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Hello Pragya, we are thrilled to have you here and can't wait to dive into an insightful conversation with you.
--Srinivas Sarakadam -
Hello Mr. Srinivas, Thank you for the warm welcome! I'm equally thrilled to be here and engage in this insightful conversation with you. I'm excited to share my thoughts and contribute to a meaningful discussion. Let's begin!
--Pragya Bharadwaj -
Lucknow - "The City of Tehzeeb (Etiquette)". How has your upbringing in Lucknow influenced your personal values and professional choices?
--Srinivas Sarakadam -
Lucknow is a perfect blend of modern advancements and rich cultural heritage. The essence of Lucknowi tehzeeb is deep-rooted in our conversations, conduct, and even our mannerisms. Even though I left Lucknow over 15 years ago, its unique culture and conversational style continue to be a part of my daily life. Lucknow has provided me with excellent educational institutions (background) and employment prospects (opportunities) that have played a crucial role in shaping my current career path.
--Pragya Bharadwaj -
That's truly wonderful to hear! What motivated you to pursue a Master's degree in Physics, and how do you feel it has contributed to your career path?
--Srinivas Sarakadam -
I chose to study science in school and continued it till post-graduation. I was a good student but did not have much interest in applied sciences. So, going for pure sciences was a natural choice. I always found physics very interesting as a subject. It is now, after so many years, that I have got a chance to use this knowledge in content writing. I have written many tech pieces for electronics, software, and renewable energy domain and my education has helped me understand the core concepts behind these businesses.
--Pragya Bharadwaj -
That's fascinating to hear about your educational journey and how it has shaped your career path! Can you tell us about your experience working in the banking sector, starting with Citibank and your stint as a senior manager with HSBC?
--Srinivas Sarakadam -
Citibank was my first job and is very close to my heart. I was blessed to work with a wonderful team. Citibank gave me exposure that I equivalent to any degree. I learned how to create and follow processes and increase my efficiency levels and people skills. With HSBC, the role got bigger, and with more responsibilities, I learned to manage my time better, delegate work effectively to my team, and take care of my subordinates.
--Pragya Bharadwaj -
It's clear that you hold a special place in your heart for Citibank, and that speaks volumes about the positive impact it had on your professional growth. How did your decision to shift to Nasik impact your professional journey?
--Srinivas Sarakadam -
The decision to shift to Nasik was very well thought of. At that point, I was looking forward to focusing on my family life more than my professional life. So, my career took a backseat for some time. Getting married and shifting to a two-tier city came with its own set of adjustments but also with a good quality of life. I was blessed to live with a very loving family.
--Pragya Bharadwaj -
Sometimes, striking a balance between personal and professional aspirations becomes a priority, and it's commendable that you recognized the need to focus on your family during that period. During your career break, what inspired you to explore freelance opportunities? Can you share some highlights or challenges you faced during this time?
--Srinivas Sarakadam -
Writing has always been a passion of mine, so when a friend asked me to contribute to their website, I eagerly accepted. That opportunity opened the door to more freelance work and referrals. Before I realized it, I was already freelancing. The only challenge I encountered was deciding on a specific niche to focus on.
--Pragya Bharadwaj -
It's remarkable how one opportunity can pave the way for further growth and success. As a content writer, what types of projects have you worked on and how have your technical background and work experience helped you excel in this field?
--Srinivas Sarakadam -
Throughout my writing career, I have primarily collaborated with businesses specializing in software solutions, cloud computing, artificial intelligence (AI), fintech, renewable energy, and other related fields. Thanks to my extensive educational background and professional experience, I have gained a deep understanding of complex subjects within the realms of technology and finance. This expertise has also enabled me to successfully establish and adhere to efficient processes in my work.
--Pragya Bharadwaj -
That's impressive! Pragya could you describe the journey from being a freelancer to becoming an entrepreneur? What were some significant milestones or turning points along the way?
--Srinivas Sarakadam -
The journey from being a freelancer to an entrepreneur was full of its own set of challenges like, hiring the right people, last-minute project cancellations, fluctuations in requirements, etc. But, the aspiration to grow and the goal to establish a small-scale institution were the primary motivations behind this shift and it kept us going.
--Pragya Bharadwaj -
It's fascinating to hear about your transition from being a freelancer to becoming an entrepreneur. How do you manage and cater to the diverse needs and requirements of clients from different countries such as India, the US, and Dubai?
--Srinivas Sarakadam -
Our working style remains the same for all the clients. US clients are more process-driven and quite clear in expressing their requirements and feedback so that makes our job a lot easier.
--Pragya Bharadwaj -
It's interesting to hear about your consistent working style that remains the same for all clients. What strategies have you employed to build and maintain a successful remote work company like IncrediContent? How do you ensure effective communication and collaboration within your team?
--Srinivas Sarakadam -
At an early stage of IncrediContent, I realized that it is better to be a mentor than a boss or know-it-all, especially in a remote working setup. Sometimes, a boss can’t relate to the challenges faced by the individual team members in their respective surroundings. At IncrediContent, as a remote work company, my role is more of a coach and a reviewer who trains and provides pointed feedback. Instead of daily meetings, we work with realistic and flexible guidelines for everyone so that quality work is delivered within the deadlines.
--Pragya Bharadwaj -
It's very insightful to see your perspective of being a mentor rather than a boss, Can you share a specific example of a challenging project you undertook and how you overcame the associated obstacles to deliver a successful outcome?
--Srinivas Sarakadam -
There was a project where we got associated with an early-stage startup. The founders only had an idea in their minds and did not have a business model documented. The good thing was that they were ready to talk at length. I recorded the conversations that happened over a couple of meetings and converted them into a comprehensive writing piece about their services, USP, target market, etc. It was very difficult initially but that write-up became their master reference doc for multiple purposes like website, pitch decks, internal communications, etc. We too used the same for content creation for their company.
--Pragya Bharadwaj -
How do you strike a balance between your responsibilities as a mother of two children and your professional commitments? What techniques or strategies have you found effective?
--Srinivas Sarakadam -
Being a working mother means constantly juggling between work obligations and parenting responsibilities. While this reality cannot be altered, I have found that establishing clear boundaries and organizing my day into designated time slots has helped me a lot. I have realized that having peace of mind is a key factor for better productivity. So, I make it a point to take regular breaks from my professional work and do household chores to divert my energy into other activities. Sundays are meant only for family and friends which also help me recharge myself.
--Pragya Bharadwaj -
How has being a working mother influenced your perspective and approach to work-life balance? What lessons have you learned from this experience?
--Srinivas Sarakadam -
As a working mother, one needs to prioritize their choices and make confident decisions. I have experienced that some clients message and expect deliverables on weekends. I have learned that we have to draw a line somewhere. Being a working mother has made me sensitive about these issues within the team as well. I have become more receptive to the genuine personal problems of my team members.
--Pragya Bharadwaj -
Looking ahead, what are your aspirations for the future of IncrediContent and your professional journey? How do you plan to expand and evolve in the coming years?
--Srinivas Sarakadam -
I plan to see IncrediContent as a complete content partner for its clients. We have already ventured into more strategic areas of content creation helping our clients with planning and execution of the content plan. In terms of the workforce, I see the company growing with more people joining our team and a better reporting structure. As a business, we are in a linear growth trajectory right now. I plan to focus on strengthening our operations before moving towards an exponential growth plan.
--Pragya Bharadwaj -
Thank you for sharing your valuable insights and experiences with us. It has been an enlightening conversation, and your perspective has provided valuable insights into your journey and expertise. We wish you continued success in all your future endeavors.
--Srinivas Sarakadam