D Day!

Exactly 3 years back on this day, I nervously walked into Mettl for my first day as the new CRO (Chief Revenue Officer).

I am sure, my doubts about the start-up world were met in equal proportion by its distrust of the Men-in-Black kind of suit-wearing human beings who talked in only slick jargon and carried their branded pens like swords.  

Looking back - it was as a bigger gamble for the Mettl family than for me. Glad that they made a bet on me and did a fabulous job of concealing their true feelings!!

I walked in at sharp 9 AM, wearing a crisp navy blue suit, handmade leather shoes, and a Tag watch on my wrist.

I was met at the door by our tech/ops team which had been working all night on a critical client project. You can imagine the shock on all of our faces and the uneasy silence when we gaped at each other in awkwardness.

A situation which seems hilarious to me now, I don’t know why, at that particular time, reminded me of a stand-off scene right out of a Hollywood flick. All of us, standing there, facing each other, wondering- “Are we in the right place?”   Thus started a roller coaster ride of unlearning and learning for me.

Just one piece of advice for all those who want to take an entrepreneurial jump - Jump for the right reasons! And that is to be free from two notions which summarise stagnation for me -

• "We know this is not correct, but it’s how things are done in our company.”
• "This should be done as of yesterday, but it’s above my pay grade."

In all probability, you will not earn as much as you did in that large MNC, have longer work hours, and be more stressed in a start-up while all your executive privileges (including air miles) evaporate into thin air. But the Freedom to Paint Your Own Canvas will be Priceless!

A Big Thank You to Ketan, Tonmoy, the Mettl Family, Blume Family, and Kalaari Family, and all other shareholders who endured me all these years!

And to the Mercer leadership which has given me the added responsibility of landing Mettl into the Mercer Family. I look forward to our time together!

Cheers, Sid!