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A few days ago, I received a call from someone who wanted to switch his accounting system to Zoho Books. He scheduled an appointment, and we had a detailed discussion at my office. Toward the end of our meeting, he suddenly asked, “Is this your initial? Are you from this place?” I replied, “Yes,” a bit surprised. That’s when he smiled and said, “You were the first person to enroll in my computer institute back in the 1990s!” I was stunned. After almost 30 years, he still remembered! And as soon as he mentioned it, I recalled his face and name—I had felt a sense of familiarity when we met, but I had brushed it off. What made this moment even more special was the role reversal. Decades ago, he had introduced me to computers, shaping my early tech journey. Now, I was guiding him through his Zoho Books implementation, providing training and support. It felt truly fulfilling—almost poetic. He was a visionary—one of the first businessmen in town to implement computerized billing decades...

  "Did you use AI for that?" Yes, I did. And so what? We don’t question someone for using a calculator to speed up calculations or Excel to organize data. Yet, when it comes to AI tools like ChatGPT, Gemini, Copilot, and others, some people react as if it's cheating or a shortcut that diminishes effort. The truth is, AI tools are just that—tools. They don’t replace expertise, judgment, or creativity. Instead, they enhance productivity, helping us focus on higher-value tasks by automating routine ones. Some argue that using AI weakens thinking ability. The reality is, over-reliance on any tool—whether it's a calculator or AI—without critical engagement can affect problem-solving skills. But AI itself doesn’t replace thinking; it supports it. If you don’t know what you want, lack expertise in your domain, or fail to critically evaluate AI-generated outputs, the results can be misleading. These tools don’t remove the need for human judgment—they assist in processing in...

On my recent journey to Thiruvananthapuram on a Vande Bharat train, a fellow passenger placed his luggage in the overhead rack carelessly—without ensuring it was secure. It was obvious that it could fall at any moment, but he didn’t seem to care. His attitude was simple: he had luggage, he needed space, and he had placed it—what would happen after wasn’t his concern. I noticed it and felt uneasy. My instinct told me this was a problem, but I hesitated. Was I overreacting? Would it seem rude to point it out? So, I chose to ignore it. For a while, nothing happened. Then, after some movement in the train, the bag finally fell—landing directly on another passenger’s head. Fortunately, the injury wasn’t serious, but it could have been. This made me reflect on two things. First, how often we fail to consider safety in even the simplest situations—placing luggage, driving, building infrastructure—because we assume things will be fine until they aren’t. And second, how often we sense somet...

How BNI Transformed My Business Journey After more than 20 years, I returned to my hometown and eventually started my consultancy firm. As a B2B service provider, having strong business connections is crucial. While I had a trusted network, expanding it in my hometown was a challenge. That’s when a friend from Toastmasters, who is also a BNI member, introduced me to BNI—and it changed my journey forever! It wasn’t just about business growth; it was about friendships, meaningful connections, and leadership opportunities that I never anticipated. Today, we help businesses streamline their processes and implement efficient systems. As an Advanced Partner for Zoho Software, we work with companies to bring structure, automation, and scalability to their operations. Looking back, joining BNI was one of the best decisions I made. It’s more than a network—it’s a community that fosters trust, collaboration, and endless possibilities.

Few organizations have truly resonated with me, but Toastmasters and BNI stand out as meaningful exceptions. What makes these two organizations unique for me is their shared foundation: mutual growth. Toastmasters focuses on self-development, and BNI centers on business development, but both are built on the principle of helping others grow while growing ourselves. It’s a culture of collaboration, trust, and camaraderie—a true win-win environment that keeps me engaged. My 15+ years with Toastmasters, starting in the middle of my career, have been pivotal. It’s where I discovered the power of effective communication, refined my leadership skills, and built strong, supportive relationships. BNI has been part of my journey for the past two years, and it has opened new opportunities for growth. From attending regional and national conferences to participating in international trips with my chapter, each experience has been a chance to learn, network, and contribute. Taking on the role of a...