2018: A year of change, travel and opportunity.
The year 2018 started with a whimper as we decided to shutdown MeshUp in December 2017. Winding down a startup is never fun and not the outcome any entrepreneur wants or expects. Even though MeshUp was unsuccessful as a startup, I learned a lot during those two years. These are things I would never have learnt from B-school or in a regular job (but that's a story for another time).
Three major highlights from 2018 were:
1. Discovered a love for travel
This year I travelled to Thailand, Cambodia, Singapore, Indonesia and Vietnam. Seeing new places, cultures and ways of life, developed into a love for travel. I love the excitement of travelling — feeling like an explorer — discovering a new land, a new language, new culture and all the little challenges that go along with it.
We learn so much from travelling. It broadens your mind in unimaginable ways.
2. Developed cultural quotient (CQ)
There are IQ and EQ and now there is CQ. Cultural Quotient is the capability to work effectively across culturally diverse settings. Culture has an effect on our behaviour and responses. It’s not always easy to bridge cultural gaps. The ways in which you persuade others and the kinds of arguments you find convincing are deeply rooted in your culture’s philosophical, religious, and educational assumptions and attitudes. Working in cross-cultural teams at APYE Thailand, Indo-German Young Leaders Forum and Entrepreneur First Singapore helped me improve my cultural intelligence.
3. Worked on cutting-edge technologies
New technologies and startups are disrupting all the industries by offering new approaches to old ways of doing business. Disruption is everywhere. From telecom to retail, financial services to IT, and pharma to travel. I was fortunate to be a part of Koinex (Mumbai) and Entrepreneur First (Singapore) where I got to work at the forefront of technology innovation. From blockchain and cryptocurrencies to artificial intelligence and medical diagnostics it was indeed a fulfilling experience.
Goodbye 2018, welcome 2019! Hope you are even better.