Shibu Thomas: We need to have a long-term strategy and vision for the company’s future and then only we can pursue short-term failures and overcome challenges.

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Tell us about yourself?

A growth consultant with 20+ years of working in MNCs like IBM, Xerox, Baker Hughes, at mid and senior management role, I started my business from Kochi which is in the state of Kerala. In my career I had the blessing of being part of a growing company or growing/expanding team which built up my skill set to focus on long term growth. With this passion I share my experiences and consulting to companies who need help in structuring their long-term growth. Our team at Sideio relies heavily on what data tells us to build the strategies of branding, growth and enhanced operational efficiency. We are also building our expertise in industry 4.0 and long-term digital transformation initiatives.

What lessons has being an entrepreneur taught you?

We need to have a long-term strategy and vision for the company’s future and then only we can pursue short-term failures and overcome challenges. In my personal experience this is the key as being in consulting business with COVID affecting my business for 3 years I still didn’t go out of business.

If you could go back in time to when you first started your business, what piece of advice would you give yourself?

Every challenge we faced was a learning experience however, a collaborative approach in a business-driven ecosystem, which we implemented post COVID.

A lot of entrepreneurs find it difficult to balance their work and personal lives. How have you found that?

Initial Days business must be the priority. I got this opportunity twice. Once, when I started the business and second, after COVID. Coming back to my earlier statement of long-term strategy, once the business was established, I started building frameworks so the team can replicate results. This helps me and my team in maintaining work life balance. I strongly believe the any business should run without its founder in 1.5 – 2 years.

What is the inspiration behind your business?

My Last organisation Perfomix, a startup was acquired by a global Oil and Gas giant Baker Hughes. During the integration phase between the two companies, I learned the importance of planning your growth in a long-term strategic growth plan. Today business also faces these issues with the focus being on sales and not on building a brand that has a long-term growth.

What do you think is your magic sauce? What sets you apart from the competitors?

My Acquired learning by working in different domains in my professional life helps me to identify risk at a faster pace and my personal interest in technology keep me adept with latest in technology

How have you found sales so far? Do you have any lessons you could pass on to other founders in the same market as you just starting out?

Our sales are purely on a referral basis, however now we have created marketing and branding strategies to increase our reach. A piece of advice to fellow founders is to market and brand themselves along with the company which We at Sideio can help founders to the right tool set and direction to accelerate growth. LinkedIn is a great platform for the same.

What is the biggest challenge you have faced so far in your business, and how did you overcome it?

Post COVID regaining business momentum was the biggest challenge. It’s the time I focused on digital consulting and collaborative growth by identifying complementing companies and make collaborations.

What do you consider are the main strengths of operating your business in India and the specific state you are in over other states in India?

Skilled manpower, Kerala traditionally has high literacy rate which gives us a high degree of confidence. State has progressed with its initiatives for startups and that in turn has made the population to be investment friendly and open to new ideas.

What (if any) are some weaknesses of operating your business within India and your state?

Business owners often fail to understand the difference between long term growth plan and generating revenue. Growth is not just increase in revenue but a culmination of Brand Sentiments, Human Resource Sentiment and Customer experience.

If you could operate your business in another state in India rather than the State you are in, which state would it be and why?

With the business model that we have established, we can have our services rendered in any state. Maharashtra is a possible state as our initiative with industry 4.0 have lot of scope.

India has an incredibly diverse population. How has the affected your consumer base and business?

Its a positive outlook for my business as being in B2B zone its all business problems are relatively similar.

Infrastructure is really important to businesses. How have you seen India’s infrastructure improve recently? Do you see new opportunities opening up?

It’s been a positive outlook. With the development happening at different states be in Highways or opening of lot of co-working space, high degree of digital penetration in cities, UPI all are adding up to the quality of business improving. With the adoption of technology we see a lot of scope for digital transformation for the traditional business and we can help them to be future ready.

And finally, if people want to get involved and learn more about your business, how should they do that?

A lot of details have been provided on our website or connect with me on LinkedIn. I am planning to do you tube channel explaining our concepts and frameworks for growth hacking and digital transformation.

Follow Sideio Impetus in LinkedIn