limit at Fresh Gravity!” 
• Aditya Sehgal from the Data Management Capability team said, “Being associated with Fresh Gravity for over 6 years has been an incredible journey filled with growth and fulfillment. I have had the privilege of working with industry experts and leaders who have not only helped me enhance my skills but have also provided a platform for creative thinking and problem-solving. Their support has been instrumental in my personal and professional growth.” 
• Ashish Rawat from the Data Management Capability team said, “I embarked upon my Fresh Gravity journey in 2020. From Day 1 till now, I have always felt that Fresh Gravity has an employee-centric culture…Fresh Gravity serves as a hub for brainstorming for me because we not only implement solutions for clients here but also design and develop new products, upskill, celebrate each other’s achievements, and uplift one another…I am happy to be surrounded by an impactful leadership team that consistently encourages, empowers, and motivates me.” 
• Dee Babaria from the Support Functions team said “From shared successes to overcoming challenges, the camaraderie among my coworkers has made every moment worthwhile. Working alongside my colleagues has been a journey filled with collaboration, support, and growth. I’m grateful for the collaborative spirit that defines our company culture, making every project a team effort.” 
• Ganesh Kudale from the Data Management Capability team said, “One of the things I really appreciate about FG is the collaborative work environment. Team members are always willing to support one another, share knowledge, and work together. This creates a strong sense of mutual trust and a productive atmosphere.” 
• Hardik Singhavi from the Data Management Capability team said, “The exposure I have got at FG is unmatchable. I have had the chance to work with brilliant teammates and industry leaders which has helped me enhance my professional as well as personal skills.” 
• Michelle Tutino from the Operations team said, “I love that we have such a kind and hard-working bunch. The culture at FG has been so well maintained since inception and it seems everyone is ready to roll up their sleeves to help anyone for the betterment of Fresh Gravity’s success, which in turn, is our success.” 
• Monalisa Thakur from the Data Management Capability said, “FG emphasizes value on relationships – whether professional or personal. At FG, I get to work with quality people [who] irrespective of designation, experience, and expertise, are super helpful. I learn from them every single day.” 
• Prathmesh Palande from the Data Science and Analytics Capability team said, “The sheer amount of transparency and an extremely flat hierarchy helps every one of us working with Fresh Gravity achieve a sense of comfort and enhanced levels of productivity due to quick information flow intra and inter-teams. The best part is that help is always offered at Fresh Gravity.” 
• Rupam Seth from the Data Management Capability team said, “The people at Fresh Gravity are incredibly motivating and have constantly inspired me.” 
• Shraddha Thorat from the Data Management Capability team said, “Throughout my time here, I have seen Gravitians work together as a team. Everyone around me is helpful. The important thing about Fresh Gravity, in my opinion, is the team’s attitude toward problem-solving. The focus is always on solving the problem together and learning from it, instead of blaming anyone. I think this is the most important thing to grow together and succeed in any field.” 
• Steve Slaton from the Data Management Capability said, “I have been at Fresh Gravity for 5 years, and it has been a tremendous blessing in every way! Our executive leaders set a great example of being forthright in communication and approachable at any time and are incredibly supportive. All the teammates I have worked with are impressive in their skills, and exemplary in their teamwork. And we have fun too. FG = amazing!” 

I kept wondering what that magic bean is that has helped grow this collaborative and supportive culture at Fresh Gravity and got the answer from Sudarsana Roy Choudhury, Managing Director of the Data Management Capability who said, “Fresh Gravity prioritizes…[creating] a supportive environment for its employees. At the center of our system, we have our employees.” 

And there you have it, the most truthful reason for Fresh Gravity’s successful culture is the fact that the company’s core belief is employee centricity. 

Employee Appreciation Day is not just a one-day event but a consistent commitment to fostering a culture of gratitude. The fact that so many of our employees believe in our culture and have benefited from it over the years is a testament to our everyday appreciation of our team. At Fresh Gravity, every day is Employee Appreciation Day.  

If you are someone who values a positive, supportive, and collaborative work culture and believe you would be the right fit for Fresh Gravity, please feel free to share your resume with us at careers@freshgravity.com.  

The post Employee Appreciation – Today and Every Day appeared first on Fresh Gravity.

I joined Fresh Gravity in September 2021, right in the middle of the 2nd wave of the pandemic. While I had been working as a freelancer for clients in the US and India for over a year, this was my first full-time job that was remote.  

In previous interactions with clients as a freelancer, the nature of the job was purely transactional. I would either get an email or we would connect over Zoom to discuss the scope of the work and that was that. There wasn’t anything personal and honestly, I felt zero sense of connection or allegiance towards them. In a rapidly changing world fueled by competition and filled with uncertainty, it is hard to build a sense of connection and that becomes 100 times harder when you are working remotely and have never entered the office space or met your manager and colleagues in person. 

I came to Fresh Gravity with the same mindset. Having zero expectations for it to be anything more than purely transactional. But, boy, was I wrong! 

Here is why: 

Made to feel valued – Within my first week of joining, I received a welcome basket. While you may think this is a no brainer and that a lot of firms today do this and there are statistics that indicate corporate gifting is on the rise¹, for me it was a first and it made me feel special and valued 

Appreciation from seniors – At Fresh Gravity, I have always been acknowledged for the work I do. I remember my first Zoom interaction with one of the leadership team members who told me that our CEO had spoken to him about me and was happy that I had joined the team. From then till now I have had multiple instances of being lauded for my work and work ethic and I genuinely believe that it is precisely this type of environment, leadership, and mentorship that drives me to do better 

“Social 5” – Sometimes, before starting an internal meeting, we take 5 minutes to check in and chat about our weekend plans or anything new happening in life. This is what I like to call “Social 5”. On days with excessive workload, this 5-minute conversation feels so refreshing

Tribes that align with your vibe – We have Slack groups for artists, foodies, fitness enthusiasts, personal finance and more – basically name a thing of interest outside of work, and you will probably find your niche tribe within the firm. These groups have given me (and I am sure others like me) a chance to connect with each other on a holistic level

Personalization – I attended my first off-site meeting in December 2022 where I met the people, I had been interacting with for over a year. Everyone got a Beats speaker and chocolates as gifts and since I am vegan, I gave my chocolates to another colleague. But one of my colleagues from HR had specially ordered vegan chocolates for me and had he not done that, it honestly would not have mattered but because he did, it really warmed the cockles of my heart and made me feel extremely grateful. So, what I am trying to say is that it really comes down to the little things

To me, loyalty is a two-way street where, as an employee, I have a genuine concern for the well-being of my colleagues and my company, and at the same time, my company fosters a supportive and rewarding environment for me and other employees. I believe Fresh Gravity has flawlessly exemplified this principle. Like Maya Angelou rightly said, “People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.”  I am grateful that at Fresh Gravity, I have always felt heard, seen, and made to believe that I am an integral part of our work family. 

If you’re someone who values loyalty and are looking to join a company that values its employees, send us your CVs @ careers@freshgravity.com  

¹https://www.offineeds.com/corporate-gifting-statistics/ 

The post Fostering Employee Loyalty in a Hybrid Work Environment – a POV appeared first on Fresh Gravity.

Diwali, the Hindu festival of lights, symbolizes the victory of light over darkness, good over evil, and knowledge over ignorance. While Diwali has a deep religious, social, and cultural significance, there are also precious lessons from the Diwali spirit that we can all learn as professionals.

Go Clean

Deep cleaning your home/physical spaces for Diwali is an age-old tradition. An annual cleaning exercise is done by the majority celebrating Diwali as cleanliness signifies letting go of what doesn’t work/serve you well and making space for the new.

Applying this thought to your professional work, think about what you can clean up from your career. This could be cleaning up the data in your phones, laptops, and other gadgets. This could also mean cleaning up your work profiles and resumes to represent the best of what you bring to the table in line with the promise of the future. You can also look at cleaning up your professional contacts/connections.

Let’s Upskill

As Diwali symbolizes knowledge over ignorance, this is a good time to invest in doing a critical skill audit of your work profile. Do take the time to look at what skills are relevant in the market based on your current profile and future aspirations. Next draw up a personal action plan for re-skilling or upskilling to be future-ready, have a competitive advantage, and ensure career advancement.

Say Yes to Networking

Diwali celebrations are about spending quality time with family and friends. Everyone makes the time to wish dear ones, catch up with close ones and re-connect with special people from the past.

Likewise, this is also a good time to build and nurture professional relationships. This can lead to new thinking and perspectives, access to valuable resources, career opportunities, and support systems that may help you navigate your professional journey better.

Dress to Impress

Another important aspect of Diwali is around dressing up. Typically, most people wear clean new and traditional attires. In addition, keeping up with the festive cheer, there is a lot of new age styling and experimentation in fashion!

Professionally, this can be an opportunity to re-look at your wardrobe and possibly invest in good business wear. This could be in terms of buying new clothes and styling existing clothes to make the right impression in work settings. While the definition of business attire can vary depending on the industry, company, and its culture, its significance is multifold –

• Confidence: Dressing professionally can boost self-confidence. When you feel good about how you look, you are likely to feel more self-assured, which can positively impact your performance.
• Productivity: Wearing appropriate professional attire can help you get into a professional mindset. If you stay in your pajamas all day, you are likely to feel lazy, similarly if you dress professionally, you’re likely to feel professional which might help you focus on your tasks more.
• Professional Growth: In many industries, dressing professionally is a part of the overall grooming and presentation that is expected for career growth. It can open doors to promotions and new opportunities. (The movie ‘The Devil Wears Prada’ is a great example of this.)

Exchange gifts 

Gifting is another important aspect of Diwali. As per tradition, it is customary to exchange sweets, dry fruits and/or home décor gifts to near and dear ones. This is a symbol of gratitude, love and appreciation for their presence and significance in your life.

In the work context, if you are wondering what to gift to your work colleagues, here are a few suggestions. You can gift a compliment to someone for work well done, gift a Thank you to someone for helping you, gift your time to someone who needs an ear to listen to their ideas/problems or stories, or even gift an online course to someone for their professional learning and development.

On that note, wishing you and your loved ones a very HAPPY DIWALI. We hope this Diwali you take the time to celebrate with family and friends as well as set aside some time to think about how you can sparkle your career with the festive cheer of Diwali!

The post Diwali Spirit To Light Up Your Career appeared first on Fresh Gravity.

Employee loyalty is one of the most important variables for business survival, sustenance, and success. A culture of loyalty fosters a sense of belonging for the employees, which translates into higher productivity and retention rates. So, the question arises: how does one build a culture of loyalty? This blog post will explore practical strategies for creating an environment where employee engagement is high, and loyalty runs deep. From cultivating creativity to rewarding excellence, it is a journey toward building a winning culture! 

What is Organizational Culture? 

Organizational culture encompasses the values, beliefs, and norms of an organization. It includes how things are done within the company and how employees interact. A strong culture can help an organization be more successful and adaptive to change, while a weak culture can hamper business growth. 

The Benefits of Loyal Employees 

There are many benefits of having loyal employees:  

• Loyal employees tend to stay with an organization longer which means fewer resources are spent on re-hiring, onboarding, and training new employees
• Employees are the company’s brand ambassadors so often how a company brand is known to the rest of the world is by how the employees project it. Employee advocacy can attract new customers, talent, and business opportunities
• Loyal employees foster a higher level of trust, transparency, and teamwork within the organization. They develop strong relationships with work colleagues leading to better teamwork, collaboration, and knowledge sharing
• Loyal employees have a vested interest in the company’s success and are motivated to help the company thrive, leading to a culture of innovation and continuous improvement

Strategies for Developing Employee Loyalty  

There are some strategies that managers can use to drive employee engagement and motivation. These include: 

(1) Creating a supportive and positive work environment. This can be done by transparency in business interactions by maintaining open communication channels, and promoting collaboration among team members

(2) Providing employees with opportunities to be creative and innovative. This can be done by giving employees challenges to work on, encouraging them to develop new ideas, and providing them with resources to help them succeed

(3) Giving employees a sense of ownership over their work. This can be done by letting employees make decisions about their work, giving them autonomy over their projects, and providing feedback regularly

(4) Recognizing and rewarding employees for their achievements. This can be done through financial incentives, public recognition, and offering development opportunities

According to a Forbes article ‘The Importance Of Recognition In The Workplace: Five Strategies To Engage And Motivate Teams’, “if companies focus on enhancing their rewards and incentives programs, job satisfaction and employee engagement can improve.”  

However, how does one decide which Rewards and Recognition program is the best for their organization? The key is ensuring the rewards and recognition program is aligned with the organization’s culture and values. 

Here are some tips for establishing an effective rewards and recognition program: 

• Identify what type of behaviors you want to encourage. Do you want to reward employees for developing new ideas, taking on extra assignments, or going above and beyond their regular duties? Please make sure the criteria for selection are clear so that everyone knows what they need to do to be eligible for recognition. 

• Choose rewards that will motivate your employees. Money is always a good motivator, but non-monetary rewards can also be effective. Consider giving out gift cards, paid time off, or tickets to sporting events or concerts. 

• Make sure the program is fair. Employees will quickly become disgruntled if they feel that the rules are unfair or that some people receive preferential treatment. Establishing clear guidelines and ensuring everyone has an equal opportunity to win will help create a sense of fairness. 

• Recognize employees in a way that is meaningful to them. Some people prefer public recognition, while others want a more private acknowledgment of their achievements. Tailoring the recognition to the individual will ensure that it has maximum impact. 

In conclusion, to build employee loyalty, it is imperative to give them a sense of ownership over their work, create a supportive and positive work environment, provide them with opportunities to be creative and innovative, and finally recognize and reward them for their achievements. 

The post Building Employee Loyalty appeared first on Fresh Gravity.

“Your brand is what people say about you when you are not in the room.” – Jeff Bezos 

Last week I had the privilege to moderate a company-wide session on ‘Personal Branding’ with my esteemed colleague, Nischala Murthy Kaushik. Nischala is not only the Chief Marketing Officer (CMO) at Fresh Gravity, but she is also among the Top 20 voices in India on LinkedIn, a content creator (writer, speaker {industry, academia}, podcaster), a mother, and an Indian Insitute of Management (IIM) alum. She is someone who has successfully built a personal brand for herself. 

The session revolved around Nischala’s journey in building her personal brand, the benefits of having a strong personal brand, and some key tips to keep in mind while building a personal brand. 

Here are my key takeaways from the session:  

• Know your why 

Before you even begin building your personal brand, you should answer the question why you want to build a personal brand. Is it to attract the right kind of employers, or express your thoughts and ideas, create a legacy or a network, or pay it forward? What do you want the outcome to be? The clearer your why is, the easier it will be for you to achieve your goal.  

• Know your who 

What kind of audience do you want to target? It will be easier to answer this question if you are clear about your why. 

• Begin with the end in mind  

Ask yourself what you would like to be known for in the next 12-18 months (about 1 and a half years) and walk backward from there. Think about the future, not the past.

Create a comprehensive plan to authentically share your ideas, insights, and experiences in channels that are relevant to your brand creation. For example, if you work in the technology sector and aspire to be known as a thought leader, your plan can encompass publishing content (blogs, infographics, points of view, videos, etc.), speaking at events, open source contributions, filing for patents and contributing towards the technology community. 

• Put in the effort 

As per the plan you have outlined, work on developing your own insights and content to create and strengthen your personal brand. Earmarking time on a regular basis to work on your plan will be critical. If you do fall off course, nudge yourself to get back on track. 

• Give it time  

Like most things, building a strong personal brand takes time. To paraphrase from the documentary on the book, ‘The Secret’, we often stop watering a plant just before it is about to germinate thinking that nothing is happening, when in fact, it is just on the brink of growth. Don’t do that to the seed that is your personal brand. Be patient.  

• Consistency is key 

In the beginning, you may feel like Sisyphus*, wherein carrying forward this task of building your personal brand, without seeing many results, may seem meaningless and futile but if you stick with it and are consistent in your practice, it is bound to bring you desired results.  

Bonus tip: Make sure you track your progress every few months to see if your strategy is working or not. Then, continue doing the things that work and replace the things that don’t work with something different.  

While you may contemplate whether personal branding is for you or not, the benefits of building a strong personal brand for professionals in this day and age cannot be disputed. 

Personal branding, if done right, can open many doors such as – 

• Building a strong professional network  
• Opportunities to speak at events 
• Invitations to industry events as a jury member 
• Awards, recognition, and exclusive memberships 
• Newer career prospects 

What are your thoughts on personal branding? Share with us in the comments section below.  

Stay up to date with updates from Fresh Gravity by following us on LinkedIn. 

*According to the Greek myth, Sisyphus, a mythological hero, was condemned for eternity to roll a rock up to the top of a mountain, only to have the rock roll back down to the bottom every time he reached the top, leaving Sisyphus to start over. Albert Camus, a French philosopher, suggests that Sisyphus’ ceaseless and futile labor is a hideous punishment.  

[Src. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Myth_of_Sisyphus/] 

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On the occasion of International Women’s Day (8 March 2023), I had the privilege and pleasure to moderate a panel with 4 amazing and inspiring women.

(1) Ankita Kaushik [Bhartanatyam Dancer & Guru, Teach for India Fellow]

(2) Mridvika Raisinghani [Co-founder & CEO of Sama]

(3) Sonal Sharda [HR Business Leader International APAC Region, Amdocs & ex-Soldier]

(4) Cindy Zamora [Vice President Finance, Sandvine]

During the conversation, we spoke about their career and life stories covering education, the role of family, college years, careers, skills, and choices.

What stayed with me after the session

1) Own your dreams. Believe in them! Never give up. And use the power of conscious manifestation to make them come true

2) Be bold in your choices if that’s the song your heart sings

3) Ask for help. You cannot do it all on your own. And it is OK to let go of some things. It is OK to be average in some. But for those that matter the most, take the time and make it a priority to give it your all

4) Work is important. So is life. Be clear on your priorities at each stage and phase of life! At the end of the day, realize that every choice has trade-offs. Make peace with the choices

5) Every year focus on learning at least one skill that will help you at work. Every 2 years, invest in an intense certification course/learning program

6) When things don’t go as planned or expected, take the time to accept your reality. Then move on. And next, focus your time and energy on things that matter to you

7) Family is your strength, support, and security. Make it a priority, give it time, and nurture it with love and care

8) Be aware of who is looking at you and up to you. You might not even know that someone is looking at you as a role model

9) After a point, be mindful of how you pay it forward. Don’t take your privilege, position, and power for granted. Make your voice count – not just for yourself but for those who don’t have a voice or seat at the table

10) Be kind to yourself. Take time to celebrate yourself and care for your needs. In the long run, it makes all the difference

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