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In the ever-evolving landscape of <keyword id="6354241" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="financial-services" source="Orion">financial services</keyword>, technology has become the cornerstone of innovation, efficiency, and customer service. Indian financial services company, <keyword id="6377963" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="freecharge" source="Orion">Freecharge</keyword>, offers over 100 million users a whole range of services, from purchasing gold and investing in mutual funds to paying utility bills and recharging their phones - all from the comfort of their digital devices. And this fast-moving company leverages <keyword id="1815769" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="slack" source="Orion">Slack</keyword> as its AI-powered platform for work, ensuring its team stays aligned, engaged, and productive, as it seeks to continue its growth in a competitive market. Consumers now have more alternatives for managing and investing their money. Gone are the days of choosing one major bank and paying a slew of fees. It is now a buyer's market and the success of financial technology (or fintech) is determined by which institutions can best adapt their services to specific consumers. For most businesses, embracing the “tech” in fintech has become imperative, be it altering internal operations with new digital tools and processes or launching new products powered by machine learning to meet longer-term, bigger-picture goals. Fintech executives can now better serve their staff and customers by implementing company-wide digital changes and innovations. In a recent conversation with Sanjay Jain, Freecharge's Chief Technology and Product Officer- DBAT, we discovered how the company has transformed its operations by leveraging the many functionalities of Slack. The conversation covered a variety of topics, including faster product development, increased cooperation, better issue resolution, and a favourable impact on compliance and <keyword id="145060" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="data-security" source="Orion">data security</keyword>. <div type="image" title="13" msid="110069505" hostid="261" sizebytes="20066" caption="&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;Sanjay Jain&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;"></div> <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="Accelerated product development" comment="subhead" text="Accelerated product development">Accelerated product development</cmsannotation> According to Sanjay, you need best-in-class technologies if you want your DevSecOps teams to ship code swiftly and resolve issues promptly. However, development teams now deal with more tools, data, and geographically dispersed colleagues than ever before; this means that time is spent more on establishing context for each issue when it should rather be spent adding value. To achieve the objective of creating a lean, mean development machine, you need to create an environment in which the relevant team members have access to the data and resources they require at precisely the right time. Before integrating Slack into their workflows, Freecharge faced challenges with a prolonged product release lifecycle, taking 6 to 7 months. "With Slack, this timeline drastically reduced, allowing us to launch 3 to 5 products every quarter, marking a significant leap in our go-to-market strategy," says Sanjay. <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="Efficient collaboration and compliance" comment="subhead" text="Efficient collaboration and compliance">Efficient collaboration and compliance</cmsannotation> A star quality that made the case for Freecharge adopting Slack is its cross-functional collaboration, especially when managing multiple products across multiple teams. “It was just seamless,” quipped Sanjay. When Freecharge switched to using Slack in 2020, it became easier for the company to align with members across different teams, due to its ease of integration and user experience. Prior to Slack, Sanjay mentioned that getting all the team members along on daily standups was a nightmare but Slack’s workflow feature sends auto reminders and notifications on specific channels and that led to a simpler process and more effective time management. The other major challenge that Freecharge faced was documentation. When simultaneous discussions take place between product and business teams, a lack of proper documentation can create hurdles. But with Slack channels providing conversation histories, discussion points, and shared documents, it drastically improved the experience. Additionally, Slack’s canvas feature enhances collaboration, allowing teams to create, organise and share essential information. Instead of being buried deep in a sea of disparate email threads, all the information for each topic is centrally located and easily accessible. Additionally, app integrations such as calendars and emails, made it easier for teammates at Freecharge to access what they needed within Slack instead of having multiple tabs open. Sanjay says "Slack emerged as a catalyst for seamless collaboration within Freecharge, streamlining internal workflows and processes." When asked about data sharing and privacy, Sanjay explained that: "The platform not only facilitated communication, but also contributed significantly to maintaining regulatory compliance and data security, crucial aspects in the highly regulated industry of fintech." <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="Issue resolution and customer satisfaction" comment="subhead" text="Issue resolution and customer satisfaction">Issue resolution and customer satisfaction</cmsannotation> Rapid response is essential for financial customer support at Freecharge. Customers want help right away, and money is an emotional commodity. Freecharge can elevate support tickets to the relevant channels using Slack; this technique is crucial for VIP support requests from significant clients. Through Slack, Freecharge’s customer support teams are also able to obtain information from the appropriate sources in no time. If a customer support person cannot find the answer in a knowledge base, they can quickly connect via Slack with the relevant professional. Previously, alerts from customer support were sent by email, and as a result notifications were easy to miss, and every problem was a complex maze of searching for the appropriate individuals and looping them into different email threads. Today, Freecharge has integrated everything together in Slack. “Slack's quick response capabilities played a crucial role during high traffic events like big billion days and festive seasons. By swiftly addressing customer complaints and resolving issues, Freecharge achieved a notable boost in customer satisfaction, positively impacting overall metrics,” adds Sanjay. One of the biggest differentiators for Slack is the platform it provides for developers to create a sound <keyword id="6354778" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="banking" source="Orion">banking</keyword> experience by digitally transforming critical operations through custom apps. Sanjay emphasises: “Slack's impact has extended beyond operational efficiency. It has catalysed a culture of innovation at Freecharge, allowing us to test and implement new concepts rapidly.” Freecharge uses Slack as its digital headquarters, enabling its workers to automate procedures and find quicker solutions to problems. Developers can boost SLA performance and speed up time to resolution by coordinating their tools and communication on Slack. An added bonus would be that new responders have instant access to the historical context of an issue without interrupting ongoing investigations. Increasingly in fintech, where customer demands drive innovation and collaboration among teams, the role of workplace tools becomes paramount. And at Freecharge, Sanjay is gung-ho on Slack’s integration, primarily due to the vast impact that it has brought about – in the pace of product development, issue resolution, and the scale of innovation. Since integrating Slack into their operations over the past few years, Freecharge can attest to the positive impact it has had on their business. It has helped them deliver and thrive in an increasingly competitive environment. Freecharge is now able to launch products every quarter and that has provided them a boost in go-to-market strategies. The improved speed in issue resolution has led to stronger metrics and, most importantly, the collaborative environment fostered by Slack has allowed teams across the board to stay aligned and work together to map a stronger blueprint. As Freecharge continues to pave an innovative way forward in modern banking, Slack provides a solid platform to build both a cutting-edge product and culture. Disclaimer: This article is generated and published by the Insider Studios team. You can get in touch with them on <a href="mailto:insiderstudios@businessinsider.in">insiderstudios@businessinsider.in</a>

Beyond banking: How Slack is reshaping financial services for the digital age

<ul><li><keyword id="6354484" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="Donald-Trump" source="Orion">Donald Trump</keyword> has been re-elected as the 47th president of the United States.</li><li>Trump has defeated <keyword id="20307089" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Kamala-Harris" source="keywords">Kamala Harris</keyword> in the US Presidential elections.</li><li>Indian Americans have welcomed the re-election of Donald Trump.</li></ul>Eminent Indian Americans have welcomed the re-election of Donald Trump as the 47th president of the United States and assured to work with him on issues of importance in the US-India ties. "Congratulations to President Donald Trump on his decisive victory. We are in a golden age of American innovation and are committed to working with his administration to help bring benefits to everyone," Google CEO Sundar Pichai said on Wednesday. “The American people have spoken”, former South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley said. "Congratulations to President Trump on a strong win. Now, it's time for the American people to come together, pray for our country, and start the process of a peaceful transition," Haley added. "That begins with Kamala Harris conceding. You can't just talk about unity in a campaign, you have to show it regardless of the outcome," Haley said. Former Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal called it a great day for America. "Let's take a moment to celebrate. Then begins the hard work to get our country back on track!" said Jindal. "It's almost morning in America," said entrepreneur-turned-politician Vivek Ramaswamy. "Now let's go save a country," he said. "Congratulations to President Trump. We look forward to working with him and his administration on issues of bilateral importance in the US-India relationship, and on global challenges that the two countries can lead together," said M R Rangaswami, founder of Indiaspora, a community engagement platform. Ajay Jain Bhaturia, a major fundraiser of the Kamala Harris campaign, also congratulated Trump. "Congratulations President-elect Trump! America failed to elect its First Women President again! People have voted for a change to handle border issues, the economy, immigration, crime, and wars! I respect their choice. We did all we could!" said Bhaturia. New York-based prominent entrepreneur Al Mason said: "God saved Trump from two assassination attempts - there is a reason for the same. Trump is going to be a messiah for the American people and the rest of the world. There will be a very prosperous America, a safer world free of wars. In fact, a golden era begins for the United States of America." Dr Krishna Reddy, chair of Indian American Friendship Council, congratulated Trump on the victory. "This is the beginning of super <keyword id="21319316" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="US-India-relations" source="keywords">US-India relations</keyword> and together we keep the world safe again. This is the great strength of Indian Americans to build a robust economy again and Indian Americans are a great part of this success," he said. With inputs from PTI. SEE ALSO: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/auto/news/skoda-kylaq-suv-launched-in-india-starting-at-7-89-lakh/articleshow/115013668.cms">Skoda Kylaq SUV launched in India starting at ₹7.89 lakh</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/stock-market/webstories/swiggy-ipo-gmp-risk-factors-and-all-you-need-to-know/slidelist/115004939.cms">Swiggy IPO – GMP, risk factors and all you need to know</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/telecom/news/reliance-jio-ipo-indias-biggest-telco-to-go-public-in-2025-retail-ipo-further-away/articleshow/114944496.cms">Reliance Jio IPO – India’s biggest telco to go public in 2025, retail IPO further away</a>

Indian Americans welcome Donald Trump's re-election

It is no secret that women often outlive men. The global average life expectancy in 2021 was about 68.4 years for men. In contrast, this stood at 73.8 years for women. As such, it is far more important for women to begin planning for their golden years as early as possible. Perhaps realizing this, more women are getting into investing than ever before! Even better, women save about 5% more each month than men. A recent Max Life's India Retirement Index Study (IRIS 4.0) also highlighted a similar sentiment: women are increasingly taking charge of their retirement and finances. Per the study, urban Indian working women are now keeping pace with men, with 66% being confident that their current investments will guarantee a financially secure retirement life. In terms of health, 48% of urban Indian working women feel confident that they will continue to stay fit and healthy in their retirement years. Encouragingly, a whopping 68% of urban Indian women have already started investing for their retirement. Amongst their preferred investment avenues are life insurance (65%), bank FDs/RDs (45%), medical insurance (36%), and mutual funds and SIPs (14%). The awareness is not limited to women; young urban Indians are awakening to the realization that retirement planning should be kicked off as soon as possible. Per IRIS 4,0, 44% of Indians consider the right age to start planning for retirement to be before 35 years, a jump from 38% in IRIS 3.0. An overwhelming 93% of respondents aged above 50 regret delaying their retirement planning. Says Priyanka Bhatia, Co-Founder of Women on Wealth, "Women, by and large, live longer than men and may confront professional interferences, which influence retirement reserve funds essentially. Beginning in your 20s permits women to create strategies that account for longevity risks and potential income gaps. Investments like annuities and dividend-paying assets guarantee a consistent income stream post-retirement, permitting ladies to explore monetary freedom even in later years.". Not to mention, beginning early also permits individuals to take advantage of tax-efficient investments over a more drawn-out period. In India, instruments like the National Pension Scheme (NPS) offer tax benefits that develop over the long haul. By expanding these exceptions from a young age, women can grow their retirement reserve funds while reducing taxable income in each financial year. Bhatia notes that even if one is planning to retire early, it does not only mean putting something aside for your 60s. It is also about adaptability to pick semi-retirement choices, work in sectors driven by passion, or even pursue entrepreneurial ventures without financial pressure. "Beginning in your 20s allows you to amass funds that can allow for early retirement, empowering a change to lifestyle-oriented work or community contributions later in life," Bhatia signs off.

Planning for your retirement in your 20s? Here's why it is a smart move!

<keyword id="21244010" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="government-measures" source="keywords">Government measures</keyword> such as mandatory quality control orders and increasing customs duty have helped boost exports of <keyword id="25284" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="toys" source="Orion">toys</keyword> from India, but there is a need to do much more for the sector, a top official said on Wednesday. Secretary in the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) Rajesh Kumar Singh also indicated that they are diligently pursuing the proposal of extending fiscal incentives under the production-linked incentive scheme for the sector. He said that the industry is wondering about one proposed major policy intervention and "let me assure you that we are still pursuing that". In the interim Budget in February, the Commerce and Industry Ministry has recommended an outlay of Rs 3,489 crore for the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme for toys to boost domestic manufacturing of the sector. As the scheme is yet to be cleared by the Union Cabinet, the interim Budget has made a token provision of Rs 1 lakh towards the scheme for 2024-25. The scheme aims to attract investments in key sectors and cutting-edge technology; ensure efficiency, bring economies of size and scale in the manufacturing sector and make Indian companies and manufacturers globally competitive. Singh said that the country's <keyword id="21563576" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="toy-exports" source="keywords">toy exports</keyword> have jumped to USD 325.72 million in 2022-23 from USD 96.17 million in 2014-15 as the government is providing all-around support for creating a conducive manufacturing ecosystem for the toy industry. Imports of toys dipped by 52 per cent from USD 332.55 million in 2014-15 to USD 158.7 million in 2022-23. "The national action plan for toys and other initiatives has had a good impact, but we need to do much more," Singh said, adding the sector holds huge exports and job potential. In order to make India a global hub for toy manufacturing, the government has undertaken a series of initiatives including the formulation of a comprehensive National Action Plan for Toys (NAPT) to promote the designing of toys, using toys as a learning resource, monitoring quality of toys, and promoting indigenous toy clusters. The secretary was speaking at a toy workshop in New Delhi. In order to enable further growth, increased market access and development of new-age marketing skills, DPIIT conducted a workshop with Flipkart and the Indian Toy Industry. Flipkart, Walmart and the Toy Association of India participated in the event. Joint Secretary in the DPIIT Sanjiv said that the workshop was aimed at enhancing India's position and capabilities in the global toy supply chain. It will help the toy manufacturers understand the nuances of online selling which shall in turn help in the growth of sales and market access, Sanjiv said. The issues figured out in the workshop included ways to increase sourcing by online platforms, onboarding of manufacturers on the Flipkart platform and upskilling. It was also aimed at supporting online selling, scaling domestic consumption and upskilling/reskilling workforce. Last year, Flipkart informed toy makers about their requirements and expected quality standards, as it is directly engaging with domestic toymakers for sourcing. The online platforms provide greater access to a much wider customer base across India, expanding their market reach significantly. E-commerce eliminates the need for physical stores, reducing operational costs. It also provides valuable brand exposure to a large audience. Additionally, e-commerce platforms offer data on consumer buying habits and preferences, allowing manufacturers to develop products that cater to market demands. India raised import duties on toys beginning in February 2020. The basic customs duty was increased from 20 per cent to 60 per cent and then to 70 per cent in July 2021.

Govt steps have boosted toy exports from India, but more work still needed: DPIIT Secretary

The Prime Minister’s Internship Scheme, announced in the Union Budget 2024-25, is set to offer a tremendous opportunity for young Indians to gain hands-on experience in leading companies across diverse sectors. As of October 12, the portal for this ambitious initiative is open for registrations, with over 90,000 internship positions posted by top companies like <keyword id="19896380" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Reliance-Industries" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="Reliance Industries" meta.hostid="261" meta.entityid="Reliance Industries">Reliance Industries</keyword>, <keyword id="19895995" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="HDFC-Bank" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="HDFC Bank" meta.hostid="261" meta.entityid="HDFC Bank">HDFC Bank</keyword>, <keyword id="19950119" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Tata-Consultancy-Services" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="Tata Consultancy Services" meta.hostid="261" meta.entityid="Tata Consultancy Services">Tata Consultancy Services</keyword> (TCS), ONGC, Maruti Suzuki, and more. Here’s everything you need to know about how to apply, the companies participating, and answers to frequently asked questions. <h2>Step-by-Step Guide to Applying for the <keyword id="23273918" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="PM-Internship-Scheme" source="keywords">PM Internship Scheme</keyword></h2><ol><li>Visit the Official Portal: The PM Internship Scheme’s application process takes place on the official website,<a href="http://pminternship.mca.gov.in"> pminternship.mca.gov.in</a>.</li><li>Register and Set Up Your Profile: After opening the portal, you’ll need to register and fill out basic information, including educational qualifications, age, and internship preferences.</li><li>Explore Internship Listings: With over 90,000 internships available from 193 companies, you can browse listings in sectors like Oil &amp; Gas, Travel &amp; Hospitality, Automotive, Banking, and more. Each listing will provide details on job roles, skills required, and specific fields like Operations Management, Production, Maintenance, and Sales.</li><li>Apply for Your Chosen Roles: You can apply for up to five internships based on your interests, qualifications, and preferred location. The portal allows for an easy application submission and lets you track your applications.</li><li>Confirmation and Next Steps: Once you apply, download the confirmation page for reference. Internships are set to begin on December 2, 2024, so selected candidates will receive further instructions as the start date approaches.</li></ol><h2>Major Companies Participating in the PM Internship Scheme</h2>Here are some of the top companies that have already posted internships on the portal, with more joining every day: <ul><li>Reliance Industries Ltd.</li><li>HDFC Bank</li><li>Tata Consultancy Services (TCS)</li><li>Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC)</li><li>State Bank of India (SBI)</li><li>Maruti Suzuki India Ltd.</li><li>Jubilant FoodWorks</li><li>Larsen &amp; Toubro Ltd.</li><li>Eicher Motors Ltd.</li><li>Muthoot Finance</li></ul>These companies are providing internships across over 20 fields, covering a wide range of skills and sectors. The biggest opportunities are currently in the Oil &amp; Gas sector, followed by industries like Travel, Automotive, and Financial Services. <div type="Article" hostid="261" msid="113986236" title="Why so many entry-level jobs aren&amp;#39;t entry-level" mstype="2" mssubtype="0"></div><h2>Key Features of the Internship Scheme</h2>Under the scheme, interns will receive a stipend of Rs 5,000 per month, plus a one-time grant of Rs 6,000 to support miscellaneous expenses. These internships are available across 737 districts in all 37 states and Union Territories, making this a truly inclusive national program. Interns can indulge in many diverse internship roles. From operations to maintenance, sales, marketing, and production, these internships offer a variety of hands-on experiences that match real-world corporate needs. <h2>FAQs about the PM Internship Scheme</h2><h5>Who is eligible?</h5>The scheme is open to Indian citizens aged 21 to 24 who are not employed full-time or enrolled in full-time study programs. Candidates in online or distance learning programs are eligible. <h5>What sectors offer the most internships?</h5>The largest number of internships are in the Oil &amp; Gas, Travel &amp; Hospitality, Automotive, and Banking &amp; Financial Services sectors, with positions also available in fields like Manufacturing, IT, and Retail. <h5>When do the internships start?</h5>Internships for this year will begin on December 2, 2024. The scheme aims to facilitate 1.25 lakh internships this financial year and eventually reach one crore internships over the next five years. <h5>What are the application deadlines?</h5>The portal is open from October 12 for candidates to start applying, with companies continuing to post positions as the scheme rolls out. It’s recommended to apply early, as some positions may fill up quickly. <div type="Article" hostid="261" msid="114029056" title="Read 5 résumés that helped techies land $300,000-plus jobs at Google, Meta, Amazon, and Salesforce" mstype="2" mssubtype="0"></div>

PM Internship Scheme finally launched — here’s how you can apply to work with Reliance, TCS, SBI and more!

Indian workers persist in expecting higher salaries to offset escalating living expenses. Also, to feel valued for their contributions and <keyword id="19986702" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="flexibility" source="keywords">flexibility</keyword> remains a pressing concern for most employees, says a recent report. According to recruitment firm <keyword id="20450097" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Michael-Page-India" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="Michael Page India" meta.hostid="153" meta.entityid="Michael Page India">Michael Page India</keyword>'s Talent Trends 2024 report, flexibility has become a major point of contention in most parts of India as employers grapple with implementing <keyword id="22109728" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="hybrid-working-models" source="keywords">hybrid working models</keyword> and policies that meet both business needs and employee preferences. At a time when a whopping 94% of respondents in India are open to exploring different roles in 2024, employers must look beyond competitive salaries and address broader aspects such as flexibility, <keyword id="20051946" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="diversity" source="keywords">diversity</keyword>, <keyword id="20046237" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="equity" source="keywords">equity</keyword>, and inclusion (DE&amp;I), and positive workplace culture to effectively attract and retain top talent, the report said. "A successful recruitment strategy needs to go beyond merely offering competitive salaries. It should prioritise cultivating a robust company culture, providing flexibility, and addressing diversity, equity, and inclusion (DE&amp;I) initiatives to effectively attract and retain top talent," Ankit Agarwala, Managing Director of Michael Page India, said. The report titled "The Expectation Gap" covered responses from approximately 50,000 skilled white-collar professionals across 37 countries, including over 3,000 individuals from India. According to the report, India leads APAC in reporting <keyword id="19975932" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="workplace-discrimination" source="keywords">workplace discrimination</keyword>, with 47% of employees reporting workplace discrimination, higher than the APAC average of 31%. However, 45% of the workforce still faces barriers in formally reporting such incidents. Globally, 28% of organisations report similar retention challenges, indicating a heightened pressure on Indian companies. To maintain high levels of job satisfaction among all age groups, organisations must understand and address the distinct priorities of each generation, from Baby Boomers to Gen Z, the report said. Among various sectors, 26% of Indian employers report <keyword id="22109727" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="recruitment-challenges" source="keywords">recruitment challenges</keyword>, while 25% face difficulties in retention. Meanwhile, 31% of organisations in the Indian healthcare sector experience recruitment challenges, and 30% struggle with retention. The fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) sector in India reports the highest retention issues, with 54% of companies indicating difficulties in keeping their talent. "The rise of e-commerce and shifting consumer preferences are prompting FMCG companies to adapt quickly, leading to high demand for professionals with expertise in digital marketing, supply chain management, and consumer insights," the report noted.

Flexibility, salary key jobseeker parameters for new roles in India: Report

<ul class="summary-list"><li>I am Hindu, and my wife is Christian, which has presented some challenges.</li><li>We had a wedding filled with the vibrancy of Indian culture and the traditions of American culture.</li></ul><a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/moved-california-india-wife-family-startups-founder-tech-bengaluru-meta-2024-10">My wife</a>, Katy, and I come from different worlds. I am a Hindu raised in London, while Katy is a Christian from Pittsburgh.Yet <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/starting-business-with-partner-strengthened-relationship-2024-6">our relationship</a> thrives despite our cultural and religious differences. Although our multicultural identities initially presented challenges, they also brought us closer together.From the moment we first spoke on the phone three years ago and met the next day, it was clear that we were meant to be. Our shared values, <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/millennials-struggling-absurdist-gen-z-humor-memes-2023-8">sense of humor</a>, and desire to treat others with kindness made everything else seem insignificant.<h2 id="fc25f697-46f1-415f-a344-e74095fbc3b0">We realized our cultural differences quickly</h2>As we grew closer, we realized how different we were, leading us to have some deep and intense conversations. My upbringing in Punjabi culture — with its vibrant traditions, music, and cuisine — contrasts sharply with Katy's American experience. While <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/cultural-differences-between-us-europe-american-traveler-2024-2">American culture</a> often feels less rooted to her, Katy appreciates Indian food and is eager to learn Punjabi, encouraging me to speak it more. This mutual respect for each other's cultures has eased our blending process.Despite our shared enthusiasm for each other's traditions, we've faced challenges with the smaller details. For instance, in <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/i-moved-back-to-india-after-living-abroad-for-decade-2024-9">Indian culture</a>, it's common to stay with one's parents until marriage, while in American culture, independence is often encouraged from a young age. This difference has taught me to admire Katy's resilience and independence — qualities I deeply respect.<div type="image" title="Kaajal Nanda and her wife in their wedding dresses" height="1367" width="2048" msid="114174992" hostid="261" sizebytes="260150"></div><a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/planned-wedding-never-happened-not-doing-it-again-2024-7">Our wedding</a> was a beautiful representation of all of this blending. We incorporated elements from both cultures: an American ceremony conducted by a close friend, an Indian DJ with drummers who played a mixture of Indian and American music, and American food. This compromise showcased our diverse backgrounds and reinforced our commitment to creating a harmonious life together.<h2 id="682376c0-f167-4b0d-9173-86f50070de2c">We sometimes run into issues with our different faiths</h2>Our differing <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/religious-american-companies-2017-10">religious beliefs</a> have also presented challenges. As a Hindu, I don't eat beef, while Katy, having grown up in a culture where beef is common, enjoys it. We've navigated this by respecting each other's preferences. While I don't stop her from eating beef in front of me, she respects my preferences by choosing not to eat it when I'm around and enjoying it outside the home instead. This thoughtful compromise has strengthened our mutual respect.Another challenge was reconciling our differing views on the afterlife. Initially, it was difficult to accept that Katy's beliefs included the idea of non-believers going to hell. However, I realized that since I don't share this belief, it shouldn't impact our relationship.Over time, Katy has also come to understand that my beliefs are valid, and we've found common ground in our <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/couple-love-for-fitness-better-parents-2024-10">shared values</a>.One aspect where we are fortunate is that patriarchy, a significant issue in both our cultures, doesn't impact us as a lesbian couple. This has allowed us to avoid some of the <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/want-be-tradwife-traditional-wife-marriage-homemaker-life-meaning-2024-3">traditional gender dynamics</a> that can complicate relationships.<h2 id="997a1e59-7749-4be7-948c-0eb0745f06ce">We have learned the importance of open communication</h2>Through regular, open discussions about our differences, we've discovered that our core values align closely. We both strive to show love and kindness, serve others generously, and remain authentic. These shared values are the foundation of our relationship and have helped us overcome any challenges.Ultimately, our love for each other bridges our cultural and religious differences. It's this love that holds us together and makes our <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/benefits-of-diverse-companies-2017-3">diverse backgrounds</a> an asset rather than a hurdle. Our journey has shown us that embracing and respecting each other's cultures can create a life filled with joy, understanding, and unity.

I'm a Hindu and my wife is Christian, so we have different beliefs and traditions. Somehow, our marriage still works.

<div type="image" title="Companies are embracing the unbossing trend" msid="113256383" hostid="261" sizebytes="1440779"></div> If there’s one thing both a productive team member and an underperformer hates in the corporate world, it’s being micromanaged. Now, imagine a workplace where the boss isn’t calling all the shots. Instead, everyone has a voice, and innovation flows freely. The recent corporate trend of "Unbossing" promises to do just that, empowering employees by eliminating the heavy hands of hierarchy. Sounds too good to be true? Well, globally, not just the new-age start-ups, but dozens of major corporations have embraced this trend and trimmed their middle management. <h2>Managers managing managers — no more!</h2>In January last year, <keyword id="399907" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="META" source="Orion">Meta</keyword> CEO Mark Zuckerberg made headlines for declaring 2023 as the “year of efficiency” and saying that he doesn’t want a management structure that's just “managers managing managers”. <div type="image" title="Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg" agency="ANI" msid="113256403" hostid="261"></div> The same month, it was also reported by Command Line that Meta's chief product officer Chris Cox, had shared a post on the company's communication platform, Workplace, highlighting the necessity to "flatten" the organisation's structure. What followed was reports of Meta slashing middle management roles. Gradually, other companies like Shopify, Bayer, and Cisco began making headlines for showing the exit door to some of their middle managers. Loosely, unbossing is essentially cutting down the middle management roles. It cuts significant costs for the company and the new-age workforce also endorses the trend as efficient in enabling faster decision-making and innovation. However, critics argue this trend also limits the extent of mentorship that the younger generation receives while entering the workforce, which often remains an intangible value if your boss turns out to be a good mentor. Therefore, for some, it’s not about firing the middle management, but just another leadership philosophy on how leaders (and ‘bosses’) should conduct themselves. This approach advocates bosses working along with the team as a part rather than shouting instructions from the top. Whatever one’s understanding, this trend of “Unbossing” appears to be taking corporate America by storm in 2023, as evidenced by hundreds of media reports highlighting the same. Overall, most agree that the trend is restructuring organisational hierarchy to enable direct communication between employees and leaders. Cut to 2024, this trend is still prevalent and making headlines. A Bloomberg report recently said that Georges Elhedery, the incoming CEO of HSBC Holdings, might also consider plans to streamline the company's operations by reducing layers of middle management. But what’s the scenario in India? Are Indian companies ready to ditch the old-school approach and adopt this new way of working? Let’s dive in and see what the experts have to say! <h2>Layoffs to impact senior professionals: Naukri.com survey</h2>A survey by job portal Naukri.com early last year had suggested that recruiters in India expect a decline in layoffs during the first half of 2023. The survey, which included responses from 1,400 recruiters and consultants across ten industries, revealed that only 4 percent of participants anticipated layoffs to be the main focus of hiring activities within their organisations. However, the survey also highlighted that information technology roles and senior professionals were likely to be the most affected by hiring adjustments. About 20 percent of recruiters predicted that layoffs would predominantly impact senior professionals, while freshers are expected to face the least disruption from these hiring corrections. Interestingly the survey came around the same time when the Unbossing trend had begun picking up pace abroad. <h2>Layoffs at Wipro, <keyword id="18635" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="amazon" source="Orion">Amazon</keyword> and Collegedunia</h2>In January this year, Wipro India was in the limelight for laying off hundreds of its mid-level executives. The company reportedly culled many jobs as part of its strategy to improve margins. An ET report citing two sources familiar with the situation had said that the leading Indian IT firm reduced mid-level roles at its onsite locations. "Notices began being issued earlier this month, and hundreds of mid-level executives onsite are being let go," one source revealed. Another source added, "They have costly resources onsite in Capco, and although growth is returning, it's not sufficient. Aparna Iyer, Wipro's chief financial officer, has been tasked with delivering better margins this quarter." <div type="image" title="Amazon decided to lay-off middle managers in May" msid="113256170" hostid="261"></div>Then in May, Amazon also decided to reduce layers of middle management within its customer service divisions as part of an organisational restructuring, a Fortune report had said. The cuts impacted over 100 customer service managers in Level 5 and Level 6 middle management roles, both in call centres and virtual positions, primarily based in the U.S. and India. Not just large tech companies, startups too seem to be adapting the <keyword id="23125775" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="unbossing-trend-in-India" source="Orion">unbossing trend in India</keyword>. Last month, educational portal Collegedunia confirmed that around 100 employees from its Study Abroad department had been given the pink slip. A report in CNBC-TV18 had said that additional job cuts were happening across other departments as part of a broader reorganisation. The restructuring, as per the report, was aimed at automating many tasks to reduce costs. Interestingly, despite the layoffs, Collegedunia had posted 13 job openings on LinkedIn for various roles in different locations, primarily entry-level positions requiring up to two years of experience. "While Collegedunia is laying off several employees, it is also hiring fresh talent, allowing them to keep staffing levels up but at a lower cost," one employee told CNBC-TV18 at the time. Another source confirmed that while Collegedunia had been actively recruiting for some months, it has also been letting go of employees, including senior staff members with 7-8 years of experience at the company. <h2>What do experts say?</h2> <div type="image" title="Experts&amp;#39; opinion on unbossing trend" msid="113256250" hostid="261"></div>Mr. Sumit Kumar, Chief Strategy Officer at TeamLease Degree Apprenticeship, told Business Insider India, “From the perspective of HR leaders and CEOs, the strategic culling of middle management is viewed as a means to streamline operations, reduce overhead, and foster a culture of autonomy and innovation.” He also noted that even though employees can “exercise greater ownership and agility in decision-making” through this approach, there are also significant downsides. “The erosion of middle management creates a vacuum in leadership development, mentorship, and the retention of institutional knowledge, potentially leading to disengagement, a weakened talent pipeline, and misalignment with organisational objectives,” Kumar noted. Talking specifically about the Indian scenario, he said, “Implementing this trend in India would be a strategic move, positioning organisations to remain competitive in a rapidly evolving business environment. However, to fully capitalise on this approach, developing a more robust talent pipeline that integrates the ability to multitask at all levels is imperative. In today's landscape, leadership demands thinkers, strategic visionaries, and individuals who can execute with precision. We need to cultivate a new breed of leaders who are both thinkers and doers, capable of navigating complex challenges while driving innovation and growth. By building versatile, agile leaders through targeted talent development programs, Indian organisations can ensure they are well-prepared to thrive in a decentralised, high-performance environment.” RP Yadav, Chairman and Managing Director of Genius Consultants Limited, told ET recently that the Unbossing approach simplifies hierarchies and encourages open communication between frontline employees and senior management. He had added that the concept of “the oldest in the room is always the wisest of all” is no longer applicable. Meanwhile, Aditya Narayan Mishra, MD and CEO of CIEL HR Services told ET that the unbossing trend is predominantly seen in tech companies, creative roles, and startups, where swift decision-making and the unrestricted exchange of ideas are crucial. For example, the tech sector often thrives with flattened hierarchies that support rapid innovation and agility, while creative industries such as advertising and media use unbossing to cultivate a more collaborative and idea-focused environment. Thus, the unbossing trend is gaining traction beyond global companies and is finding its way into Indian organisations as well. While this approach can streamline operations, reduce costs, and enhance agility, experts caution that it also brings challenges, such as gaps in leadership development and the loss of institutional knowledge. To fully harness the benefits of unbossing, Indian companies must focus on cultivating agile leaders who can navigate complex challenges and drive growth. By building a strong talent pipeline and fostering a culture of innovation and collaboration, Indian organisations can position themselves to thrive in a more decentralised and dynamic business environment. Do you have insights or personal experience to s hare on layoffs, <keyword id="34447" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="workplace-trends" source="Orion">workplace trends</keyword>, or career changes? Contact us at businessinsider@timesinternet.in.

SIMPLY PUT: What’s with all “Unbossing” talks? Are Indian companies also embracing this global trend?

<keyword id="19910826" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="London" source="keywords">London</keyword>: <keyword id="22709851" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="Shreyas-Royal" source="keywords">Shreyas Royal</keyword> is a <keyword id="22722922" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="British-Indian-chess-prodigy" source="keywords">British Indian chess prodigy</keyword> who, at just 15 years old, is now <keyword id="22722925" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Englands-youngest-grandmaster" source="keywords">England's youngest grandmaster</keyword> (GM) after clocking his latest victory in the <keyword id="22722924" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="British-Chess-Championships" source="keywords">British Chess Championships</keyword>. The London schoolboy crossed the final hurdle to bag the final <keyword id="21663814" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="GM-Norm" source="keywords">GM Norm</keyword> - a performance benchmark accrued over a number of games across tournaments - during the championship in Hull last week. It marked a major milestone for his family, which was granted leave to remain in the UK in recognition of his exceptional chess genius after his IT expert father's work visa had expired in 2018. "It feels great to pay off part of what the country had done for us," said Jitendra Singh, on his son's latest accomplishment. "We're both very delighted to hit the record in the country that has nurtured his chess career," he said. Shreyas beat Grand Master David Howell's record of becoming the youngest back in 2007, aged 16 years old. According to the English Chess Federation (ECF), his notable results in the championship last week included defeating Howell and drawing with the eventual winner Gawain Jones, and top GMs Luke McShane and Michael Adams. "Keep persisting, no matter how tough things may get. There will always be setbacks and failures, but how you overcome them will define your character and will put you on the right path," said Shreyas when asked for his advice for other budding young chess players like him. He and his supportive father now have their eyes set on making it to the national chess team and achieving even greater heights. "It's truly been a remarkable journey, and I cannot thank everyone who has helped me enough," added Shreyas. Shreyas, who was born in India, moved to the UK at the age of three with parents Jitendra and Anju Singh from Bangalore six years ago. Back in 2018, ECF had campaigned for the boy to stay on in the UK and hone his talent. In a joint letter to then home secretary Sajid Javid, Labour MPs Rachel Reeves and Matthew Pennycook - now Cabinet ministers - had said the UK would lose an "exceptional talent" if Shreyas were to leave due to his father's visa running out. "The UK should always encourage the world's brightest, most talented people to work and make their lives here. Shreyas is recognised by the English Chess Federation as the country's greatest chess prospect in a generation," their letter said. The Home Office reconsidered the case to allow an extension to their stay, which has since led to a British citizenship. Last year, Shreyas joined other young chess prodigies at 10 Downing Street as then prime minister Rishi Sunak unveiled a GBP 1 million investment package to support children attending schools in disadvantaged areas across England to learn and play chess, improve visibility and availability of the game and fund elite playing.

Keep persisting: British Indian chess prodigy Shreyas Royal on feat as youngest grandmaster

<keyword id="22959243" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="National-Sports-Day-2024" source="keywords">National Sports Day 2024</keyword>, observed on August 29, pays tribute to <keyword id="22371465" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Major-Dhyan-Chand" source="keywords">Major Dhyan Chand</keyword>'s remarkable legacy and emphasizes the importance of <keyword id="22959245" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="sports-and-physical-fitness" source="keywords">sports and physical fitness</keyword> in India through a range of events and activities. <h2><keyword id="22785293" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="national-sports-day" source="keywords">National Sports Day</keyword> 2024: Date</h2>National Sports Day in India, observed every year on 29th August, celebrates the birth anniversary of Major Dhyan Chand, a legendary field hockey player renowned for his exceptional skills and contributions to the sport. Major Dhyan Chand, popularly known as "The Wizard of Hockey," was born on August 29, 1905 and played a crucial role in shaping what is considered the golden period of Indian hockey. With his unprecedented skills, he led India to win 3 Olympic gold medals in 1928, 1932 and 1936. <h2>National Sports Day 2024: Inspiring Quotes </h2>“If I, being a mother of two, can win a medal, so can you all. Take me as an example and don`t give up- Mary Kom “If we really want to become a good football nation, we need to work at the grass-root level. We need to open more academics with top facilities. – Baichung Bhutia “When people throw stones at you, you turn them into milestones.” – Sachin Tendulkar “I want to be the best, it’s not about the ranking, it’s about being consistent.” – Saina Nehwal <h2>National Sports Day 2024: Significance and celebrations</h2>The National Sports Day in India is celebrated to encourage people of all ages to participate in sports and other physical fitness activities and to honour the achievements of our athletes. In recent years, the Indian government has also come forward with many initiatives to promote sports and fitness. Since its inception in 2017-18, the 'Khelo India' program has emerged as a flagship government initiative dedicated to promoting sports across all age groups and levels. On National Sports Day in 2019, Prime Minister Narendra Modi introduced the '<keyword id="20284979" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Fit-India-Movement" source="keywords">Fit India Movement</keyword>' to emphasize the significance of sports and personal fitness. National Sports Day not only celebrates sports but also honors the remarkable achievements of Indian athletes, highlighting their contributions to the country's pride and international reputation. On this day, the President of India presents several prestigious sports awards, including the Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award, which is the highest sporting honor in the country. Educational institutions like schools and colleges organize various events such as inter-school and intercollege competitions, sports festivals, and exhibitions to promote engagement in diverse sports. Major cities and towns host marathons, fitness camps, and workshops led by acclaimed athletes and coaches, further encouraging public participation in sports.

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