Naman Shrivastava

There is a risk of overcorrecting recommendations in response to new data or feedback, especially if the feedback is anecdotal or not representative of the broader impact. This could lead to instability in strategy and confusion among stakeholders. And potentially - the loss of a client. Instead, Involve the client in the decision-making process throughout. Their insights can be invaluable in understanding the broader implications of potential adjustments.

Professional conflicts often have multiple causes, not just one. Focusing on a single reason, and over focus on 'identifying the root cause' can oversimplify and overlook important factors (avoid this advice). Instead, in my experience, both in work and life, focusing on common goals works better. Discussing what we want to achieve together moves us from arguing to collaborating. This approach not only solves problems but also builds trust over time.

This is what I did when I first shifted to New York City. It helped me settle well. I think something similar could be replicated across the world. 1. Leverage your Alumni Network: If you attended a university, connect with the local alumni association. Alumni networks are often very supportive and can provide introductions to other professionals in the area. 2. Join a local community Group: Beyond professional circles, joining a local community group or club (like a sports team, book club, or hobby group) can be a great way to meet people in a more relaxed setting. In my case, I frequented the Squash Court. 3. Host a Networking Event: Once you feel a bit settled, consider hosting your own networking event at your place.

Honestly, "valuation" is often a misleading term. Each deal should prioritize values over valuation. Chasing valuations, many founders overlook crucial discussions about board seats, liquidity preferences, and more, leading to significant missteps

This is important (although, blind focus on quantitative shouldn't discount for the qualitative). there are instances when blind benchmarking exercises led to conformity over innovation. sadly, I see this happen often in the industry. (we don't hire these consulting for that)

This may sound counter-intuitive but asking open ended questions have always worked well for my team. It provides my team insights into client's thought process, priorities, and values. And more so, allows them to build trust. Qualitative information gathering is invaluable in understanding clients expectations. Many overlook this in favor of straightforward yes or no questions.