Sagar Patidar’s Post

#CulturalCelebration #WorkLifeBalance After engaging in numerous debates on LinkedIn about the harsh realities faced by the working population during festivals in India, I had a personal experience during my Monday meeting that really highlighted the issue. I always try to communicate my availability to colleagues, managers, and clients, especially during festival times. This was no different as I prepared for the upcoming Diwali festival. Here’s a snippet of the conversation between myself, two co-workers from another organization, and our client—it perfectly illustrates how trapped our workforce feels in this environment. Me: Thank you for your time and clarifications on the new project briefing. Client: You’re welcome! With Diwali around the corner, please let me know your availability. Yash has shared his calendar; he’ll be unavailable from Monday, the 28th, to Sunday, the 3rd! X & Y, what about you? Co-worker X: I’m available on the 28th, 29th, and 30th. We have an official holiday on the 1st, and I’ll take personal leave on the 31st. I can work a bit extra. Co-worker Y: Similar for me. I can work on weekends too. Client: Raising eyebrows X & Y, don’t you celebrate Diwali? Is Yash the only one taking a whole week off? The conversation continued... In that moment, I had to introspect about my own decision to take a week off. But then I realized: a week off in a year isn’t too much. It’s something my family and I deserve. Work will always be there; it never truly stops. I regained my confidence in this choice. The moral here is simple. The corporate culture has entrapped our minds to the point where all we think about is work, meetings, and the relentless race to impress or compete. People are losing their lives to work pressure; some even perish in their office cabins, going unnoticed for days. Clearly, there’s something fundamentally wrong with this system. I hold 3 beliefs: 1. No job is worth sacrificing your life and happiness. 2. No matter how good you are, you are always replaceable. 3. We all work for money, but true happiness and satisfaction come from spending quality, stress-free time with loved ones. There’s no point in earning if you can’t enjoy it with those you care about. I’d love to hear your thoughts—what would you add to this list? Let’s keep this conversation going. It’s crucial. Change will happen, but it starts with us speaking up.

Happy Diwali to KNAV India and Rashmi T. - the HR Director! 🎉✨ Sending festive greetings to KNAV, the firm that really knows how to make “working fun”—by keeping us at work and calling it balance! Who needs time with family when you can have quality time with spreadsheets? This Diwali, with some celebrating on October 31 and KNAV officially recognizing November 1, my wife, enjoying her first Diwali post-marriage, hoped to take part in the pre-Diwali festivities – decorating, shopping, and actually experiencing the season with family. Sadly, her 11 AM–8 PM shift (often going well past 8 PM, because, let’s be honest, who needs a life?) meant that she missed it all. But, ever the optimist, she presented a “reasonable request” to her team lead - KNAV Partner: could she take off October 31 instead, and work November 1 to make it up? Or maybe just a half-day? Surely that wasn’t too much to ask… right? Wrong! Declined across the board, of course—clearly, those pending spreadsheets were just too culturally vital! What’s ironic is how “Life at KNAV” advertises work-life balance and “fun” as their top priorities. It turns out that “balance” is just a catchy word in the company tagline – definitely not for us mere employees! And cultural sensitivity? Apparently, that’s a one-way street. To the KNAV leadership in the KNAV US, KNAV UK, and KNAV Canada - Nishta Sharma—would you skip Christmas Eve to take calls for Indian clients? Or maybe stay late to finish a spreadsheet? Imagine if flexibility actually went beyond just buzzwords! To all the professionals out there watching “work-life balance” turn into a corporate joke, maybe it’s time we start talking about real balance – the kind that lets us fully enjoy time with family, without the chains of “urgent” emails. Wishing everyone a Diwali where family, not spreadsheets, come first—just for a day. #Diwali #CorporateCulture #LifeAtKNAV #FestivalVsWork #ValuesAndFestivals #FamilyFirst #PendingSpreadsheets #CorporateIrony #CultureClash

Road Trip = Employee Journey! As we all are gearing up for the upcoming Diwali holidays and my plan is no different! I am going on my Road Trip! It’s just a thought on how we can bring about Employee Experience in relation to my upcoming road trip! The Employee Journey: More than a Ticket, It’s a Road Trip! The employee journey—think of it as the road trip where everyone’s crammed into the same corporate car, from HRs to managers to senior leadership. But instead of an “Are we there yet?” chant, it’s all about, “Are we achieving culture fit yet?” Here’s the deal: an employee’s journey starts long before they grab the steering wheel of their desk chair. From recruitment to retirement, every milestone counts. So, how do we ensure this trip isn’t a bumpy ride but a memorable one? Map the Journey: Start with clear road signs (aka job roles, expectations, and goals). Trust me, nobody enjoys a “Where is this going?” vibe. Onboarding with Style: Give new hires a warm welcome, not a cold splash of “Oh, we forgot you were starting today.” Think of onboarding as the welcome snacks—crucial for setting the mood. Fuel with Feedback: Constructive feedback is the fuel, and guess what? Every journey stops at Petrol Pumps or I should say CNG pump. Regular check-ins keep everyone moving smoothly. Scenic Routes Matter: Professional development and growth opportunities are the scenic routes of the journey. No one enjoys a straight highway to burnout. Pit Stops are Key: Be it wellness initiatives or team-building or give them just a platform to express themselves, these stops recharge and reenergize employees. Happy travelers make for smoother journeys. At the end of the day, the employee journey is about keeping everyone on the same page (or road) while they drive towards personal and organizational goals. Till then, keep learning, keep sharing and have a safe and prosperous Diwali! #EmployeeJourney #RoadtoEXcellence #HappyTravels #DestinationSuccess

I am not sure if it is true for sure, but it does seem like social platforms and their algorithms are pushing more and more posts about making me feel bad about returning to work after the eventful Diwali week! I am curious to understand how people get back in the work mode actively after a break like this. Few things that work for me, for example, are as follows: ✅️Less discussion, more execution: I am not one of the people who get their social mode back quickly after a break. I like easing into meetings and like to do more things that get me in the groove of working before getting into talking/strategizing/brainstorming mode. ✅️Time to read all emails: After a long break, I strongly prefer to have time on my calendar to clear my inbox. Not only does it allow me to get on top of things and ensure that I don't miss anything out, it also allows me to prioritize my work in a way where I can be most productive given my back from holiday mood. Also, as a person who gets immense satisfaction on crossing items off my checklist, finishing going through my emails does makes me feel ready to charge into action as well. ✅️Doing the interesting part of the job: We all have some work as a part of our day job that we love, and some that we do because we have to. Once back from vacation, I do try to start working on things that I love before things that I have to do- this is just one of the other ways for me to be productive while probably not feeling the most productive. What works for you as you dive back into work after a break? Let me know and I will also give it a try! P.S. Adding a picture to serve the same algorithm that I cribbed about at the beginning of this Post. Also, yes, I will add writing on LinkedIn to my list as well. #productivity #backtowork #backfromholiday #nomondayblues

🎉 Festivals at Work: Fueling Team Spirit & Innovation at Revuteck 🎉 As we celebrated Dussehra and Diwali at Revuteck, we witnessed firsthand the positive impact of coming together to honor traditions and diversity. 🎊 Here’s why these celebrations are meaningful to us: 🌟 Fostering Unity Festivals create a sense of belonging, bringing everyone together to celebrate shared values and unique cultural perspectives. This unity strengthens our teamwork, creating a foundation for trust and mutual respect. 🌟 Encouraging Work-Life Balance Festive breaks give our team a chance to recharge and unwind, balancing the intensity of work with moments of relaxation and joy. It’s these pauses that bring fresh perspectives and energy back into our projects. 🌟 Sparking Creativity From festive decor to creative contests, these events inspire out-of-the-box thinking and playfulness—essential ingredients for innovation. We believe that a team that celebrates together also thinks better together! 🌟 Building a Positive Culture Celebrations remind us that our workplace is more than just a place for tasks. It’s a community where everyone’s well-being is prioritized and everyone feels included. A positive culture is the foundation of every successful company! These are the values we carry forward in every project at Revuteck, fueled by a strong, motivated, and connected team! 🚀 Kodali Utej Kalyani Sai Akhila Bhagavatula Maheshwar Rao #RevuteckLife #TeamCelebrations #InnovationAtWork #CompanyGrowth #FestiveSpirit #EmployeeEngagement

At Apricot Jam, we’re proud of the diversity that drives our team and culture! Today, we’re celebrating three unique cultural festivities that highlight our global presence: Halloween in Western cultures 🎃, Sveti Luka in Serbia ✝️, and Diwali in India 🪔. 1 - Halloween is not just about costumes and candy; it symbolizes community and creativity, reminding us of the joy in coming together, whether for spooky fun or shared experiences. Companies that foster community and inclusivity see a 21% increase in profitability, as these values boost employee engagement and creativity (Forbes). 2 - In Serbia, we honor Sveti Luka (Saint Luke’s Day), a traditional celebration where friends and family gather to commemorate the legacy of Saint Luke, one of the Four Evangelists. It’s a time to reflect on heritage, family, and unity—a sentiment that resonates with our team’s commitment to fostering close, collaborative relationships. Research shows that companies with high inclusion levels enjoy a 27% higher level of team productivity and collaboration (Deloitte). 3 - In India, Diwali, the Festival of Lights, signifies the triumph of light over darkness and good over evil. It’s a beautiful reminder of hope, renewal, and sharing joy and prosperity. Our team's dedication to creating brighter solutions for our clients reflects this spirit. Teams that embrace cultural diversity perform 35% better in innovation, bringing fresh ideas and perspectives that lead to more effective solutions (McKinsey). By embracing these traditions, we’re not just celebrating different cultures—we’re building a workplace where everyone’s unique background and perspectives are valued and contribute to our shared success. Here’s to honoring diversity, learning from each other, and finding joy in our differences daily! Wishing everyone a joyful, safe, and meaningful celebration wherever you are. Happy Holidays! 🌏✨ #DiversityAndInclusion #GlobalCulture #Teamwork #Halloween #SvetiLuka #Diwali #Collaboration #CelebratingTraditions #ApricotJamCulture #BetterTogether #GlobalCelebration

🎃 Celebrating Festivities at Work: Fuelling Employee Morale & Fostering a Thriving Culture 🪔 With Halloween and Diwali approaching, it’s a perfect opportunity to reflect on the importance of celebrating festive moments within the #workplace. These events do more than just brighten up the office—they strengthen team bonds, enhance morale, and create a more positive work environment. 👊 Festive celebrations allow employees to connect beyond daily tasks, breaking the monotony of routine and encouraging a sense of community. Whether it’s through themed décor, delicious treats, or small gestures like gifts, these moments foster joy and help employees feel valued, leading to improved well-being, creativity, and ultimately, productivity. In today’s work culture, where employee engagement is key, these simple yet meaningful events play a significant role in shaping long-term satisfaction, productivity and retention. 🙌 However, we know that planning these celebrations can be time-consuming and challenging—especially amidst busy schedules. That’s where #EventStan comes in. We take pride in creating personalised, memorable experiences that leave your team excited and inspired by managing everything from décor and gifting to catering and setup, all while ensuring that it aligns with your company’s unique culture. And the best part? We offer all this with no management fees. So, whether you’re gearing up for a spooky Halloween bash, a vibrant Diwali celebration, or any other festive occasion this season, let us handle the details while you focus on enjoying the festivities 🎊 Let’s create moments that matter! 🧡 #festivities #workplacemorale #hr #employee #engagement #satisfaction

🌟𝐇𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐲 𝐃𝐢𝐰𝐚𝐥𝐢 𝐭𝐨 𝐄𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲𝐨𝐧𝐞! 𝐌𝐚𝐲 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐟𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐚𝐥 𝐛𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭, 𝐣𝐨𝐲, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐬𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐭𝐨 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐥𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐝 𝐨𝐧𝐞𝐬!🌟 In the spirit of Diwali, a celebration of togetherness and new beginnings, let's talk about something close to every leader’s heart: 𝐜𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐤𝐩𝐥𝐚𝐜𝐞 𝐰𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐩𝐞𝐨𝐩𝐥𝐞 𝐟𝐞𝐞𝐥 𝐯𝐚𝐥𝐮𝐞𝐝, 𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐝, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐢𝐧𝐬𝐩𝐢𝐫𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐲. Retaining talented team members is essential to a strong, consistent, and collaborative environment. But it’s not just about keeping people on board—it’s about making sure they feel 𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐝 and 𝐞𝐧𝐠𝐚𝐠𝐞𝐝 every single day. 𝐇𝐨𝐰 𝐭𝐨 𝐌𝐚𝐤𝐞 𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐓𝐞𝐚𝐦 𝐅𝐞𝐞𝐥 𝐕𝐚𝐥𝐮𝐞𝐝 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐒𝐩𝐞𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐥 1. 𝐋𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐧 𝐀𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐥𝐲 - Make it a point to genuinely listen to your team’s feedback, ideas, and concerns. Sometimes, all it takes is a conversation where they feel heard to boost their commitment. Regular one-on-one check-ins can go a long way in showing that you truly care. 2. 𝐈𝐧𝐯𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐢𝐧 𝐓𝐡𝐞𝐢𝐫 𝐆𝐫𝐨𝐰𝐭𝐡 - Offering opportunities for professional development—whether through mentorship, courses, or new challenges—demonstrates that you believe in their potential. Growth is a powerful motivator and a clear signal that they have a future with your company. 3. 𝐑𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐠𝐧𝐢𝐳𝐞 𝐓𝐡𝐞𝐢𝐫 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐛𝐮𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 - Don’t wait for annual reviews to recognize a job well done. Small, frequent acknowledgments go a long way in making people feel valued. Whether it’s a public shoutout, a handwritten note, or a small token of appreciation, recognition fuels engagement. 4. 𝐂𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐛𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐏𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐓𝐞𝐚𝐦 𝐌𝐢𝐥𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐧𝐞𝐬 - Celebrating both professional achievements and personal milestones shows your team that they’re more than just employees—they’re part of a community. Small gestures on birthdays, work anniversaries, or special festivals like Diwali can make a big difference. 5. 𝐂𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐚 𝐂𝐮𝐥𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐓𝐫𝐮𝐬𝐭 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐩𝐞𝐜𝐭 - Empower your team with autonomy and trust them to make decisions. When people feel trusted, they’re more committed to the company’s goals and more likely to feel their work matters. 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐎𝐮𝐭𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐞? When team members feel valued, heard, and appreciated, they’re far more likely to invest themselves in their roles, develop a deeper connection with the company, and ultimately stay. This Diwali, let’s focus on creating a workplace where everyone feels a sense of belonging and purpose. How do you make your team feel special? Share your strategies below! #HappyDiwali #EmployeeEngagement #TeamBuilding #EmployeeRetention #Leadership #WorkplaceCulture #ValuedEmployees #TeamSuccess #EmployeeAppreciation #CareerGrowth #TogetherWeGrow #DiwaliAtWork Kunal Pal Krishna G. Sharma MAYANK CHANDRAYAN Naveen Goyal Shailendra Chowdhury

𝐌𝐚𝐧𝐚𝐠𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐌𝐲 𝐑𝐨𝐮𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐓𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐅𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐒𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐨𝐧 It’s always a joy to see the country transform with lights, sweets, and celebrations. But as an entrepreneur, staying focused in the middle of all this festive energy can be easier said than done. This year, I wanted to truly enjoy the celebrations, though I am not in India yet I wanted to celebrate it by being in the right head space to cherish the celebrations. For this, I had to keep my work routine on track, so here’s what worked for me: 𝐒𝐞𝐭𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐏𝐫𝐢𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐄𝐚𝐫𝐥𝐲: I mapped out my key tasks well before the festivities kicked in, setting manageable goals for the week. It was all about giving myself room to get work done without missing out on the family moments. 𝐂𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚 𝐅𝐥𝐞𝐱𝐢𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐒𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐝𝐮𝐥𝐞: I let family and friends know my work timings, and surprisingly, setting those boundaries made things flow smoother. By scheduling work in focused blocks, I could be fully present for both work and celebration. 𝐄𝐦𝐩𝐨𝐰𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐌𝐲 𝐓𝐞𝐚𝐦: Diwali felt like a good time to trust my team with more responsibilities. Delegating not only lightened my own load but also gave them a chance to take on new challenges and it was rewarding to see them step up. 𝐒𝐡𝐨𝐫𝐭, 𝐅𝐨𝐜𝐮𝐬𝐞𝐝 𝐒𝐩𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐬: Working in short, distraction-free intervals kept me productive, and rewarding myself with breaks helped me dive back in, refreshed and focused. 𝐓𝐚𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚 𝐌𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐑𝐞𝐟𝐥𝐞𝐜𝐭: Diwali’s a time to appreciate progress and set intentions, so I made sure to pause, celebrate the wins, and think about the road ahead. Wishing everyone a wonderful Festive season! Here’s to all the hard-working professionals finding that balance and making the most of this beautiful season. 😀 #Diwali2024 #WorkLifeHarmony #EntrepreneurLife #FestiveBalance #yatiken #alokkashyap

🎄 It's almost time for Christmas parties across the UK - but in a diverse business space, how can you make everyone feel included at this time of year? The simple answer is - talk to them! If you have team members in the office that don't celebrate Christmas, you might want to be mindful of that in how you communicate information about celebrations. 🎉 By reminding people that this is a chance for the team to get together and celebrate successes of the year, the emphasis is on the social aspect, rather than the Christmas part. Members of your team may still choose to sit out the Christmas celebrations for personal reasons, whether they be cultural or wellbeing - don't make a big deal out of it! There will be plenty of other chances for them to get involved in the team spirit.  You might also want to consider an alcohol-free celebration to make it as welcoming as possible, but it's not a matter of taking away the 'Christmas' part of it for the sake of inclusivity, or pivoting plans to try and suit everyone. It's about adding value elsewhere and recognising your diverse team.  Perhaps during Diwali, Eid, Yom Kippur, or any other holidays your team members observe, you could prepare other social gatherings, decorations, small gifts, or even just well wishes can go a long way to make your team members feel valued.  You could even make alternative end-of-year plans for those who prefer a quieter activity - you might be surprised by how many prefer it! 🎁 Read our blog on the topic here - and don't hesitate to reach out with any questions: https://lnkd.in/et5dNxJk #Christmas #Workculture #Wellbeing #HR